Day 7 of 21
Did Jesus Christ believe in everlasting punishment for the wicked?
Look at His words in Matthew 25.46. "And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." The same Greek word is used in both instances. The punishment of the wicked is as never-ending as the bliss of the righteous. The wicked are not given a second chance, nor are they annihilated. The punishment of the wicked dead is described throughout Scripture as "everlasting fire" (v. 41); "unquenchable fire" (3.12); "shame and everlasting contempt" (Dan. 12.2); a place where "their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched" (Mark 9.44-49); a place of "torments" and "flame" (Luke 16.23, 24); "everlasting destruction" (2 Thess. 1.9); a place of torment with "fire and brimstone" where "the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever" (Rev. 14.10, 11); and a "lake of fire and brimstone" where the wicked are "tormented day and night forever and ever" (Rev. 20.10).
Here Jesus indicates that the punishment itself is everlasting-not merely the smoke and flames. The wicked are forever subject to the fury and the wrath of God. They consciously suffer shame and contempt and the assaults of an accusing conscience-along with the fiery wrath of an offended deity-for all of eternity. Even hell will acknowledge the perfect justice of God (Ps. 76.10); those who are there will know that their punishment is just and that they alone are to blame (see Deut. 32.3-5).
Matthew 25:46 NKJV
46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Daniel 12:2 NKJV
2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt.
Mark 9:43-49 NKJV
43 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched— 44 where ‘Their worm does not die And the fire is not quenched.’
45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched— 46 where ‘Their worm does not die, And the fire is not quenched.’
47 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire— 48 where ‘Their worm does not die And the fire is not quenched.’
Tasteless Salt Is Worthless
49 “For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt.
Luke 16:23-24 NKJV
23 And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24 “Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’
II Thessalonians 1:9 NKJV
9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,
Revelation 14:10-11 NKJV
10 he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”
Revelation 20:10 NKJV
10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
Psalms 76:10 NKJV
10 Surely the wrath of man shall praise You; With the remainder of wrath You shall gird Yourself.
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