Start with the confidence that God is a wise, loving God and does give answers in His Word about such an infinitely important topic; and also know that the Bible does indeed give a very obvious answer to this question. "16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
And also consider who labelled these 3 men great scholars? It sure wasn't God who did. Many "great scholars" of Jesus' day hated Him. "Great scholars" have always opposed God's servants and the truths of God's Word. Being well learned in Scripture means much- if you are truly well-learned AND faithful to the Truth you've learned. But what if you are lied to and hold onto the lie and disseminate the lie? Many others who love the same lie will call you great if you can promote and defend the lie well. But why should that label have any validity?
The Bible then teaches over and over and over and over against Universalism. You'd literally have to be calling the Prophets, Christ, and the Apostles misguided fools to believe in Universalism after being informed from Scripture. Just a few examples:
Daniel 12:2 "And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt."
Galatians 5:19-21 "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."
Ephesians 5:5 "For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God."
And the Bible also teaches contrary to annihilation over and over. Conscious, eternal torment for the wicked is indeed Biblical and the following statements of Scripture (among many others) would be meaningless and vain and lying if the wicked weren't consciously tormented eternally in the fire of hell.
Mark 9:43-48 "And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched."
Romans 2:4-11 (note especially verses 8 and 9): "4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? 5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; 6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: 8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, 9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; 10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: 11 For there is no respect of persons with God."
Revelation 14:9-11: "And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name."
To put things together, look then at the warnings on the gates of heaven as the Bible closes. Look how God, as He closes His revelation to mankind, emphasizes that there is eternal, conscious torment in hell which only the faithful who renounce and abhor all sin, and who obey and follow Christ faithfully to the end as wholehearted servants of the true God will escape to instead be with Him in heaven. God is emphasizing and warning that Judgment Day and everlasting hell-fire are indeed real; and lovingly pleading with us to obey His Word and turn from sin without any compromise lest we end up in that place of torment where there is no repentance offered nor remedy available after our opportunity here to be right with Him expires. Don't refuse nor explain away His warnings and instruction- otherwise you won't act on them properly!
Revelation 21:6-8 "And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful (i.e. cowardly), 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."
Revelation 21:27 "And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life."
Revelation 22:12-16: "And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star."
(and thanks for joining in the discussions too 
