I wonder also if much of the present debate has to do with evangelical emphasis on “going to heaven when we die” rather than where sacred Scripture puts it – on the Resurrection, which is both foundational and ancient, with roots all the way back to Genesis.

But start with a familiar Bible verse everyone knows:

Quote
…the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23, NASB).

By the term, “death,” does the Apostle mean the continuation of life in a different place or under different circumstances or does he mean DEATH? And if eternal life is a gift that comes only through Christ Jesus, how is it that anyone can say they already possess it without faith in Christ?

Considering Conditional Immortality

The word “immortality” occurs only five times in Scripture:

  • In Romans 2:7 it is to be strived for.

  • In 1st Corinthians 15:53-54 it is to be “put on” (obtained).

  • In 1st Timothy 6:16 it is something that only God possesses.

  • In 2nd Timothy 1:10, it is “brought to light.”


Conditionalism argues simply that Man is not immortal just as God Himself is, but that God grants immortality to His elect – on the condition of the New Birth (regeneration). Without regeneration, humankind, the Conditionalist says, is not immortal, but ceases to be, in any real sense, at death. Resurrected “unto judgment” on the Last Day, those who died without regeneration (in Christ) are thrown into the lake of fire along with death and hell (Rev 20:13), where they destroyed (annihilated, wiped out of existence).

The debate centers on whether or not all men are immortal, as Plato taught, or whether we face death and then resurrection – either unto eternal life or eternal death.

I have always been uncertain about the "intermediate state," and there are examples like the one I cited in my first reply - Moses and Elijah appearing with Christ on the mount of transfiguration, for example, is pretty compelling evidence for the traditional view, at least for the elect. But what of the wicked?

How much of the tradition is from Greek philosophy rather than scared Scripture? I have yet to sort all that out.