This is a question of vast importance when we take into consideration the different results, if answered in the affirmative, or in the negative. Those who hold the popular doctrine of the immortality of the soul are compelled to answer it in the affirmative. It is written, “God is love;” but he has no love for sin. It follows that, if sin is immortalized, then that must always exist which God hates. Many look upon God as the author of sin. If so, then God is a sinner; for he could not be the author of anything contrary to the attributes of his being.
Again, if sin is immortalized, then Satan and the host of fallen angels, and the vast multitude of wicked men are immortal. If these are to exist to all eternity, then God must provide a place for them in his universe; for neither Satan nor any of his followers are able to create a world. The Father and the Son alone have this power. Therefore, if we take the affirmative of this question, we must conclude that Satan has instituted a rebellion that God cannot quell, and brought a stain on the universe that God cannot wipe out. Such a monstrous idea, though held by thousands, cannot come from any other source than the regions of darkness.
The universe of God was once clean, and all the intelligences thereof were in perfect harmony. Will it ever be so again? All who attribute immortality to Satan and his followers, must answer, No. But this answer is contrary to revelation. “And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, forever and ever.” Rev. 5: 13.
But it will be said, that Satan and his hosts of wicked angels and wicked men will be banished to some place where they will endure the torments of a guilty conscience to all eternity. This would remove the wicked from the earth to some other place to receive their punishment, which would be contrary to the word of God. The Bible declares the fact that the wicked, whether they be men or angels, will receive their punishment on this earth. “The righteous shall be recompensed in the earth; much more the wicked and the sinner.” Prov. 11: 31. “But the heavens and the earth which are now, by the same word, are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.” 2 Pet. 3:7. “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. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone.” Rev. 20: 9, 10. This fire is prepared for the devil and his angels. Matt. 25: 41. Thus it will be seen that the earth is the place appointed by the Lord for his enemies to receive their doom.
Some think the expression “everlasting fire” in the last mentioned text, conveys the idea of unending torment. Fire and brimstone were rained on Sodom and Gomorrah, and Jude calls this “eternal fire.” Verse 9. The apostle Peter tells us what effect it had on those cities. “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.” 2 Pet. 2: 6. Away back in the days of Abraham and Lot, in the destruction of those cities, God gave to future generations an example of what would be their doom should they live ungodly. If eternal existence in sin and torment is their portion, then we ought to see the flames still ascending from those cities, and hear wailing and the gnashing of the teeth of the corrupt inhabitants thereof. But no, they are silent, and with their cities they are reduced to ashes. To be reduced to ashes is to be the final doom of the ungodly, or the example God has set before the world is without force. Says the prophet, “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.” Mal. 4: 1. In verse three he goes on to say, that the wicked shall be ashes under the saint’s feet. Satan is the “root” and his followers are the branches, and they will all be consumed together.
“These shall go away into everlasting punishment,” Matt. 25: 46, is a text that many tenaciously hold to as signifying eternal torment. But inspired Paul plainly informs us that this “everlasting punishment” is “everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.” 2 Thess. 1: 9. It is the second death and, as there is no resurrection from it, the punishment is eternal.
But the earth, in which the wicked will receive their doom, will not burn to all eternity; for, after the cleansing by fire, it will be made over into a new earth. Rev. 20: 9—21: 8. In the great plan of redemption, the earth, as well as man, is to be made free from the curse. This new earth will never be polluted by the trail of the old serpent, or with the feet of wicked men. It is to be fitted up for the everlasting abode of the righteous.
The Bible plainly reveals the fact that the wicked shall go into the lake of fire; but in no place does it say they will ever come out of it. Now, as there is no trace of them to be found in the new earth, excepting their ashes, it is very natural to conclude that they end their existence in the lake of fire. “The wages of sin is death.” Rom. 6: 23.
Thus it will be seen that sin and sinners are not immortal, but will finally close their career in the great conflagration of this world. The universe will be once more clean, and all worlds and every creature then remaining, will be in perfect harmony with the will of Him who maketh all things new.