[Hebrews 11:6]

Perhaps this will help clarify it. Those who choose to refuse God still exist, and He honors their choice by sending them somewhere He is not. But because He continues to love them, He doesn't want them to be attacked by the other residents--yet they don't want Him there to protect them. So, He surrounds each one by just enough fire to prevent them from breaking through to their neighbors--Hitler has a roaring conflagration around him, while dear old unbelieving Aunt Minnie needs just a few hot coals. The amount of fire is determined by their character, so it's completely just. They've earned it, but they haven't earned any more.

[Secret Agent Man]

The other issue is that these folks will be living with the knowledge they refused Christ and they are there forever by their own choices. They can’t get a do-over. That’s going to be something extremely hard to live with forever. They will beg and wish for one and will be unable to get one. They will be stuck there and they will remember why, forever.

[plain talk]

Interesting thoughts! The analogy I always imagine is that God lives in a big house in heaven. If you don’t even acknowledge He exists then you have no business being a guest in his home and are cast in outer darkness. Beyond that I can’t even imagine any of it. I don’t think we are supposed to understand it right now. We should focus on having a relationship with Christ so He knows who we are and we end up in the big house.

The other thing I think about is this thought — everyone gets what they want. Christians get to be with God. Atheists don’t want to be with God and thus they do not spend eternity with Him. Everyone gets what they want!