"Perish"... What does it mean?

[Guest]

Whether literal or figurative, I do not know, though I do find it rather odd that the explanation of a parable would also be figurative. (Paidion)

I would agree it does seem odd. Although, 'fire' is used figuratively elsewhere in scripture, even when not in a parable, so it might be used that way here?
eg.
Rom 12:20 Therefore if your enemy hungers, feed him. If he thirsts, give him drink. For in so doing you shall heap coals of fire on his head.

1Pe 1:7 so that the trial of your faith (being much more precious than that of gold that perishes, but being proven through fire) might be found to praise and honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

If the parable is figurative one thing for sure it has a literal meaning.
I believe the literal meaning is that those who offend Christ will suffer in pain.(PAULESPINO)

Hi, I believe that too, just not sure if the pain will be physical, or more like mental anguish (or both).

[Guest]

Hi, I believe that too, just not sure if the pain will be physical, or more like mental anguish (or both).

Same with me Suzana. I'm not sure also.

[Guest]

Hi, I believe that too, just not sure if the pain will be physical, or more like mental anguish (or both).

I believe the pain could take some of the following forms: guilt, shame, anxiety, fear, broken relationships, loss of employment, loss of freedom (imprisonment), poor health, hatred, strife, etc.

Someone who is apollumi (lost, destroyed, perished) suffers these. One who returns to the Eternal Father in humble submission and follows Him in faith will begin the process of being delivered from sin which leads to the healing from these negative symptoms of a self-indulgent lifestyle. Christ came to deliver us from sin.

Todd

[Guest]

Since death came by sin there was no death before the fall. Adam and Eve were both immortal and possessed eternal life before they sinned. A person can have eternal life and forfeit it. I think of eternal life as a quality of life that has no end. That is....IMO.

[Guest]

Gen 3:22 And Jehovah God said, Behold, the man has become as one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put forth his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever,...
Gen 3:24 And He drove out the man. And He placed cherubs at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.

It seems to me these verses would imply that Adam & Eve may have needed to eat the fruit of the tree of life to keep living forever, so that would mean they were not inherently immortal. Maybe the death that resulted from sin was spiritual death. If it was physical as well maybe it was only that the sin caused God to prevent them partaking of the tree of life.

1Ti 6:15 For He in His own time will reveal who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords,
1Ti 6:16 who alone has immortality, dwelling in light which cannot be approached, whom no one of men have seen, nor can see; to whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen.

[Guest]

Good thoughts and Scripture, Suzana!

The idea of the natural immortality of the "soul" has its source in Greek philosophy ----- not the Bible.