We have seen that death is the absence of life (Rev.20:5) and that in death there is no consciousness. But what happens to death? Some teach that death never ends. People then talk about eternal death.
That is incorrect, because this term does not occur anywhere in Scripture, but it is also incorrect, because the concept of eternal is read as everlasting and the Greek word aionion does not have that meaning. An aeon is an era. The same applies to the Hebrew olam.
life destroyed?
We have already mentioned the unbiblical teachings of the immortal soul and reincarnation. But there is also a school of thought that teaches that the unbelievers will be thrown into the lake of fire and will cease to exist. In theology this is called ‘annihilationism’ or ’the annihilation doctrine’. So it is actually a cremation, where most of humanity will remain in death forever and life will be abolished for them.
death annihilated
But Scripture teaches the opposite, that death is abolished! That is the gospel and any doctrine that teaches otherwise is not gospel (= good news).
2 Timothy 1
10 (…) our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolishes death and brings life and incorruption to light through the gospel.
The Greek word katargeo, which is translated as nullification of abolished, literally means to make ineffective. Death is abolished and rendered inoperative. When death is no longer active, all will live. Christ Jesus abolishes death by giving life and incorruption to all.
1 Corinthians 15
22 For just as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
All people will receive imperishable life, like the Firstfruits Christ, who has passed away from death and dies no more (Rom.6:9). Not all at once, but in a certain order. But the scope includes all who die in Adam, and no one is excepted.
1 Corinthians 15
23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then those who are Christ’s in his presence (parousia);
24 Then the end, when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father, when He will abolish all principality and all authority and power.
25 For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet.
26 The last enemy, death, is eliminated…
presence
The Lord’s parousia is usually translated as His coming. Various resurrections take place during this period. It is the time when the Lord will be present after a period of absence. During this time, various groups of believers will be quickened at different times. For example, the believers of the ecclesia at the snatching away (1 Thess. 4:13-17) and the resurrection of the righteous (Luke 14:14) for the thousand years (Rev. 20:5).
last enemy
Death is the last enemy to be destroyed. Many will then still be in death. They were unbelievers and appeared before the great white throne (Rev.21:11). There they were judged and cast into the second death, the lake of fire (Rev.20:14-15). Only at the end of the vivifications will they be made alive last (1 Cor.15:24).
1 Corinthians 15
27 For He puts all things under His feet. But when He says that all things are subject, it is clear that it is except Him who subjects all things to Him.
28 And when all things are put in subjection to Him, then the Son himself will also be put in subjection to Him who puts all things in subjection to Him, so that God may be all in all
At the end, when Christ hands over a perfect Kingdom to God the Father, there will be no more enemies. Everything will be subordinate to Him. Also and especially, the last (and greatest) enemy: death. Death will be swallowed up in the victory of the Prince of Life: Christ Jesus. He abolishes death and gives imperishable life to all!