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punishment of the wicked. This follows from such passages as Matt. 11:22,24; Luke 12:47,48;
20:17. Their punishment will be commensurate with their sinning against the light which they
had received. But it will, nevertheless, be eternal punishment for all of them. This is plainly
stated in Scripture, Matt. 18:8; II Thess. 1:9; Rev. 14:11; 20:10. Some deny that there will be a
literal fire, because this could not affect spirits like Satan and his demons. But how do we know
this? Our body certainly works on our soul in some mysterious way. There will be some positive
punishment corresponding to our bodies. It is undoubtedly true, however, that a great deal of
the language concerning heaven and hell must be understood figuratively.
3. THE DURATION OF THEIR PUNISHMENT.
The question of the eternity of the future
punishment deserves more special consideration, however, because it is frequently denied. It is
said that the words used in Scripture for “everlasting” and “eternal” may simply denote an
“age” or a “dispensation,” or any other long period of time. Now it cannot be doubted that they
are so used in some passages, but this does not prove that they always have that limited
meaning. It is not the literal meaning of these terms. Whenever they are so used, they are used
figuratively, and in such cases their figurative use is generally quite evident from the
connection. Moreover, there are positive reasons for thinking that these words do not have
that limited meaning in the passages to which we referred. (a) In Matt. 25:46 the same word
describes the duration of both, the bliss of the saints and the penalty of the wicked. If the latter
is not, properly speaking, unending, neither is the former; and yet many of those who doubt
eternal punishment, do not doubt everlasting bliss. (b) Other expressions are used which
cannot be set aside by the consideration mentioned in the preceding. The fire of hell is called
an “unquenchable fire,” Mark 9:43; and it is said of the wicked that “their worm dieth not,”
Mark 9:48. Moreover, the gulf that will separate saints and sinners in the future is said to be
fixed and impassable, Luke 16:26.
B. THE FINAL STATE OF THE RIGHTEOUS.
1. THE NEW CREATION.
The final state of believers will be preceded by the passing of the
present world and the appearance of a new creation. Matt. 19:28 speaks of “the regeneration,”
and Acts 3:21, of “the restoration of all things.” In Heb. 12:27 we read: “And this word, Yet once
more signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken (heaven and earth), as of things
that are made, that those things which are not shaken (the kingdom of God) may remain.”
Peter says: “But according to His promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein
dwelleth righteousness,” II Pet. 3:13, cf. vs. 12; and John saw this new creation in a vision, Rev.
21:1. It is only after the new creation has been established, that the new Jerusalem descends
out of heaven from God, that the tabernacle of God is pitched among men, and that the
righteous enter upon their eternal joy. The question is often raised, whether this will be an