The words for “eternal” and “forever” carry flexible usage in the Bible. This is why Rotherham’s Literal translation (along with the other literal translations) translate the word here as “age-abiding”. Take this scripture for instance:
This scripture is often given to support the idea of eternal conscious suffering. But I’m convinced that there is another way of looking at it that shows that “eternal punishment” doesn’t last forever. As I already stated, the Greek word for “eternal” or “forever” doesn’t always mean “forever” or “eternal”. It is a relative term and it’s duration depends on the subject to which it refers. The New Testament Greek Lexicon defines the term this way:
In the Septuagint the word is used to translate the Hebrew word olam. When we look in the O.T. and compare scripture with scripture we get a sense of how the word “forever” is used when connected to God’s judgment. It doesn’t mean “forever” as we see in Is. 32:12-15:
Israel’s judgment is said to last “forever” until the Spirit is poured out and God restores it. This is a clear example of where “forever” doesn’t mean forever in reference to God’s judgment. But what about when the word is used twice in the same context in a parallel like the Matthew 25:46 verse? Here again when we turn to scripture we see that they can have different meanings even when used in the same context. Take Romans 16:25-26 for example:
In one instance it means LONG AGES in another instance it means ETERNAL in the same context showing the flexibility of it’s usage. Matthew 25:46 contains another clue that this is the case. The word for punishment is kolasis and it carries with it the idea of correction. While it means punishment it can be a remedial type of punishment. As the New Testament Greek Lexicon states:
There’s no reason to believe that the punishment described in Matthew 25:46 must be everlasting conscious suffering.
There is a sin that will not be forgiven in this age or the age to come. What this means is that those who continually harden their hearts against the Holy Spirit and reject Him will not have forgiveness but must suffer under God’s punishment. It is my belief that after they have paid the price for their sins and recieve God’s correction, they will be purified in the fires and released as they are brought up to heaven. I see it as a real option anyway. For the Bible tells us that:
In the previous section we saw how God’s judgment and punishment can have a remedial and corrective purpose. Indeed, the scriptures often speak this way of God’s judgments:
Moreover, what is one of God’s ultimate plans and purposes? Is it not the salvation of the world? God desires all to be saved:
And no purpose of His can be thwarted:
Since God desires all to be saved and no purpose of His can be thwarted then it follows that all will be saved. In this life or the next. For the fierce anger of the Lord will not turn back until He accomplishes the intent of His heart. In these latter days you will understand this.
--so I hope for distinction you’re okay with that. I don’t normally address people by their last name only.)