So many people have misunderstandings about God and Hell - see how Dr. Frank Turek answers some very tough questions about what the Bible teaches about such things:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAjV8dvFb9k
And here, a variety of theological views concerning Hell are presented: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtORIgO3nSw
Clearly, the Bible reveals that the punishments of Hell are different and dependent upon one's specific crimes against God and man. So, is Hell eternal or are those sentenced to it punished and then done away with - theological opinions vary on this point. One thing that might make the punishment of Hell eternal is that the people there apparently have NO desire to EVER turn to and love God - making their sin of rejection eternal. This is reflected in Jesus' parable of the rich man and Lazarus (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?s ... ersion=ESV), as the rich man in the parable, finding himself in Hell and realizing it to be a real place and horrific reality, nonetheless, appears to never want or love God, nor to repent of his sin. And although he wants to escape the miseries of Hell, he seems resigned to his miserable fate, separated from God in terrible but just punishment.
Regardless, as to whatever the actualities of Hell actually are, whether temporary or eternal, it sure ain't GOOD, and one should desire to avoid it at ALL costs. And the ONLY way to avoid Hell is to accept and commit oneself to Jesus, in repentance, love and faith! He offers us bliss and joy with HIM FOREVER! And what we don't truly understand, as we are yet mortals, is that, although the wonders of Heaven's magnificence will be beyond anything we can imagine, the GREATEST joy of Heaven will be our basking in the very presence of Jesus / God, as He represents our everything, per His beauty, love and the joy knowing Him more fully will bring us. Who would ever want to miss and trade THAT for the cheap and TEMPORARY counterfeits this world offers us?