Is hell's punishment unending? (9) (2 Thessalonians 1:3-12)

There is a common saying (so common I don’t know who gets credit for it) that we are saved by God’s mercy because He did not give us what we deserve, and we are saved by God’s grace because He gave us what we did not deserve.

Who gets the pain of hell?  The answer is clear: those who do not believe in Jesus Christ.  John 3:18 says those who have not believed in the name of God one and only Son stand condemned already.  The wrath of God abides (rests) on him (John 3:36).  It is present and ongoing.  Rev. 20:15 says that if anyone’s name is not found in the book of life he will be thrown into the lake of fire.

Consider seven essential principles about eternal torment based on a study of the word for destroy in Matt. 10:28.  See how much God loves the sinner and to what extent He has gone that they might enjoy eternity with Him!

·        2 Peter 3:9: God is not willing that any should perish.

·        John 3:16: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

·        Luke 19:10: Christ came to seek and to save the lost.

·        1 Cor. 1:18: The cross is foolishness to those who are perishing.

·        2 Cor. 4:3: The gospel is hidden to those who are lost.

·        Luke 9:24: For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.

·        Luke 9:25: For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?

Paul argued in 1 Cor. 15:32 that, if there is no resurrection of the dead, then we should not take a stand for Christ.  Instead he said, we should just take the advice of the wicked: Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!  Can we not say the same if there is no eternal punishment?  if we vanish into nothingness after we live our lives for ourselves and take no thought to glorify God?  Should we not just live totally for the moment?  

Paul, by the Holy Spirit, noted the patience and faith of the believers at Thessalonica, evidence of their being counted worthy of God’s kingdom.  Those who troubled them gave evidence of their lack of faith and of the certainty of their everlasting punishment.  Today, faith in Christ marks the clear distinction between the righteous and the wicked.  FAITH IN CHRIST!  In the life to come the distinction will be eternal.  Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters and whoever loves and practices the lie (Rev. 22:15).  It’s THE lie, the one foisted in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3:4-5): you can be like God!  You can be your own God!  You don’t need God!  It’s a lie.  But if it is what you do then you will suffer the consequences.  Consider: God loved you so much He sent His Son to atone for sin, for all who believe in Christ!  For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved (Rom. 10:13).