What is discussed in regard to the state of the wicked after death?

The state of the wicked after death, as discussed in the Westminster Shorter Catechism and traditional Christian doctrine, indicates that they will be cast into eternal punishment. This concept is rooted in the belief in the final judgment, where those who have not accepted God's grace through Jesus Christ face eternal separation from God. The catechism affirms that the consequence of sin, especially unrepentant sin, is a just recompense of punishment, which is understood as eternal in nature.

In contrast to the other options, which suggest varying degrees of reunion, cyclical existence, or temporary suffering, the doctrine emphasizes the permanence and seriousness of the wicked's state after death. The idea of eternal punishment serves as a sobering reminder of the seriousness of sin and the gravity of rejecting God's offer of salvation, making it a fundamental belief in Reformed theology.