Go here http://www.jeremyandchristine.com/articles/eternal.php
And search for Matt 25:46. It is discussed there. Frankly, pretty much every single scripture “proof” of everlasting punishment that is “felt” unending is discussed there.
My best friend and ex pastor (who now works at a Christian university) told me this a few months ago: most Christians spend their first few years as a Christian studying scripture to form their personal theological beliefs and the rest of their life studying scripture to defend it.
I am not like that, but my challenge is in the opposite direction. That is, I hear some new interpretation and immediately think, “Wow, I never thought of it that way before.” However, I do study to see if it has enough veracity to alter my perspective on Christianity. It is how I went from being a strong Pre-tribulationist to a Mid tribulationist (aka post-trib, pre-wrath).
Fact is, a lot of us believe what we believe about the bible because of something someone told us in our “formative” years, much as liberals believe what they do because of what a respected college professor told them in College. I do not respect ANY man in that way so I’m at least more immune than most people - but still must deal with it.
The article I linked above caused me to, for the first time in my life, really STUDY this concept - and I am convinced. I do believe there is something going on there that both “sides” are wrong about, but I’ll find out after I die. In the meantime, I present the gospel to people and avoid the “turn or burn” message. That message is also what has turned off a lot of would be Christians. That alone should cause one to at least ask the important question about the veracity of the interpretations of scripture used to support it.
The preacher at the church of Christ where I worship addressed the topic of hell along with eternal damnation of endless punishment for sin. This was shortly after 9/11, thus making the case all the more compelling after the horror of those days.
He explained that part of the boundless joy we Christians will experience in Heaven is the full awareness of the fate of sinners suffering forever. One of the many rewards of Eternal Life in God's Heaven is the knowledge that Divine Justice is constantly being served for the damned.