"Popular Christian novels that flood the bookstores today prey on people’s fears and sensationalize the horrors of those who are left behind in a ’tribulation’ of the Judgment Day.

How differently did the prophets and apostles regard the promised day of judgment! Note the exultant prophetic utterance of David: ’Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, the Lord reigneth. Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof: let the fields rejoice, and all that is therein. Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the Lord, because he cometh to judge the earth. O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good; for his mercy endureth forever.’ (1 Chronicles 16:31-34) This exclamation of the coming judgment upon the earth is certainly cause to rejoice!"  Excerpt from The Day of Judgment: Popular Christian Theories Exposed

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Read online excerpt (Chapter 8) of The Divine Plan of the Ages: "The Day of Judgment"

Bible Question: Mat 25:30 and several others talk about outer darkness with weeping and gnashing of teeth...is this not describing a place of torment?

The weeping and gnashing of teeth implies sorrow and disappointment. It occurs to several groups of people in the scriptures, and it seems to denote each time that they are sad and regretful at something they missed.  For example, in the Matt 25:30 instance, it is a parable where a one-talented man tried to keep his talent safe and did not use it as profitably as he could have. He did not do anything sinful with it; he just was not careful to use the talent the Lord gave him. Because of this, he was cast into outer darkness. This man represents a Christian who had consecrated his all to God, but he was not completely faithful in sacrificing his earthly will to do God’s will. Therefore, he will not receive a full reward to be part of the church who will reign with Christ. But he will receive a lesser reward, serving "before the throne" rather than "in the throne," as Rev. 7:13-15 describes: "And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. "

Rev. 7 indicates that this is a large class, "a great company," who in the time of trouble will experience weeping and gnashing of teeth because there will be sorrow and disappointment that they were not more faithful to their vows of consecration. This in no sense means that they will be tormented forever. In fact, Rev. 7 tells us that after their sorrow, they will rejoice in the lesser reward they will be given: Rev 7:16, "They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."

Another instance of weeping and gnashing is found in Matt. 22: Mat 22:13, "Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." This parable describes a Christian who takes off his wedding garment, or, in other words, repudiates Christ’s ransom sacrifice. This describes someone who left the light of Christ and returned into a place of outer darkness of the world and of nominal Christianity. If he continues in such a course, he will eventually go into the second death, complete destruction. (Heb. 6:4-6; 10:26) Again, there is no indication of an eternity of torment.

Another group described as weeping and gnashing teeth is found in Matt. 13: Mat 13:41, "The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth." This is describing Christ separating his true wheat (the church) from the false wheat or tares (Christians in name only). Christ will cast out the tares when he is selecting his church. The tares will be greatly disappointed in the future when they realize they were not really true Christians. But, again, it does not imply eternal torment. Their profession of being true Christians and receiving a spiritual reward are what is burned (or destroyed) in the fire. The individuals will not take part in the heavenly kingdom (the Church), but they will be given an opportunity in Christ’s kingdom on earth, along with all mankind, of enjoying perfect everlasting life on earth.