The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1912-11-20

((PAST0R RUSSELD eyes of our under
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.
Wrono Views Of Future Punishment.
Wrong views of future punishment
have divided Christians into many
sects. Our forcfathers were not to
| blame: ability to read was not com
mon until within century. Further
more. for centuries the Bible was ont
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. aud from the
Bible, the supposed foundation.
The present trend is toward Higher
Criticism. Evolution. In France. 1t is
claimed. ninety-six per cent OF the pe0-
ple 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. and that He
will bring all to knowledge OF
Christ: that every wilfnl sin must
bear its just penalty.
The subject Of future punishment is
most important. The people shonId
know respecting the word He'll In the
original Scriptures-that Sheol OF the
| Old Testament represents the Bible
teaching of hell for the first four thou
sand years. and thar 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 Sheo. Hades. the grave.
shall be destroyed during MesSiah's
reign.-Hosea xiii. IA: Isaiah XIV. s:
f, Corinthians Nv. -. -.
Gehenna fire means the garbage fur
mace valley outside Jerusaem: it is
svmbolical Of the destruction Of the
finally impenitent.
Puraatorial Fires Of the Bible.
These are symbolical. The church is
| now on trial for everlasting life or
everlasting death The worlds purga
| torial period will be under the super
| vision of the Church, Cor vi. 2.
! st. Peter tells Of purGatorial fires
which now are purifying the saints
| Think it not strange concerning the
| iery trial which shall try you. as
though some strange thing happened
unto YOU" Jesus referred to these pur
gatorial experiences: read John iii
l3: John Nv. IS: Matthew xvi. -.
| st. Paul says that Christ learned
obedience by the things which He Suf
fered." and that IF we suffer with Him
we shall also reign with Him"
The Scribcs and PhariSees prosecuted
Jesus: He forewarned His followers
that n mans foes shall be they of hi~
own household.
st. Panl points out that in the end
/ Of this Age fiery trials will come upon
the Church: "The fire Of that day
shall try every mans work of what
sort it is" Faith built with the gold
silver and precious stones of Divine
Truth will core forth nnScor'hrh
Jesus declared to the Church. "rhro"Gh
much tribulation shall We enter the
tribulationS for which we may give
thanks.
The Worlds Purgatcry Soon 20 Begin,
The worlds purgatory will begin
| oil
kind, but will continue in instructive
tribulation upon all needing the same
The fires will be- symbolica TIL"
New Age will be nshered in by "a time
Of trouble such rs never was since
there was nation" ,Daniel xii. It,
Jesus declares that unless that trouble
were checked no flesh could he saved;
but because of the Elect. those days
shall be shortened The MeSSianic Kim"
dom will end the strife and anarchy
st. Peter used SymboliSms in deScrih
ing these troubles: The 'Sea repre-
sents the restless peoples: the solid
land earth-repreSents the Soc'a'
structure, whose ''mountains" are the
Kingdoms and whose ''heavcnS" are
the ecclesiastical powers. Oh Peter III
81. 10. -; Psalm XVII, The Apostle
graphically pictures the elements OF
Society in violent agitation, resulting
lin a great heat" which will consume
these. He then pictures the New Dis
lpensation. The new heavens" will be
the Church in glory. ''The new earth
will be Society reconstructed. WI"
lcannot see the capitalistic element. the
labor element and the social element In
great danger of the Contlagration ID
yineiy foretold? The Lord pictures
mankind anxious to know and obey the
Truth. Then will turn unto the peo-
ple a pure Message. that they may all
rail- upon the name Of the Lord. to serve
Him with one consent. "-Zeph. i'll.