Earthly governments have laws, otherwise there is no order, but chaos and utter ruin, and the breaking down of all things. All nature around us is governed by laws, such as sowing and reaping. Violation of those laws brings the sure results. The universe is run by laws, observable, testable, repeatable and demonstrable laws. Laws are given, or created, by a law maker. The government of Heaven/God is ruled by His law, which is a transcript of God's own eternal/perfect character. Violation of the law of God, who Himself is Life, results in death (separation from life, by which they themselves chose). Anyone who told you of eternal torment doesn't know the scripture and maligns God's own character and justice, and just law. The wages of sin (treason against Love/Life, violation of Love/Life) is death (eternal, from which there is no possibility of resurrection).
Isaiah 46:9-10, God puts all on the line:
Isa 46:9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,
Isa 46:10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
In fact, all of human history is summed up in Genesis 1:1-31, 2:1-3. The natural events of Genesis, also explain the greater overall whole.
The very letters and words of Genesis 1:1 in Hebrew are absolutely stunning in the exact history it tells, long before it ever happened.
Heaven isn't the carrot. That is a complete misunderstanding of the whole of scripture. The second death is neither the stick, but rather the sure result of that following the cause, to its effect, which again follows the law of God, which is over all the unfallen universe. We are going to be able to travel throughout all of it, and I would like to see you there, but presently, it seem you do not desire to go, and would rather be forever nothing (2nd death, oblivion). You shall have the desire you choose. God is for you. The devil (a real tangible being, that even now walks this earth) is against you. You have the ability to cast your vote.