Inconsistent by H.

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · May 26, 1909

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 36, No. 21.

Inconsistent

By H.

A RELIGIOUS paper gives the following sentences concerning the death of a loved one: “On Sabbath morning, we received word that mother had gone to glory. The news was very sad to us, even tho we had been warned that we should expect it any time.”

To one who knows what the Bible teaches concerning the state of the dead, these sentences seem little short of ridiculous. In the first place, however commendable the life may be, when one dies he does not go to glory. Such a thing is not in the plan of redemption as revealed in the word. “In Adam all die,” Paul writes. Then he gives the cheering word, “In Christ shall all be made alive.” But in the same connection he guards against mistakes in the matter. While all are made alive in Christ, it is at a certain time—“each in his own order [or time]: Christ the first-fruits; then they that are Christ’s, at His coming.” 1 Cor. 15: 20-23.

In the second place, it seems strange that one who knew that the departed one was in glory should be made so sad by the news. It would be only natural to miss a mother, but it is surely inconsistent with such a belief to give way to grief. It must be that in the human heart there is still deeply embedded and firmly fixed of old, old fear of death. With all the centuries of repetition of the old lie in the Garden, “Thou shalt not surely die,” man can not believe it wholly. Still the fear lingers, and a pang of pain and sorrow comes with the news of the passing of a loved one. H.