450
The Great Controversy 1888
In sparing the life of Cain the murderer, God gave the world an
example of what would be the result of permitting the sinner to live,
to continue a course of unbridled iniquity. Through the influence of
Cain’s teaching and example, multitudes of his descendants were led
into sin, until “the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and every
imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”
“The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with
violence.” [
Genesis 6:5, 11
.]
In mercy to the world, God blotted out its wicked inhabitants in
Noah’s time. In mercy he destroyed the corrupt dwellers in Sodom.
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Through the deceptive power of Satan, the workers of iniquity obtain
sympathy and admiration, and are thus constantly leading others to
rebellion. It was so in Cain’s and in Noah’s day, and in the time of
Abraham and Lot; it is so in our time. It is in mercy to the universe
that God will finally destroy the rejecters of his grace.
“The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through
Jesus Christ our Lord.” [
Romans 6:23
.] While life is the inheritance
of the righteous, death is the portion of the wicked. Moses declared
to Israel, “I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and
evil.” [
Deuteronomy 30:15
.] The death referred to in these scriptures
is not that pronounced upon Adam, for all mankind suffer the penalty
of his transgression. It is the “second death” that is placed in contrast
with everlasting life.
In consequence of Adam’s sin, death passed upon the whole human
race. All alike go down into the grave. And through the provisions
of the plan of salvation, all are to be brought forth from their graves.
“There shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust;”
[
Acts 24:15
.] “for as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be
made alive.” [
1 Corinthians 15:22
.] But a distinction is made between
the two classes that are brought forth. “All that are in the graves
shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good,
unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the
resurrection of damnation.” [
John 5:28, 29
.] They who have been
“accounted worthy” of the resurrection of life are “blessed and holy.”
“On such the second death hath no power.” [
Revelation 20:6
.] But
those who have not, through repentance and faith, secured pardon,
must receive the penalty of transgression,—“the wages of sin.” They
suffer punishment varying in duration and intensity, “according to their