New International Version, Matthew 25:
Do these two uses of "eternal" carry the same meaning? If yes, what does it mean?
They are the same Greek word, so I think they carry the same meaning.
Eternal life is immortal life.
The key question is this: What is eternal punishment?
Eternal punishment is the opposite of eternal life. The punishment is eternal
death, i.e., annihilation or the absence of life, Revelation 20:
Conscious punishment or suffering over an infinite period of existence makes little physical sense. To be conscious, you need a life or a breadth from God (Genesis 2:7). In other words, conscious torment over an infinite time is a form of eternal life. (See
Ray Butterworth.)
My translation:
See also
Does the Bible teach conscious torment over an infinite period?.
Like you I can't say for certain much about the fate of the ungodly. I believe there will be a resurrection for both the wicked and the righteous, according to Dan 12. Would they rise again only to be thrown back into a "2nd Death?"
I'm not sure. Are the wicked raised *before* they are thrown into the Lake of Fire, or are they raised up *in* the Lake of Fire? If it is the latter, they must be raised up to be tormented in the Lake of Fire forever. If they are raised up *before* being thrown into the Lake of Fire, they are either annihilated or prepared for a new kind of life removed by the fire from this world.
I see the Scripture as saying the wicked are raised up *before* being thrown into the fire. And thus, the fire is a mechanism to remove them not from bodily existence, but rather, to remove them from their current state of physical existence in our world.
They may not be "in the fire" forever, but only removed *by the fire from this planet* forever and ever. Being cast into the fire forever may be just like saying they're being "shown the door" forever, not to be tortured forever, but rather, to be permanently separated from the righteous on this earth.
After all, fire is what removes things from the structure they need to exist as such on this planet. Their basic elements may remain as debris, but they themselves are completely removed. A house may leave lots of ash, but once burned down it has been "thrown into the fire" forever and ever! It is gone!
My own personal opinion, which really doesn't count much, is that the wicked are to be somewhat sterilized physically from committing any more physical acts of sin. However, their minds remain unconverted, and their hearts remain poisoned with sin. And so, they are permanently removed from the earth, and are in this way "punished" by losing out on the blessings that God brings to the earth.
It is said that some suffer fewer blows in their punishment, and other more blows in their punishment. I don't view this as an ongoing punishment, but rather, a one-time punishment in settling them in some sort of condition for serving the Lord eternally, though in a diminished, distant capacity.
Some will be further removed from the Lord, and some may suffer a diminished capacity to do good, constructive work. Others may be able to do satisfactory work, with a measure of contentment, though without the blessing of God's close presence. The continuing existence of their Sin Nature, as well as their partial separation from the Lord's presence is what causes the endless depression, in my view.
It may be much like the present world with its endless sense of depression and futility. This is not torturous punishment, but a punishment that establishes a person's permanent status as a sinner separated from God. It is thus a "torment," and not a "torture." I don't think God "tortures." Purely my speculation....
