Rev_20:6
Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the
second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and
shall reign with him a thousand years.
'CHAPTER
XIII.
CONCLUSION
The Bible
is eminently a practical book; its great object is to make the man of God
perfect; to thoroughly furnish him unto all good works. 2 Tim. 3:15-17.
2Ti
3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are
able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ
Jesus.
2Ti
3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2Ti
3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all
good works.
To this purpose it presents duties, warnings,
and promises, holding out inducements by every means to lead us into the path
of life and peace. It gives both history and prophecy, spreading out before us
the past, the present, and the future
Here we
have the only reliable cosmogony—the only “science of sufficient reasons” of
the origin of the heavens and the earth. Here only can we learn the future of
man and his dwelling-place. Peter says: “By the word of God the heavens were of
old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water; whereby the
world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished. But the heavens and
the earth which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire
against the day of Judgment and perdition of ungodly men” And in that day of
the Lord “the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements
shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also, and the works that are therein
shall be burned up.” “Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for a new
heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” 2 Peter 3:5-7, 10,
13.
The world
was once overflowed with water; the foundations of the great deep were broken
up; the earth was a wreck; its surface was so changed as perhaps not to be
recognized by those who beheld it before; and its inhabitants, except eight
souls who were tossed upon the boisterous deep, were gone—all gone. Its gay and
busy millions suddenly disappeared. The Lord promised that there should not be
“any more a flood to destroy the earth.” But he did not promise that the earth
should not any more be destroyed. As it once “perished” by water, so it will
once more perish, but by fire. “The heavens and the earth which are now,” are
presented in contrast with those before the flood. But the material is the
same; the earth is only changed in its form or features. So it will be with the
new heavens and earth; there will be a second
The
Atonement - 222
change,
wrought by the agency of fire, and the earth will come forth purified from all
the works of a fallen race. Then will the “purchased possession” be redeemed
from the curse, and the glorified saints shall possess “the kingdom prepared
from the foundation of the world,” even “the first dominion.” And then “God
shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death,
neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the
former things are passed away.” There is blessedness, there is joy, there is
glory, far beyond our conception; as it is written, “Eye hath not seen, nor ear
heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath
prepared for them that love him.” “No more fatigue, no more distress, No sin
nor death can reach that place; No tears shall mingle with the songs That
warble from immortal tongues.”
Reader, is
there not infinite value in the atonement? Is not the blood of Christ precious?
Does not the eternal inheritance, the far more exceeding and eternal weight of
glory, present attractions beyond all else of which your heart has conceived?
Does not eternal life in the kingdom of God appear a boon most precious? Then
join with all the saints in blessing God for the rich provision through his
Son, and for the word, the Holy Book, wherein alone such matchless grace, and
such endless joys are revealed. Without the revelation of God’s will, how
uncertain, how dark would all appear! Without this, who should teach us the
knowledge of God? who should acquaint us with the principles of morality and
truth, by which we may honor and please our Creator? who should lead the
fallen, erring one to a remedy for sin, wherein justice and mercy maybe
harmonized? Only eternity can reveal, and only immortalized beings can realize,
how great is our indebtedness to God for his word. Happy the man who can say,
“Holy Bible, book divine, Precious treasure, thou art mine.” But to them who
despise the riches of his grace, and scorn his counsel and will none of his
reproof there is another revelation in the
- 223 - J.
H. Waggoner
word of
God. He has not only sent redemption to his people, but prepared for his
enemies a doom commensurate with their crime. Having shown that obedience to
the law, and acceptance of the gospel, are necessary to salvation; that
salvation on any other terms would be derogatory to the character and
Government of God, it follows necessarily that those who reject these terms
cannot be saved. The penalty of their sins hangs over them, soon to descend
upon their guilty heads; for in strict justice God reserves the wicked to the
day of Judgment to be punished. 2 Pet. 2:9. And as eternal life is the gift of
God, so they who do not seek it through the Son, must of necessity receive the
wages of their sin, which is death. “He that believeth not the Son shall not
see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” There are two resurrections
taught in the Bible; for what the impenitent lose involuntarily by the sin of
Adam, will be restored to them without regard to their will and action. Besides
the resurrection of life, already noticed, there is also “the resurrection of
damnation.” They who have part in the first resurrection are blessed and holy;
on them the second death shall have no power. They are raised in power, in
glory, in incorruption, while they that sow to the flesh, “shall of the flesh
reap corruption.” Gal. 6:8. They will be subject to the second death. Once they
die on account of Adam’s sin; from this state they are raised by Christ. But
the second time they die on account of their own sin; and from this death there
is no redemption. No hope is held out for those who fall under its power. No
resurrection morning dawns upon the darkness and gloom of the second death.
(To be
continued)
(Excerpt
from-) THE ATONEMENT PART SECOND:
THE
ATONEMENT AS REVEALED IN THE BIBLE
(1884)
BY ELDER J. H. WAGGONER
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