@TTW
The duration of the torment is not discussed. So there is no supporting proof that the torment is not going to end. It's just assumption that it will or will not end.
However, good news for you. The Pharisees believed the torment would last until the final judgment when the torment would be worse. You know, out of the frying pan, into the fire so-to-speak.
HISTORICAL
NOTE:
That the view of hell depicted in Luke 16 was an integral part of
first century Pharisaic tradition is nowhere more clearly delineated
than in the following excerpt attributed to Josephus (himself a
Pharisee) to explain the Jewish concept of Hades to the Greeks.
Now as to Hades,
wherein the souls of the righteous and unrighteous are detained, it
is necessary to speak of it. Hades is a place in the world not
regularly finished; a subterraneous region...allotted as a place of
custody for souls, in which angels are appointed as guardians to
them, who distribute to them temporary punishments, agreeable to
everyone's behaviour and manners... while the just shall obtain an
incorruptible and never-fading kingdom. These are now indeed
confined in Hades, but not in the same place wherein the unjust are
confined. For there is one decent into this region...the just are
guided to the right hand, and are led with
hyms, sung by the angels appointed over that place, unto a region of
light, in which the just have dwelt from the beginning of the world;
not constrained by necessity, but ever enjoying the prospect of good
things
they see, and rejoice in the expectation of those new enjoyments
which will be peculiar to every one of them, and esteeming those
things beyond what we have here; with whom there is no place of toil,
no burning heat, no piercing cold, nor any briers there; but the
countenance of the Fathers and of the just, which they see always
smiles upon them, while they wait for that rest and eternal new life
in heaven, which is to succeed this region. This place we call The
Bosom of Abraham.
But as to the
unjust, they are dragged by force to the left hand by the angels
allotted for punishment, no longer going with a good-will, but as
prisoners driven by violence... they
are struck with a fearful expectation of a future judgment, and in
effect punished thereby: and not only so, but where they
see the place of the fathers and of the just, even hereby are they
punished; for a chaos deep and large is fixed between them; insomuch
that a just man that hath compassion upon them cannot be admitted,
nor can one that is unjust, if he were bold enough to attempt it,
pass over it.
(Underscoring
mine)
Source: Flavius, Josephus, The Works of Flavius Josephus, William Whiston, A.M.,
Translator. pp. 901-902
