Matt. 25:46 Everlasting Punishment

[FineLinen]

In preparation for this foundational verse of everlasting punishment we will consider a couple of questions.

Questions

1. Would not endless punishment be the return of evil for evil?

2. As we are commanded "to overcome evil with good," may we not safely infer that God will do the same? (Rom. 12:21)

3. Would the infliction of endless punishment be overcoming evil with good?

4. If God hates the sinner, does the sinner do wrong in hating Him?

5. Is God a changeable being? (James 1:17)

6. If God loves His enemies now, will he not always love them?

7. Is it just for God to be "kind to the evil and unthankful," in their present life? (Luke 6:35)

8. Would it be unjust for God to be kind to all men in a future state?

9. If all men justly deserve endless punishment, will not those who are saved, be saved unjustly?

10. If God "will by no means clear the guilty," by what means can just punishment be evaded? (Ex. 34:7)

11. As no man can measure endless punishment to his neighbor, will endless punishment be measured to him? (Luke 4:38)

12. Would it be merciful in God to inflict endless punishment? -- that is, merciful to the sufferer?

13. Can that be just which is not merciful?

14. Do not cruelty and injustice go hand in hand?

15. Can that be merciful which is not just?

-A. C. Thomas-

 

[FineLinen]

According to the context of St. Matthew 25 and ONLY the context, please fill in the empty lines.

The foundation for “everlasting punishment” Matt. 25=

1.____________________________________?

2.____________________________________?

3.____________________________________?

4.____________________________________?

5.____________________________________?

"And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal."

 

[mkgal1]

I don't believe that God's justice is mutually exclusive from mercy, but instead, cannot be separated from His mercy. His justice is restorative - not punitive, so I think that phrase needs closer examination ("everlasting punishment", I mean).

 

[Halbhh]

In preparation for this foundational verse of everlasting punishment we will consider a couple of questions.

Questions

1. Would not endless punishment be the return of evil for evil?

2. As we are commanded "to overcome evil with good," may we not safely infer that God will do the same? (Rom. 12:21)

3. Would the infliction of endless punishment be overcoming evil with good?

4. If God hates the sinner, does the sinner do wrong in hating Him?

5. Is God a changeable being? (James 1:17)

6. If God loves His enemies now, will he not always love them?

7. Is it just for God to be "kind to the evil and unthankful," in their present life? (Luke 6:35)

8. Would it be unjust for God to be kind to all men in a future state?

9. If all men justly deserve endless punishment, will not those who are saved, be saved unjustly?

10. If God "will by no means clear the guilty," by what means can just punishment be evaded? (Ex. 34:7)

11. As no man can measure endless punishment to his neighbor, will endless punishment be measured to him? (Luke 4:38)

12. Would it be merciful in God to inflict endless punishment? -- that is, merciful to the sufferer?

13. Can that be just which is not merciful?

14. Do not cruelty and injustice go hand in hand?

15. Can that be merciful which is not just?

-A. C. Thomas-

Remember that for mortal human souls not given the gift of eternal life (John 3:16), they would "perish" there. And that "second death" -- which many take not to be a metaphor, but literally true, meaning just what it sounds like -- would definitely be an 'eternal punishment' even for those that could not endure there the way fallen angels could.

Therefore, in the literal view that fits all the scripture instead of only certain verses (though the competing viewpoint that (oddly) takes "second death" and "perish" and "destroy" as only metaphors can fit all verses by asserting these non-metaphorical-sounding wordings are metaphor, in spite of the words themselves), in the view of "second death" as being real/just what it sounds like, then "endless punishment" is "endless" in the sense of being a total extinction, real death, that is forever.

 

[FineLinen]

I don't believe that God's justice is mutually exclusive from mercy, but instead, cannot be separated from His mercy. His justice is restorative - not punitive, so I think that phrase needs closer examination ("everlasting punishment", I mean).

Dear Mkgal: It is always a joy beholding your lovely face. I would give you a couple of virtual blessings, but I am broke again.

His mercy endures for ever and ever and ever.

 

[com7fy8]

1. Would not endless punishment be the return of evil for evil?

2. As we are commanded "to overcome evil with good," may we not safely infer that God will do the same? (Rom. 12:21)

First of all, yes God does have us overcome evil with good. And because God is all-loving, He has us doing what is good for any and all people, not only trying to fix problems for ourselves and ones we like. So, it is wise to test any situation for the good which God can bring with it >

"Test all things; hold fast what is good." (1 Thessalonians 5:21)

So, this is a commandment for how we are to love. And this is following God's example, yes. So, then, how is hell part of God's overcoming evil with good?

Hell is the flaming sewer which burns with fire and brimstone > the sewer prepared by God for holding "the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience" (in Ephesians 2:2).

So, hell is not only for punishing, but hell is practical.

Satan's evil spirit is selfish with unforgiveness, nasty and raging anger, self-righteous criticizing, lusts for different sorts of selfish pleasure of just using people instead of really loving. So, this filth of anti-love stuff has to be put somewhere. And hell is the place. But Satan is not letting go of his stuff of pride, so he is going where it goes. And there are humans who are not getting rid of their bitterness and complaining and arguing and cruel hatred and unforgiveness which are all going to the flaming sewer. So people who keep holding on to and obeying such nasty things are volunteering to be sewer buckets.

And this shows how stubborn and foolish anti-love people and Satan can be. Only fire can manage such stubborn individuals. So, the fire is being practical, among other things.

And the fire can't hurt you unless you have a selfish nature.

"For our God is a consuming fire." (Hebrews 12:29)

God does not burn us in His love; because of our new nature in Jesus we benefit from God's fire. We cook, while rubber burns with a nasty stench in the same fire. And in us the fire of God's love can now burn away Satanic things, and have us sweet and kindly and tenderly sharing as God's family >

"Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:31-32)

 

[FineLinen]

Remember that for mortal human souls not given the gift of eternal life (John 3:16), they would "perish" there. And that "second death" -- which many take not to be a metaphor, but literally true, meaning just what it sounds like -- would definitely be an 'eternal punishment' even for those that could not endure there the way fallen angels could.

Therefore, in the literal view that fits all the scripture instead of only certain verses (though the competing viewpoint that (oddly) takes "second death" and "perish" and "destroy" as only metaphors can fit all verses by asserting these non-metaphorical-sounding wordings are metaphor, in spite of the words themselves), in the view of "second death" as being real/just what it sounds like, then "endless punishment" is "endless" in the sense of being a total extinction, real death, that is forever.

My friend: perhaps you did not understand the 2nd post. This link is NOT about the 2nd death, or total extinction, or "real death". Just fill in the five lines at your convenience.

If you would like to discuss these things you have posted, start a link or links, and I will trot over to meet you there.

 

[FineLinen]

First of all, yes God does have us overcome evil with good. And because God is all-loving, He has us doing what is good for any and all people, not only trying to fix problems for ourselves and ones we like. So, it is wise to test any situation for the good which God can bring with it >

"Test all things; hold fast what is good." (1 Thessalonians 5:21)

So, this is a commandment for how we are to love. And this is following God's example, yes. So, then, how is hell part of God's overcoming evil with good?

Hell is the flaming sewer which burns with fire and brimstone > the sewer prepared by God for holding "the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience" (in Ephesians 2:2).

So, hell is not only for punishing, but hell is practical.

Satan's evil spirit is selfish with unforgiveness, nasty and raging anger, self-righteous criticizing, lusts for different sorts of selfish pleasure of just using people instead of really loving. So, this filth of anti-love stuff has to be put somewhere. And hell is the place. But Satan is not letting go of his stuff of pride, so he is going where it goes. And there are humans who are not getting rid of their bitterness and complaining and arguing and cruel hatred and unforgiveness which are all going to the flaming sewer. So people who keep holding on to and obeying such nasty things are volunteering to be sewer buckets.

And this shows how stubborn and foolish anti-love people and Satan can be. Only fire can manage such stubborn individuals. So, the fire is being practical, among other things.

And the fire can't hurt you unless you have a selfish nature.

"For our God is a consuming fire." (Hebrews 12:29)

God does not burn us in His love; because of our new nature in Jesus we benefit from God's fire. We cook, while rubber burns with a nasty stench in the same fire. And in us the fire of God's love can now burn away Satanic things, and have us sweet and kindly and tenderly sharing as God's family >

"Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:31-32)

My friend: I appreciate your response. If you would like to discuss our God the consuming fire or the "flaming sewer", please start a link and I will attempt to meet you there.

This link is strictly regarding the one verse of Canon speaking of "everlasting "punishment", and the questions relating to the subject. Thank you for your response to a couple of questions from the O.P.

 

[Light of the East]

Well, that didn't take long. I was wondering who was going to reopen the discussion.

 

[Halbhh]

My friend: perhaps you did not understand the 2nd post. This link is NOT about the 2nd death, or total extinction, or "real death". Just fill in the five lines at your convenience.

If you would like to discuss these things you have posted, start a link or links, and I will trot over to meet you there.

Ah, you want to preach the crucially important Matthew chapter 25 message about the separation of the sheep and the goats, as from memory I recall are about welcoming strangers, feeding the hungry, visiting those in prison, tending the sick, and clothing the naked, among our brothers and sisters -- that when we do any of these for even the least of His, we are doing such to Him, and that if we refuse to do any of these for even the least of His we encounter, we are refusing to do so as if for Him, Himself, and would then in that case (if not repenting) be assigned with those going to the place of gnashing of teeth, the 'second death', everlasting punishment? Yes, that is such a crucial message to repeat often to believers. Very good.

Those are not the only ways someone might be sent to the eternal punishment of the second death. There are other ways. But those are some we crucially need to know.

 

[Deborah D]

I don't believe that God's justice is mutually exclusive from mercy, but instead, cannot be separated from His mercy. His justice is restorative - not punitive, so I think that phrase needs closer examination ("everlasting punishment", I mean).

From my reading of scripture, they both exist at the same time. God is merciful and patient, not wishing that any should perish, AND His justice demands punitive action, in this case, eternal punishment for those who refuse His provision for salvation.

Universalism sounds so nice, but you would have to eliminate man's free will in order for your thinking to be correct. God's mercy is available to all who will choose it, but Jesus said that many choose the wide road that leads to destruction.

 

[FineLinen]

Ah, you want to preach the crucially important Matthew chapter 25 message about the separation of the sheep and the goats, as from memory I recall are about welcoming strangers, feeding the hungry, visiting those in prison, tending the sick, and clothing the naked, among our brothers and sisters -- that when we do any of these for even the least of His, we are doing such to Him, and that if we refuse to do any of these for even the least of His we encounter, we are refusing to do so as if for Him, Himself, and would then in that case (if not repenting) be assigned with those going to the place of gnashing of teeth, the 'second death', everlasting punishment? Yes, that is such a crucial message to repeat often to believers. Very good.

Those are not the only ways someone might be sent to the eternal punishment of the second death. There are other ways. But those are some we crucially need to know.

My friend: that is precisely what the subject is regarding. The Lord Jesus Christ, in the context of St. Matt 25, is speaking by parable to clean virgins, not unclean (5 wise 5 foolish) but virgins, not loose women. He also is, in context, speaking of two clean animals (sheep & goats), not one clean and 1 unclean, AKA sheep & dogs or sheep and pigs. WHY?

Why don't you start a new link for the 2nd death and how it relates to the Lake of all lakes? I promise you, F.L. will met you there (if I am still breathing).

 

[Halbhh]

My friend: that is precisely what the subject is regarding. The Lord Jesus Christ, in the context of St. Matt 25, is speaking by parable to clean virgins, not unclean (5 wise 5 foolish) but virgins, not loose women. He also is, in context, speaking of two clean animals (sheep & goats), not one clean and 1 unclean, AKA sheep & dogs or sheep and pigs. WHY?

Why don't you start a new link for the 2nd death and how it relates to the Lake of all lakes? I promise you, F.L. will met you there (if I am still breathing).

No need, now that I understand what you are trying to discuss, instead.

 

[Hillsage]

Remember that for mortal human souls not given the gift of eternal life (John 3:16), they would "perish" there. And that "second death" -- which many take not to be a metaphor, but literally true, meaning just what it sounds like -- would definitely be an 'eternal punishment' even for those that could not endure there the way fallen angels could.

I believe "perish" is a term reserved for the "flesh" of our triune makeup. Your spirit doesn't return to dust or ashes. Your spirit doesn't even go to the grave. And the 'soul' is the functioning aspect of the brain...pretty unaffected by the bunson burner hell that the church preaches IMO. And that's why the GRAVE is mentioned in;

1CO 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

Christians, as a people group still sin plenty, and that's why their bodies succumb to death and end up in the grave today. Jesus brought "LIFE and IMMORTALITY to light", but Christians still love the flesh and the dark and the 'sin that when it becomes mature leads to physical death.' They do that rather than pursue the immortality Jesus died to give us access to.
ROM 2:7 to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life;

Of the fact that sin runs unreigned in the church, there is no doubt. Even the last statistic I saw concerning the number of pastors caught in inappropriate content on the internet is astounding. No wonder there is 77% pastor "burnout". Burnout can't come from living up to the promises of God in the NT for ALL.

JAM 1:15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin; and sin when it is full-grown brings forth death.

When your spirit 'departs' your body drops dead. That is scripture. So you aren't burying a spirit (made in the image of God who IS SPIRIT Joh 4:24) in a cemetary.

JAM 2:26 For as the body apart from the spirit is DEAD,

Spirit departure and physical death was so for the girl Jesus raised from the dead when "her spirit returned" Luke 8:55, and it was true of Jesus who died AFTER surrendering his spirit to the Father's hand.

Therefore, in the literal view that fits all the scripture instead of only certain verses (though the competing viewpoint that (oddly) takes "second death" and "perish" and "destroy" as only metaphors can fit all verses by asserting these non-metaphorical-sounding wordings are metaphor, in spite of the words themselves), in the view of "second death" as being real/just what it sounds like, then "endless punishment" is "endless" in the sense of being a total extinction, real death, that is forever.

Therein lies the big problem Halbhh, the church doesn't use modern translations based on "the literal view" which you espouse above, they base their bible understanding on the 'accepted non literal interpretations'. Bible interpretations which undoubtedly agree with modern theology. They just don't agree with the interpretation of antiquity before the coming of the Great Apostasy church age which destroyed many of the truths held. The nominal church did so, to maintain their religious and political control over the masses and their money. Can't watch any movie or documentary or read any historical expose and not realize that spiritual darkness and atrocities of 'the church' changed radically within a few hundred years after the apostles. The 'dark ages' were the spiritual result of the 'spiritual darkness' of the nominal church IMO.

 

[FineLinen]

From my reading of scripture, they both exist at the same time. God is merciful and patient, not wishing that any should perish, AND His justice demands punitive action, in this case, eternal punishment for those who refuse His provision for salvation.

Universalism sounds so nice, but you would have to eliminate man's free will in order for your thinking to be correct. God's mercy is available to all who will choose it, but Jesus said that many choose the wide road that leads to destruction.

Dear Deborah: This link is not about universalism and how "nice" it sounds! Nor is it regarding "free will". And, Deborah, nor is this link regarding mercy being available "for all who choose it".

His mercy endures for ever & ever & ever regardless of choice.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

According to the context of St. Matthew 25 and ONLY the context, please fill in the empty lines.

The foundation for “everlasting punishment” Matt. 25=

Well, I believe the punishment (i.e. the Lake of Fire) has everlasting consequences for the wicked (in the fact that they will be annihilated, which is a permanent thing that cannot be undone). However, Matthew 25:46 does not say "everlasting punishing." Meaning, the wicked are not going to be tortured for all eternity. That is not in line with a loving and just God.

Anyways, the context of "everlasting punishment" in Matthew 25:46 is:

1.__I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat,__

2.__I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink,__

3.__I was a stranger, and ye took me not in,__

4.__naked, and ye clothed me not, __

5.__sick, ... and ye visited me not__

6. __in prison, and ye visited me not.__​

"And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal."

"Eternal Security Proponents," or "Sin and Still Be Saved Type Believers" think Matthew 25 is referring to the judgment of nations and not individuals according to Matthew 25:32. For verse 32 says, "And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats"; However, I believe this is not a proper way of handling the text because:

#1. Nations are made up of individuals.
#2. The truth of loving God and loving your neighbor as a part of inheriting eternal life is taught in Luke 10:25-37.
#3. The truth of hating one's brother means no eternal life abides within a person (1 John 3:15) (Note: One's brother is one's neighbor, and a neighbor is defined as the poor guy who is beat up on the side of the road - Luke 10:29-37).

 

[Monna]

4. If God hates the sinner, does the sinner do wrong in hating Him?

God loves the sinner, He hates the sin.

1 John 1:9 (NIV)
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

In most of our human judicial systems the aim is punishment and/or retribution, and a confession by the sinner (criminal) is wanted in order to "justify" society's "right" right to punish. Many of our laws include the range of punishments deemed appropriate in the case of failure to follow the law.

God's way is quite different. He wants a confession of sin, i.e. wrong-doing, not to 'justify' His punishment, but because He knows that an acknowledgement of sin as sin, is the first step in the cleansing, healing and restoring the sinner/criminal to relationship, whether with Him, or within community with others.

Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV)
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

He is the Creator, we are His creatures. It is not appropriate for us to second-guess or define His righteousness as it applies to specific individuals and sins, whether now or in "the last day." It does not strike me as "walking humbly before my God" to presume or assume a particular line of logic that God follows when dealing with us individually or collectively. We know that God is a giving God, a forgiving God, a merciful God. He is a redeeming God, a seeking God, a loving God. He is also a holy God. We understand the concept of mercy in the context of law - the attempt to find ameliorating circumstances and thereby "justify" a less severe punishment. The law, as such however, has no room for forgiveness. It may be that some constitutions allow the highest power in a land to pardon a criminal - but that is by its nature overruling the law's "just" sentence. But God is by his loving nature, a forgiving God, and still righteous and just. We haven't achieved the heights of God's ways or thoughts, so squaring His holiness, His mercy, His righteousness and so on, is simply beyond our minds. Faith is about accepting this truth.

So when it comes to God's right to punish or not, or His "consistency" or otherwise in doing so, you will not likely find a solution that will please your mind and everyone else's too. It's best to leave it with the rhetorical question "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" (Genesis 18:25)

And our own focus? Should be on our own relationship with Him, "Seek first His Kingdom (that includes his kingship over us here and now) and His Righteousness, ...." (Matt. 6:33)

 

[FineLinen]

Well, I believe the punishment (i.e. the Lake of Fire) has everlasting consequences for the wicked (in the fact that they will be annihilated, which is a permanent thing that cannot be undone). However, Matthew 25:46 does not say "everlasting punishing." Meaning, the wicked are not going to be tortured for all eternity. That is not in line with a loving and just God.

Anyways, the context of "everlasting punishment" in Matthew 25:46 is:

1.__I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat,__

2.__I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink,__

3.__I was a stranger, and ye took me not in,__

4.__naked, and ye clothed me not, __

5.__sick, ... and ye visited me not__

6. __in prison, and ye visited me not.__​

"Eternal Security Proponents," or "Sin and Still Be Saved Type Believers" think Matthew 25 is referring to the judgment of nations and not individuals according to Matthew 25:32. For verse 32 says, "And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats"; However, I believe this is not a proper way of handling the text because:

#1. Nations are made up of individuals.
#2. The truth of loving God and loving your neighbor as a part of inheriting eternal life is taught in Luke 10:25-37.
#3. The truth of hating one's brother means no eternal life abides within a person (1 John 3:15) (Note: One's brother is one's neighbor, and a neighbor is defined as the poor guy who is beat up on the side of the road - Luke 10:29-37).

Dear B.H. Thank you for your response. The Lake of Fire radiating with theion & theioo is not what is in the passage before us. Nor is would be annihilation. What is at the foundation of punishment in this passage is aionios kolasis and the purpose for the same.

What is the purpose for punishment?

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Dear B.H. Thank you for your response. The Lake of Fire radiating with theion & theioo is not what is in the passage before us. Nor is would be annihilation. What is at the foundation of punishment in this passage is aionios kolasis and the purpose for the same.

What is the purpose for punishment?

I disagree. I believe the Bible clearly teaches that...

The Saints View The Lifeless Remains (i.e. Corpses) of the Wicked:

• Isaiah 66:22-24

"For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name remain. And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord. And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh."​

For the Final Fate of the Wicked is Destruction (or Annihilation):

• 2 Thessalonians 1:9

"Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power."​

• 2 Peter 2:6 NHEB

"...and turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, having made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly.”​

• Psalms 68:2

"....as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God."

• Job 4:8-9

“Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same. By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed.”​

• Psalms 92:7 NLT

"Though the wicked sprout like weeds and evildoers flourish, they will be destroyed forever."​

• Deuteronomy 7:10

“And repays them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hates him, he will repay him to his face.”​

• Psalms 1:6

“For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.”​

• Matthew 10:28

“And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell [i.e. Gehenna or Lake of Fire].”​

• Revelation 21:8

"But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."

The Final Fate of the Wicked Also Includes the Annihilation or:

A. Destruction of the Devil:

• Isaiah 14:12, Isaiah 14:19

12 “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!” 19 “....thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch, and as the raiment of those that are slain, thrust through with a sword, that go down to the stones of the pit; as a carcase trodden under feet.”​

‭

• Ezekiel 28:14-15, Ezekiel 28:18

“Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.”

“Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.”
​

B. Destruction of the Entity or Power Known As "Death":


• 1 Corinthians 15:26

“The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death”​

 

[Hillsage]

Ah, you want to preach the crucially important Matthew chapter 25 message about the separation of the sheep and the goats, as from memory I recall are about welcoming strangers, feeding the hungry, visiting those in prison, tending the sick, and clothing the naked, among our brothers and sisters -- that when we do any of these for even the least of His, we are doing such to Him, and that if we refuse to do any of these for even the least of His we encounter, we are refusing to do so as if for Him, Himself, and would then in that case (if not repenting) be assigned with those going to the place of gnashing of teeth, the 'second death', everlasting punishment? Yes, that is such a crucial message to repeat often to believers. Very good.

Those are not the only ways someone might be sent to the eternal punishment of the second death. There are other ways. But those are some we crucially need to know.

INdeed the list you mention above is the very reason that "Christians" die the first death. I've been guilty of not 'giving to the hungry' (if the panhandler wasn't really a scam????). And the "strangers" I used to pickup hitchhiking....I now just drive past, sometimes even guilty feeling. Still remembering the time I not only picked many up, but never forgetting when I 'picked up BLACKIE', but brought him home to my wife...for 3 days . Which is where her name of remembrance for him, came for this testimony. She washed his clothes three times before the water quit coming out BLACK. As for "visiting those in prison", yes I've been there 4 times....wife with me 3. To visit the only inmate declaring innocence from my 2 years of jail ministry. He was the only one I actually believed, when he said he was innocent....but got 26 years. I'm curious, what biblical verse anywhere tells of Jesus visiting anyone in prison ?????

Yes, of the list of reasons for EVERLASTING PUNISHMENT...I am guilty. And curious enough, where in this list or whole chapter is the 'get out of hell free' card that Christians all want to claim as 'their' precious escape clause? You know, the one that says; I've accepted Jesus???? That caveat is strangely MISSING in Matt 25. Hmmm is there more depth to this eternal fire sentence than is commonly seen....especially by THE CHURCH?