We think of eternity as a loooooooooooooooooooooot of time.
But what is also true is it a state of being.
Jesus, several times, describes that some are going to suffer worse punishment than others.
If ALL lost are annihilated, then they all receive the same measure of punishment. This violates Scripture.
Matthew 23:14
New King James Version
14 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive GREATER CONDEMNATION.
Matthew 11
Woe to the Impenitent Cities
20 Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent: 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.”
These are people awaiting final judgement. What, will be MORE, or LESS tolerable?