On Punishment
In the twelfth chapter of Luke we find some teachings of Jesus which offer many the opportunity to speculate and in which several false-doctrines find their basis. For example, the Catholic doctrine of purgatory no doubt finds its beginning where verse 59 reads, "I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou have paid the very last mite." The contention is that it is possible for certain sins to be paid for by spending a limited time in "prison".
Again in verses 46 through 48, speculation arises around the servant knowing the Lord's will receiving many stripes and the one knowing not receiving few. Many see in these verses the indication of degrees of punishment.
Let us look at these verses objectively. Note Luke 12:46. Here it is said of the disobedient servant that in the last day the Lord "shall appoint his portion with the unfaithful." And what is the portion of the unfaithful? In Matthew 25:31-46, we find the sheep, the righteous, gathered on the Lord's right hand, separated from the goats, the unfaithful, on the left. We see that the goats go into the eternal fire contrasting eternal punishment with eternal life. The portion of the unfaithful is, therefore, punishment as eternal as the reward is of eternal life unto the righteous. This is also the portion the disobedient servant will receive.
Eternal life is obtained by the lost only through faith in Jesus Christ, and those souls that know him not are unfaithful, receiving eternal punishment. But what of the disobedient servant who knows the Lord's will? The degree of punishment advocates must find a punishment for this man which is greater than the eternal punishment received by him who knew not the Lord. To determine that which is greater than infinity is beyond the scope of man's finite mind.
This is a blow fatal to purgatory, for the disobedient servant of God must receive a sentence at least as long as he who serves God not at all and receives a sentence lasting all eternity.
The power of Bible harmony indicates that Jesus was not teaching about the duration or degree of punishment, but rather was emphasizing the necessity of God's servants living faithful, steadfast lives in watchfulness for the coming of the Lord.
-2016 Sunset Court League City, Texas