Topical Bible: Hell: Punishment of, is Eternal

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Topical Encyclopedia

Hell, as described in the Bible, is a place of eternal punishment for the wicked and those who reject God. The concept of eternal punishment is a significant theme in Christian theology, emphasizing the gravity of sin and the justice of God.

Biblical Descriptions of Hell

The Bible provides several descriptions of hell, often using vivid imagery to convey its severity. In the New Testament, Jesus frequently speaks of hell as a place of unquenchable fire and eternal separation from God. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus warns, "And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life" (Matthew 25:46). This verse underscores the eternal nature of the punishment, contrasting it with the eternal life promised to the righteous.

The Nature of Eternal Punishment

The eternal nature of hell is further emphasized in the Book of Revelation, where it is described as a "lake of fire." Revelation 20:10 states, "And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever" . This passage highlights the perpetual torment that characterizes hell, reserved not only for the devil and his followers but also for those who reject God.

The Justice of Eternal Punishment

The doctrine of eternal punishment is rooted in the justice and holiness of God. Sin, being an offense against an infinite God, carries an infinite consequence. Romans 6:23 declares, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" . The death referred to here is not merely physical but spiritual, signifying eternal separation from God in hell.

Warnings and Exhortations

Throughout Scripture, there are numerous warnings about the reality of hell and exhortations to repent and turn to God. In Mark 9:43, Jesus advises, "If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and go into hell, where the fire never goes out" . Such warnings serve as a call to holiness and a reminder of the eternal consequences of sin.

The Role of Christ's Sacrifice

The eternal punishment of hell also underscores the significance of Christ's sacrificial death and resurrection. Through His atoning work, Jesus provides a way of escape from the wrath to come. John 3:16-17 affirms, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him" . This passage highlights the hope of salvation and eternal life through faith in Christ, contrasting with the eternal punishment of hell.

Conclusion

The doctrine of eternal punishment in hell is a sobering reminder of the seriousness of sin and the justice of God. It serves as a call to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, who offers eternal life to all who believe.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 33:14
The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness has surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Revelation 20:10
And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Greek

5020. tartaroo -- to cast into hell
... [In Greek mythology, Tartarus was a "place of punishment under the earth ... cast into
hell. ... the deepest abyss of Hades); to incarcerate in eternal torment -- cast ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5020.htm - 7k

Library

Of Hell, and the Nature of Eternal Punishments.
... Chapter 9."Of Hell, and the Nature of Eternal Punishments. So then what God by His
prophet has said of the everlasting punishment of the damned shall come to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 9 of hell and the.htm

Whether Suffrages Profit those who are in Hell?
... man suffers more or less from the eternal fire according ... unchanged, it cannot be
that he suffers less punishment. ... First, because the damned in hell are cut off ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether suffrages profit those who.htm

Against those who are of Opinion that the Punishment Neither of ...
... cast into prisons of darkness in hell, [1543] being ... withdrawn from the endurance
of punishment after some ... enervating our faith in the eternal punishment of the ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 23 against those who are.htm

"The Eternity of Hell-Torments"
... by some who have denied the eternity of hell-torments, That ... torments reserved for
the wicked hereafter are eternal, Because the devil's punishment is to be ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the eternity of hell-torments.htm

Whether Every Sin Incurs a Debt of Eternal Punishment?
... Now a venial sin deserves eternal punishment if it be united to a mortal sin
in a lost soul, because in hell there is no remission of sins. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether every sin incurs a.htm

Whether Limbo is the Same as the Hell of the Damned?
... both because in hell there is sensible punishment, which was not in the limbo of
the Fathers, and because in hell there is eternal punishment, whereas the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether limbo is the same.htm

Whether it is the Same Place Where Souls are Cleansed, and the ...
... to Objection 1: The fire of Purgatory is eternal in its substance, but temporary
in its cleansing effect. Reply to Objection 2: The punishment of hell is for ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is the same.htm

Whether Confession Delivers from Punishment in Some Way?
... and thus the very desire of absolution delivers a man from eternal punishment, as
also ... by those who also have been delivered from the punishment of hell. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether confession delivers from punishment.htm

Whether Men were Freed from the Punishment of Sin through Christ's ...
... For the chief punishment of sin is eternal damnation. But those damned in hell for
their sins were not set free by Christ's Passion, because "in hell there is ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether men were freed from.htm

How Another in Like Manner, Being at the Point of Death, Saw the ...
... the point of death, saw the place of punishment appointed for ... began to tell them,
that he saw Hell opened, and ... he, "I see a place of eternal perdition prepared ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap xiv how another in.htm