Hello,
Thank you for your reply and time.
I'm calling the verse your quoting as not being understood correctly.
I agree with you. Someone here is not understanding this verse. I notice you wish to bring in Greek words, lets do. Let us show what the scripture says in 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9.
The word for eternal is not unending.
The word eternal or everlasting in the scriptures is not what it appears. It is derived from a Greek Word "aionios" which does NOT mean an unending duration.
I disagree. You seem to have the correct Greek word, but I believe your trouble is understanding context/reading comprehension. Do not take this as an insult as it is not intended to be. You also do not seem to know the definition of anionios, so I will show you below the correct definition.
Pulling up verse 9 of 2 Thessalonians 1:
"Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;"
The word you are putting into question is, "everlasting". You are telling me that this DOES NOT mean "forever for all time, never ending". I am telling you that it DOES.
So, the word that you seem to already know
aiōnios or everlasting:
"αἰώνιος aiṓnios, ahee-o'-nee-os; from
G165; perpetual (also used of past time, or past and future as well):—eternal, for ever, everlasting, world (began)."
Now, here is the context options for the word in question. These are 3 different ways that the Greek language uses this word fitting with the context of the sentence structure.
1-without beginning and end, that which always has been and always will be;
2-without beginning
3-without end, never to cease, everlasting
It is the same word used in Hebrews 9:12 which says,
"Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal[
aiōnios] redemption for us."
So if what you say is correct, then Jesus DID NOT obtain redemption for us "for all time forever and ever, never ending". So what your telling me is that Jesus has to die on the cross a second time?
If you still do not get it, look at 2 Peter 1:11, which says,
"For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting[
aiōnios] kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."
Are you telling me that the "kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" is something that will end? Are you telling me it is not "never ending"?
These two examples I have shown you are the same exact word used in 2 Thessalonians 1:9.
So I'll ask you. How long is the unforgiving servant punished? See the following:
Mat 18:34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
Let me answer your question with my questions, if that is okay.
Luke 16, the story of the Rich Man.
If torment was, as you say, temporary, then why does the Rich man beg so persistently to have someone warn his family before they meet the same fate?
Why doesn't the rich man just wait it out, keep his dignity, and wait till he is released, then warn his family?
Why even worry about his family at all, if it is temporary punishment? After all, if you commit a crime it is only fair you are punished right? So why worry about his family if it is just temporary?
Last question:
If the punishment was temporary for the rich man, then what does this verse mean here-
"26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence."