They will not depart from their stations, but through their minds will they traverse. Indeed, the dead cannot dwell in the presence of the Lord. However, if all flesh worships the Lord, then the corpses of individuals who have repudiated Him will be cast into eternal flames, and the resurrection will encompass both realms of true flesh. The unending worm and the unquenchable fire are often interpreted as the awareness of wrongdoing that torments those subjected to punishment for their own failings, having relinquished the blessings of the elect, as illustrated by the words: "I was in anguish when my thorn was unseen" (Psalm 31:4). Additionally, in Proverbs: "As a moth consumes the garment, so does sorrow eat the heart of the fool" (Proverbs 25). Again, as expressed: just as the moth is in the clothing and the worm in the wood, sorrow harms the heart of a man (Proverbs 25:21). This interpretation does not contradict the eternal nature of torment for those who fall away and reject God, aligning with the words of the Lord in the Gospel: "Depart into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matthew 25:41). In another passage, He states: "Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matthew 22:13). When we consider references to hands, feet, and the darkness of the abyss—serving as punishment for those who witness the light of God—and also to weeping and gnashing of teeth, it is puzzling that some envision the physical body as ethereal and destined to gradually dissipate into nothingness post-resurrection, seeing as the Lord, in His might, entered the apostles while the doors were locked (John 20). Even before His Resurrection, He moved upon the waters and granted this ability to the Apostle Peter, who, through faith, was able to tread upon the waves but ultimately sank in doubt, receiving the rebuke, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" (Matthew 14:31). The fire should similarly be understood as the worm, which continues to burn as long as there is fuel to sustain its fierce hunger. Therefore, anyone who harbors tares in their conscience, sown by an adversary while their guard was down, will also be consumed by the flames (Matthew 13). The righteous will witness the punishment of those who, instead of building upon the foundation provided by the Lord with gold, silver, and precious stones, have constructed their houses using hay, wood, and straw—the fuel for eternal flames. Those who assert that punishments will one day cease, and that afflictions, although prolonged, will eventually end, cite verses such as: "When the fullness of the Gentiles has come in, then all Israel will be saved" (Romans 11:25-26), and, "God has confined all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all" (Galatians 3:22; Romans 11:32). Moreover, the prophet states: "I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against Him, until He pleads my cause and executes judgment for me; He will bring me forth to the light" (Micah 7:9). Furthermore: "I will give thanks to You, O Lord, for You were angry with me; Your anger turned away, that You might comfort me" (Isaiah 9:1). The Lord promises the sinner, "When My anger has passed, I will restore you." This closely resembles another statement: "Your goodness, O Lord, is many; you have stored it up for those who fear You" (Psalm 30:20). These references indicate a belief in eventual reliefs after afflictions, meant to inspire repentance in those who fear God. This understanding is ultimately reserved for God's wisdom alone, from which both grace and judgment flow. He alone knows who, how, and for how long should be condemned. We can only reflect human frailty and implore: "O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your anger, nor chasten me in Your wrath" (Psalm 37:1). We hold firm in our understanding that the torment of the devil and of all who are unrighteous, declaring in their hearts, "There is no God" (Psalm 13:1), will indeed be eternal; similarly, we believe that the judgment concerning sinners—albeit ungodly Christians, whose deeds will be assessed and purified by fire—will not be harsh but softened by the mercy of the Divine Judge.
THEOSIS