How Do People Who Are Not Saved Endure Eternal Suffering If They Are Dead?

I received an excellent comment and question from a reader:

In Romans 6:3 it says “for the wages of sin is death.” People who are saved will not die and live forever with Christ. But those NOT saved will endure eternal suffering in hell. If the wages of sin is death, how can these people endure eternal suffering if they are dead? I find it hard to distinguish between the eternal people saved with Christ, and the people eternally suffering from NOT being saved. Could you explain?

So, HOW DO people who are not saved endure eternal suffering if they are dead?

Before answering this question, it’s important to have a foundation using the Basic Bible Concepts, which explains human design and the law of sin and death. Humans are created with a body, soul and spirit. In the Garden, when Adam and Eve sinned, their body did not die—their soul and spirit did. To be “spiritually dead” means to be separated from a relationship with God. To communicate with God, who is a Spirit, our spirit must be made alive through the gift of salvation. Sure, our dead spirit can communicate with other dead spirits—but not with God. 

After Adam and Eve sinned, they hid themselves when they heard the voice of God. They were afraid. God is the perfection of love and a relationship with Him casts out fear. (1 John 4:18) Their sin had severed them from the relationship with God and thus, they were afraid. Adam and Eve had violated God’s righteous nature. Because He is just, the consequences were spiritual death (and eventually physical death as well). 

So what is this thing called “death” that is the punishment or “wages” for sin?

In order to understand “death” it helps to understand “life.” Jesus said:

“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and BELIEVES in Me shall NEVER die.”

John 11:25-26

‭‭It is clear that Jesus is the giver of ETERNAL life and if you don’t have HIM—then you will experience ETERNAL DEATH. So eternal death is experiencing the absence of God, who IS life. This is hell, which may be described as a sense of the absolute absence of God’s presence.” Often, we hear people refer to earthly conditions stemming from war, disease, strife, or even small unpleasantries as “hell.” But is anything on earth truly an accurate description of hell, or are unpleasant situations just God’s compassionate forewarning of much worse things to come? The big difference between the horrors here on earth and the hell in the afterlife—is there is no respite from the misery.

This everlasting death is the DIRE and permanent consequence of rejecting Christ in this life.  After your body dies, there are no second chances to avoid the terrors of hell. How do the scripture describe the absence of God’s presence? 

The scriptural descriptions of hell emphasize torment, suffering and—possibly the most terrifying aspect of hell is—its duration: IT’S ETERNAL! The Bible says:

“…when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with EVERLASTING DESTRUCTION from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His power…” ‬‬ 

2 Thessalonians 1:7-9

‬”But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be WEEPING and gnashing of teeth.” ‬‬ 

Matthew 8:12

‬“The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be TORMENTED day and night forever and ever. And ANYONE not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” ‭‭‬‬ 

Revelation 20:10,15

‬The verse in Thessalonians is a real eye-opener as it references punishment as being “everlasting destruction” and defines it as being banned “from the presence of God and the glory of His power.” You see, as long as we have physical life, we are the beneficiaries of the blessings of God’s presence and power which are manifested over all the earth. All of the beauty we see and enjoy right now is because of Him. The air we breathe is because of Him. Everything that is going right for us right now is because of Him. He created life and sustains it. Without Him, there would be the same void of nothingness that preexisted creation (Genesis 1). Can you imagine what your life would be like without nature, the presence of other people, animals, AND devoid of the experience of—joy, love, and peace—just to name a few? For as long as we experience physical life God…

“makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” ‭‭‬ ‬‬ 

Matthew 5:45

God’s presence is responsible for ALL the GOOD things we experience!

Hell is the absence of God’s presence for eternity AND this includes ALL of the manifestations of His goodness! When one dies without being reconciled to God, the anxiety will last forever and ever with—zero relief! Can you imagine being tortured with loneliness, fear, anger, sadness, regret, hate, dissatisfaction, emptiness, meaninglessness, and every negative emotion imaginable…for ALL eternity? What about being in physical pain with absolutely no relief? Can you imagine knowing you will never see another sunrise, smell another spring rain, snuggle with a loved one, enjoy the company of your pet, hear the sound of laughter, taste your favorite food, or be able to lie down and have a good night’s rest? This is hell…plus what I’m sure are other unimaginable terrors from which there will be NO respite or escape. It will be terrifying misery.

Jesus provides the only rescue plan to save us from hell. 

Today is the day of salvation. If you are already born again, you are entrusted with the life-saving Gospel. Share it!

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. ‭‭ 

Revelation 21:1, 3-4

We would love to hear your thoughts about this devotional. Did God speak to you or challenge your daily walk with him? Or is there a topic that you would like Kimberly to cover or expound on? Please share with us in the comments below.

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