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Support can be found through the Holy Scriptures to back up the case for eternal torture as well as the case for annihilation in Hell. In coming to a conclusion, therefore, one must take this to heart and study all of God’s Word to find which model fits best with the overall thrust of Scripture.

I think there is a far better case for hell being a place of eternal torment than there is for what is called "annihilation". If the lost have only eternal nothingness to look forward to, I don't see how that could be something for them to fear and propel them to saving faith in Christ. Atheists, for example, have said they can think of nothing BETTER than to cease to exist rather than be "tortured" with having to praise Almighty God for eternity. Hell is called a place of torment, a final judgment, something that cannot be escaped, that is unceasing. People who believe in ultimate annihilation for the condemned will NOT have the sense of urgency to rescue the perishing through evangelization. They will not be compelled to preach the gospel as we are commanded to do. Jesus warned - and we should not think he was kidding:

And whoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea. And if your hand offend you, cut it off: it is better for you to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dies not, and the fire is not quenched. And if your foot offend you, cut it off: it is better for you to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dies not, and the fire is not quenched. And if your eye offend you, pluck it out: it is better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Where their worm dies not, and the fire is not quenched.