Deep Dive into The Eternity of Hell Torments by Jonathan Edwards
The central doctrine presented is that the misery of the wicked in hell will be absolutely eternal. This means it is not annihilation—a state of non-existence—nor is it merely a very long but finite period of suffering. Instead, it is an abiding, sensible punishment or misery characterized by extreme pain, wailing, gnashing of teeth, and being tormented by unquenchable fire and brimstone forever. The wicked will remain conscious, experiencing different degrees of torment, and their existence will be worse than non-existence.
This eternal punishment is considered just because sin is an infinite evil. Sin is defined as the violation of an infinite obligation owed to an infinitely glorious God. Therefore, an infinite offense justly deserves an infinite, or eternal, punishment, making it proportionate to the demerit of sin. The divine perfections, including God's infinite hatred of sin, are said to require such a punishment for those without a surety. Furthermore, God's absolute threatenings of eternal punishment are true declarations of what will certainly occur, as God's truthfulness necessitates their fulfillment.
The eternal punishment of the wicked serves several profound purposes. It vindicates God's injured majesty and glorifies His vindictive justice, demonstrating Him as a strict, awful, and glorious governor. Crucially, it also indirectly glorifies God's grace to the saved. The saints in heaven, by witnessing the unending torments of the damned, will gain a vastly greater sense of how immense their own salvation is and how wonderfully God's grace has distinguished them. This contrast will exalt their happiness forever, intensifying their love and gratitude towards God. The wicked themselves will be made sensible of God's justice taking place upon them.
The sources lament the folly and madness of mankind who, for temporary worldly gratifications, risk these eternal torments. The only escape from this dreadful, endless despair is to flee and embrace Christ, who, as the surety, has paid the infinite debt of sin through His temporal sufferings, making salvation consistent with God's glory and leading to inconceivable blessedness.
Reformed Theologian GPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-XXwzX1gnv-reformed-theologian
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