Mark Finley on hell
Mark Finley, a teacher of the Seventh Day Adventists, used some deceptive practices to give his false teachings.The Jehovah's Witnesses borrowed this doctrine for their cult as well.
I will cover the topic of DESTRUCTION OF THE WICKED in Mark's book "Studying Together!"
In beginning this study, I must clarify the key point of Mark's comments. It all originates with the misunderstanding that the "soul is a living body!" To clarify this, Mark claims that, when the body dies, the soul ceases to exist! Please note, that Jesus didn't teach such a doctrine, but clearly said that the soul CAN, and does live without the body, even after the body is dead!
Matthew 10:28
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
With this understanding, please note how Mark, in each of his arguements, is making his doctrinal stand based on what happens to the body, but fails to ever make note of the continuing existance and location of the soul after the body is dead!
Would a loving God condemn the wicked to an eternal, never ending torment in the lake of fire. I will let the scriptures answer that question. I will identify Mark Finley's notes by M.F.
Current Day "Sadducees" It is interesting to note that the SDA doctrine of the "non-existance" of the soul after death, is a return to the doctrine of the Sadducees!
Act 23:6-8 But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question. And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.
The following are writings from scholars Albert Barnes and Dr. John Gill.
Act 23:8 -
No resurrection - Of the dead. By this doctrine they also understood that there was no future state, and that the soul did not exist after death. See the notes on Mat_22:23.
Nor spirit - Nor soul. That there is nothing but matter. They were materialists, and supposed that all the operations which we ascribe to mind could be traced to some modification of matter. The Sadducees, says Josephus (Jewish Wars, book ii. chapter 8, section 14), “take away the belief of the immortal duration of the soul, and the punishments and rewards in Hades.” “The doctrine of the Sadducees is this,” says he (Antiq., book 18, chapter 1, section 4), “that souls die with the bodies.” The opinion that the soul is material, and that there is nothing but matter in the universe, has been held by many philosophers, ancient and modern, as well as by the Sadducees.
Confess both - Acknowledge, or receive both as true; that is, that there is a future state, and that there are spirits distinct from matter, as angels, and the disembodied souls of people. The two points in dispute were:
(1) Whether the dead would be raised and exist in a future state; and,
(2) Whether mind was distinct from matter. The Sadducees denied both, and the Pharisees believed both. Their belief of the Latter point was, that spirits existed in two forms - that of angels, and that of souls of people distinct from the body.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1798-1870)
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Acts 23:8
neither angel nor spirit; … that they did not believe any such species of beings as angels, nor indeed any spirits whatever, which were immaterial or immortal; for as for the spirit or soul of man, they took that to be only the temperament of the body, and that it died with it, and did not exist in any separate state after this life: for so Josephus (x) says, that they deny the permanence of the soul, and rewards and punishments in the invisible state. And, according to the Talmudic (y) writers, they denied that there was any other world than this:
but the Pharisees confess both; the resurrection of the dead, and that there are spirits, both angels and the souls of men, which are immortal.
John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible - Dr. John Gill (1690-1771)
Mark Finley Studying Together
DESTRUCTION OF THE WICKED
Old supercedes the New theology! One of the key errors of the SDA's interpretation of Biblical prophecy, is their failure to consider that prophecy often has a 2 fold purpose: one is to give a "current day" prophecy of events that are happening in that day (the OLD Testament), and secondly, prophecy of future events that may extend out thousands of years (The NEW Testament). Very often, Mark uses OLD, fulfilled prophecies of past events, giving them greater authority than what is written in the New Testament, and extends them into the future to build his doctrinal structure.
An example would be the prophecy in Ezekiel chapter 28! Although this prophecy is indirectly linked to show Lucifer in the garden of Eden, it was also a true prophecy for that day. There was a Prince of Tyre, (whose name was Ethbaal, or Ithobalus, as he is called in Josephus). This man was "burned to ashes" (Ez. 28:18) and he and his terror (like Hitler) are no more (v. 19). While Mark uses this as his proof text that Satan will be "burned to ashes" he fails to consider that the New Testament supercedes the Old testament prophecies. In Rev. 20:10, Satan is not "burned to ashes", but rather he is cast into the "lake of fire" where he will be "tormented forever and ever"!
In ALL of Marks interpretations of OLD Testament prophecies, he falls into the same error, forcing the Old Testament prophecies (which often speak of carnal or fleshly destruction and burning, which have already been fulfilled) and tries to override the New Testament scriptures that speak of another, eternal, unending fire on Judgment day, and forces the Old Testament prophecies to have superiority over what the New Testament says!
Those who are carnal, and have not be "born again" by the spirit, cannot understand the things of the spirit. They try to reason things according to the flesh, and thus, fall into great error.
1 Cor. 2:14
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Since the Old Testament deals with "carnal" or "fleshly" knowledge, when the New testament reveals the spiritual truths, they cannot understand them, and therefore, reject them.
2 Cor. 3:14-15
But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. [15] But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.
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Word Review
The following are the Greek and Hebrew words that are used in scripture when explaining the place of death! The error of these false teachers doctrine is quickly seen when you are able to see that there are words in both Hebrew and Greek, that simply defines "the grave" or "sepulchre"compared with other words that carry a deeper meaning, more specifically, an underworld prison for the dead! These false teachers wish to force EVERY word to mean, simply .... "the grave" ... so that they could deny the truth of God's word, specifically, that there is an underworld prison for the dead!
Source: The New Analytical Greek Lexicon and Strongs Hebrew and Greek Dictionary
New Testament
Hades - G86 “Place of punishment, hell, lowest place, invisible abode or mansion of the dead." (ie. Acts 2:27)
Gehenna - G1067 "Valley of Hinnom, Hell, the fires of Tartarus, the place of punishment in Hades.” (ie. Mat 5:22)
Tartarus - G5020 "That part of Hades where the wicked are confined and tormented." (ie. 2 Pet. 2:4)
Mnemeion - G3419 grave, sepulchre, tomb. (ie. John 11:17)
Taphos - G5028 a grave (the place of interment): - sepulchre, tomb. (ie. Mat. 23:27)
Old Testament
Sheol H7585
sheh-ole', sheh-ole' (Deut. 32:22; Jonah 2:2)
From H7592; hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranian retreat), including its accessories and inmates: - grave, hell, pit.
Bor H953
bore (ie. Ps. 28:1; 30:3; 88:4 ; Isa. 14:15,19; 38:18; Ez. 31:14-18)
From H952 (in the sense of H877); a pit hole (especially one used as a cistern or prison): - cistern, dungeon, fountain, pit, well.
Qeburah H6900
keb-oo-raw', keb-oo-raw' (ie. Gen 35:20)
Feminine passive participle of H6912; sepulture; (concretely) a sepulchre: - burial, burying place, grave, sepulchre.
Qeber H6913
keh'-ber, kib-raw' (ie. Isa. 53:9)
From H6912; a sepulchre: - burying place, grave, sepulchre.
Shachath H7845
shakh'-ath (ie. Ez. 28:8)
From H7743; a pit (especially as a trap); figuratively destruction: - corruption, destruction, ditch, grave, pit.
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At the end of this study, I will cover "other scriptures that Mark did not want to cover", "Luke 16", and "where did Jesus go when He died!"
M.F. Jer. 31:3 God's character is one of love.
Jeremiah 31:3-4
The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built, O virgin of Israel: thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the dances of them that make merry.
What's Mark's point? Is he saying that God loves the wicked and therefore will not destroy them with eternal torment?
Psalm 145:20
The Lord preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.
Psalm 11:5-6
The Lord trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. [6] Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, and an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup.
This scripture has nothing to do with the condition of the dead!
M.F. 2 Pet. 3:9 God is not willing that any should perish.
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
I'm not sure what Mark wanted to point out with this verse. But just in case you have been led to a false understanding of its content and point that is being made, I shall review it here!
If one were to read this chapter in context, Peter wrote this letter as a warning. He identifies that there will be sinful “scoffers” in the last days, who do not believe there will be a day of judgment. (v. 3-4). These “scoffers” willingly forget that the old world “perished” by water, and that there will be another day of judgment in which the world that now is, will be destroyed by “fire” along with its “ungodly men.”(v. 5-7) The verse Mark quotes is an explanation as to WHY God has NOT yet destroyed the Earth with fire. The reason God has been patient, is because He is giving man a chance to repent. (v. 8-9) BUT the day WILL come as a thief in the night when all these ungodly men, and their works, will be burned up. (v. 10) BECAUSE of this judgment to come, knowing the destruction by fire that will come, WE should live Holy lives! (v. 11-12)
Again, there is NOTHING here that has anything to do with the condition of the dead in Hell, and the final judgment in the Lake of Fire!
M.F. Heb. 12:29 Our God is a consuming fire. To sin, wherever found, God is a consuming fire.
Hebrews 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire.
In context with the rest of the chapter, this verse has nothing to do with the “lake of fire” of deceased souls on judgment day which is yet to come, or those who are reserved in the prison of Hell waiting for judgment day. It is speaking about the shaking of the earth at the coming of the Lord, the day when the earth melts with fervent heat.
Hebrews 12:26
Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
2 Peter 3:10-13
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. [11] Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, [12] Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? [13] Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
Zech. 14:3-4, 12
Then shall the Lord (Jehovah - Jesus) go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives,...
And this shall be the plague wherewith the Lord will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.
While this scripture deals with the destruction of the flesh of ungodly men, it has nothing to do with the condition of the souls of the dead!
M.F. Mal. 4:1-3 Sinners will be ultimately burned up or turned to ashes.
Malachi 4:1-3
For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
[2] But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. [3] And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the Lord of hosts.
This scripture foretell's the Day of the coming of the Lord in which the "FLESH" of the wicked will be burned up! Now that thier flesh is "turned to ashes," what does this have to do with the condition of the dead in hell and the final judgment in the "lake of Fire"?
Here are several more scriptures that speak of that day when Jesus returns and the flesh of the wicked are burned up!
Zech. 14:12
And this shall be the plague wherewith the Lord will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.
2 Thes. 1:7-9
And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, [8] In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: [9] Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
2 Thes. 2:8
And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
The scripture Mark quoted in Malichi, is a carnal, fleshly destruction and has nothing to do with the condition of the souls of the dead!
M.F.
Ps. 37:10 The wicked shall not be
Ps. 37:20 The wicked shall perish, they shall consume away
Ps. 37:36 The wicked will not be found
Psalm 37:10
For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.
Psalm 37:20
But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the Lord shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.
Psalm 37:36
Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found.
Lets look at Ps. 37:9
Psalm 37:9
For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.
Mark is using the Old superceeds the New theology! (defined in the beginning of the study)
Once again, the scriptures shown here are talking about the "FLESHLY" destruction of the wicked that have been removed from the Earth!
Although Mark would like to think these verses are referring to the ultimate annihilation of the soul of the wicked, it has nothing to do with the final judgment of the damned or the condition of their soul in hell as they await the judgment day.
M.F. Matt. 25:46 The punishment will be everlasting. Note the text does not say “everlasting punishing.” It is a single punishment whose effect lasts forever.
Matthew 25:46
And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
This is the first scripture that has anything to do with the condition of the dead. But, because it says exactly what Mark DOESN'T want it to say, he tries to damage the truth with heresy!
Mark is wrestling with the scripture. It says exactly what Mark denies… “everlasting punishment" (Gr. 2851 - penal infliction, punishment, torment) ... "punishment that continues forever"! Although Mark is trying his best to change the meaning of the verse by somehow playing with the tense of the word punishment, he is in grave error here. Just as the wicked will go away to everlasting punishment, so the righteous will have life eternal.
“Everlasting” and “eternal” are both the same Greek word “aionios” so Mark cannot compromise this word. The word "Punishment" is a noun, but then, so is the word "Life." If the SDA teaching that “everlasting punishment” is temporary, then “Life Eternal” is only temporary as well.
I don't believe that a single one of you would agree that your eternal life is ONLY temporary, or, as Mark redefined it, a "single life whose effect lasts forever?"!
To dig deeper into this "punishment", I will bring up some other verses. The word "punishment" is used again in the verb form in 2 Peter 2:9 which indicates that the punishment is to be actively applied to the recipient. You will also note that in Isaiah 66:24, the worm and the fire of their torment is a personal, never ending torment and in Rev. 14, it is clear that they will NEVER have any rest "day or night" from this torment!
2 Peter 2:9
The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
Isa 66:24 And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.
Rev. 14:10-11
"... and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: [11] And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, ..."
SDA teachers are striving against the Word of God, redefining the truth by twisting the words of God!
M.F. Jude 7 Sodom and Gomorrah are examples of everlasting punishment and eternal fire. These cites lie in ruins today underneath a portion of the Dead Sea.
Jude 1:7
Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
Mark is using the Old superceeds the New theology!
Once again, Mark fails to understand the judgment day to come, and the eternal fire, trying to understand them in the carnal sense of what has already happened in the flesh!
Mark is struggling with the words "eternal fire" and, because he has not read the rest of the Bible, he assumes that the "eternal fire" is NOT possible due to the fact that these cities are not burning today! If Mark had read the rest of the Bible, he may have found these verses that follow:
Matthew 10:15
Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
Mark 6:11
And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
It is very clear here that these cities will one day be judged and thrown into the lake of fire, which of course, is the "eternal fire" spoken of in Jude 1:7. Although the people of Sodom and Gomorrah had been burned up thousands of years ago in their first death, Rev. 20:11-15 explains that these people will be raised from the dead to be judged and cast into the "eternal" Lake of Fire, which is the second death.
M.F. 2 Pet. 2:6 The cities of Sodom and Gamorrah are turned into ashes.
2 Peter 2:6
And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;
See previous explanation!
M.F. Matt. 3:11,12 The fire cannot be quenched or put out until it completes its work of totally eradicating sin from the universe.
Matthew 3:10-12
And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. [11] I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: [12] Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
I trust that Mark is trying to connect the "baptism with the Holy Ghost and with fire" and the "Lake of Fire" of judgment as being the same fire! You will note here, how unspiritual Mark is! He cannot discearn what is Spiritual and what is carnal! There are 2 different, and possibly 3 fires mentioned here, each having their own explination by the scriptures.
1. Fruitless, or wicked people are "Cast into the fire"
2. The saints are "Baptized with the Holy Ghost and with fire"
3. "burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire"
1. Fruitless, or wicked people are "Cast into the fire"
The first fire of verse 10, is the Lake of Fire! The fruitless, wicked servent is cast into the fire!
Matthew 3:10
And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
This, no doubt, is a fire of punishment! Compare this fire with these other scriptures:
Matthew 24:50-51, 25:41
The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, [51] And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
Matthew 13:38-43
The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; [39] The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. [40] As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. [41] The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; [42] And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. [43] Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
John 15:4-6
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. [5] I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. [6] If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
2. The saints are "Baptized with the Holy Ghost and with fire"
This fire has NOTHING to do with the fire of verse 10. It is the fire of "baptism" and clearly took place on the day of Pentecost! This is the fire of the endwelling Holy Spirit and has nothing to do with punishment!
Acts 2:1-4
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. [2] And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. [3] And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. [4] And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
3. "burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire"
I will identify the chaff as one of 2 things! Either it is:
a. Returning to verse 10, and speaking of the fruitless wicked person as the "chaff" that will be "burned up with unquenchable fire" and as noted in Matthew 13 above "As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire"!
The only thing that could make it a different fire, is that a "tare", by definition, LOOKS like wheat, but it is a counterfeit and worthless! Chaff, on the otherhand is the stuff that remains after wheat has been beaten out of it! Per definition, I would say that (b.) below is the better explination.
b. The fire for the chaff is the cleansing fire or the fire that "tests" the saints:
The last fire, is the fire that burns up the "chaff" which is defined as "a stalk of grain from which the kernels have been beaten out"! It is the fire that tests the "work" of the saint to determine his reward! It is a fire that is the "testing of your faith", but has nothing to do with the final Lake of Fire reserved for the wicked!
1 Cor. 3:13-15
Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. [14] If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. [15] If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
1 Peter 1:7
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
This fire, tests the faith and determines the reward of the saints!
M.F. Jer. 17:19-27 Jerusalem was destroyed by an unquenchable fire which human hands could not put out. It completed its work of totally destroying Jerusalem, yet Jerusalem is not burning today.
Jeremiah 17:19-27
...... [27] But if ye will not hearken unto me to hallow the sabbath day, and not to bear a burden, even entering in at the gates of Jerusalem on the sabbath day; then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched.
Mark is using the Old superceeds the New theology! Once again, this scripture has nothing to do with judgment day and the lake of fire.
M.F. Rev. 20:10 The wicked shall be destroyed forever. Forever does not always mean endless existence but is literally translated “until the end of the age.”
Rev. 20:10
And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
Mark has a real problem here. This is a problem scripture that is totally contrary to the false teachings of this church. So Mark really has to struggle to eliminate the truth of this verse. Mark doesn't mention it, but there is a sister scripture like this one, that digs a little bit deeper:
Rev. 14:10-11
The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
This is probably the clearest passage found in the Bible that so clearly depicts an endless torment for the wicked in the Lake of Fire, and unless Mark can defuse the truth from it, his whole theology flops to the ground!
First, it does NOT say “forever” as he wrote… it says “Forever and ever”. This constitutes 2 ages, the one we are in now, and the one to come!
Second, if “for ever and ever” is only an age, please explain, how long does "for ever and ever" mean in these verses that follow?
Rev. 1:6 “and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever.”
Rev. 7:12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
Rev. 15:7
And one of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever.
Rev. 22:5 “...for the Lord God gives them light and they shall reign for ever and ever.”
Will we be Kings and Priests only until the end of this age? Will God be blessed with Glory, wisdom thanksgiving, honor, power and might only until the end of this age? Will God die at the end of this age? You cannot give the term "for ever and ever" a different meaning when the scripture speaks of torment, and then redefine its meaning when it speaks of God and eternal life!
Mark is wrestling with the scriptures to promote a lie, perverting truth!
M.F. Ex. 21:6 A slave shall serve his master forever or as long as he would live.
Exodus 21:6
Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever.
Interesting that Mark would have to throw that one in! How it refers to the judgment of the damned in eternal, never ending fire, I don't know! Of course, if you want to spiritualize this scripture, I can only say that, since this servant has committed himself to his master because he loves him, then likewise, the servant of the Lord Jesus Christ will devote himself to serving in the house of the Lord forever as well. I sure hope it's not just for an “age”, or only as long as we live in this lifetime alone!
Exodus 21:5
And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free:
M.F. 1 Samuel 1:22, 28 Hannah presented Samuel before the Lord forever or for as long as he would live.
1 Samuel 1:22
But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up until the child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before the Lord, and there abide for ever.
1 Samuel 1:28
Therefore also I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord. And he worshipped the Lord there.
Once again, I believe Mark has failed to recognize the spiritual impact of this verse. Samuel, as presented by Hannah, continues to serve before the Lord forever, even still today! No doubt, Samuel will serve the Lord for eternity to come, true?
In Jeremiah, we see that Samuel and Moses are able to stand before the Lord, many years after his death.
Jeremiah 15:1
Then said the Lord unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind could not be toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let them go forth.
Mark's intent in this scripture, is to try to prove that the term, "forever" means "as long as he lives"! I do trust, that Samuel has eternal life and lives forever, and continues to appear before the Lord, therefore the term "forever" literally means "forever"!
John 11:25
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
Nevertheless, what implication that 1 Samual 1:22,28 has to do with the eternal condition of the wicked in hell, and their torment, is beyond me!
M.F. 2 Pet. 2:4 The evil angels and all the wicked are reserved unto judgment. Hell is not burning now.
2 Peter 2:4
For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
Please note that these fallen angels were cast into "hell", and it is NOT a grave of unconsciousness! It's a prison! Mark's statement includes "and all the wicked", so no doubt, he agrees that the wicked are also in this prison "reserved unto judgment!"
I suppose that Mark is saying that this verse, proves there is no fire in hell because it is absent from the text. But then, neither does this verse deny that Hell is a place of fire either! Although the Lake of Fire comes AFTER the millennial reign of Christ, Luke 16 clearly says that Hell IS currently a place of FIRE even before it is thrown into the lake of fire in Rev. 20:14!
Luke 16:23-24
And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
So this rich man who is in hell complains of his “torment in this FLAME.” Mark doesn't like this scripture in Luke 16 and, like other false teachers, he would like to have it removed from the Bible and thrown in the garbage. But since that cannot happen, he must explain it away!
M.F. Rev. 20:9 Fire comes down from God out of heaven and devours the wicked. They are completely destroyed.
Rev. 20:9
And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
Anyone reading through this entire chapter will clearly note that this is a fleshly destruction. Afterwards, in verses 11-15, we see these same people, as well as all the other wicked souls since Adam, being raised again to stand before the judgment seat of the Lord and then cast into the lake of fire
Rev. 20:11-15
And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. [12] And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. [13] And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. [14] And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. [15] And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
This "second death" in the Lake of Fire, is a place of eternal torment with NO rest day or night!
Rev. 14:10-11
The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: [11] And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
When you have “no rest day or night” and “their torment ascends up for ever and ever”, I really don't think they were annihilated. Do YOU?
M.F. Ezek. 28:17,18 Satan himself will be consumed to ashes.
Ezekiel 28:17-18
Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee. [18] Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.
Only one problem with this reasoning. It is not what the word of God says in Rev. 20:10. As explained above, Mark is using the Old superceeds the New theology! The King of Tyre (Ethbaal) was burned to ashes several thousand years ago! But the new testament says that Satan will be "tormented day and night forever and ever". It does NOT say that the devil will be "consumed to ashes"!
Rev. 20:10
And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
Scripture does not contradict itself. The New Testament superceeds the Old and if the New testament says he will be tormented forever and ever, then the devil is NOT "burned to ashes". Clearly the beast and false prophet are still there in the lake of fire, and have been there for 1,000 years by the time Satan is cast into it , then there must be SOME torment!
Although Ezekiel chapter 28 is speaking of Satan, it is ALSO a prophetic word over the King of Tyre, a very real, living King of that time. His flesh was devoured into ashes.
M.F. Isa. 47:14 The fire will burn itself out and there will not even be a coal to warm at.
Isaiah 47:14
Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: there shall not be a coal to warm at, nor fire to sit before it.
Once again, Mark has confused the flesh from the fire to come. Mark is using the Old superceeds the New theology! This scripture has nothing to do with the lake of fire. It is speaking about those whom Israel (virgin daughter of Babylon) had trusted for council. The astrologers, stargazers, and monthly prognosticators. Israel will have no one to council her when she seeks council. (Isa. 47:1, 12-15) They have been, historically, burned to stubble. These same counselors, will one day be raised from the dead to stand at the judgment seat of Jesus Christ, and be cast into the Lake of Fire! Using Isaiah 47:14, a fulfilled historical event, to detail the future judgment day, is heresy!
The prophetic word has been fulfilled already in history, and has no relationship with the eternal lake of fire.
M.F. Ob. 1:16 The wicked shall be as they had not been.
Obadiah 1:16
For as ye have drunk upon my holy mountain, so shall all the heathen drink continually, yea, they shall drink, and they shall swallow down, and they shall be as though they had not been.
Once again, Mark is stretching to grab something that is not there. Mark is using the Old superceeds the New theology! This scripture is NOT speaking of the lake of fire, but again, it is a prophetic word to the nation Israel. Lets look at the next verse.
Obadiah 1:17
But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.
So the true character of this scripture is the prophecy that Mount Zion will be delivered from the heathen and the wicked shall be as though they had never been there. They WERE historically destroyed and removed from Mount Zion!
M.F. 2 Pet. 3:12,13 The old world shall be dissolved but God shall create a new heavens and earth
2 Peter 3:12-13
Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? [13] Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
Once again, what does this have to do with the condition of the wicked in hell, and their final judgment in the lake of fire? The natural destruction of the heavens and the earth by fire, has nothing to do with the final judgment of the wicked!
If you will read Rev. 20:11 to 21:1, you will find that the burning up of the old heaven and earth takes place at the same time of the judgment of the damned who are cast into the lake of fire where "their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched" (Isa. 66:24)! The wicked are cast INTO the Lake of fire at the same time the New World begins! (Rev. 20:15, 21:8)
Some verses Mark did not want to cover in his study:
Matthew 10:28
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
A point where Mark has erred throughout his study, is the distinction between the destruction of the flesh, and the destruction of the soul. He uses OLD TESTAMENT scriptures that are speaking of a fleshly annhilation, but fails to understand the second death where BOTH, flesh and soul are tormented forever which is often mentioned in the NEW TESTAMENT scriptures. The wicked dead will be raised from the dead to stand before Christ and be judged, and those whom do not have their name in the book of Life, will be cast both body and soul, into the eternal punishment of the fires of hell.
Luke 12:5
But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
Obviously, the teaching that the soul and the body are the same is false! The body can be killed, but the soul has the danger of being cast into hell. This clearly indicates a conscious knowledge of the afterlife, otherwise what is there to fear if the soul is simply “Extinguished” and there is no awareness after death?
Mark 9:45
And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
I know Mark, It will only be a brief “Poosh!” and the torment is all over! Right!
Isaiah 66:24
And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.
The word “Their” is a very personal term! It is NOT speaking of "THE fire" as being "unqenchable" but rather "THEIR fire". It is speaking of those to whom are being tormented by the worm and unquenchable fire! You also have to explain Rev. 14:10-11
The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: [11] And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
So then, will the wicked suffer torment for a long, long time? Scriptures say YES!
Luke 16:23-31
And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
Anyone who will read this scripture with a desire to find truth, will note that:
First of all, it clearly says that hell is a place of fire and torment while Lazarus was comforted!
Secondly, Abraham and Lazarus were consciously aware of their surroundings!
Third, the rich man's plea to warn his brother's “lest they also come to this place of torment!
Mark struggles with the terminology of Abraham's "bosom". Mark says you cannot take it literal.
Yet the Enhanced Strong Lexicon defines “bosom” (Greek - Kolpos) also means “Bay of the sea or Creek” which would be a wonderful description of Paradise and the request of the rich man to receive a “drop of water” from Lazarus' fingertip.
The same word "Kolpos"- bosom is used in Acts 27:39
And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek (Kolpos) with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.
Jesus did not pull any punches with this scripture and He clearly identifies the fiery torment of hell with NO refreshment from it's flames, the comforting of the righteous who enter Paradise, and the warning to those who would refuse to hear the words of Jesus!
Please note the first few words of this dicourse by Jesus...
Luke 16:19-20
There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: [20] And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
Please note, there are NO words that say "And he spake this parable unto them, saying". It says that "there was a certain man..." The book of Luke clearly declares 16 times when Jesus spoke a parable to the people!
( Luke 5:36, 6:39, 8:4, 8:9, 8:11, 12:16, 12:41, 13:6, 14:7, 15:3, 18:1, 18:9, 19:11, 20:9, 20:19, 21:29 )
Yet in this discourse, it does NOT say that it was a parable!
Since Luke was so very precise to indicate when a parable was being spoken, don't you think that this scripture, if it was only a parable, would also have been introduced by Luke as "a parable?"
Furthermore, can you show me ANY other parable spoken from the "the way, the truth and the life" that would be so full of lies and a false testimony as this one, if in fact, this was only a Parable and these words of Jesus were not true?
John 8:40
"But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth,..."
DID Jesus tell the TRUTH? or a LIE?
The very same Lazuras DID die. And 4 days later, Jesus resurrected him from the dead. The chief priests, wanted to kill Lazuras fulfilling the prophecy Jesus spoke in Luke saying "..If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.." (See John 11:14-44, 12:1,9-11) “IF” this was a parable, WHY did Jesus use Lazuras' name? Abraham was very much conscious and aware of the situation! I believe Abraham died in Genesis 25:8, true?! Either this SDA teaching makes a liar out of Jesus, or it makes a liar out of the SDA teachers! Who's side will you choose?
Secondly, IF, and ONLY IF, this was just a parable, what was the key teaching? “Warn my brothers, lest they also come into the place of torment.” By stripping the truth out of this scripture, the SDA teachers strip the very point of reason that Jesus spoke this scripture virtually nullifying Luke 16 of it's entire message! They have killed this message spoken by Jesus Christ himself!
Early church fathers and Luke 16
The early church fathers understood this scripture to be true, and the message to be factual! Not only are the SDA teachers calling Jesus a liar, but they are also in disagreement with the beliefs of the early church about this scripture and its message!
Here is what Irenaus (120-202 AD), an early church father, writes:
Pg 817 Rich man (named Dives) and Lazarus have memory of this world, was a true story, not a parable (Irenaus Chapter 34)
1. The Lord has taught with very great fullness, that souls not only continue to exist, not by passing from body to body, but that they preserve the same form [in their separate state] as the body had to which they were adapted, and that they remember the deeds which they did in this state of existence, and from which they have now ceased, - in that narrative which is recorded respecting the rich man and that Lazarus who found repose in the bosom of Abraham. In this account He states that Dives knew Lazarus after death, and Abraham in like manner, and that each one of these persons continued in his own proper position, and that [Dives] requested Lazarus to be sent to relieve him - [Lazarus], on whom he did not [formerly] bestow even the crumbs [which fell] from his table. [He tells us] also of the answer given by Abraham, who was acquainted not only with what respected himself, but Dives also, and who enjoined those who did not wish to come into that place of torment to believe Moses and the prophets, and to receive the preaching of Him who was to rise again from the dead. By these things, then, it is plainly declared that souls continue to exist that they do not pass from body to body, that they possess the form of a man, so that they may be recognized, and retain the memory of things in this world; ( Irenaus 120-202 AD)
FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS, 37-100AD, Pharisee, the Jewish historian and teacher of the Jewish Faith who lived in the days of the apostles, writes in his "Discourse to the Greeks concerning Hades .“ He writes that the "just" will receive "Eternal Life in heaven which will succeed Abraham's bosom”, and the "unjust" will receive "never ceasing grief, eternal punishment, no sleep or death to free them, unquenchable fire - without end, a fiery worm that never dies." This was the teachings of the Jews in the days of Christ.
Mark Finley uses several examples to show that Sodom and Gamorah are not burning anymore. But he fails to consider Matthew 10:15, 11:23-24, Mark 6:11 and Luke 10:12 which all say that they are YET to be judged.
How long are the beast and false prophet in the lake of fire?
Rev 19:20 “And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.”
So the beast and the false prophet are in the Lake of Fire... and Satan is locked in the bottomless pit for 1,000 years. How long do you suppose the beast and false prophet are being tormented in the lake of fire? Were they burned up instantly? Let's find out!
1,000 years later, Satan is released to deceive the nations, he loses: “And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” Rev 20:10
The Beast and the False Prophet are STILL THERE, being tormented forever and ever. It doesn't say, `where they were "destroyed" but rather, in the present tense, “where the beast and false prophet ARE...”
Now these 3, the beast, the false prophet, and the devil, are joined by those who are judged and condemned (verse 15). And their torment BEGINS, as the new era, the one that will NEVER end, now begins (Rev. Chapter 21)
Where Did Jesus Go when he died?
Discourse on the underworld prison - Hades
Isn't it interesting that Jesus, being GOD the Son, creator of all things, having NO beginning, having been in a fully conscious state from eternity past, would create a human body in the womb of Mary, and became a man, would then, at the point of death of that human body in which he dwelt in for 33 years, would then cease to exist for the 3 days he was in the tomb!? Would you agree with the SDA church, that GOD was unconscious for 3 days? If He existed without the body for eternity past, why would He need a body during that time He was in the grave in order to have a conscious existance?
During these 3 days... WHERE did He go and what did He DO?
Acts 2:31
He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell (hades), neither his flesh did see corruption.
I would first like to point out, that "hell" and the "grave" in these verses are different words:
Acts 2:27
Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell (hades), neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
Luke 23:53
And he took it (the body of Jesus) down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre (Mnema) that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.
Hades - G86 “Place of punishment, hell, lowest place, invisible abode or mansion of the dead."
Mnema - G3418 grave, sepulchre, tomb.
While the body of Jesus was in the sepulchre (grave) for 3 days, the scriptures say that His soul was in a place called "Hades". Where did Jesus say Hades was?
Matthew 12:40
For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
The word "heart" is "kardia" (G2588) and it means the "middle"! It does NOT say that Jesus would be in the tomb, but rather, the middle of the earth! Ephes. defines this place as the "lower" parts of the earth!
Ephes. 4:8-10
Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. [9] (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? [10] He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
The word "lower" is defined as G2737 katoteros kat-o'-ter-os Compound from G2736; inferior (locally, of Hades): - lower.
What did Jesus do while He was in the "lower parts" or "the middle of the earth"! He wasn't sleeping! He preached to the disobedient spirits in hades!
1 Peter 3:18-20
For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: [19] By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; [20] Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
Jesus Christ, being put to death in the flesh, was made alive by the Holy Spirit, by which, while His flesh was in the tomb, He, in the Spirit announced his triumph to the spirits of the disobedient people in Hades who refused to believe the gospel which Noah declared to them in his time! These departed souls are held in the same "prison" as the fallen angels, awaiting for judgement day!
Some would try to claim that these "spirits" are the fallen angles. Anyone who properly reads this scripture would see that verse 20, which identify these "spirits in prison," clearly shows these specific "spirits" to be human beings, not the fallen angles! The fallen angels disobeyed before Adam and Eve, some 2,000 + years earlier, not "in the days of Noah"! These "spirits" were the ones "which sometime were disobedient" "in the days of Noah", making a special note that only "8 souls were saved"! Furthermore, it notes the "longsuffering of God" a quality of God "not willing that any one should perish but that all should come to repentance" (2 Ptr 3:9). There is NOTHING in this text that can lead the reader to interpret these "spirits" as fallen angels, except for those who simply MUST deny that these "spirits" are men in order to contend for their false doctrine, namely, that there is NO conscious existence of those who are dead!
Still others (as Mark does) claim that this refers to the Spirit of Jesus preaching to the people in the days of Noah. In line with this verse, that would mean that Jesus ONLY preached to the people who were in jail! "...he went and preached unto the spirits in prison" You would have to reason that Jesus, in the days of Noah, went from jail to jail as a Spirit to preach to the prisoners?
But this explination denies 2 facts. First, this scripture is clearly depicting what Jesus did when he "suffered for sins" and was "put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit, by which he...."! It was at THIS time, the point of time when Jesus was "put to death in the flesh" that Jesus "...went and preached to the spirits in prison"! That only happened once in history, at the cross, long after Noah!
Secondly, no scripture says that Jesus himself preached to these people in the days of Noah, but rather that it was Noah who did the preaching (2 Peter 2:5) ".. but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness..."
Except for those who willfully choose to deny the truth of this scripture, it is cleary depicting what Jesus did when He was dead for 3 days!
The souls of the unjust, are being held in this prison, the same prison where the fallen angels are! These angels are "reserved" unto judgment, even as the unjust souls of men are "reserved" unto that day of judgment!
2 Peter 2:4, 9
For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment;
The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
Note the definition of the word "reserve"....
Tereo G5083
tay-reh'-o
From teros (a watch; perhaps akin to G2334); to guard (from loss or injury, properly by keeping the eye upon; and thus differing from G5442, which is properly to prevent escaping; and from G2892, which implies a fortress or full military lines of apparatus), that is, to note (a prophecy; figuratively to fulfil a command); by implication to detain (in custody; figuratively to maintain); by extension to withhold (for personal ends; figuratively to keep unmarried): - hold fast, keep (-er), (ob-, pre-, re) serve, watch.
How do you "guard" or "detain" a non-existent, unconscious, dead person! The purpose of these scriptures written is to show that the unjust will be held in captivity, JUST like the fallen angels. The whole point of Peter and Jude's letters is to show the comparison of God's judgment in keeping wicked souls, as were the fallen angels, in chains reserved for the day of judgment! What is the purpose of these Apostles comparisons if there is NO comparison?
Jude 1:6
And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.
Hades is a prison where the wicked and the fallen angels are held captive until the day of judgment! Those who claim that the dead are unconscious by twisting scriptures have to turn a blind eye to many scriptures that deny that error in teaching, and in particular, would have to call Jesus a liar and completely toss Luke 16:19-31 into the trash bin which clearly depicts the conscious awareness of torment by the rich man in Hell, the comforting of Lazarus and Abraham's full knowledge of the event!
I contend that the false teachers who deny the conscious existence of the soul after death of the fleshly body are the liars, not my Lord Jesus Christ!
Conclusion
In conclusion, when Jesus died, He went to Hades, announced His triumph to the prisoners and took the keys of Hades:
Rev. 1:18
I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell (hades) and of death.
Having purchased the souls of righteous men with His blood, with the keys, He opened the doors to "Abraham's bosom" which was near Hades (Luke 16) in the center of the earth, released the saints that were held captive there, and brought them with Him to heaven where they are now clothed with white robes and serve before the throne of God, awaiting their new bodies at the resurrection!
Ephes. 4:8-10
Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. [9] (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? [10] He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
Rev. 6:9-11
And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: [10] And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? [11] And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
Rev. 7:9
After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
Rev. 7:13-15
And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? [14] And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. [15] Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.
The souls of the righteous saints will return with Christ to redeem their new, resurrected bodies when Jesus returns!
1 Thes. 4:14-17
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. [15] For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. [16] For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: [17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
THEN, the resurrected saints will reign upon the earth with Christ for 1,000 years!
Rev. 20:4-6
And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. [5] But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. [6] Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
After the 1,000 year reign on earth, the wicked will be raised to stand before the judgment seat of Christ, and whomever was not found in the Lambs book of Life, was cast into the Lake of Fire! (Rev. 20:11-15, 14:10-11)
This begins the NEW earth and New Heavens of chapter 21-22, where the righteous dwell on the New earth with Christ and the Father for eternity to come!