Basic HTML Version
First Great Deception
239
The theory of eternal torment is one of the false doctrines that
constitute the wine of the abominations of Babylon, of which she
makes all nations drink. That ministers of Christ should have ac-
cepted this heresy and proclaimed it from the sacred desk, is indeed
a mystery. They received it from Rome, as they received the false
Sabbath. True, it has been taught by great and good men; but the
light on this subject had not come to them as it has come to us. They
were responsible only for the light which shone in their time; we
are accountable for that which shines in our day. If we turn from
the testimony of God’s word, and accept false doctrines because our
fathers taught them, we fall under the condemnation pronounced
upon Babylon; we are drinking of the wine of her abominations.
A large class to whom the doctrine of eternal torment is revolting
are driven to the opposite error. They see that the Scriptures represent
God as a being of love and compassion, and they cannot believe
that he will consign his creatures to the fires of an eternally burning
hell. But, holding that the soul is naturally immortal, they see no
alternative but to conclude that all mankind will finally be saved.
Many regard the threatenings of the Bible as designed merely to
frighten men into obedience, and not to be literally fulfilled. Thus
the sinner can live in selfish pleasure, disregarding the requirements
of God, and yet expect to be finally received into his favor. Such
a doctrine, presuming upon God’s mercy, but ignoring his justice,
pleases the carnal heart, and emboldens the wicked in their iniquity.
To show how believers in universal salvation wrest the Scriptures
[358]
to sustain their soul-destroying dogmas, it is needful only to cite their
own utterances. At the funeral of an irreligious young man, who was
killed instantly by an accident, a Universalist minister selected as his
text the Scripture statement concerning David, “He was comforted
concerning Amnon, seeing he was dead.” [
2 Samuel 13:39
.]
“I am frequently asked,” said the speaker, “what will be the
fate of those who leave the world in sin, die, perhaps, in a state
of inebriation, die with the scarlet stains of crime unwashed from
their robes, or die as this young man died, having never made a
profession or enjoyed an experience of religion. We are content with
the Scriptures; their answer shall solve the awful problem. Amnon
was exceedingly sinful; he was unrepentant, he was made drunk,
and while drunk was killed. David was a prophet of God; he must