The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1912-10-31

lRASI0R- RUSSELDj eyes of our under
N-----------"--'---- standing open to
the true beauties of Gods Word, we
find that while the gross Error of the
past has some foundation in the Truth,
the two are very different
Wrong Views of Future Punishment.
Wrong views of future punishment
have divided Christians into many
sects. Our forefathers were not to
blame; ability to read was not com
mon until within a century. Further
more. for centuries the Bible was out
of the hands of the people and clerical
zeal tried to bring the whole world,
| through fear. into the Church.
Now, all thinking people repudiate
the torment theories. and many are
turning from the creeds, and from the
Bible, the supposed foundation.
The present trend is toward Higher
Criticism, Evolution. In France, it is
claimed, ninety-six per cent of the peo-
pie have lost all faith in religion; in
Germany. ninety per cent. How i'm
portant that the people should learn
that God has made generous provision
for all through Christ. aud that lie
will bring all to a knowledge Of
Christ; that every wilful sin must
bear its just penalty.
The subject Of future punishment is
most important The people should
know respecting the word He'll in the
| original Scliptures-that SheOl of the
Old Testament represents the Bible
teaching of hell for the first four thou
sand years, and that Hades in the New
Testament means the same; that these
words do not stand for torture, but for
the state of death. Humanity are re-
! deemed from the grave by the death OF
Christ, and Sheol, Hades, the grave,
shall be destroyed during Messiah's
reign.-HoSca xiii, IA: Isaiah XIV, 8;
Corinthians XIV, "a, 30.
Gehenna fire means the garbage fur
mace valley outside Jerusalem; it is
symbo!caI of the destruction Of the
finally impenitent.
PurgatoraI Fires of the Bible.
These are symbOlical. The church is
now on trial for everlasting lie or
everlasting death, The worlds purga-
torial period will be under the super
vision of the Churchill Cor. vi, ..
st. Peter tells Of purgatorial fires
which now are purifying the saints:
Think it not strange concerning the
fiery trial which shall try you. as
though some strange thing happened
gatorial experiences; read I John ill,
10: John XIV, IS; Matthew xvi, "a.
st. Paul says that Christ learned
obedience by the things which He suf-
fered," ana that IF we suffer with Him
we shall also reign with Him"
The Scribes and Pharisees prosecuted
Jesus; He forewarned His followers
that n mans foes shall be they of his
own household"
st. Paul points out that in the end
of this Age fiery trials will come upon
the Church; The fire of that day
Snail try every mans work of what
sort it is" Faith built with the gold,
silver and precious stones of Divine
Truth will come forth unscorcheo.
Jesus declared to the Church, Through
much tribulation shall We enter the
Kingdom" These are purga torial
tribulations for which we may give
thanks.
The WORLDS Purgatory Soon TO Begin.
The worlds purgatory will begin
with Il severe ordeal upon all man
kind, but will continue in instructive
tribulatiOn upon all needing the same.
The fires" will be symbolical. The
New Age will be ushered in by "a time
Of trouble such as never was since
there was nation" Daniel xii, ~
Jesus declares that unless that trouble
were checked no flesh could be saved;
but because OF the Elect, those days
shall be shortened. The Messianic King
dom will end the strife and anarchy.
St Peter used symbolisms in describ-
ing these troubles: The sea" repre-
sents the restless peoples: the solid
-earth-represents the social
structure, whose mountains" are the
Kingdoms and whose heavens" are
the ecclesiastical powers. Gil Peter iii.
~. 10. -; Psalm xlviD The Apostle
graphically pictures the elements Of
Society in violent agitation. resulting
in n great heat" which will consume
these. He then pictures the New Dis
pensatiOn. The new heavens" will be
the Church in glory. The new earth"
will be Society reconstructed. Who
cannot see the capitalistic element. the
labor element and the social element in
great danger of the confagration nj
vinely foretod? The Lord pictures
mankind anxious to know and obey the
Truth. Then will turn unto the PEG.
pie pure Message. that they may all
call uron the name If the Lord. 10 serve
Him with one consent. Ipph ill., o.