Believers and unbelievers alike struggle to reconcile how a holy, righteous God can subject unbelievers to an eternity of suffering when their sins were limited to their lifetime.
One reason for eternal suffering is that unbelievers are not rendered perfect and sinless upon their death like believers who trusted Jesus for their forgiveness and redemption (Romans 8:30; 2 Corinthians 5:21). Therefore, with nothing in Scripture to suggest they ever stop sinning in hell or the Lake of Fire, their eternal consequences are justified for an eternity of sins committed.
However, even if God prevented unbelievers from sinning after death, their eternal punishment is still warranted for sins committed throughout their lifetime. To better explain this truth, consider this human example:
In a court of law, a life sentence in a maximum-security prison for a
a one-time offense like murder is never viewed as excessive or unjustified punishment
but reasonable and necessary due to the severity of the crime.
If the murder victim were a high-ranking government official like the
President, Prime Minister, or reigning Monarch, the severe penalty might
even increase due to the victim’s prominent ranking in society.
Therefore, justified sentences in a court of law are those that fit the nature
of the crime, not the time spent committing it.
Spiritually speaking, unbelievers not only transgress against themselves and others but God—who is holy, righteous, and supreme overall. Moreover, their sins are not one-time occurrences but repeat offenses perpetrated continually throughout their lifetime through their words, actions, attitudes, thoughts, and motives. For these reasons and more, their eternal consequences carry an even weightier, more severe penalty than any crime in a human court.
Adding to the severity of unbelievers’ eternal punishment is the penalty ascribed for their unbelief. Jesus went to great lengths to provide for their forgiveness and salvation. He willingly and lovingly suffered a sacrificial death for them on the cross so they could be saved from their sins’ eternal consequences.
However, having rejected His gracious gift of salvation through unbelief, their sins forever remain “on the books” without any chance beyond the grave to eradicate them.
For this reason, Hebrews 10:29 says, “How much more severe punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?” This truth is why Hebrews 10:31 concludes with, “It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
I hope this information has been helpful in understanding and explaining why punishment for unbelievers is eternal and justified. I also hope it brings you a renewed appreciation for Jesus’ gift of salvation and equips you to help others understand its eternal significance.
