The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-11-13
SOME TEXTS AND REFLECTIONS

We are no discussing as to whether
the soul Is immortal or no. We are not
concerned as to whether there are de-
grees beyond the grave. We merely
purpose to give some quotations from
o. references to Gods Holy Word to
show why we ave the Endorsement we
did to certain propositions submitted
some weeks ago, not for controversy
but to express simply the
arrived at from some reading upon the
subject lately. We said there was no
intermediate place. There is a para
disc of God mentioned in the Scriptures
Paul was caught UP to the third hea-
gen-" 1t was there he heard 1.-The I'm
speakable things" He calls this place
paradise" as we'll as third v
John in Revelations tells also of 1.-The
paradise of God" In that paradise"
he saw " a pure river OF water or life
and he says it came "out of the throne
of God and the Lamb" Here we have
Gods throne in the paradise of Cod
where 1.-The tree of life is. Dr. Sum-
mers, a ripe and very learned theolo-
gian, of English birth. whom we follow
says lit is very clear that wherever in
the universe the city of God-this para
hse-"there is the peculiar residence or
throne of God-there is the Goldman,
with his gloriied body whom the heav-
ems must recover, or retain, till the
time of the restitution of all things
there are the holy angels; there are
the spirits of just men maze perfect,
and there shall their bodies be after the
resurrection" See his Systematic
Theology" vol i. DID 1850.
Heaven is a place of d~isembodied
spirits. Heaven is paradise in the New
Testament. See Luke 24:51; Mark
1913; John 20:17; John 1923; Acts Ill;
Acts 2:34; Ps.~ 110:1: Acts 3:21;I Thess.
4. 14:16: Acts 7.55:56:5s. Then read !
Cor. 5.1:9. We give the last part:
Therefore we are. always confident,
knowing that, whilst we are at home in
the body, we are absent from the Lord
Yfor we walk by faith. not by sight
we are confident. l say. and willing
10 present with the Lord" W. wish
we could Italicize some of these very
suggestive, very instructive words. Did
Paul mean what he wrote? Who Will
dare to deny his sincerity, his knowl-
edge his inspiration? He adds
wherefore we labor. hat whether
present or absent. we may be accepted
of him." DR.. Summers makes this
comment upon these most impressive
words of the great Apostle: If this
passage is not mere rant. it teaches
shat when the spirits Of h good leave
their bodies at DEATH. they are ushered
into the presence of the Lord; and
where he is we are not left to conJec-
xnre; in his Fathers house. the house
not made with hands. eternal in the
heavens-in paradise. in heaven. See
that other wonderful testimony OF the
great and inspired Apostle: L am in a
strait betwixt two. having a desire to
eepart and to be with Christ, which is
far better; nevertheless. to abide in the
flesh IS more needful for you" Phil. 1,
-3:24 Was Paul in earnest? Did he
believe what he said? Was he intelll-
gent and honest? Who dare ask such
questions? DR.. Summers is right-"lt
is Insulting to ones common sense to
suggest that this can mean anything
else than what 1T says that when we
cease to live in the flesh" (verse 20,
we shall be with Christ. which is far
better" Where is Christ? In what
p1ace? In what state? Pau
saws: For me to live is Christ, and to
die is gain" (verse ~ Unless YOU are
with Christ. it would be better to be
in this life loving. serving. honoring,
xiorifying God, trying to grow in grace
and to increase in service. We have
not room, we find, to give the argument
for or h answer to objections to the
intermediate state. Thos interested
might do we'll to consult DR.. Watts OF
n Separate State" an essay OF muci
ability. There are a great many pas