Page:The Annihilation Theory Compared with Holy Scripture.pdf/13

Rh 1–6). To the same purport we read, “In the ways of righteousness there is life, and in the pathway thereof there is no death” (Prov. xii. 28), and again, “She that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth” (1 Tim. v. 6), and again, “This my son was dead, and is alive again” (Luke xv. 24).

These passages seem clearly to indicate that the death of sin means something else than extinction of being.

It may, however, be objected again that the Bible says, “The soul that sinneth it shall die" (Ezek. xviii. 20). This is certainly true, but it does not mean shall cease to exist, as may be evident from a perusal of the context. “But if the wicked will turn from all his sins… he shall not die” (verse 21). As to bodily life all die, therefore either this statement is untrue, or it refers to some other kind of death and life.

The theory of the annihilation of the wicked is supposed to derive some support from the Lord’s words, “I give My sheep eternal life, and they shall never perish.” But according to the theory named, they do perish for a time at any rate. Man is said to be dead, perished, even when alive in this world, when he is carnally minded or dead in trespasses and sins.

We have endeavoured in this brief view of the subject to allow Scripture to be the interpreter of itself, and submit that the following points are clearly established:—

I. That the natural life of man ends like that of the beasts.