FUTURE PUNISHMENT.—THE PLACE.
By Raymond F. Cottrell
IN order to ascertain the truth concerning the nature of the final doom of the ungodly, it is a matter of importance to learn from the Scriptures concerning the place of future punishment. We are not left to conjecture in regard to the place where wicked men will receive the punishment due to their sins. Perhaps the reader is ready to say, We all know where they are to be punished; it is in hell. That answer is too indefinite, because the word hell in our English version of the Scriptures does not always mean the same thing. There are different terms in the original which are rendered hell in our Bibles. In those places where we have sheol in Hebrew, or hades in the Greek, it signifies the place or state of the dead, both good and bad, between death and the resurrection. It is not the place of future punishment; but it is a general name to comprehend the condition of all the dead, whether buried in graves, or in the ocean, or wherever they are. It is sometimes translated grave, but this term, though true as referring to those who are buried in graves, is not comprehensive enough to include all the dead. This is the hell from which our Saviour came forth, when he left the new sepulcher in which Joseph had laid him. The prophecy that his soul should not be left in hell, was fulfilled in his resurrection from the dead. Ps. 16:9, 10. Acts 2:25-31. All are to be brought from this hell—brought up from the dead—before the future punishment is inflicted. The inquiry may now arise concerning the hell fire of which we read. That is not in the grave, nor in the "dark, unfathomed caves" of ocean. No, this is quite another thing. It is from another word, Gehenna, and is used to denote the place of future punishment. It refers to the valley of the son of Hinnom, south of Jerusalem, where the filth of the city was deposited, and fires were kept to consume it; and hence it is taken as a type or emblem of the fire of that future day when the enemies of God shall be punished, and the refuse and filth of earth shall be consumed. But is not that fire doing its work at present? We think not. The Judgment is not yet past. Men are first judged, then punished. It is not till the Son of man shall come in his glory, and shall sit upon the throne of his glory, that he says to the wicked, "Depart ye cursed into everlasting fire." Matt. 25:31, 41. Do the Scriptures testify to the place where wicked will receive their punishment? They do clearly state it; and consequently we need not set our imagination to explore the interior of the earth, or to visit distant planetary worlds, to find it. We come, then, to the testimony. "Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth; much more the wicked and the sinner." Prov. 11:31. This text plainly states that both classes, righteous and wicked, shall be recompensed. But this is most especially and emphatically the case with the wicked: "much more the wicked and the sinner." The saints have the promise of a "great reward in Heaven;" but the wicked have their portion entirely in the earth. That is just what I believe, says a friend, I believe the sinner gets his punishment as he passes along through the world. Stop a moment. The text does not say men are rewarded in this life. It speaks of a future recompense; but it is to be on the earth. It says they shall be recompensed in the earth, not are recompensed in this life. In this life the wicked often have their good things, and the righteous evil things; but the time of recompense is coming, and it will be upon the earth. How is this possible? What kind of recompense are they to have in the earth? The righteous are to have the earth for an everlasting inheritance. "Blessed are the meek," says our Saviour, "for they shall inherit the earth." Matt. 5:5. The following will tell how both classes will be recompensed. "For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it. But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it." Prov. 2:21, 22. And when this is done, "The righteous shall never be removed; but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth." Chap. 10:30. "For evil doers shall be cut off; but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while and the wicked shall not be; yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace." Ps. 37:9-11. Thus while we are learning of the place, we are learning of the nature of future punishment. "The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein forever." But the time is coming when the wicked shall not be. To be, is to exist. They are recompensed in the earth, but they are cut off, and their existence ceases—their place is not to be found. The earth, says an apostle, is reserved unto fire against the day of Judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But although the earth and elements are to melt with fervent heat, yet the fact is plainly taught that a new or renewed earth will succeed it; and that in that new earth there will be no more curse. Then all the inhabitants of the earth will join in a universal song of praise. 2 Pet. 3:7-13; Rev. 22:1; 22:3; 5:13. Hence the time will come when the wicked shall have been punished, and the place where they met their fate will resound with the songs of the righteous.