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The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 4
creeds of Christendom. Says a learned doctor of divinity: “The sight
of hell-torments will exalt the happiness of the saints forever. When
they see others who are of the same nature and born under the same
circumstances, plunged in such misery, and they so distinguished,
it will make them sensible of how happy they are.” Another uses
these words: “While the decree of reprobation is eternally executing
on the vessels of wrath, the smoke of their torment will be eternally
ascending in view of the vessels of mercy, who, instead of taking
the part of these miserable objects, will say, Amen, Alleluia! praise
ye the Lord!”
Where in the pages of God’s word are such sentiments ex-
pressed? Those who present them may be learned and even honest
men; but they are deluded by the sophistry of Satan. He leads them
to misconstrue strong expressions of Scripture, giving to the lan-
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guage the coloring of bitterness and malignity which pertains to
himself, but not to our Creator.
What would be gained to God should we admit that he delights
in witnessing unceasing tortures; that he is regaled with the groans
and shrieks and imprecations of the suffering creatures whom he
holds in the flames of hell? Can these horrid sounds be music in
the ear of Infinite Love? It is urged that the infliction of endless
misery upon the wicked would show God’s hatred of sin as an
evil which is ruinous to the peace and order of the universe. Oh,
dreadful blasphemy! As if God’s hatred of sin is the reason why he
perpetuates sin. For, according to the received theology, continued
torture without hope of mercy maddens its wretched victims, and as
they pour out their rage in curses and blasphemy, they are forever
augmenting their load of guilt. God’s glory is not enhanced by thus
perpetuating continually increasing sin through ceaseless ages.
It is beyond the power of the human mind to estimate the evil
which has been wrought by the heresy of eternal torment. The re-
ligion of the Bible, full of love and goodness, and abounding in
compassion, is darkened by superstition and clothed with terror.
When we consider in what false colors Satan has painted the char-
acter of God, can we wonder that our merciful Creator is feared,
dreaded, and even hated? The appalling views of God which have
spread over the world from the teachings of the pulpit have made
thousands, yea, millions, of skeptics and infidels.
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