WLC 29

Q29. What are the punishments of sin in the world to come?

The punishments of sin in the world to come, are everlasting separation from the comfortable presence of God, and most grievous torments in soul and body, without intermission, in hell fire forever.

Proof texts

• 2 Thess. 1:9 — [9] They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,
• Mark 9:43-44,46,48 — [43] And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. [48] ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’
• Luke 16:24 — [24] And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’

For discussion

1. The Assembly cited 2 Thess. 1:9 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
2. 3 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
3. WSC Q13 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
4. WCF 6.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WSC Q13 · WCF 6.1 · HC Q3 · BC 4.1 · BC 4.2 · 1689 6.1 · 1689 6.2 · 1689 6.3 · 1689 6.4 · 1689 6.5