Episode 105: Why Eternal Torment is Antithetical to the Gospel

Episode 105: Why Eternal Torment is Antithetical to the Gospel

Why Eternal Torment Is Antithetical to the Gospel:

A Compassionate, Scriptural Defense of God’s Justice, Love, and Mercy

Introduction: The Question That Matters Eternally

One of the most serious and emotionally charged questions in all of Christian theology is this:

Does the Bible truly teach that God will torment sinners consciously, forever and ever, with no end—without relief, without mercy, without hope?

For many believers, this doctrine—often called eternal conscious torment—has caused fear, confusion, and even doubt about the character of God. Some have struggled silently, asking:

• How can a loving God torture His creatures eternally?
• How does endless torment align with justice?
• Is this really what Scripture teaches—or is it a tradition passed down and assumed?

These are not rebellious questions. They are biblical questions, born out of a sincere desire to understand who God truly is.

The Bible itself invites us to examine what we believe:

“Test all things; hold fast what is good.”
(1 Thessalonians 5:21, NKJV)

In this message, we will carefully, respectfully, and prayerfully examine what Scripture actually teaches about the fate of the wicked—and why eternal torment is not biblical, and contradicts the revealed character of a loving, gracious, and merciful God.

This study is not about minimizing sin.
It is not about weakening justice.
It is about letting the Bible speak for itself.

1. The Foundation: Who Is God?

Any doctrine about punishment must begin with the nature of God Himself.

The Bible describes God clearly and consistently:

“The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth.”
(Exodus 34:6, NKJV)“God is love.”
(1 John 4:8, NKJV)“The LORD is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works.”
(Psalm 145:9, NKJV)

God’s love is not sentimental—it is principled. His justice is not cruel—it is measured. And His judgments are never arbitrary or vindictive.

The Bible also makes this remarkable statement:

“For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies… Therefore turn and live!”
(Ezekiel 18:32, NKJV)

If God takes no pleasure even in death, how could He delight in eternal torture?

2. What Is the Penalty for Sin? Death or Endless Life in Pain?

Scripture defines sin’s penalty very plainly:

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
(Romans 6:23, NKJV)

Notice what the verse does not say.

It does not say:

• “The wages of sin is eternal torment.”
• “The wages of sin is everlasting conscious suffering.”

It says death—the opposite of life.

Throughout Scripture, the contrast is always between life and death, not between happy life and miserable life.

Jesus Himself said:

“Do not fear those who kill the body but can

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