The theology of hell

Okay, that makes much more sense. I wasn't seeing what you were seeing with the reference to Elisha. Now I know why!

I understand that body as a collection of atoms and particles assembled a certain way. Just like I don't consider a pile of rust flakes, oily residue, rubber fragments, and pieces of shattered backed sand that has been scattered about to be a Toyota Camry, although it may once have been one.

Once a body decomposes, it is dust and elements unless the Creator reassembles it and gives it life.

Yes, absolutely.

Is there a specific scriptural reference you are thinking of which rules out the idea that God will not make something cease to exist (that "annihilation cannot be")?

Since God creates out of nothing (causes things to be that were not), I hesitate when someone says "annihilation cannot be."

Yes, but for clarification, I don't think that story refers to the Lake of Fire. I understand that to be the interim state away from the grace of God before the final judgment of all humankind.

 

I think you're trying to overly-literalize the story instead of paying attention to the main point that the rich man was in agony and yet he was aware of Lazarus, as well as his identity (he had concerns for his family).

 

Try Revelation 14. It tells us that those put in the lake of fire will be tormented forever. Revelation later tells us that nothing that defiles will enter God's kingdom.

Stands to reason that they will be separated from God.

 

Revelation 14:9-11 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, 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.

The above passage clearly shows an eternal state of torment for the wicked. "tormented with fire and brimstone" "smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever" " no rest day nor night"

I don't know how much clearer it could get.

In Luke, we read the account of the rich man and Lazarus. Many say it is a Parable. I do not believe it to be a parable. But, even if it were, a parable is a story that illustrates a spiritual truth. Why would Jesus say the rich man was in torments if he were not? What would He be trying to imply if He did not mean torments?

Also, Mark 9:43-49 tell us that hell is a place 'where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched.' The word for hell there is the word 'geenna.' It is not speaking of sheole, but rather another hell. I believe it is in reference to the lake of fire. Revelation seems to agree for it says that those cast into the lake of fire will be tormented for ever with no rest from their torment.

Yes, the Bible does teach the eternal torments of the wicked.

 

Eternal worms also.