Page:Studies in the Scriptures - Series I - The Plan of the Ages (1909).djvu/134

 Plan of the Agt&

dren is life continuous life free from pain, sickness and every other element of decay and death. Adam was given this blessing in the full measure, but was warned that he would be deprived of this "gift" if he failed to render obedience to God "In the day that thou eatest thereof, dying, thou shalt die." He knew nothing of a life in tor- ment, as the penalty of sin. Life everlasting is nowhere promised to any but the obedient Life is God's gift, and death, the opposite of life, is the penalty he prescribes.

Eternal torture is nowhere suggested in the Old Testament Scriptures, and only a few statements in the New Testament can be so misconstrued as to appear to teach it; and these are found either among the symbolisms of Revelation, or among the parables and dark sayings of our Lord, which were not understood by the people who heard them (Luke 8:10), and which seem to be but little better comprehended to-day.* "The wages of sin is death/' (Rom. 6:23,) "Thesoul thatsinneth, it shall die." Ezek. 18:4-

Many have supposed God unjust in allowing Adam's con* demnation to be shared by his posterity, instead of granting each one a trial and chance for everlasting life similar to that which Adam enjoyed. But what will such say if it now be shown that the world's opportunity and trial for life will be much more favorable than was Adam's; and that, too, because God adopted this plan of permitting Adam's race to share his penalty in a natural way? "We believe this to be the case, and will endeavor to make it plain.

God assures us that as condemnation passed upon all in Adam, so he has arranged for a new head, father or life- giver for the race, into whom all may be transferred by faith ; and that as all in Adam shared the curse of death, so all in Christ will share the blessing of life, being justified by faith in his blood. (Rom. 5:12, 18, 19.) Thus seen, the

ef Scripture in which the word "hell" occurs.
 * We will supply for ten cents a pamphlet explaining every

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