Destruction B (Listen or Read)
Scripture Interprets Itself
Often in Scripture, two statements are made side by side that together shed greater light on a given theme. Consider 1Co. 1:19; Ro. 2:12; 14:15, 20-21. “I will destroy [apollumi] the wisdom of the wise; I will bring to nothing [“set aside”—NAS] the understanding of the prudent” (1Co. 1:19). Here apollumi is used in the same sense as “set aside” or “bring to nothing.” “For as many as have sinned without law will also perish [apollumi] without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law” (Ro. 2:12). Scripture is clear that all are judged including unbelievers who have sinned without law (Re. 20:12-13). Thus, to “perish” here cannot be utter annihilation, for judgment must follow.
Consider Ro. 14:15: “Do not destroy [apollumi] with your food the one for whom Christ died” (Ro. 14:15). Read a little further to see Paul’s own definition of apollumi. “Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food” (Ro. 14:20 NAS). “It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak” (Ro. 14:21). Paul defines apollumi as “tear down,” “stumble,” “offend,” and “make weak.” What better commentary is there? Do you think apollumi means we can cancel out another’s eternal redemption paid for by Christ by our diet? And consider as well 1Co. 8:11: “Because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish [apollumi] for whom Christ died?” Can we annihilate others for whom Christ died by our knowledge? Of course not! God is righteous and just.
In all the above, whatever is meant by death and destruction, it cannot be unending torment or annihilation. Could Jukes be right in saying death for man is an end or separation from some given form of life in which he has lived? What did our Lord mean when He said that in order to save our life, we must lose apollumi it (Mk. 8:35)? Is this not to end living a self-centered life and instead to live for God—to stop being ruled by sin, but instead by righteousness?
Did you realize that the very ones Christ came to save are the “destroyed” ones? “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost [apollumi]” (Lu. 19:10). Apollumi is the very condition qualifying us for salvation! Are the lost (apollumi) ones then, the annihilated ones or those not yet found? At what point does apollumi become so permanent it exceeds God’s power and will to save? What justifies us to put limits on Him who is able to turn stones into worshippers (Lu. 3:8)?
What gives God greater glory: annihilation or restoration? Stop! Think about that a moment. Lu: 20:38 says “God is not the God of the dead, but of the living for all live to Him.” Lu. 1:37 says, “With God nothing will be impossible!” Is He able to do all things except restore the destroyed for whom Christ died? Really? For more documentation on apollumi, see our website: Further Study; Destruction.
References: See Bibliography page.
