Q&A KNOWLEDGEBASE

Annihilation and the Wicked Being Cut Off - Psalm 37:9 and Psalm 37:34

Question

Annihilationists claim that the phrase "cut off" in Psalm 37:9 and Psalm 37:34 means a person is annihilated and thus there is no need for an eternal hell?

Answer

Psalm 37:9 For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.
Psalm 37:34 Wait for the LORD and keep his way.  He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it.

Being "cut off" means a person would be excommunicated or exiled, or even cut off from the living - a death penalty (Gen. 17:14; Lev. 17:14). Annihilationists attempt to prove too much as Christ was "cut off" (Dan. 9:26). But he is risen (Matt. 28:1-10; John 11:25-26; Rom. 1:4-5; 6:8-11; Phil. 3:10-12; 1 Pet. 1:3, etc.). And he is alive (Rev. 1:18).

There will be no one who holds to a doctrine annihilation in hell (which is eternal). For an in-depth refutation of Annihilationism please see "An Eternal Hell is for Real - The Heresy of Annihilationism?" below.