I can see how one might think Jesus was speaking of a literal fiery furnace. But what happens to something thrown into a literal fiery furnace? The flames quickly consume anything flammable. Revelation 20:14 says; "And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death." It is clear to me that death and hell (or the grave) cannot be cast into a literal lake of fire, but they can be destroyed forever. Thus, I believe Jesus was foretelling in his illustrations that the wicked would weep and gnash their teeth when they face imminent destruction at God's hands.
Matthew 25:46 literally reads: "καὶ And ἀπελεύσονται will go off οὗτοι these εἰς into κόλασιν lopping off αἰώνιον, everlasting, οἱ the δὲ but δίκαιοι righteous ones εἰς into ζωὴν life αἰώνιον.
The wicked, IMO, will go into everlasting destruction or lopping off, as will the Devil. 2 Thessalonians 1:9 says the penalty for the wicked is "everlasting destruction", not everlasting torment.
Matthew 25:46 literally reads: "καὶ And ἀπελεύσονται will go off οὗτοι these εἰς into κόλασιν lopping off αἰώνιον, everlasting, οἱ the δὲ but δίκαιοι righteous ones εἰς into ζωὴν life αἰώνιον.
The wicked, IMO, will go into everlasting destruction or lopping off, as will the Devil. 2 Thessalonians 1:9 says the penalty for the wicked is "everlasting destruction", not everlasting torment.
