THE ANNIHILATIONISTS ARE COMING

The characteristic of cultists is that they love to play “Pictionary” and pick and choose the definitions, both in English and Greek that suit their agenda. Whether Jehovah’s Witnesses, Seven Day Adventists, Annihilation-ists, No Fire in Hell-ers, Soul Sleepers, and Hell is really the Gravers, you can always be sure that they will either pull the dictionary and a select meaning to promote their agenda or they will pull the Hebrew and Greek on you. The other tactic of these cults is to pull the old “that is a parable or a symbol trick. The JW game that “No Life after Death-ers” likes to play is centered on the words “destroy and perish, which many see as either non-existence or annihilation.

Obviously, Cultist John Roller prefers the Webster that is newer on the scene as opposed to the original Webster (1828). Nevertheless Webster in his bible translation makes a distinction between the word “kill” and “destroy” in Matthew 10:28. Here John Roller seeks to pick and choose two of the Webster definitions. Of the two that Roller did not choose, who knows more about the meanings, the original Webster 1828 or John Roller? The interesting thing about Webster, like Jesus, the Greek, and the English, is that he makes a distinction between kill and destroy and also body and soul that Annihilation-ists do not like. Still, Cultist John Roller, in order to prove that the word “destroy” means annihilation, using his favorite dictionary, defines the word as - destroy, verb: 1. to ruin the structure, organic existence, or condition of; to ruin as if by tearing to shreds 2. A. to put out of existence: KILL b. to put out of existence: NEUTRALIZE c. to put out of existence: ANNIHILATE, VANQUISH. -- Source: Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition

Destroy and Perish in the Scriptures

A physically dead person no longer exists on earth but does exist in one of two places, heaven or hell. Let us examine the Greek word that annihilationists and soul sleepers like that underlies the words “destroy and “perish.” The Greek and Hebrew words are given from Strong’s as reference info only.

Matt 10:28 And fear not them who kill the body [soma], but are not able to kill the soul [psuche] (on earth)]: but rather fear him who is able to destroy [apollumi – G622] both soul [psuche] and body [soma] IN HELL. -- Webster’s Bible

1 Cor 1:19 For it is written, I will destroy [G622] the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

Isa 29:14 Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish [H6] . . .

Rev 9:11 And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon (G3) , but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon [G623].

From the cross referencing of 1 Cor. 1:19 we find in Isa. 29:14 the Hebrew counterpart to the Greek apollumi is a^bad. We can determine the intensity of the words “destroy” and “perish” in that it does not mean annihilation in the sense of cessation and non-existence.

G622 ἀπόλλυμι apollumi ap-ol'-loo-mee

From G575 and the base of G3639; to destroy fully (reflexively to perish, or lose), literally or figuratively: - destroy, die, lose, mar, perish.

H6 אבד 'a^bad aw-bad'

A primitive root; properly to wander away, that is lose oneself; by implication to perish (causatively, destroy): - break, destroy (-uction), + not escape, fail, lose, (cause to, make) perish, spend, X and surely, take, be undone, X utterly, be void of, have no way to flee.

H7 אבד 'ăbad ab-ad’ (Chaldee); corresponding to H6: - destroy, perish.

The question is how the words are used in scripture not the dictionary? In regard to Matt. 10:28, notice that John Roller is really saying that men can kill the body but cannot DESTROY or annihilate the body, since only God must do that, according to the Annihilationist. Yet a casual run of references will demonstrate man “destroying” man and devils “destroying man,” using the same word that the annihilationist uses in regard to God destroying man. Webster 1828 had more meanings than the newer Webster that Roller either quoted from or partially quoted from, among which are:

1. To demolish; 2. To ruin; 3. To annihilate; 4. To lay waste; 5. Make Desolate; 6. To kill; 7. To take away; 8. Put an end to

In regard to annihilation, Webster has two types: complete annihilation and a partial annihilation that does not make the components of what is destroyed to cease to exist. Still, we particularly like John Roller’s “vanquish” definition. It seems to be the predominant meaning, especially in the Old Testament. But unfortunately for John Roller, “vanquish” does not mean “annihilation.” Now, John Roller’s one definition in regard to “death” will work in many places, but his word in regard to annihilation will not. Still, with death as a definition, both saved and unsaved, as well as Jesus, can be destroyed but not annihilated or put out of existence except on earth.

John Roller’s definition of “death” is a valid application to the word “destroy” and “perish” as far as the body is concerned (Mat 26:52; 1 Cor 10:9, 10 Luke 11:51; Jude 1:5). Nevertheless, our issue is not with that usage. The plots of the Pharisees and the councils to destroy Jesus by killing Him are throughout the Gospels in respect to John Roller’s valid definition of “destroy” as “death” (Matt. 2;13; 12:14; 27:20; Mark 3:6; 11:18; Luke 13:4; 19:47). Nevertheless, the plots to kill Jesus were finally successful in destroying Him and killing Him, but that destruction did not put Him out of existence or annihilate Him. The attempt to use the word “destroy” to apply to only the lost folk’s annihilation is therefore moot, since it is used of both Jesus and the saved.

Annihilation or Cessation of Existence for these?

(1.) Mat 9:17 Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish [G622]: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.

Luke 5:37 . . . the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish [G622].

Do the wine bottles get killed, cease to exist, or become annihilated when they perish or are destroyed?

(2.) Luke 21:18 But there shall not an hair of your head perish [G622].

Does the hair on anyone’s head get killed, cease to exist, or become annihilated when it perishes? They ought to see my wife’s hair brush!

(3.) John 6:27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth [G622], but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

Does food get killed, cease to exist, or become annihilated when it perishes?

(4.) Heb 1:10, 11 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: They shall perish [G622]; but thou remainest . . .

Will the earth and heavens and earth be killed, cease to exist, or be annihilated or does it get renovated by fire?

(5.) James 1:11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth [G622]: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.

Does the sun annihilate the grass and flowers?

(6.) Matt 10:6 But go rather to the lost [G622] sheep of the house of Israel.

Mat 15:24 But he . . . said, I am not sent but unto the lost [G622] sheep of the house of Israel.

How were Christ’s disciples to go to Israel’s sheep if they were not in existence and were annihilated already?

Annihilation of the World and Cities?

(1.) Ezek 26:17 . . . they shall . . . say to thee [Tyre], How art thou destroyed [H6]

Matt 11:22 . . . It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.

Acts 12:20 And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon . . .

If Tyre and Sidon were annihilated, why are they still around in Acts 12:20? If they were not annihilated, how is it that it will be more tolerable in the Day of Judgment for the people of Tyre and Sidon than for these Jews, when they are annihilated in the day of judgement?

(2.) Matt 11:24 it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the Day of Judgment, than for thee.

Luke 17:29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed [G622] them all.

If the fire annihilated Sodom, how is it going to be more tolerable in the Day of Judgment for others when they are annihilated also? Is some annihilation worse than others?

(3.) 2 Pet 3:6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished [G622]:

If the world was annihilated or put out of existence by the flood, how is it that it is still here?

(4.) Rev 20:13 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.

Matt 25:45, 46 . . . Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

What worth is there in being judged according to one’s works if all are going to be annihilated in a communistic one size fits all punishment. If all get everlasting punishment, who cares whether a cup of cold water got you there or not. Does everlasting punishment last for ever?

Annihilation in the Old Testament?

(1.) Jer 23:1 Woe be unto the pastors that destroy [H6] and scatter the sheep of my pasture!

Do pastors really annihilate folks and cause them to cease to be?

(2.) Ecc 7:7 Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth [H6] the heart.

Does a gift annihilate a man’s heart and cause it to cease to exist?

(3.) Dan 7:11 I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed [H6], and given to the burning flame.

If this horn was annihilated, why his body still extant is and given to the burning flame.

(4.) Psa 9:5 Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed [H6] the wicked, thou hast put out their name for ever and ever.

If the wicked are already annihilated, why wait for the day of judgment?

(5.) Exo 10:7 And Pharaoh's servants said unto him, How long shall this man be a snare unto us? let the men go, that they may serve the LORD their God: knowest thou not yet that Egypt is destroyed [H6]?

If Egypt was annihilated, why is it still around?

(6.) Deut 8:20 As the nations which the LORD destroyeth [H6] before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the voice of the LORD your God.

Is it true that Israel will be annihilated like other nations were annihilated?

(7.) Ezek 28:16 By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy [H6] thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.

Heb 2:14 . . . as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

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.

Is Satan going to be annihilated? If so, how can Satan burn in the Lake of fire for ever and ever with the beast and the false prophet?

(9.) Pro 1:32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy [H6] them.

Is there a distinction between being slain and destroyed here? Does prosperity annihilate folks?

(10.) Micah 5:10 And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD, that I will cut off thy horses out of the midst of thee, and I will destroy [H6] thy chariots:

How do chariots get annihilated?

(10.) Psa 9:5 Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed [H6] the wicked, thou hast put out their name for ever and ever.

If the wicked are already annihilated, why wait until judgement day for annihilation?

(11.) 2 Sam 1:27 How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished [H6]!

How do weapons of war get annihilated?

(12.) Jer 48:36 Therefore mine heart shall sound for Moab like pipes, and mine heart shall sound like pipes for the men of Kirheres: because the riches that he hath gotten are perished [H6].

How do riches get annihilated or are they taken away?

(13.) Joel 1:11 Be ye ashamed, O ye husbandmen; howl, O ye vinedressers, for the wheat and for the barley; because the harvest of the field is perished [H6]

Was the Harvest annihilated or ruined?

(14.) Jonah 4:10 Then said the LORD, Thou hast had pity on the gourd, for the which thou hast not laboured, neither madest it grow; which came up in a night, and perished [H6] in a night:

How was the gourd annihilated?

(15.) Jer 7:28 But thou shalt say unto them, This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the LORD their God, nor receiveth correction: truth is perished [H6], and is cut off from their mouth.

Is truth really annihilated or taken from some?