The Destiny of the Wicked by G. B. Thompson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 24, 1914

The Destiny of the Wicked

By G. B. Thompson

MAN, led by the dim, flickering candle of his own reason, cannot solve the question of what awaits the incorrigible in the life beyond. Our only hope for a correct solution of this mystery is in the Scriptures of Truth. We turn, therefore, reverently to the Word of God, and inquire of its Author, What is the final destiny of sinful, unregenerate men who reject the overtures of mercy and die in their sins? Surely this divine revelation, given us as a guide light upon the problem, will shine forth. And from its sacred pages we do indeed gain a most clear and comprehensive answer. This we shall endeavor to make plain from the Scriptures to the mind of the candid reader by a consideration of the question under a few simple propositions.

1. The sinner does not have eternal life. Jesus declares, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” John 3:36. The unrepentant sinner therefore is without life; he is “alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them.” Eph. 4:18. Everlasting life is embraced and received by faith. Those who believe have life, but those who through unbelief are separated from the life of God, who do not “see life,” and are “cut off” from the life of God, do not have life and cannot live eternally in the confines of despair. This must be apparent to all.

Again we read, “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” 1 John 5:11, 12. The wicked are “without Christ,” “having no hope, and without God in the world.” Eph. 2:11, 12. They are therefore without life, for this text tells us very clearly that he that “hath not the Son of God hath not life.” The wicked therefore, being without life, and under the sentence of death, can have no second probation, neither can they have a conscious existence in a place of torment throughout eternity. To suffer in the lake of fire forever, the lost would need to have eternal life as well as the righteous. This is not only unscriptural, but destroys the foundation of the gospel, which promises life only to the believer.

The great central truth of Christianity is life only through Christ. It was that those who were “dead in trespasses and sin” “might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10), that Christ was manifested in the flesh. “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” John 10:27, 28. By this we see that eternal life is the gift of God, bestowed only upon the little flock. “But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rom. 6:23.

The apostle Paul, speaking of the gospel and power of God, says: “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” 2 Tim. 1:9, 10.

“Life” and “immortality” are not synonyms. Christ brought two things to light through the gospel; one is life, the other is immortality. Man by nature has neither. He is “dead in trespasses and sins.” He is a mortal man. Job 4:17. God only hath immortality. 1 Tim. 6:16. We receive eternal life when we believe; but immortality will be bestowed upon the righteous only at the resurrection of the just. It is at this time that “this mortal must put on immortality.” 1 Cor. 15:53. To live forever man must believe on Jesus. The wicked, through unbelief, are separated from this life. They cannot therefore be conscious, enduring unspeakable torture in a place of punishment throughout all eternity.

We repeat, any teaching which clothes man with life, apart from the gospel, distorts the plan of salvation brought to man through the sacrifice of Christ.

G. B. THOMPSON.

(To be continued)