who will pay the penalty: eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might,
The word "everlasting" (aionios) means "without end, never to cease, everlasting" (Thayer 20-2-166). The word "destruction" (olethros) means "ruin, destruction, death." Thayer comments "the loss of a life of blessedness after death, future misery" (443-1-3639). Destruction will be eternal (aionion), a word that literally means "age-long." Duration of punishment will thus depend upon the length of the age, and the New Testament indicates it will be an age without end. Jesus uses the word to refer to "eternal punishment" and "eternal life" (Matthew 25:46). Punishment of the wicked and life of the righteous will be of the same duration--forever. Eternal destruction is the very opposite of eternal life. To enjoy eternal life is to live forever in the presence of the Lord; to suffer eternal punishment involves being separated from the presence of the Lord (Matthew 7:23). Further it means separation from the glory of His might (Isaiah 2:10). The mightiness of the Lord will be revealed to His people as they behold His glory. Those who are banished from His presence will be deprived of this blessed experience. Thus, the "tribulation" of verse 6 is vividly described. There is no escaping this verse is talking about Gehenna Hell, the place God prepared for the devil and his angels. This place will be the home of all those who "know not God" and who "obey not the gospel." We all had better prepare to meet our God. A careful study of this subject will bring one to his knees and to his Bible with an open mind, causing him to open up his heart with the attitude "Speak Lord, thy servant heareth, command Lord, I will obey."