FOREVER
When one reads in the bible the term FOR EVER one thinks of time without end, never over, for ever and ever. The bible shows us the different meanings that for ever can have.
In the following verses FOR EVER means continuous as long as the factors involved existed. When the factors changed such as one of the parties dying then the for ever also dies.
Exodus 21:6 KJV Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever.
Leviticus 25:46 And ye shall take them as an inheritance for your children after you, to inherit them for a possession; they shall be your bondmen for ever: but over your brethren the children of Israel, ye shall not rule one over another with rigour.
Deut. 15:17 Then thou shalt take an aul, and thrust it through his ear unto the door, and he shall be thy servant for ever. And also unto thy maidservant thou shalt do likewise.
When for ever is connected with God it can mean time without end.
Isaiah 40:8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
When referring to mortal man it can mean a lifetime.
1 Samuel 1:22 But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up until the child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before the LORD, and there abide for ever.
1 Samuel 1:28 Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.
It can also mean much less then a lifetime.
Jonah 2:6 I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me for ever: yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O LORD my God.
Many words and verses have different meanings and that is why it is important to read and study all the text on a given subject.
One more:
Jeremiah 17:27 But if ye will not hearken unto me to hallow the sabbath day, and not to bear a burden, even entering in at the gates of Jerusalem on the sabbath day; then will I kindle a fire in the gates thereof, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched.
Now that fire that God said shall not be put out is out therefore it did burn itself out and was not quenched. Think back on the verses that talk about a hell fire that is not quenched (Mark 9:42-48) and worms don't die.
Mark 9:42-48 And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea. 43And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 44Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 45And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 46Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 47And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: 48Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
Forever does not have to mean time without end, fires that can't be quenched do stop burning & worms do die! Think about it, did God give worms an immortal soul! I Know that God gave worms a soul but I find no support for immortal worm souls in the bible.
Mac.
