12/14/2025
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐒𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐩𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞. 𝐈𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐞.
The theory of eternal torment is one of the false doctrines that constitute the w**e of the abominations of Babylon, of which she makes all nations drink. [Revelation 14:8; 17:2.] That ministers of Christ should have accepted this heresy and proclaimed it from the sacred desk, is indeed a mystery. They received it from Rome, as they received the false sabbath.. GC88 536.3
The idea that those who go to hell will burn eternally and spend their eternity burning is false teaching. According to Scripture, those who are lost will burn until they die and become ashes, but they will not spend eternity burning. Eternal suffering is not taught in the Bible.
The Bible makes it very clear that eternity is promised only to those who are saved—those who have accepted Jesus as their personal Savior. Jesus Himself declares this truth in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Eternal life is promised to believers, while the alternative is perishing, not eternal torment.
This promise is reaffirmed in 1 John 2:25: “And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.” Eternal life is a promise given to the redeemed, not to all humanity.
Paul further explains in Romans 2:6–7: “Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life.” Immortality is something the righteous seek and receive; it is not inherent to all people.
The idea that a person will be burned in hell for eternity is therefore a false doctrine and is not rooted in Scripture. According to the Bible, eternal life is promised only to the redeemed. Each person who is lost will spend a portion of time burning according to their sins; they will not all burn for the same length of time before they die. Satan, however, will spend more time than anyone in the fire, until he is fully burned and destroyed. After this, the earth will be purified and restored.
The Lord promises in Isaiah 66:22: “For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.” There will be a new earth, where the saints who went to heaven for the one thousand years (Revelation 20:4) will live and spend eternity with Jesus and the Father on the renewed earth.
All who were not saved will be completely destroyed. Only those who are saved will receive immortality through Christ and will spend eternity with Him.
