“and if He condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having made them an example to those who would live ungodly lives thereafter,” (2 Peter 2:6).

Conditionalists often appeal to this verse because it says that Sodom and Gomorrah were reduced to ashes and that the destruction of the cities is an example for the ungodly. They conclude that since Sodom and Gomorrah don’t exist anymore, then neither do the ungodly people now (i.e., soul sleep, soul extinction) or that they will be annihilated. I can see their reason for appealing to this text. But, it does not necessitate their interpretation. After all, it is possible that the people thus destroyed are presently undergoing punishment.

In addition, the Greek word for “destruction” is καταστροφή, katastrophe.  It only occurs twice in the New Testament, here in 2 Peter 2:6, and also in 2 Tim. 2:14, “Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers.”  It means destruction and ruin.  But, nothing in 2 Peter’s context demands that the “destruction” is nonexistence. 

Furthermore, Sodom and Gomorrah were cities. The text says that “the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah” were reduced to ashes. Now in one sense, the verse is talking about literal buildings. But in another, it is talking about the people within them, since apparently, the people were reduced to ashes as well. In both the context of the cities and the people, it is referring to their physical condition. Nothing is said about their spiritual state. And that is the point.

The cities are an example to the ungodly

The text says “having made them an example to those who would live ungodly lives thereafter.” 2 Peter 2:6 is a warning of the judgment upon them. The conditionalist will, of course, say such judgment is nonexistence. But, if it means that the people don’t exist, then how is it a warning to the ungodly if the consequence of their sin is nonexistence. Now, I don’t make doctrine out of experience and I certainly don’t make doctrine out of the teachings of unbelievers. However, in the many years of witnessing to unbelievers, I have yet to encounter a single one who has expressed any worry, fear, or trepidation with the idea of nonexistence after they die. If anything, that is the common belief of most of them that after their deaths. They just cease to be. So, how is nonexistence “an example to those who live ungodly lives thereafter?” It doesn’t make sense.

Conclusion

2 Peter 2:6 is not clear enough in its context to warrant to the conditionalists’ claim that the destruction of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah means that the people thus destroyed don’t exist anymore right now, are in a state of soul sleep, or will be annihilated on the Day of Judgment.  Nevertheless, they conclude that since Sodom and Gomorrah don’t exist anymore, then neither do the ungodly people now nor in the future since they will be annihilated. However, it is possible that the people thus destroyed are presently undergoing punishment (Jude 6-7).  At the very least the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah serves as an example for the ungodly about the coming judgment. For more on this please see See the articles, Annihilationism and Jude 6-7, angels and the wicked undergoing punishment of eternal fire, and Annihilationism and Revelation 14:9-11, worshippers of the beast are tormented forever.