Eternal punishment, and life eternal

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We may, in the third place, consider a few of the circumstances which will follow the general judgment. And the first is the execution of the sentence pronounced on the evil and on the good. These shall go away into eternal punishment, and the righteous into life eternal. It should be observed that it is the very same word which is used, both in the former and in the latter clause. It follows that either the punishment lasts for ever, or the reward too will come to an end. No, never, unless God could come to an end, or his mercy and truth could fail. That punishment is everlasting punishment. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun, in the kingdom of their Father, and shall drink of those rivers of pleasure which are at God's right hand for evermore.

But here all description falls short. All human language fails. Only one who is caught up into the third heaven can have a just conception of it. But even such a one cannot express what he has seen. These things it is not possible for man to utter.

1771 text

III. 1. We may, in the third place, consider a few of the circumstances which will follow the general judgment. And the first is the execution of the sentence pronounced on the evil and on the good. These shall go away into eternal punishment, and the righteous into life eternal. It should be observed, it is the very same word which is used, both in the former and the latter clause: it follows, that either the punishment lasts for ever, or the reward too will come to an end. No, never, unless God could come to an end, or his mercy and truth could fail. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun, in the kingdom of their father, and shall drink of those rivers of pleasure which are at God’s right hand for evermore. But here all description falls short; all human language fails! only one who is caught up into the third heaven, can have a just conception of it. But even such an one cannot express what he hath seen: these things it is not possible for man to utter.

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About this text

Preached at Bedford in 1758 on Romans 14:10: the signs before the Last Judgment, the judgment itself, and how to be ready to stand there.

EditionPrinted in the 1771 Works. Preached at the Assizes before Sir Edward Clive, in Saint Paul's Church, Bedford, on 10 March 1758

Wesley's own sermon in updated English wording. The 1771 panel is the text of the Works Wesley himself had printed in 1771. It is public domain.

Reference

Sermon 15 in the 1771 Works. Romans 14:10. Bedford, 10 March 1758.

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