Since you are arguing that punishment is not eternal, how can we glean it from THIS particular teaching?
Those that use it as a literal story about our eternal condition are missing the point of the parable. That’s the point. That is not what the parable is about, whether the rich man in the story is there a year, an eternity, or just during superbowl weekend.
RE: We can’t. The argument that is being made is that this teaching is not about the eternal fate of the lost or the saved.
My argument in bringing it up though is to show that there IS conscious punishment.
Now regarding whether or not punishment is eternal, let’s talk about a separate verse.
Matthew 25:41-46:
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”