In my opinion, Matt 25:46 is often used as the proof-text verse for those who subscribe to ECT. The unsaved will be tormented unmercifully in the LOF for infinity due to a finite lifetime of sins and thus separated from God forever. Yet, we are told that though tormented, those in the LOF will be in the presence of Jesus, and the angels per Rev 14:10. The Lamb is present in the LOF for what reason? Any answer to that question would be speculative but focusing on Matt 25:46 cannot lead to the conclusion that hell is forever. The argument of course is that if eternal in the second half of this verse means "forever" then by necessity it also has to mean forever in the first half. Thus aionion cannot refer to an unspecified but limited age of time but it must refer to "forever" since eternal life is forever - therefore punishment must also be forever. The weakness of this claim is that it fails to take into account context. Notice that in this passage Jesus is addressing a particular age of time; i.e, the millennium. In particular, he is addressing groups of people who compose nations, separating the goats who are commanded to depart to the fire and the sheep who will enter the kingdom. The pertinent question is, what kingdom is Jesus referring to in Matt 25:34? I submit that Jesus is referring to his millennial kingdom. Thus the YLT reads with my brackets added: "And these shall go away to punishment age-during [millennium], but the righteous to life age-during [millennium]." This interpretation upholds the view that aionion refers to an age of time - in this case 1,000 years. The sheep occupy Jesus' kingdom on earth for 1,000 years while the goats depart to the lake of fire for the equivalent 1,000 years, and after this millennial period comes the great white throne judgment.
