DOES THE PHRASE “FOR EVER AND EVER” REALLY MEAN
FOREVERMORE?
Updated - 2/24/10
Let’s
consider three verses with the phrase “for ever and ever”:
Revelation
14:11 And the smoke of their torment
ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who
worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
Revelation
19:3 And again they said, Alleluia. And
her smoke rose up for ever and ever.
Revelation
20:10 And the devil that deceived them
was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false
prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
These
three verses are talking about God’s wrath upon the unsaved. Each of them has
the phrase “for ever and ever”. It is argued that there is a translation
error in these verses. It is said that the phrase should be translated “to
ever and ever”.
If
that were so, then it would mean that the duration would continue “to”
eternity, but would not continue forevermore. If the word “to” is the correct
translation, then the duration of these verses would only be until the end of
the world.
In
this study we are going to examine the Bible to see if the Bible tells us definitely
whether the proper translation is “for ever and ever” or “to ever and
ever”, or if either one would be allowed by the Bible.
The
purpose of this study is not to answer the question: Do the unsaved
suffer under the wrath of God forevermore. Rather, the purpose of this study is
to determine if the 3 verses above from the book of Revelation are speaking of
“forevermore” or if they are speaking of only “to ever and ever”.
That
is, will the smoke of the torment of the unsaved ascend up forevermore or will
it come to an end at the end of the world?
To
answer this question, we have to determine which is the right translation for
these verses, “to ever and ever” or “for ever and ever”?
How
do we determine which is the correct translation?
We
determine the correct translation by following the Biblical rule of 1
Corinthians 2:13 which is that we are to compare Scripture with Scripture.
God
defines words and phrases by how He uses them in the Bible.
We
are not free to say a word or phrase should be translated in a certain way that
we think makes sense. Rather, God has set the rule in 1 Corinthians 2:13. We
must see how God uses that same word or phrase in other verses. God defines
words by how He uses them in the Bible.
In
the original Greek Bible the spelling of the phrase “for ever and ever”
found in Revelation 14:11 is unique to that verse. However, the Greek phrase
translated “for ever and ever” in Revelation 19:3 and Revelation 20:10
is found a total of 20 times in the Bible. Therefore, we have Biblical help to
understand what God means by this phrase in these two verses.
Following
the rule of 1 Corinthians 2:13, we can learn what God means by the term “for
ever and ever” in Revelation 19:3 and Revelation 20:10 by examining all of the
verses with the same Greek words and with the same spelling.
Another
important rule in Bible study is found in 2 Peter 1:20 which declares:
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture
is of any private interpretation.
God
is teaching in 2 Peter 1:20 that the Bible is not subject to “private
interpretation”. We are not free to say “This phrase should be translated
such and such a way” without Biblical direction. God defines words and phrases
by how He uses them in the rest of the Bible. The Bible is it’s own dictionary.
God provides the definition of words and phrases by how He uses them in the
Bible.
The
argument is made that since the Greek word translated “for” in these verses is
a preposition that is translated “to” in other verses, then it could be
translated “to” in Revelation 14:11, 19:3 & 20:10.
This
preposition translated “for” in the above verses is the Greek word “eis”. This Greek word is used about 1,700 times in the
Bible, in many different ways.
Below
are verses that show some of the ways that this Greek preposition is used:
Matthew 2:11
And when they were come into <1519> the house, they saw
the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and
when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and
frankincense, and myrrh.
Matthew 2:23
And he came and dwelt in <1519> a city called
Matthew 3:11
I indeed baptize you with water unto <1519> repentance: but he
that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear:
he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
Matthew 6:34
Take therefore no thought for <1519> the morrow: for the
morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is
the evil thereof.
Matthew 8:34
And, behold, the whole city came out to <1519> meet Jesus: and when
they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their
coasts.
Matthew 10:41
He that receiveth a prophet in <1519> the name of a
prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man
in <1519> the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous
man’s reward.
Mark 1:39
And he preached in their synagogues throughout <1519> all
Mark 3:29
But he that shall blaspheme against <1519> the Holy Ghost hath
never <1519> forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:
Mark 4:18
And these are they which are sown among <1519> thorns; such as hear
the word,
Mark 8:19
When I brake the five loaves among <1519> five thousand, how
many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve.
Luke 1:50
And his mercy is on them that fear him from <1519> generation to
generation.
Luke 5:4
Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into <1519> the deep, and let
down your nets for <1519> a draught.
Luke 6:8
But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered
hand, Rise up, and stand forth in <1519> the midst. And he
arose and stood forth.
John 3:36
He that believeth on <1519> the Son hath
everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the
wrath of God abideth on him.
John 6:9
There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small
fishes: but what are they among <1519> so many?
Acts 2:25
For David speaketh concerning <1519> him, I foresaw the
Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be
moved:
Acts 2:38
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in
the name of Jesus Christ for <1519> the remission of
sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 3:19
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that <1519> your sins may be
blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the
Lord;
Acts 4:6
And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as
many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at <1519>
Acts 4:11
This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is
become the head of <1519> the corner.
Romans 4:18
Who against hope believed in hope, that <1519> he might become the
father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed
be.
Romans 5:8
But God commendeth his love toward <1519> us, in that, while
we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
1 Corinthians 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for
ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon <1519> whom the ends of the
world are come.
2 Corinthians 10:16 To preach the gospel in <1519> the regions
beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s line of <1519> things made ready to
our hand.
Ephesians 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until
<1519> the redemption of the purchased possession, unto <1519> the praise of his
glory.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the
will of God in Christ Jesus concerning <1519> you.
2 Thessalonians 2:10 And with all deceivableness of
unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the
truth, that <1519> they might be saved.
2 Timothy 2:26 And that
they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken
captive by him at <1519> his will.
Hebrews 9:28 So Christ was
once offered to <1519> bear the sins of many; and unto them that
look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto <1519> salvation.
1 Peter 1:11 Searching what
<1519>, or what manner of time the Spirit of
Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the
sufferings of <1519> Christ, and the glory that should follow.
We
see from these verses that this preposition is used in many different ways. In
fact, it is used more than 1,700 times in the Bible.
In
these example verses, we see this Greek preposition translated into more than
15 different English words: into, in, unto, for, to, throughout, against,
among, from, on, concerning, upon, that, toward, of, until, at.
If
these translations were used, then Revelation 19:3 could be written this way:
Revelation
19:3 And again they said, Alleluia. And
her smoke rose up against ever and ever.
Revelation
19:3 And again they said, Alleluia. And
her smoke rose up among ever and ever.
Revelation
19:3 And again they said, Alleluia. And
her smoke rose up from ever and ever.
Revelation
19:3 And again they said, Alleluia. And
her smoke rose up throughout ever and ever.
Revelation
19:3 And again they said, Alleluia. And
her smoke rose up concerning ever and ever.
Revelation
19:3 And again they said, Alleluia. And
her smoke rose up that ever and ever.
Revelation
19:3 And again they said, Alleluia. And
her smoke rose up at ever and ever.
Revelation
19:3 And again they said, Alleluia. And
her smoke rose up upon ever and ever.
Revelation
19:3 And again they said, Alleluia. And
her smoke rose up of ever and ever.
We
see that if we look just at this Greek preposition there are many possible ways
to translate this phrase.
Given
that this Greek preposition is translated into more than 15 different English
words, does God provide any definitive direction as to the correct, Biblical
translation?
Or,
is the phrase “ever and ever” made basically meaningless because of this
preposition?
The
Bible provides an answer to the above questions.
We
will see that the Bible does give clear direction as to the correct translation
of this 5 word Greek phrase that begins with this interesting Greek preposition
“eis”.
Before
we examine that proof, we will make another note: The Greek word that is
translated “ever” in phrases like “for ever” and “for ever and
ever” is the Greek word “aion”. Verses with this word are never
translated “to ever …”. They are always translated “for ever …” for affirmative
statements. In the case of negative statements, these words are translated
“never”.
In
addition, God has given a clear proof of how we are to translate the 5 Greek
word phrase we are studying; whether it should be “for ever and ever” or “to
ever and ever” or if the Bible will allow either translation.
God
has provided a way that we can know for sure which is the correct translation.
As
we saw, the Greek preposition translated “for” in Revelation 14:11, 19:3
& 20:10 is a fairly common word that is translated in many ways and is
found in many verses.
However,
the complete Greek phrase translated “for ever and ever” is a much more
specific and unique phrase in the New Testament. Therefore, we must look at how
God uses this specific Greek phrase in the Bible to understand what God is
teaching us in Revelation 19:3 & 20:10.
We
will now examine the specific Greek phrase translated “for ever and ever” in
Revelation 19:3 & 20:10 to see how God uses this Greek phrase in the rest
of the Bible in order to understand what God is teaching by this phrase.
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The
two verses that we will now examine are shown below in English and in Greek:
Revelation 19:3
And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and
ever.
Revelation 19:3 kai deuteron eirhkan allhlouia kai o kapnov authv
anabainei eiv touv aiwnav twn aiwnwn
Revelation 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast
into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are,
and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
Revelation 20:10 kai o
diabolov o planwn autouv eblhyh eiv thn limnhn tou purov kai yeiou opou to
yhrion kai o qeudoprofhthv kai basanisyhsontai hmerav kai nuktov eiv touv
aiwnav twn aiwnwn
The
phrase translated “for ever and ever” in the Greek
language is:
eiv touv aiwnav twn aiwnwn
How
do we find out what God means by this Greek phrase?
The
answer is that we follow the rule of 1 Corinthians 2:13 and see how God uses
this same Greek phrase in other parts of the Bible. God defines terms by how He
uses them in the Bible.
It
turns out that this exact Greek phrase is used a total of 20 times in the New
Testament with the exact same spelling of 5 words and 22 letters. Therefore,
God has given an abundance of verses to cross-check in order that we can
understand what God means by this phrase.
All
of the verses with this same phrase in Greek are listed below. The Greek
version is listed first, then followed by the English version. The Greek phrase
that we are studying is underlined.
Galatians 1:5 w h doxa eiv touv aiwnav twn aiwnwn amhn
Galatians 1:5 To whom [be] glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Philippians 4:20 tw de yew kai patri hmwn h doxa eiv touv aiwnav twn aiwnwn amhn
Philippians 4:20 ¶
Now unto God and our Father [be] glory for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Timothy 1:17 tw de basilei twn aiwnwn afyartw aoratw monw sofw yew timh kai doxa eiv touv aiwnav twn aiwnwn amhn
1 Timothy 1:17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal,
invisible, the only wise God, [be] honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
2 Timothy 4:18 kai rusetai me o kuriov apo pantov ergou ponhrou kai swsei eiv thn
basileian autou thn epouranion w h doxa eiv touv aiwnav twn aiwnwn amhn
2 Timothy 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil
work, and will preserve [me] unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom [be] glory for
ever and ever. Amen.
Hebrews 13:21 katartisai umav en panti ergw agayw eiv to poihsai to yelhma autou poiwn
en umin to euareston enwpion autou dia ihsou cristou w h doxa eiv touv aiwnav twn aiwnwn amhn
Hebrews 13:21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his
will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus
Christ; to whom [be] glory for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 4:11 ei tiv lalei wv logia yeou ei tiv diakonei wv ex iscuov hv corhgei o yeov
ina en pasin doxazhtai o yeov dia ihsou cristou w estin h doxa kai to kratov eiv touv aiwnav twn aiwnwn amhn
1 Peter 4:11 If any man speak, [let him speak] as the
oracles of God; if any man minister, [let him do it] as of the ability which
God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to
whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 5:11 autw h doxa kai to kratov eiv touv aiwnav twn aiwnwn amhn
1 Peter 5:11 To him [be] glory and dominion for ever and
ever. Amen.
Revelation 1:6 kai epoihsen hmav basileiv kai iereiv tw yew kai patri autou autw h doxa
kai to kratov eiv touv aiwnav twn aiwnwn amhn
Revelation 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God
and his Father; to him [be] glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Revelation 1:18 kai o zwn kai egenomhn nekrov kai idou zwn eimi eiv touv aiwnav twn aiwnwn amhn kai ecw tav kleiv tou adou kai tou
yanatou
Revelation 1:18 I [am] he that liveth, and was dead; and,
behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
Revelation 4:9 kai otan dwsousin ta zwa doxan kai timhn kai eucaristian tw kayhmenw epi
tou yronou tw zwnti eiv touv aiwnav twn aiwnwn
Revelation 4:9 And when those beasts give glory and honour
and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,
Revelation 4:10 pesountai oi eikosi kai tessarev presbuteroi enwpion tou kayhmenou epi tou
yronou kai proskunousin tw zwnti eiv touv aiwnav twn aiwnwn kai ballousin touv stefanouv autwn enwpion
tou yronou legontev
Revelation 4:10 The four and twenty elders fall down before
him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and
cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
Revelation 5:13 kai pan ktisma o estin en tw ouranw kai en th gh kai upokatw thv ghv kai
epi thv yalasshv a estin kai ta en autoiv panta hkousa legontav tw kayhmenw epi
tou yronou kai tw arniw h eulogia kai h timh kai h doxa kai to kratov eiv touv aiwnav twn aiwnwn
Revelation 5:13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on
the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in
them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, [be] unto him
that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
Revelation 5:14 kai ta tessara zwa elegon amhn kai oi eikositessarev presbuteroi epesan
kai prosekunhsan zwnti eiv touv aiwnav twn aiwnwn
Revelation 5:14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four
[and] twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.
Revelation 7:12 legontev amhn h eulogia kai h doxa kai h
Revelation 7:12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and
wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, [be] unto our God
for ever and ever. Amen.
Revelation 10:6 kai wmosen en tw zwnti eiv touv aiwnav twn aiwnwn ov ektisen ton ouranon kai ta en autw kai
thn ghn kai ta en auth kai thn yalassan kai ta en auth oti cronov ouk estai eti
Revelation 10:6 And sware by him that liveth for ever and
ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and
the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that
there should be time no longer:
Revelation 11:15 kai o ebdomov aggelov esalpisen kai egenonto fwnai megalai en tw ouranw
legousai egenonto ai basileiai tou kosmou tou kuriou hmwn kai tou cristou autou
kai basileusei eiv touv aiwnav twn aiwnwn
Revelation 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were
great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become [the
kingdoms] of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
Revelation 15:7 kai en ek twn tessarwn zwwn edwken toiv epta aggeloiv epta fialav crusav
gemousav tou yumou tou yeou tou zwntov eiv touv aiwnav twn aiwnwn
Revelation 15:7 And one of the four beasts gave unto the
seven angels seven golden vials full of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever
and ever.
Revelation 19:3 kai deuteron eirhkan allhlouia kai o kapnov authv anabainei eiv touv aiwnav twn aiwnwn
Revelation 19:3 And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke
rose up for ever and ever.
Revelation 20:10 kai o diabolov o planwn autouv eblhyh eiv thn limnhn tou purov kai yeiou opou
to yhrion kai o qeudoprofhthv kai basanisyhsontai hmerav kai nuktov eiv touv aiwnav twn aiwnwn
Revelation 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast
into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet
[are], and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
Revelation 22:5 kai nux ouk estai ekei kai creian ouk ecousin lucnou kai fwtov hliou oti
kuriov o yeov fwtizei autouv kai basileusousin eiv touv aiwnav twn aiwnwn
Revelation 22:5 And there shall be no night there; and they
need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light:
and they shall reign for ever and ever.
By examining these 20 verses carefully we can
see that each has the exact same Greek phrase consisting of the same 5 words
and 22 letters. These are the only verses with this phrase.
God has given us a good number of verses with
this exact same Greek phrase. Therefore, God has provided plenty of help to
define what God means by this phrase.
We remember that God defines words and
phrases by how He uses them in the Bible.
Also, we want to keep in mind that this is a
very specific phrase that God has crafted and put in the Bible. It is a phrase
of 5 words of 22 letters. This exact spelling is used 20 times in the New
Testament.
Therefore, we are talking about a very
specific phrase that God uses in these 20 verses.
Let’s examine these 20 verses and ask the
question, “What does this phrase signify?”
Does it mean:
1. “to ever and ever” - coming to an
end at the end of the world ?
or
2. “for ever and ever” - going on
forevermore ?
Or, is either one possible?
The
first verse with this phrase is Galatians 1:5. Galatians 1:5 is talking about
glory to God. It says that God will receive glory “for ever and ever”
with this same phrase in the Greek language.
Will
God receive glory forevermore? Or, will the glory to God come to an end on
October 21, 2011?
The
answer should be obvious that God will receive glory forevermore. It is not
possible that glory to God could ever come to an end. It is not possible that
Galatians 1:5 could be saying “To whom [be] glory to ever and ever. Amen.” That would mean that it would be possible for glory
to God to come to an end.
In
Galatians 1:5 God is giving definition for this Greek phrase translated “for
ever and ever”. In Galatians 1:5 this phrase must mean forevermore. It is
not possible that glory to God can end.
When
we examine the verses: Philippians 4:20, 1 Timothy 1:17, 2 Timothy 4:18,
Hebrews 13:21, 1 Peter 4:11 & 5:11, Revelation 1:6, 4:9, 5:13, and 7:12, we
find that all of them speak of glory, praise and dominion to God “for ever
and ever”.
These
verses use this same Greek phrase translated “for ever and ever” to
speak of the duration of glory, praise and dominion to God.
Will
God receive glory, praise and dominion forevermore? Or, is it possible that glory,
praise and dominion to God could come to an end at the end of the world?
God
will receive glory, praise and dominion forevermore. There is no doubt about
that fact.
Is
it possible that glory, praise and dominion to God could ever come to an end?
In
these verses God is further defining that this Greek phrase translated “for
ever and ever” must mean forevermore. It is not possible that God will not
receive glory, praise and dominion forevermore.
We
read in Revelation 1:18, 4:10, 5:14, 10:6, 15:7, that God will live “forevermore”
or “for ever and ever” using this same 5 word Greek phrase.
Will
God live forevermore? Or, will that come to an end on October 21, 2011?
The
answer is that God will live forevermore. It is not possible that God will not
live forevermore.
In
Revelation 11:15, the Bible says that the Lord Jesus shall reign “for ever
and ever” using the same Greek phrase.
Will
the Lord Jesus reign forevermore or is it possible that His reign could come to
an end?
The
Lord Jesus shall reign forevermore. It is not possible that the reign of Christ
could ever end.
The
last verse is Revelation 22:5 that says that the believers will reign “for ever
and ever”. It is written with this same phrase in Greek, just as in the 19
other verses.
Will
the true believers reign with Christ forevermore? Or is it possible that the
reign of the true believers with Christ will come to an end on October 21, 2011?
Without
any doubt, the believers will reign with Christ forevermore. It is not possible
that the reign of the true believers with Christ will ever come to an end.
We
have examined all of the verses with the exact same Greek expression translated
“for ever and ever” in Revelation 19:3 and 20:10. These verses are all
of the verses with the exact same 5 words with the same 22 letters as we found
in Revelation 19:3 & 20:10.
Because
God will receive praise, glory and honor forevermore and will live and reign
forevermore, the Greek phrase translated “for ever and ever” in these 20 verses
can only mean forevermore.
It
is not possible that the Greek phrase translated “for ever and ever” can mean
anything except forevermore. Otherwise,
we would be saying that God might not receive praise forevermore or that God
might not live forevermore or that God might not reign forevermore.
Therefore,
God is teaching that this Greek phrase translated “for ever and ever” must
truly mean forevermore.
If
we say that it is possible that this Greek phrase translated “for ever and
ever” could have an end, then we are saying that it is possible that praise
and glory to God could come to an end. Or, we are saying that God Himself or
His reign with the true believers could come to an end. However, None of that
is possible.
If
we examine just the Greek preposition “eis” we could conclude that a
valid translation might be “to ever and ever”. However, when examine the
whole 5 word Greek phrase and the 20 verses in which it is found, we see that “for
ever and ever” is the only valid translation.
By
using this same 5 word Greek phrase in those 20 verses, God is teaching that however
long God will receive praise, honor and glory, however long God will live and
reign, that is how long the smoke of the unsaved will ascend. The Bible ties
the duration of these events together.
Without
any doubt, praise, honor and glory to God will go on forevermore. God will live
forevermore. Christ will reign forevermore and the true believers will reign
with Christ forevermore.
Therefore,
following the Biblical rule of 1 Corinthians 2:13 to compare Scripture with
Scripture we know that the smoke of the unsaved will ascend forevermore as
indicated in Revelation 19:3, in the same way that God will reign forevermore.
Revelation
14:10-11 teaches that the smoke of the unsaved is a smoke of torment which comes
from being tormented by fire with God Himself being the consuming fire.
By
putting Revelation 14:11 and 19:3 together, we know that the smoke of the
unsaved ascends forevermore and that this smoke is a smoke of torment.
Therefore, this smoke of torment of the unsaved will ascend forevermore.
The
purpose of this study was not to answer the question: Do the unsaved
suffer under the wrath of God forevermore.
We examine that question in other studies.
Rather,
the purpose of this study was to determine if Revelation 14:11, 19:3 &
20:10 are speaking of “forevermore” or if they are speaking of only “to ever
and ever”
By
following the Biblical rule of 1 Corinthians 2:13 and by examining all verses
with the same 5 word Greek phrase translated “for ever and ever” in Revelation
19:3 & 20:10, we know that this phrase has to mean forevermore. The Bible
assures us that the smoke of the unsaved will ascend forevermore.