Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, "torments" often refer to severe physical or mental suffering, typically associated with divine judgment or the consequences of sin. The concept of torment is present in both the Old and New Testaments, illustrating the seriousness of God's justice and the reality of eternal punishment for the unrepentant.
Old Testament ReferencesWhile the specific term "torments" is not frequently used in the Old Testament, the concept is evident in various narratives and prophetic writings. The plagues of Egypt (Exodus 7-12) serve as a vivid example of divine-induced suffering as a consequence of Pharaoh's hardened heart. Similarly, the curses outlined in
Deuteronomy 28:15-68 describe the severe afflictions that would befall Israel if they disobeyed God's commandments.
The Psalms and the Prophets often speak of distress and anguish as forms of divine retribution. For instance,
Psalm 18:4-5 states, "The cords of death encompassed me; the torrents of chaos overwhelmed me. The cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me." This imagery conveys the overwhelming nature of divine judgment.
New Testament ReferencesIn the New Testament, the concept of torment is more explicitly associated with eternal punishment and the final judgment. Jesus frequently spoke of hell (Gehenna) as a place of torment. In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, the rich man finds himself in Hades, "being in torment" (
Luke 16:23), and pleads for relief from his suffering.
The Book of Revelation provides a vivid depiction of the torments awaiting those who reject God.
Revelation 14:10-11 warns, "He too will drink the wine of God’s anger, poured undiluted into the cup of His wrath. And he will be tormented in fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment rises forever and ever."
Theological ImplicationsTheologically, torments are understood as the just consequences of sin and rebellion against God. They serve as a sobering reminder of the holiness of God and the seriousness of sin. The reality of eternal torment underscores the urgency of repentance and faith in Jesus Christ as the only means of salvation.
Pastoral ConsiderationsFrom a pastoral perspective, the doctrine of eternal torment is both challenging and essential. It calls believers to a deeper understanding of God's justice and mercy, motivating them to share the gospel with urgency and compassion. The reality of torment also provides comfort to the faithful, affirming that God will ultimately vindicate His righteousness and bring justice to a world marred by sin.
Library
"The Eternity of Hell-Torments"
... "The Eternity of Hell-Torments". Matthew 25:46 " "These shall go away into everlasting
punishment. To the Inhabitants of Savannah in Georgia. My dear Friends,....
Of theTorments and Punishments of Souls.
... The Divine Institutes. Book VII. Of a Happy Life. Chap. XXI."Of theTorments
and Punishments of Souls. First of all, therefore...
TheTorments of Giant Bad Feelings
... CHAPTER TEN THETORMENTS OF GIANT BAD FEELINGS. THETORMENTS OF GIANT BAD
FEELINGS I am just a bundle of feelings. I never imagined...
Our Lord Shows St. Teresa the Place which She had by Her Sins...
... TheTorments There. How the Monastery of St. Joseph Was Founded.... I cannot describe
that inward fire or that despair, surpassing alltorments and all pain....
The Misery of those Who, Besides Losing the Saints' Rest, Lose the...
... CHAPTER VI. THE MISERY OF THOSE WHO, BESIDES LOSING THE SAINTS' REST, LOSE
THE ENJOYMENTS OF TIME, AND SUFFER THETORMENTS OF HELL....
That the Perfect Lover of God had Liever Run into Great Pain than...
... BOOK I CHAPTER VIII THAT THE PERFECT LOVER OF GOD HAD LIEVER RUN INTO GREAT PAIN
THAN BY SIN ONCE GRIEVE GOD: AND WHY GODTORMENTS THE RIGHTEOUS BY THE WICKED....
The Canons of the Blessed Peter, Archbishop of Alexandria, and...
... fourth Easter from the beginning of the persecution was now come; and orders, that
they who did not fall till after they had endured severetorments, and have...
But to those who have Been Delivered Up, and have Fallen...
... before the tyrant, and had been delivered up, or themselves had of their own accord
given themselves up, and then being overcome by theirtorments, had failed...
Some Man May Say: "If There be not in the Dead any Care For...
... to his five brothers not as yet dead, and to take course with them, that they should
not come themselves also into the same place oftorments?" [2750] But does...
The Wonderful Constancy of the Martyrs.
... let a sigh or a groan escape them; thus proving to us all that those holy martyrs
of Christ, at the very time when they suffered suchtorments, were absent...
Thesaurus
Torments (1 Occurrence)...Torments (1 Occurrence). Luke 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in
torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
...Various (52 Occurrences)
... They brought to him all who were sick, afflicted with various diseases andtorments,
possessed with demons, epileptics, and paralytics; and he healed them....
Lunatic (2 Occurrences)
... Matthew 4:24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all
sick people that were taken with divers diseases andtorments, and those...
Lunatick (2 Occurrences)
... Matthew 4:24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all
sick people that were taken with divers diseases andtorments, and those...
Laz'arus (16 Occurrences)
... Luke 16:23 and in the hades having lifted up his eyes, being intorments, he
doth see Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom, (See RSV)....
Forth (1639 Occurrences)
... 4:24 And the report of him went forth into all Syria: and they brought unto him
all that were sick, holden with divers diseases andtorments, possessed with...
Fame (38 Occurrences)
... Matthew 4:24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all
sick people that were taken with divers diseases andtorments, and those...
Tormentor (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) One who, or that which,torments; one who
inflicts penal anguish or tortures. 2. (n.) An implement...
Tormentors (3 Occurrences)
Report (127 Occurrences)
... They brought to him all who were sick, afflicted with various diseases andtorments,
possessed with demons, epileptics, and paralytics; and he healed them....
Resources
What is the “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” sermon? | GotQuestions.orgIs The Divine Comedy / Dante's Inferno a biblically accurate description of Heaven and Hell? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is Abraham's bosom? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
