Eternal is defined as lasting or existing forever. Among the synonyms for the word hell are the words everlasting, never-ending, endless, undying, permanent, and timeless.
There is a heaven, there is a hell, and the word eternal applies to both.
Eternal Life And Eternal Death
(Romans 6:23) For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
For those who are born again and receive God’s gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38), an eternal life in heaven is awaiting. How great it will be to hear the words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant!”
For anyone who refuses God’s gift of eternal life, an eternal hell has been prepared, along with the dreaded words, “Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” (Mathew 25:41)
The Rich Man And Lazarus
In the book of Luke, the Bible tells of a rich man who lived every day in luxury. At the gate of this rich man laid a beggar named Lazarus, who was covered in sores, and longing for the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. As time passes by, the beggar dies and is carried by angels to be with Abraham. The rich man dies as well, and is buried.
While being tormented in hell, the rich man looks up and sees Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. He cries out, “Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. For I am in agony in this fire”. Abraham answers him, “Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.”
The rich man then said, “Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home. I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment. “Abraham replied, “Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.” The rich man replied, “No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God. Then Abraham said to him, “If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t listen even if someone rises from the dead.” (Luke 16:19-31)
While some people try to push a doctrine of hell being a temporary situation, nothing about the situation the rich man found himself in sounds temporary.
Scriptures About An Eternal Hell
(Mathew 25:46) “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
(Daniel 12:2) Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.
(Mark 9:43) If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out.
(2 Thessalonians 1:9) They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might
(Revelation 14:11) And the smoke of their torment will rise for ever and ever. There will be no rest day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name.”
(Revelation 20:10) And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
The Bible clearly teaches that there is an eternal hell. Although the Lord does not want anyone to perish and have to go to there (2 Peter 3:9), the choice is ours to make. Life is so short compared to eternity, and there is nothing in this life worth an eternity in hell. Choose your destination wisely.
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