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Just getting around to glancing through some of these posts.

The concept of either eternal life or a “poof” you’re done; based on your belief of Jesus; doesn’t make sense to me. It would seem that either people have no soul at all, or they have a soul, which would seem to have to follow some sort of spiritual law of everlasting. Sort of like the physical laws of nature that apply to ALL of us.

I can see the concept of no souls, and just “poof” when we die. And I can see the concept that people have souls that are everlasting. But the idea that some souls might continue, and others not doesn’t seem reasonable.

I read some book where the author made the case that ALL will see the glory of God, and be in his presence. And that those who don’t “like” God (like Christopher Hitchens perhaps), will be in agony as His light shines continuously on them.

I’m not so sure about that though, as sin separates us from God. So why would the sinful be able to be in God’s presence (but suffering because of it)?

I agree that the Bible says, And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." (Genesis 2:7) The Hebrew transliteration of the word "soul" is nephesh and means: soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion. So, either this "soul" is eternal or not. We know our souls did not pre-exist our bodies like some religions think, but just as the first man had the life breathed into him from God to become a living soul, so all lives do after him. God has given us the miracle of procreation - meaning he allows our bodies to also bring forth living souls even though God STILL is the one who is in ultimate control over who lives or dies. We also have a "spirit" that is eternal. Our bodies WILL die, but our soul and spirit will go on.

I agree with you that ALL souls will go on after death - some to eternal life with God in heaven and some to eternal separation from God in hell. In Isaiah 45:22-24, we read:

“Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear. They will say of me, ‘In the Lord alone are deliverance and strength.’” All who have raged against him will come to him and be put to shame.

And also in Philippians 2:9-11

For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

As far as the damned being able to still be in the presence of God for eternity, I would say no, I don't believe they will other than the idea that no one can flee from the presence of the Lord or go anywhere he is not also, just that no sin can ever enter heaven again and God cannot "look upon sin" because of His holiness. Hell is called "deepest darkness" and other terrifying things. It won't be a peaceful rest, that's for sure.