To the question of does hell exist? The SAB interprets the following as no. This is actually the closest interpretation to the truth according to the Bible. If
it were reworded to say those that don't go to heaven or live forever on earth just die it would be correct. With that in mind consider all of the
scriptural examples given by the SAB.
Deuteronomy 29:20 - The book of God's remembrance is used throughout scripture to symbolize him taking note of those who are righteous and those who are not. The righteous to live and the unrighteous to die. This doesn't indicate that the righteous go to heaven or the unrighteous to hell, but that the meek shall inherit the Earth and live forever upon it and the unrighteous will suffer everlasting destruction. Death.
Psalm 1:4-6 - This is interesting because the Hebrew word here translated as wind is the Hebrew ruach, which can also be translated as spirit. Not that this implies some spiritual connotation - quite the contrast - ruach simply means any invisible active force like breath, wind, or spirit. Like chaff, the thin covering on wheat and barley which is blown away with the wind after harvest the ungodly will be "blown away" in the end. Useless to a perfect creation without sin.
Psalm 34:16 - Interesting that the "remembrance" being removed can also be translated as the "mention" of them being removed. They are no longer remembered or talked about. Dissolved along with their sin.
Psalm 37:1-2 refers to the corrupt evildoers who, through injustice and malice advance while the righteous gain nothing through wrongdoing. Those who rape, murder, steal, cheat and lie to get what they want corrupt the system of things. Their demise would cease this destructive pattern.
Psalm 37:20 a continuation of verses 1-2 given above.
Psalm 69:28 again refers to the book of life, those noted by God as deserving of life in a perfected heaven and earth, free from sin.
Proverbs 10:25 is a variation of both the chaff in the wind and the end of sin, death and destruction. The results of sin seem as a storm now, but there are better days ahead.
Proverbs 24:20 reflects the sentiment in some verses mentioned earlier. Not only will the wicked be destroyed but the illumination of their works will be a thing of the past. Their corrupt system ended along with its effects.
Obadiah 16 - Again, the remembrance and mention of them will be no more. Forgotten.
Romans 6:21, 23 indicate an end to sin, which is disobedience to Jehovah, the creator and brings death. These are interesting scriptures in the context of a discussion about hell, because if the wages of sin is death, then at death the debt of sin is paid in full. To suffer beyond that in a literal fiery torment would be overcharging. Romans 6:7 makes it clear when it says: "For he who has died has been acquitted from [his] sin."
1 Corinthians 3:17 - It is important to realize what exactly is meant here by the "temple" or "church" of God. It isn't, of course, a building of congregation. It is the congregation itself. The people. As verse 9 and 16 indicates. In addition to persecutors this may also apply apostate Christianity who spiritually destroy God�s true congregation.
2 Corinthians 2:15 - In verses 15 and 16 Paul talks about the "sweet savour (KJV)" or odor which him and his fellow Christians was to God. Paul incorporates the Roman processions of triumph well known in his day. The Roman soldiers would parade victorious through the city of Rome and burn incense in the altars, perfuming the air. To the Romans it was a sweet smell representing honor, promotion and riches. But to their captives it represented the unpleasant reminder that they would be executed at the end of their parade. Thus to the those who accepted the Christian message every thing was coming up roses, but for those who reject the message the smell isn�t so sweet.
Galatians 6:8 - The indulgence of sinful human desires corrupts one in a way that leads to death.
Philippians 3:18-19 - These verses properly convey the idea that the sinful will be destroyed, but doesn�t imply that the righteous will all go to heaven. On an unrelated note the KJV uses the word cross where torture stake or pole should have been used. Jesus didn�t die on a cross.
James 1:15 - A sinful nature leads to destruction and death. Through sin we all die, but if, during our brief life as Christians we avoid a sinful nature which corrupts the spirit as well as the flesh there is the hope of a resurrection to eternal life without sin rather than eternal destruction.
James 4:12 - Pretty self explanatory, isn't it? Verses like this always make me wonder why Christians and skeptics argue over morality. Not everyone agrees with the morality dictated by the lawgiver, whether God or man, but as men we have no authority to question the morality of God. We may still not agree, but God the lawgiver has the authority to judge.
James 5:20 - Interesting because some Christians think that being "saved" is predestined, but this verse along with others considered in this article indicate that the sinful can turn back from destructive ways, and the righteous can turn to sinful ways.
Deuteronomy 29:20 - The book of God's remembrance is used throughout scripture to symbolize him taking note of those who are righteous and those who are not. The righteous to live and the unrighteous to die. This doesn't indicate that the righteous go to heaven or the unrighteous to hell, but that the meek shall inherit the Earth and live forever upon it and the unrighteous will suffer everlasting destruction. Death.
Psalm 1:4-6 - This is interesting because the Hebrew word here translated as wind is the Hebrew ruach, which can also be translated as spirit. Not that this implies some spiritual connotation - quite the contrast - ruach simply means any invisible active force like breath, wind, or spirit. Like chaff, the thin covering on wheat and barley which is blown away with the wind after harvest the ungodly will be "blown away" in the end. Useless to a perfect creation without sin.
Psalm 34:16 - Interesting that the "remembrance" being removed can also be translated as the "mention" of them being removed. They are no longer remembered or talked about. Dissolved along with their sin.
Psalm 37:1-2 refers to the corrupt evildoers who, through injustice and malice advance while the righteous gain nothing through wrongdoing. Those who rape, murder, steal, cheat and lie to get what they want corrupt the system of things. Their demise would cease this destructive pattern.
Psalm 37:20 a continuation of verses 1-2 given above.
Psalm 69:28 again refers to the book of life, those noted by God as deserving of life in a perfected heaven and earth, free from sin.
Proverbs 10:25 is a variation of both the chaff in the wind and the end of sin, death and destruction. The results of sin seem as a storm now, but there are better days ahead.
Proverbs 24:20 reflects the sentiment in some verses mentioned earlier. Not only will the wicked be destroyed but the illumination of their works will be a thing of the past. Their corrupt system ended along with its effects.
Obadiah 16 - Again, the remembrance and mention of them will be no more. Forgotten.
Romans 6:21, 23 indicate an end to sin, which is disobedience to Jehovah, the creator and brings death. These are interesting scriptures in the context of a discussion about hell, because if the wages of sin is death, then at death the debt of sin is paid in full. To suffer beyond that in a literal fiery torment would be overcharging. Romans 6:7 makes it clear when it says: "For he who has died has been acquitted from [his] sin."
1 Corinthians 3:17 - It is important to realize what exactly is meant here by the "temple" or "church" of God. It isn't, of course, a building of congregation. It is the congregation itself. The people. As verse 9 and 16 indicates. In addition to persecutors this may also apply apostate Christianity who spiritually destroy God�s true congregation.
2 Corinthians 2:15 - In verses 15 and 16 Paul talks about the "sweet savour (KJV)" or odor which him and his fellow Christians was to God. Paul incorporates the Roman processions of triumph well known in his day. The Roman soldiers would parade victorious through the city of Rome and burn incense in the altars, perfuming the air. To the Romans it was a sweet smell representing honor, promotion and riches. But to their captives it represented the unpleasant reminder that they would be executed at the end of their parade. Thus to the those who accepted the Christian message every thing was coming up roses, but for those who reject the message the smell isn�t so sweet.
Galatians 6:8 - The indulgence of sinful human desires corrupts one in a way that leads to death.
Philippians 3:18-19 - These verses properly convey the idea that the sinful will be destroyed, but doesn�t imply that the righteous will all go to heaven. On an unrelated note the KJV uses the word cross where torture stake or pole should have been used. Jesus didn�t die on a cross.
James 1:15 - A sinful nature leads to destruction and death. Through sin we all die, but if, during our brief life as Christians we avoid a sinful nature which corrupts the spirit as well as the flesh there is the hope of a resurrection to eternal life without sin rather than eternal destruction.
James 4:12 - Pretty self explanatory, isn't it? Verses like this always make me wonder why Christians and skeptics argue over morality. Not everyone agrees with the morality dictated by the lawgiver, whether God or man, but as men we have no authority to question the morality of God. We may still not agree, but God the lawgiver has the authority to judge.
James 5:20 - Interesting because some Christians think that being "saved" is predestined, but this verse along with others considered in this article indicate that the sinful can turn back from destructive ways, and the righteous can turn to sinful ways.
