What is Satan's Fate?
Argument I
Only God is Immortal
QUESTION:
How can angels be immortal when the Bible clearly states that only God has immortality?
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One of the most popular arguments advanced by those who believe spirit beings can die is the fact that the apostle Paul once wrote that only God has immortality (See: I Timothy 6:15-16). Therefore, these advocates have concluded that no other beings could possibly be immortal. Some have even suggested that although the Almighty can bestow immortality on others, He has never done so to the angelic realm, nor is there any indication He ever intends to do so in the future. He will however, give it to His saints at the resurrection—although even then, He reserves the right to take it from them if He so desires. According to one advocate of this view, God “not only possesses unending life, but He also has the ability to miraculously give that life to others, or take it from them.”
Here is how this view was presented by a well-established COG fellowship followed by my response.
Advocates of the New Doctrine:
“Is it possible for spirit beings to be destroyed? Can they die, or are they immortal—like God? Certainly, God the Father and Jesus Christ have immortality. They literally have self-existent life, and it was this fact that prompted the apostle Paul to write:”
“In his times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen (1 Tim. 6:15-16).”
“…While it is true that the faithful angels will not grow old and die like physical humans, the angelic community does not have life inherent in them. They are not immortal! The angels existed when Paul wrote that it is the “Lord of lords, who only hath immortality” (1 Tim. 6:15-16). When the resurrection occurs, the faithful saints will put on this divine trait of immortality (1 Cor. 15:53). The Scriptures nowhere state that the angels have, or will ever have, this eternal quality.”
“…God alone has immortality. He not only possesses unending life, but He also has the ability to miraculously give that life to others, or take it from them.”
Another Minister Agrees
The view just articulated has been advanced by other Church leaders as well. Here is how one prominent evangelist offered his concurrence.
“Many have assumed that Satan and his demons are eternal spirit beings, and therefore cannot be destroyed, or ever be put "out of their misery." They "assume" that such beings are "immortal." But is this true? The apostle Paul wrote plainly, of God, "who is the blessed and only Potentate [only true independent Power], the King of kings, and Lord of lords: WHO ONLY HATH IMMORTALITY, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen or can see: to whom is honor and power everlasting” (I Tim.6:16).
“If only GOD has true immortality, then this means no angel has it! That is, no angel has independent, eternal "self-existence" with true self-inherent immortality!”
Like many advocates of this new doctrine, this leader also claims that God can take immortality away from anyone to whom he gave it. Notice his words.
“And anything God "gives," He can take back if the recipient proves himself to be rebellious and unworthy of the gift!”
My Response:
Although this view claims that God can take immortality away from those to whom He gave it, the Bible doesn’t even hint that this can happen. On the contrary, there is not one example in the Scriptures suggesting that what was created incorruptible was ever, or, will ever be stripped of that incorruption. It is true that Christ divested Himself of His “glory” (John 17: 5) when He came to earth as a mortal man, but the Messiah was neither created by anyone nor stripped of anything. His perfect life was given voluntarily (Philippians 2:5-8). Furthermore, His incarnation actually proves that no other spirit being can become MORTAL—a point that will be expanded on in a later argument (See: Argument V).
Additionally, the idea that only the resurrected saints will receive immortality is simply NOT TRUE. God’s Word specifically states that the entire molecular universe will possess the same incorruption (See: Romans 8:19-23). It is also the same incorruption that has been enjoyed by the angelic realm from the moment of their existence. At this point, it is interesting to note that when describing the immortality of the resurrected saints Jesus specifically likened them to ANGELS (See: Luke 20:36).
Redefining Terms
Although these particular advocates embrace the position that faithful angels “won’t grow old or die like humans,” how is that possible if they aren’t immortal? In truth, the term “immortal” in the New Testament comes from two words: athanasia which means “undying,” and aphtharsia meaning “incorruption” or “perpetuity.” Both of these terms fit the angelic realm perfectly.
In all due respect to those who concur with this particular argument, one gets the impression that it is making every attempt to redefine terms in order to avoid having to admit the obvious. To claim that something won’t die and not acknowledge it is immortal is like claiming something cannot be broken and refuse to call it indestructible. These are just word games not Biblical insight.
Immortality in the Spirit Realm
Contrary to what some now believe, there are countless incorruptible (immortal) beings residing in a place vastly different than the one mankind lives in today. In that realm death does not exist. Jesus understood this truth and specifically stated that angels “CANNOT DIE” (Luke 20:36). The obvious reason for their immortality is because the Almighty ordained it to be that way from the very beginning. In other words, they were specifically designed by their Maker to exist forever. With that said, what did Paul mean when he revealed that “only God has immortality”?
What Was Paul Conveying?
The point being made by God’s apostle when writing to Timothy was NOT that no other beings have immortality, but rather that God is the only BEING that has it in Himself (John 5:26). In other words, God has eternally existed without the aid of a creator. God was not MADE immortal. He IS immortal. He alone is “from everlasting to everlasting” (Psalm 90:2). This fact makes Him unique from every other being in existence—past, present or future—including the angels and the yet to be resurrected saints. In other words, no one will ever have immortality the way God has it. At this point it is interesting to note that the word “hath” [immortality] comes from the Greek “echo” which means “to own” (See: Strong’s G2192). Therefore, this verse could easily be rendered “who only OWNS immortality.”
This now brings us to the angelic realm and whether they were given IMMORTALITY by the only ONE who has it to give. Fortunately, there is a way to tell if the Almighty bestowed it to them and ironically Paul’s letter to Timothy contains the answer.
Being Honest About I Timothy 6:15-16
At this point, it is critical to understand that when writing to Timothy, Paul was NOT contrasting God to the angelic realm, he was contrasting Him to mankind. Angels aren’t even mentioned in this passage. However, that omission is very telling.
In truth, Paul was explaining that mankind in his current corruptible state, is totally incapable of approaching God in His infinite eternal state. This is because man was created without the immortality necessary to be a part of that dimension. However, this is not the case when it comes to angels. These majestic creatures were specifically created to serve in the very place Paul said mankind cannot approach. They not only see God’s immortality but also His ETERNAL SPIRITUAL DOMAIN. Furthermore, their relationship to that domain is not a casual one. In truth, these great spirits are an integral part of it.
To illustrate this point consider the following: The great archangel Gabriel specifically declared that he “stands in the presence of God” (Luke 1:19), something mortal man could NEVER do. Additionally, Jesus stated categorically that there are angels who actually SEE God’s face (Matthew 18:10). This fact is even more significant when one considers that the Messiah also declared that no MAN had ever seen the Father (See: John 6:46, See also: John 1: 18, I John 4:12).
But there’s more.
The fourth chapter of the book of Revelation describes four living creatures, twenty-four elders and seven spirits—all residing in the very throne room of the “one who was and is and is to come” (Revelation 4:8). Once again, no mortal human has ever, or could ever do such a thing. Even Lucifer once served at the pleasure of the King of kings in the very command center of eternity (See: Ezekiel 28:13-14). Furthermore, he still appears before that King as an incorruptible (immortal) fallen angel (See: Job 1:6).
The point here is that in order to approach God in His spiritual realm one MUST possess immortality. That immortality can ONLY be given by the One who has it in Himself. GOD ALONE HAS IT and GOD ALONE GIVES IT—and He did just that to every angel—including Lucifer and those who ultimately rebelled. Man however, does NOT have it. Furthermore, he cannot see it, feel it, smell it, taste it, hear it, or even comprehend it. Jesus acknowledged this fact and explained that humanity in its current mortal state is totally incapable of approaching the incorruptible (immortal) dimension in which his Creator and the angels reside.
Notice how He expresses this truth.
To Be Born Again
Early in His ministry, Jesus spoke of a spiritual realm and indicated that man’s entrance into it was predicated on him going through a dramatic change—he would have to be BORN into it. Furthermore, absent this BIRTH, mankind could NEVER even obtain a glimpse of that realm.
John 3:3
“Jesus answered and said unto him [Nicodemus], Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a man be born again, he cannot SEE the Kingdom of God.”
The Messiah’s point couldn’t be more clear. He is stating, with GREAT FORCE, that there is ONLY ONE WAY for a mortal being to enter into the spiritual realm—he MUST be BORN into it. There is NO other path that will lead him there—ABSOLUTELY NONE! This truth becomes more significant when one considers that the same is true for spirits entering into the physical realm and becoming mortal—they must be BORN into it as well—there is absolutely NO OTHER WAY. In other words, they must be BORN of the FLESH (John 3:6). Furthermore, the Scriptures declare that this BIRTH has only happened to Jesus Christ and that it CANNOT happen to any other Spirit Being (See: John 1:14 & Argument V).
Returning to Jesus and Nicodemus
The birth Jesus spoke about to Nicodemus represents the first step God’s human family will take into eternity. In order to take that step they will have to be IMMORTAL—just like angels (See: Luke 20:36). The apostle Paul understood this truth and wrote about it in his first epistle to the Church at Corinth.
1 Corinthians 15:50
“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither does corruption inherit incorruption.”
Here, Paul states that the corruptible world, of which mankind is a part, is not compatible with the incorruptible world in which the Almighty and His angels reside. Furthermore, in the very next verse, this apostle explains how those called according to God’s purpose will one day enter into that realm.
Verses 51-54
“Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.”
Notice what Paul is conveying. This apostle categorically states that death cannot exist in an incorruptible realm—it is swallowed up. In other words, it has NO power in such a place. Therefore, if you find an incorruptible dimension, you have just discovered a place where death has NO influence on anything or ANYONE (Verses 55-56). This now brings us to some very good news.
An Incorruptible Universe
God’s plan for man is that he will ultimately be a part of an incorruptible dimension—and although some believe that only the resurrected saints will have true immortality, Paul says something quite different. According to him, the physical universe all around us will also be changed into the same incorruptible material as God’s saints. He even indicates that the entire creation longs for that day to arrive. Here are his exact words.
Romans 8:19-23
“For the earnest expectation of the creature (creation) waits for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature (creation) was made subject to vanity (corruption), not willingly, but by reason of Him Who hath subjected the same in hope. Because the creature (creation) itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption (death) into the glorious liberty of the children of God (immortality). For we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.”
With these words, Paul was explaining that the entire physical realm is anxiously waiting in anticipation for the manifestation of God’s children into incorruptible beings because it (the creation) will experience the same change. When writing about the incredible transformation the physical universe will experience, the author of Hebrews put it this way.
Hebrews 1:10-12
“And, you, Lord, in the beginning have laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of your hand: They shall perish; but you remain; and they shall wax old as a garment; and as a vesture shall you fold them up. And they shall be changed…”
The point here is that the Great Creator and Sustainer of all that exists is eventually going to breathe incorruptible life into the entire physical realm just as He did when creating the spiritual dimension so very long ago. When that time comes, heaven and earth will experience the same change Paul proclaimed God’s saints will experience at their resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:51-54). It is only then that man will finally be able to approach God’s immortality dwelling in the light (I Timothy 6:16)—something the angels have always been able to do.
A Final Thought
The bottom line is this. The Scriptures specifically identify two realms—one physical and one spiritual. The physical realm is subject to vanity (corruption and decay). Everything in it will eventually perish. However, the spiritual realm is vastly different. It was, is, and always will be incapable of corruption (death). It is IMMORTAL. Perhaps the apostle Paul said it best.
2 Corinthians 4:18
While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
Argument II