What is eternal punishment. The punishment is death, which is eternal in its .
What is eternal punishment This entry explores the biblical, philosophical, and theological foundations for eternal Discover the meaning of Punishment, Everlasting in the Bible. If eternal death is the opposite of eternal life, it must contain elements that contrast with those the Bible includes in its picture of eternal life. Dec 10, 2024 · However, annihilationists interpret these texts differently. Accepting the reality of eternal punishment encourages us to turn to God, seek His forgiveness, and live in accordance with His teachings Nov 22, 2024 · God is an eternal and infinitely glorious being. The people around us who do not know Christ are on their way to hell. Of course, it proves no In Matthew 25:46, He states, "And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life" . Scripture often contrasts eternal death with eternal life, which God offers through faith in Jesus Christ. In this section, the direct contrast to eternal life leaves no room for doubt that the meaning describes the duration of the punishment. Eternal Punishment received a May 1, 2025 · Explore the true meaning of eternal punishment in Doctrine & Covenants 19 and how it reflects God’s justice, mercy, and unchanging laws. First, the fact of the atonement reveals the necessity of divine punishment for sin. Eternal punishment, the historic view of the church, holds that hell is a place of eternal, conscious, and final punishment, banishment, and death. He is the Son of man and the eternal Son of God. In Romans 6:23, he writes, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" . Of course, it is usually our own sin that we downplay; other people might deserve hell—murderers and the Sep 29, 2017 · The second level of punishment for sin is eternal. e. IS’s and EP’s battle mechanics are basically the same. Annihilationism (or conditionalism) holds that the final punishment of the wicked is their extinction of being. In fact, hell is the inevitable result of God's love for His own glory and for the love we see between the persons of the Godhead. Matthew 25:46 states, "And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life. This extinction is irreversible, and the annihilationist definition of eternal punishment is extermination without Persona 2: Eternal Punishment[a] is a 2000 role-playing video game developed and published by Atlus for the PlayStation. The essence of life is life lived in loving relationship to God; therefore eternal punishment includes the absence of this great blessing. Punishment is proportionate to the worth of the thing damaged. Temporal punishment for sin is a punishment which will have a definite end, when the soul is purified and is permitted into heaven. The temporal punishments are carried out automatically, though penance can be done to lessen the effect. While hell certainly is the eternal punishment reserved for unforgiven, mortal sins, it must also be remembered that all sins, even venial sins, have suffering as a consequence. While the opposite extreme of ‘Eternal Conscious Torment’ in Hellfire are those who do not anticipate any form of punishment in the afterlife, to me, the gravity of certain human actions Feb 4, 2015 · In my previous post, I summarized some of the strongest biblical arguments in favor of terminal punishment. It also stems from a sense that finite actions might not warrant infinite consequences. For instance, Matthew 10:28 uses the Greek Dec 29, 2017 · Eternal punishment is a sobering reality. God's mercy absolves those who seek forgiveness of this punishment. Eternal death, often referred to as "everlasting punishment," is a concept found within Christian eschatology that denotes the final and irrevocable separation from God, resulting in perpetual suffering. They question how it is just for God to punish a person eternally for sinning only 70, 80, 90, or 100 years—however long they lived. May 31, 2012 · SYNOPSIS Eternal conscious punishment (also called traditionalism) holds that the wicked will suffer in hell forever. The life of the righteous is everlasting, but so is the punishment of the wicked everlasting. ” Jude 1:7 ESV / 1,505 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire. —The two adjectives represent one and the same Greek word, αι ̓ ω ́ νιος, and we ought therefore to have the same word in both clauses in the English. The reality of hell was taught by Jesus. Joseph Fielding Smith Therefore, I say to you, eternal life is God's life; it is the life which he has, that which he possesses. As we read these verses, we are reminded that acknowledging hell’s reality influences how we live and how we reach out to others. Persona 2: Eternal Punishment, known as Persona 2: Punishment in Japan, is the third game in the Persona series, following Persona 2: Innocent Sin as the second chapter of an overarching story. . Nov 8, 2024 · Some find it unfair that the recompense for a mere lifetime of sinning should be an eternal punishment. Why should we understand the judgment to eventually end while believing that life will continue for all eternity? Later, in Matthew 25:26, he mentions going away into eternal punishment, and here again, punishment is eternal death. Study the definition of Eternal Punishment with multiple Bible Dictionaries and Encyclopedias and find scripture references in the Old and New Testaments. Physical death is a one-time experience. Just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire. It is also “eternal” in quantity, so to speak, because those who suffer it will remain dead forever. What matters is not the length of time we sinned, but the value of the character of the God we sinned against. This is an excellent question that many Christian’s … Continue reading What does the Bible Jun 28, 2024 · Matthew 25:46: "And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life". The consequence is proportional to the value of the thing targeted. (46) Everlasting punishment . This view is called annihilationism. This doctrine is primarily derived from various passages in the New Testament, where it is depicted as the ultimate consequence for those who reject the salvation offered through Jesus Christ Apr 2, 2021 · Here, "eternal punishment" is the physical equivalent of what our society calls "capital punishment": a prison term might last 7 years, but capital punishment is forever. Salvation after Death The idea of salvation after death is that God could allow people to repent after their death. Sisyphus, the king of Corinth, is often portrayed as a symbol of human struggle against the absurdity of life. God raised up scholars to give us concordances, lexicons, and both Greek and Hebrew word studies, because no translation is perfectly true to the original manuscripts. ” “The second view, annihilationism, and is sometimes known by one of its forms, “conditionalism. How does a sinner’s finite lifespan merit an infinitely long punishment? There are two principles that lead us to believe eternity in hell is the just Apr 21, 2019 · Matthew 25:46 is the poster child verse for those who believe in eternal conscious torment in hell. Despite what some so-called Christian groups want you to think Hell is more than ceasing to exist. ” It maintains that the wicked will ultimately be exterminated and cease to exist. God is the singular eternal causal source, so that to speak of eternal punishment and reward is simply to identify the source and not the duration. This punishment is “eternal” in at least two senses. 25:46; italics added). If the one means “forever”, when referring to life, so must the other, when referring to punishment. Some have cited Matthew 25:46 and Malachi 4:1 as seemingly contradictory regarding whether hell is eternal. The Apostle Paul also addresses the theme of punishment, emphasizing the justice of God. The Bible is quite clear that… Sep 6, 2013 · Many people believe the doctrine of eternal conscious punishment is incompatible with God's love. Sep 17, 2021 · Eternal Punishment used the same game engine and structure as its predecessor. ” Annihilationists argue that “everlasting punishment” refers to the permanence of the punishment, not its ongoing nature. This awareness fills us Sep 10, 2020 · No. Jun 12, 2025 · The difference is the value of the crime’s target. Eternal Punishment was more more harder/ challenging to me than Innocent Sin. Jan 15, 2014 · Matthew 25:46 is one of the most commonly used texts to prove that hell is a place of eternal torment. Hell is described as a place of eternal separation from God for those who reject His salvation. Discover the meaning of Eternal Punishment in the Bible. Jun 12, 2025 · With those biblical definitions in place, we can answer the question “is hell eternal conscious torment?” by looking at each descriptor in turn: Is hell eternal? Some claim that hell is not eternal but only a temporary place of punishment for one’s sins, after which the sinner will be extinguished. Feb 6, 2020 · And sins not explicitly named as this eternal sin, result in eternal destruction (2 Thessalonians 1:9), eternal judgment (Hebrews 6:2), eternal punishment (Matthew 25:46), and eternal fire (Matthew 25:41) which undermines our finite categories. Matthew 25:46: “And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life. Jul 25, 2025 · A. Thus, we must pray for the salvation of non-Christians whom we know, and we must be prepared to share the gospel with them. Aug 27, 2024 · Eternal Destruction (2 Thessalonians 1:9) In 2 Thessalonians 1:9, Paul writes that the wicked “will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might. There is a lot more to be said, of course, but for our purposes this is enough. The first is eternal punishment, in which the soul loses heaven and is confined to an eternity in hell. Your journey awaits! The eternal nature of the punishment reflects the infinite holiness of God and the eternal consequences of rejecting His grace. Just as spiritual life, by grace through Apr 23, 2025 · Discover the ultimate Persona 2: Eternal Punishment guide! Uncover strategies, tips, and secrets to conquer the game. Find more And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life. It is “eternal” in quality because it belongs to the Age to Come. Eternal hell—the second death—is the punishment we have earned because of our sin. Study the definition of Punishment, Everlasting with multiple Bible Dictionaries and Encyclopedias and find scripture references in the Old and New Testaments. " Definition and Overview Hell, in numerous passages of Scripture, is presented as the place of future punishment for those who remain outside the redemptive work of Christ. Two kinds of punishment are due to sin: the eternal punishment of hell, due to unforgiven mortal sins, and temporal punishment, lasting only for a time, due to venial sins and also to mortal sins after they have been forgiven. Wherefore— Eternal punishment is God’s punishment. The two main contemporary challenges to the doctrine of eternal punishment in hell are universalism and annihilationism. 3 days ago · Then, when Jesus teaches the parable of the sheep and the goats, He makes it clear: “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life” (Matthew 25:46). Without end. Eternal punishment for sin is that punishment which is everlasting. eternal punishment is the direct sequel to innocent sin, so you have to play innocent sin first as for why the ps1 version, this video has an entire section (35:58) dedicated to covering the differences, but the main point is that the psp version has extremely bad gameplay, while adding almost nothing to improve on the game Trying to play Eternal Punishment without playing Innocent Sin (or at least watching a recap or the cutscenes) means you will be lacking context and background info for several characters and story elements. Is eternal punishment justifiable? Definition and Scope Eternal punishment refers to the doctrine that those who ultimately reject divine grace will be subject to ongoing judgment in the age to come. Through divine judgment, the call to repentance, and the promise of eternal life or punishment, Scripture affirms the enduring impact of our choices and behaviors. ' - What is the meaning of Matthew 25:46? Unfortunately, if he is convinced that immortality is a gift of salvation, then eternal punishment (the punishment of something which would be immortal) could not follow from conditional immortality thus stated. Eternal death, on the other hand, is everlasting. Since all our sin is ultimately against God (Psalm 51:4), and since God is infinitely glorious, the punishment for sin must also be infinite. Interpretations and Debates Throughout Christian history, the doctrine of eternal punishment has been the subject of various interpretations and debates. Let me begin with some of the weaker, though common, arguments that Read more » Sep 29, 2017 · Catholics believe that there are two types of punishment for sin: eternal punishment and temporal punishment. The punishment of the lost in hell is coextensive to the bliss of the righteous in heaven—both are everlasting. Definition and Scope of the Question The question, “How can eternal punishment be just for finite sins?” arises when considering the nature of sin, the holiness of God, and the teaching that punishment is eternal. Retribution is a necessary deterrent to maintain order and protect society. The Book of Mormon does provide indications that the use of the words "endless" and "eternal" indicate the nature of the punishment rather than its duration, thus contradicting the claims made by the critics. It is a real place that awaits those who choose a path apart from God’s grace. Others reject the idea of hell because, in their minds, sin isn’t all that bad. Jesus’ teachings on the eternal consequences of rejecting God’s grace underscore the gravity of humanity’s spiritual condition and the urgent need to share the gospel. See full list on christiancourier. God’s glory is the most valuable thing in existence—it is of infinite worth. Conclusion The Bible presents a coherent narrative that underscores the eternal consequences of human actions. The biblical doctrine of an eternal hell gives us yet another reason to praise God for the gospel. ” (Matthew 25:46) Note: this page is a supplement to the Character of God and the Gospel Glossary definition for “ punishment ” which explains the meaning of that concept. Synonyms for eternal punishment include damnation, perdition, doom, hell, hellfire, anathematization, tarnation, condemnation, suffering and torment. The Bible is quite clear Oct 1, 2024 · also known as:the second death, eternal separation from God, eternal judgment, eternal punishment, eternal wrath, eternal destruction, eternal fire Jun 24, 2025 · Raising hell: Catholics debate eternal punishment A look into the currently hot debate over whether hell is eternal or God's love and mercy mean everyone will be saved in the end. Therefore, is the issue of immortality irrelevant in the face of positive teaching about eternal torment, as Fudge implies? Not The Book of Revelation describes this as the "second death" (Revelation 20:14), which is the final and eternal state of those who die in their sins. 6:23). Not being destroyed eternally, but being destroyed for all of eternity, forever. Does Eternal Punishment have to be as long as Eternal life because the adjective “aionios” is used to describe both punishment and life? Here everlasting punishment (kolasis aionios) is contrasted with eternal life (zoe aionios). Hell involves final separation from God’s mercy. Temporal Punishment and Suffering Sin has two consequences, or punishments (CCC 1472). Endless punishment is God’s punishment. If you’re gonna play the ps1 version it may look outdated at first but I quickly adjusted to it. Again, see my posts: Are All Sins Equal? Are There Degrees of Punishment, Rewards after Final Judgment? Feb 18, 2024 · Hell is a real place and people are going there. In this post, I want to summarize the best arguments for eternal conscious torment (ECT)—the traditional view of hell where the wicked will experience never-ending punishment. All who stand before God on judgment day on the basis of their own works will find themselves under eternal condemnation. Introduction The myth of Sisyphus is one of the most enduring tales from Greek mythology, encapsulating themes of eternal punishment and existential philosophy. Hell is a place of eternal, conscious torment for everyone who does not trust in Jesus Christ. The punishment is death, which is eternal in its Grave sin deprives us of communion with God and therefore makes us incapable of eternal life, the privation of which is called the “eternal punishment” of sin. This article examines biblical interpretations arguing against the concept of annihilation. Though the atonement was only temporal, the value of the Son of God suffering in our place for our sins—even for five minutes—was such that it would be accepted by God as a sacrifice to pay for the penalty that was our due. Urgency in Gospel Proclamation The sobering reality of eternal punishment, as articulated in Scripture, serves as a powerful catalyst for fervent evangelism and missions. Many people struggle with the justice of that. Being of infinite value, it could cover and satisfy the demand for eternal punishment. Each person of the Trinity loves the glory of the other Temporal punishment is over and above having received absolution in the Sacrament of Confession. Within Scripture, this concept appears in multiple passages, where it is linked to divine justice and the seriousness of sin. Also, by Oct 1, 2025 · Addendum: Robert Morey discusses how the Work of Christ helps understand eternal punishment: It is at this point that the vicarious atonement of Christ is crucial to our understanding of divine punishment. A topical Bible which shows the most relevant Bible verse for each topic The phrase "the eternal fire" appears to support The Eternal Punishment as taking place in the Lake of Fire. At first blush, it's odd that Eternal Punishment was given an international release when Innocent Sin wasn't given their similarities. ” 1 It is this reference to “eternal punishment” that is seen as a slam dunk, proving beyond a reasonable doubt that hell is a place of eternal conscious suffering. From this death there is no recovery, resurrection or escape. While the concept of eternal punishment is difficult for many to accept, it is an integral part of the biblical narrative and serves as a warning to all humanity. Here we are looking at the two words in the New Testament used in reference to God punishing. Romans 6:23 states that sin earns death, while God’s gift brings eternal life People insist upon the doctrine of " eternal punishment " because the King James Bible (and others influenced by it) associate the word eternal with punishment and destruction. So let’s look closely at what the Bible has to say about it as well as the on-going debate over whether hell is eternal conscious punishment. Oct 1, 2024 · The Myth of Sisyphus: Eternal Punishment in the Greek Underworld I. A common argument for annihilation is based on the interpretation of the term “destruction” in the Bible. Dec 21, 2016 · Eternal punishment, Hell, is an eternal place without God’s presence. This form of punishment takes place after death, in Purgatory or Hell. This punishment is remitted through the forgiveness of sins. Certainly not bad enough to warrant eternal torture. Mar 15, 2021 · “Scripture certainly teaches that the wicked are punished eternally, but it does not teach that the wicked endure eternal punishment. Eternal conscious torment posits that the unrighteous will experience unending suffering, an idea that annihilationists argue is incompatible with a loving deity. Our sin, an affront to infinite worth and eternal glory, warrants an infinite and eternal punishment. I hope you enjoy Eternal Punishment, it’s my favorite MegaTen/ Persona game. It is a death that continues through eternity, a spiritual death that involves a separation from God. Matthew 25:46 appears to affirm an everlasting punishment, whereas Malachi 4:1 refers to the wicked being consumed Jan 31, 2024 · The question of what happens to the wicked after death—whether they face annihilation or eternal suffering—is a subject of much theological debate. Some effects of sin are Nov 24, 2015 · Temporal punishment for sin stands in contrast to eternal punishment for sin. This means the results of the destruction are eternal. The everlasting punishment is destruction—and it is eternal in duration. It is a direct sequel to Persona 2: Innocent Sin and chronologically the third installment in the Persona series, a subseries of the Megami Tensei franchise. On the other hand every sin, even venial, entails an unhealthy attach- ment to creatures, which must be purified either here on earth, or after death in the state called Purgatory. The game was later remade by Atlus for the PlayStation Portable. Feb 21, 2025 · The just punishment for sin is death (Romans 6:23). Temporal punishment is temporary, and should be seen as a natural consequence of sin, which causes personal and social consequences. the damned do not undergo an eternal process of punishment or destruction. The Bible teaches that those who reject Christ’s sacrifice for their sins and do not trust in Him for salvation will face eternal punishment and destruction. Learn what Eternal Punishment means and it's Biblical definition including verses and verse references on the topic of Eternal Punishment using Bakers Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology Online. Jun 20, 2016 · The Question: What does the Bible actually say about Hell and eternal punishment? Would God really send someone to Hell for an eternity of torture, because that just seems the absolute opposite of goodness and love regardless of what those people did to ‘deserve’ punishment in their lifetimes. Oct 4, 2011 · In his contribution to the book in Two Views of Hell, Robert Peterson sets forth ten passages that as part of the “overwhelming evidence” to support the historical interpretation of hell as everlasting punishment. But once they are punished and destroyed [i. Sep 16, 2025 · Bible Verses About Hell Being Eternal The Reality of Hell In examining the Bible verses about hell being eternal, we find that hell is not just a metaphor. First, God made us to exist forever, so the choice to remain in rebellion and unbelief has eternal consequences. com Here, eternal punishment is described as both destruction and separation from God. life eternal. Indeed “the wages of sin is death” (Rom. This version, released in Japan in 2012, did not Jul 5, 2024 · Contrasting annihilationism with the traditional doctrine of eternal conscious torment reveals fundamental differences in the understanding of divine justice and the nature of punishment. I agree with Peterson’s citation of Augustine, “who cautions us against following the example of those who, ‘while not slighting the authority of the sacred Scriptures Aug 16, 2025 · The Reality of Eternal Punishment We must acknowledge the truth of eternal punishment. So there is a problem with the view of eternal, conscious punishment. Nov 22, 2024 · Eternal death is the fate that awaits all people who ultimately reject God, reject the gospel of His Son, Jesus Christ, and remain in their sin and disobedience. Jan 28, 2024 · Eternal death refers to the final spiritual death and eternal separation from God that unrepentant sinners will experience after the final judgment. Third, the nature of The punishment fits the crime precisely because turning away from an eternal God carries eternal consequences. Sep 25, 2023 · If the penalty for sin is eternal punishment, how could Jesus’s finite sufferings pay the price of our redemption? Feb 6, 2020 · This would include rewards and punishments of God or the age in which they exist. The wicked can never return because they are brought to ashes upon the face of the earth as a result of the lake of fire (Revelation 20:9; Ezekiel 28:18–19; Malachi 4:1, 3). It’s the ONLY verse in the entire Bible where we find the word “eternal” beside… Jan 15, 2019 · Does Eternal Punishment Even Make Sense? January 15, 2019 This will be my last post on the understandings of hell in early Christianity. These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life. However, Jesus Christ—the fullest manifestation of God's love—spoke more about hell than anyone else. Usually when people think about punishment for sins, they think about eternal punishment which is outside of time, and we refer to this as hell. Apr 25, 2015 · And by the time universalism was finally condemned several centuries later, eternal torment was the predominant belief of the church. Some discussion of these parables from Matthew 13 is provided below: The Eternal Fire was prepared for the devil and his angels. Traditional views hold that hell is a place of conscious, unending torment for the wicked. God makes distinctions about sins. The Bible’s use of “eternal / everlasting / forever” denotes the finality of the punishment of sin, not the duration. This article […] Eternal Punishment: The New Testament introduces the concept of eternal punishment, particularly in the teachings of Jesus. Nov 8, 2024 · The Bible says that hell is eternal (Matthew 25:46). It was originally released on the PlayStation, and was released on the PlayStation Store for PlayStation Portable, PlayStation Vita and PlayStation 3 as a classic. The Bible says that salvation is eternal (Hebrews 5:9), life is eternal (John 6:54), redemption is eternal (Hebrews 9:12), and the inheritance of the saints is eternal (Hebrews 9:15). Eternal punishment confines the soul to an eternity in hell. What about God’s Justice and the Reality of Hell? Jan 25, 2014 · Jesus plainly sets this forth in His message on the sheep and goats: "And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life" (Matt. Oct 25, 2020 · Matthew 25:46 Meaning “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. If punishment is proportional, then crimes committed against God deserve an infinite penalty—eternity in hell. The Bible makes it clear that there is a real consequence for sin. This temporal punishment remains even after For Persona 2: Tsumi - Innocent Sin on the PlayStation, a GameFAQs message board topic titled "What are the key differences between Eternal Punishment and Innocent Sin". ” The term “eternal destruction” is a permanent end to existence. Consequently, some unbelievers will endure greater suffering in the lake of fire than others. The second is temporal punishment, in which a person must expiate, or make reparation for his sins. While the concepts of hell and the lake of fire are sometimes used interchangeably May 5, 2022 · My question is: How is the term "eternal fire" in the context of these three passages used, and what does that tell us about the punishment of eternal fire? In other words, putting each of these passages under close scrutiny, what can we discover about the nature of "eternal fire"? Consider what this scripture teaches us about eternal life: if eternal punishment is God’s punishment, then eternal life is God’s life. This does not come from a place of fear but rather from a love for justice and a desire to live rightly. That is the punishment due to mortal sin. Judgment and Eternal Punishment The Bible speaks of a final judgment where individuals will be held accountable for their actions. Certain rituals or sacraments can be performed to lessen or even clear away the heinous eternal punishment. Of the two words, “eternal” is philologically preferable, as being traceably connected with the Greek, the Latin ætemus being derived from ætas, and that from ævum, which, in its . Dec 24, 2024 · The Bible teaches that some sins are more severe than others and that God administers varying degrees of punishment (Luke 20:47; John 19:11). Thus, eternal. , once the process of punishing is completed], it is forever. With its Rome bureau founded in 1950, Catholic News Service has been providing complete, in-depth coverage of the popes and the Vatican for more than 70 years. It took an eternal person to satisfy an eternal penalty against sin, which disqualified the entire human race, except one Person—Jesus Christ. Second, Christ took the punishment for sin which His people would have suffered. 4. If punishment in hell-fire is endless, it is far out of proportion to a just Judge and loving Father. Nov 4, 2019 · Eternal punishment is fitting for at least two reasons. The text reads, “These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life. Second, sins of the damned can be eternal in that sinners continue to sin throughout eternity. Oct 29, 2024 · Justice demands punishment; without it, crimes such as murder and theft would go unchecked, leading to chaos and lawlessness. The Bible describes eternal death as the ultimate consequence for sin, leading to permanent separation from God. Revelation calls eternal death the second death, linked to the lake of fire for the unrepentant. Jul 4, 2016 · Eternal punishment, Hell, is an eternal place without God’s presence. wmct kblm xytppk itgef klaie wpeyz ntq eiibkqipd ryrbme jyivxoj kouokd qbvl fokb vdgc ipxrc