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Are there degrees of punishment?


Introduction. The scriptures are explicit as to varying punishment. Jesus obviously taught degrees in his teaching regarding the faithful and unfaithful servant (Luke 12: 42-48). The servant who knew what to do, but did not do it, shall have greater punitive consequences. Notice the language: "And that servant, which knew his Lord's will, and prepared not himself...shall be beaten with many stripes" (vs. 47). "But he that knew not...shall be beaten with few stripes..." (vs. 48). The rule or criterion for determining the differences in punishment is, "...unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required..." (vs. 48).

But How? Some have advocated such degrees in the sense of the duration of punishment. But the scriptures teach the punishment is "everlasting" (Matt. 25: 46). Others have suggested in varying intensity of the heat (fire) in hell. There is no evidence to suggest degrees in the compartmental sense.

The matter of remembrance. While there really is not any doubt about the existence of degrees or differences, the difficulty lies in man's ability to explain the degrees (your writer is no exception). I am convinced the essential difference is internal (not external). The selfish rich man in Hades was told, "...Son remember..." (Luke 16: 25). The rich man had many opportunities in his life, but he had lived for himself. The more one knows, the more opportunities one has, and the more acts of deliberate refusal of God's grace, I am persuaded the more the ultimate punitive memory in hell will be.

Conclusion. If there are "degrees" in hell (based on memory), then it is likely there will be "degrees" of joy in heaven. The more the Christian suffers and develops a love of God in this life, the more capacity for joy he will have in heaven!
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