Does the Bible support eternal punishment?

Answer 1

The Bible tells us that 'God is LOVE'. He is COMPASSIONATE.

The Bible also tells us that mankind was 'made in God's image'.

These 2 concepts figure in understanding the TRUTH about the true Nature-of-God.

Consider the two terms: 'Torment' and 'Eternal'.

1) Torment: Mankind in general considers 'torment' as un-civilized, barbarious, lacking compassion and love. Human Governments (collectively speaking thru the UN) have laws against 'torment'; and are constantly refining such laws to fit more with what is considered 'proper'.

Consider: What would you do, if you discovered that your neighbor was using 'torment' to punish their child for disobedience? Most people would call the 'authorities'. Why? To have such treatment STOPPED. We have inherited from God, enough compassion and love to do what we can to stop such UN-civilized treatment. Mankind has even enacted laws against 'cruelty' to animals. Torment of animals is un-civilized.

Conclusion: Since we are made 'in God's image'; and since we have a sense of what 'compassion' is all about; ~ ~ on this basis of normal reasoning; God would be no less than us humans. We would not tolerate 'torment' / God would tolerate no place or situation of torment to exist in his Universe; let alone 'eternally'.

2) Eternal: Consider that PEOPLE CHANGEover the years. A 20 year old person who might be violent in nature; after getting married and having a little girl; often CHANGES his personality. At reaching 60 years, he is no longer of the same violent disposition as he was at 20. This us a fact of life - - people 'change' with time and experiences.

Also consider: Mankind is made in God's image. We have a sense of JUSTICE and what is FAIR or UNFAIR. Usually human governments try to make the punishment 'fit the crime'. Question: Would a punishment of 'eternal torment' be COMMENSURATE with a life-span of 80 years of 'non-belief in Jesus'? Does that fit any description of 'Fairness' or 'Justice'.

Dilemma: If a person changes over a lifespan of 60 years what would happen after 1 million years? Might a person not CHANGE over 1 million years? What if someone who had not accepted Jesus during his 60 years repents at 5 million years What would God do? (Can we not see a dilemma regarding the claim that 'God is Love' in such a situation; which would surely happen to at least 1 person over the course of 'eternity'.)

Conclusion: Based on such sound reasoning; we must conclude that any expressions in the Bible which SOUND-LIKE'eternal torment' MUST-BE understood differently. HAVE-TO-BE.

The concept of 'eternal torment' is the antithesis of everything God is all about.

MORAL OF THE STORY: Hard Implications: People who have bought into the concept of 'eternal torment' are NOT worshiping the God of the Bible. A god like that, is not worthy of worship. The religious systems and their clergy are CULPABLE in a huge way. They are guilty of SLANDER against the GOD of LOVE. Mankind must search for the True God.

Consider: IF people have been taught such a God-DISHONORING concept about the nature-of-God; what other things have they been deceived in about the nature-of-God?

Answer 2

Yes.

Matthew 13:41, 42 - "The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth."

Matthew 25:41, 45, 46 - "Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: (45) "Then He will answer them, saying, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.' And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." [NKJV]