The Worm Dieth Not (????)

Post by **_AARONDISNEY** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 10:47 pm

This has always been a strange phrase to me. I have heard that it is symbolic for their memory. I am kind of unsure. That tends to make some sense given the context.

Does anyone have any info on the origin of this phrase and why it's stated this way.

Mark 9:44-48
44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
45 And 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:
46 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
47 And 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:
48 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
(KJV)

Post by **_Derek** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 10:49 pm

Isa 66:24 And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.

The NASB (Alexadrian text) only has it only at the 9:48 in Mark.

If Jesus is talking about Gehenna, or the Valley of Hinnom, it really was a place (sort of a trash heap) where the fire was never quenched and the worms never died.

Post by **_AARONDISNEY** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 10:51 pm

Derek wrote:Isa 66:24 And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.

I still don't see it clearly though. What is the "worm" here? Is it their existence eternally in torment?

Post by **_Derek** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 10:56 pm

I take it somewhat symbolically. I don't think that worms have eternal life.

I think Jesus at most, was comparing the fate of unbelievers with the actual place called Gehenna. I am not sure He was talking about Hell in the traditional sense here.

(p.s. I edited my last post as you were typing)

Post by **_AARONDISNEY** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 10:59 pm

Cool,
Thanks Derek, that helps quite a bit.
'preciate it, bro

Post by **_TK** » Sun Sep 24, 2006 8:50 am

I listened to a sermon a while back by david wilkerson entitled "Hell, what is it like?" (its available on sermonindex.net) he preached that the "worm" is symbolic of regret-- the regret over lost opportunities of accepting Christ. so in a sense, the "worm" was symbolic of memories.

i tend to believe that he may have been playing a little fast and loose with the true meaning of the text, but nonethless it was a sobering message. you dont hear many like that any more.

TK

Post by **_STEVE7150** » Sun Sep 24, 2006 1:53 pm

Mark 9:44-48
44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
45 And 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:
46 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
47 And 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:
48 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

IMO "fire" is usually symbolic of God's judgement and "the worm" is only to identify Gehenna itself as the place being referred to not that the worm has any profound meaning. The use of "fire" as God's judgement is
common but the word "worm" is not used anywhere else to my knowledge therefore it must be identifying gehenna.
And the fire never being quenched simply means God's righteousness is eternal not that punishment is eternal.

Post by **_MLH** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 7:24 pm

I kisten to D. Wilkerson via online at worldchallenge.com.......
I have listened and rec'd mailing s from him for many years
and so appreciate that ministry.