5. How long will be the punishment of the wicked? Matthew 25:46.
NOTE: ‘There is a difference between “everlasting punishment” and everlasting agony, misery, or torment. When the wicked are finally destroyed, it will be everlasting punishment, but not everlasting agony. Christ promises the righteous “life eternal.” Should they afterwards die, they would not enjoy “life eternal.” The fate of the wicked is “everlasting punishment” in opposition to “life eternal.” Death, the final punishment of the wicked, will be everlasting. Should they be resurrected at the end of a million years their punishment would not be everlasting; but if their death is everlasting, then their punishment is “everlasting punishment.”’ A. T. Jones: The American Sentinel, April 4, 1895.
6. Will the punishing or will the result of that punishment last forever? 2 Thessalonians 1:9.
NOTE: ‘Christ died for sinners, and through faith in Him there is forgiveness of sin. Without faith in Him there is no escape from sin, and sin when it is finished bringeth forth death. And death is death, the second death, and not eternal life in misery. Out of Christ there is no such thing as eternal life, in misery nor anywhere else. “This is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent.” And when He appears in his glory, He takes “vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ; who shall be punished with everlasting destruction [not with everlasting misery] from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power.” 2 Thessalonians 1:8, 9. In Christ is life literal and eternal. Out of Christ is death literal and eternal. Choose Christ that you may live.’ A. T. Jones: Signs of the Times, September 9, 1886.