IS DEATH THE GATE TO GLORY?
That theory which claims that death transforms the saint into an angel, and transfers him to an angel's home, is subversive of the doctrine of a future resurrection, and either denies, or makes of no importance, the second mission of Christ to earth. If an angel's home can be gained without a resurrection; if eternal life and immortal glory can be gained without a resurrection, what need of a resurrection? If saints go to Christ at death, why need he ever come again? This theory makes death the door to glory. But did the inspired servants of God present death in this light. Nay, verily. 1. God threatened to chastise Moses for acting imprudently at the rock. Because of this Moses was told that he should not enter the land of Canaan, but should die before reaching it. That is, according to the immortal soul theology, God was to chastise Moses by not letting him enter Canaan, but sent him straight to Heaven. Would Moses not have been pleased with such chastisement? Would it not have been offering a premium for misdemeanor? Again, we see Moses climbing the rugged mount to get one glimpse of the land before dying. But Moses could have saved himself that trouble and labor, if he had only known (which some now pretend to believe) that his keen-eyed ghost was immediately to soar over that land and "view the landscape o'er." How much of a chastisement would it be to a man who was laboring for a hundred dollars to be told that in consequence of a misstep which he had made, he should not have the hundred dollars, but should have a million dollars? Just as much as it would have been to Moses, who was laboring to enter Canaan, to tell him, in consequence of a misstep, he could not enter Canaan, but might go to glory. 2. Hezekiah, a man who had a "perfect heart," was informed that he should "die, and not live." Isa. 28. If he had believed that death was the door to glory, this would have been a cheering message to his soul; but "Hezekiah wept sore." Would a saint weep when told he should immediately go to Heaven? Is an entrance into Heaven to be dreaded? But hark! he prays death to be deferred. Thus, if death is the door to glory, he prayed that he might have the privilege of staying out of glory a little longer! In answer to this prayer God "added to his days fifteen years." That is, if death is the door to glory, God permitted him to stay out of glory fifteen years longer. 3. Daniel, "a man greatly beloved," and an inspired prophet of God, received intelligence that he must be put to death with the wise men of Babylon. Dan. 2:13. If Daniel had believed that death was the door through which his soul or ghost should fly directly to glory, would not this information have elated his heart with transporting delight? But how did it affect him? He goes to praying that he may be empowered with wisdom to reverse the decree that required his death. If death is the door to glory, Daniel is certainly praying to obtain the chance of staying out of glory! Is glory thus to be shunned? Finally prayer prevails, and Daniel's wisdom removes impending death; that is, if death is the door to glory, God gives Daniel wisdom enough to shut the door of glory against himself!—Sel.