What does "annihilationism" claim?

• A. The wicked will be eternally punished
• B. The wicked will eventually cease to exist
• C. Hell does not exist
• D. The righteous will face no judgment

Answer: (B)

Annihilationism is a theological view concerning the state of the wicked after death, asserting that those who do not attain salvation will ultimately cease to exist rather than suffer eternal punishment. This perspective interprets biblical passages on judgment and hell as indicating that the final fate of the wicked is not an endless torment, but rather a complete and permanent end to their existence. Thus, believers in annihilationism reject the notion of an eternal hell and instead advocate for a finality that leads to nonexistence for the unsaved.

The other possibilities suggest different outcomes that do not align with the core principles of annihilationism, such as eternal punishment or the existence of hell in a traditional sense. Each of those options reflects varying beliefs about the afterlife and divine justice that diverge from the annihilationist view.