West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1903-04-23
EVERLASTING PUNISHMENT.
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s''e "Sfos W tue bfauuatcs out ne mss
made plain alt there is in the theory that
God is the author OF all things In an sbso.
lutte sense.
In order to escape the theory OF eternal
torment Reason seeks some other answer
to the "Eternsl Question" lis Heaven
true. or are we all deceived ," and Reason.
unassisted cannot "hnd out God" but is
sure OF inventions leading away from the
one revelation Of Himself. and into the
outer darkness" We tried to draw our
friend to the Scriptures. even suggesting a
line OF texts used to support the theory he
advocates. But human inventions formu-
late the theory FIRST. and afterwards draw
everything available TO their support. and
only then are the Scriptures used at all.
Thus. Satan quoted a sublime truth In
order to induce our Lord TO presumptuous
act saying. HE shall give his angels
charge concerning thee"
Our friends theory has no place for our
text, Everlasting punishment" yet II Is
from the lips OF our Lord himself and can.
not be ignored In the problem of Creation.
The expression outer darkness appears
In last article and we will put Il In IFS order
Tor his support and our confusion II IL so
applies Our Lord is speaking OF His return
to earth and union with his professed peo-
pie down the age under the parable OF a
marriage feast. The invited guests are
the Many" called ones. Among them is
class who cshnot be "chosen."
These are represented by one among the
guests that has taken of The wedding
robe. and is cast out from the light and
Joy Of the marriage hall into the outside
darkness; and N we extend the thought. n
will be very dark and gloomy. or as
prophet puts IL. very tempestous round
about" The parable Is very significant
and applies to-day. None can enter the
marriage hall without the garment pro-
vided. none can at all be accounted
called" who do not first accept Christ
but as the crucial day approaches. and
all things respond to the rays of the
morning. many OF the called ones. failing
to give heed to the instructions. are se6uced
by the crafty adversary. and as they
can no longer be held In the superstitions
OF the dark ages. and thinking the Scrip
lures give support to these errors, they
are led of into many inventions. and
especially of from the key OF all knowledge.
the ransom for all. They take off the robe
that covers their blemishes and un wittingIy
become amenable to justice. They do not
deny our Lord with the lips. and may be
loyal at heart-we judge no man-but
theoretically and logically they are anti.
Christ-instead OF Christ-hencc, against
Christ 10 that they have invented some
other way OF life. They forget the great
estimate that God places upon life. and
the fixed conditions upon which alone the
precious boon can be attained. to.wit:
Obedience. even unto death. The law OF
lie could not be less stringent and yet be
perfect Our Lord Himself Learned
obedience BY the things which He
suffered. And because OF this He won the
prize OF life. which the Law Covenant
offered. and also purchased all that our
hrst father lost aud is become the Ever
lasting Father. or given OF everlasting life
to all the obedient OF the race.
Our text discloses punishment and the
context shows tue time and order. when
the Son OF Man shall sit in the throne OF
His Glory" That time Is yet future, but
Its beginning Is near. The light Of His
presence brings great disorder in the
present selfish Cosmos He comeih In
clouds signs OF storm In the ruling
powers.
The separation OF sheep md goats" in
the parable is at the end OF the reign. and
shows that none OF the disobedient will go
beyond into the ages TO come" Their
punishment will be everlasting. Our friend
Is not this is Gods way and according to
his theory. IL would not be righteous way,
yet IL cannot be denied. and the Scriptures
retained. Another theorist will think this
text establishes the other terrible dogma,
aud turning to Revelations. stand with John
In the vision of this same time at the end
OF the thousand years reign. and point TO
the Lake OF fire." The fact is, our trans
lators held this idea and so rendered the
word "Kolasin' Ia cutting on, but they
did no great wrong when the precious gift
OF God. through Christ, is properly appre.
ciated. To be "cut off from life through
all the endless agesi A fearful punishment
truly. The very momentary thought of II
broke the heart OF our Lord. as the Father
withdrew his face for an instant The
agoniring cry. my God. my God, why hast
thou forsaken me-" Who can read OF IL
and say. There Is no death" or that there
Is not punishment But though the ma
ture OF the punishment is somewhat hidden
by the translation OF our text. the great
Apostle tells IL very clearly in his second
letter TO the Tbs ssalouians. lie says of
those who resist instruction in that period
who shall be punished with everlasting
destruction from the presence OF the Lord
and the glory OF his power" The Reve-
lator explains the lake OF his vision TO be
'the second death, and all advocates of
unscriptural theories should note what
things are cast into il. They are all enc
mics OF righteousness. and Satan is one OF
them
Tell us. o Christ. who suffered such loss.
Have billions Of untaught slaves
Been wrecked IN sight Of thy blood stained
cross
And persisted in hopeless graves
Creeds answer--Yesi but reason cries--NoI
nd reason aud truth agree;
No jot can fail Of that word. know.
4 will draw all men unto met
When all are drawn by wooings Of love
And knowledge aud duty blend
Then only they who rebelious prove
Will merit traitor cod
God basteth not; the centuries sweep
All obstacles from his path
His gracious plan workeib wide and deep.
While slow is his righteous wrath.
o brother mine no longer repine.
Nor question Gods love and might.
ie sips the cup OF Joy divine
Who feadeth the lesson right"
O.
Anyone having TAT cattle Tor sale call on
or address, CARROLL & RiLsY.
Kingwood w. Va.