CHARACTER AND LIFE by Roderick S. Owen

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Nov 21, 1895

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 21, No. 46.

CHARACTER AND LIFE.

By Roderick S. Owen

BY RODERICK S. OWEN.

We have shown that all intelligent creatures have been given the power of choice, and are granted a probationary period in which to develop character. And we have shown that any one or all of them had the power to sin, and that some have sinned. We wish now to inquire, What is the relation of these probationers to life? What life was given to them? Was it a temporary and conditional one, or was it an immortal and unconditional one?

Since God is seeking to bring about a state of perfect harmony, and since a sinner with an immortal life would be an element of discord to all eternity, and since in receiving the power of choice each creature is placed where it is possible for him to become a sinner, therefore it is evident that it would be wisdom on the part of God to give them only a conditional life, that is, to make the continuance of their existence dependent on the choices they make, or the characters they develop. Otherwise, a wrong choice on the part of any one of them would forever defeat God’s plan for harmony. In view of this fact, we must conclude that no probationer has immortality.

In keeping with this idea, we find that when Adam was placed on probation the conditions named were, “Thou shalt not eat of it; for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die;” i. e., obey and live; disobey and die. Thus his life was to run parallel with his obedience. (This is leaving out of the consideration the plan of salvation, which, as we shall presently see, grants to every sinner a protracted probation.)

The Scriptures abundantly teach that man does not possess immortality. In Rom. 1:23 man is classed with fourfooted beasts, and creeping things, and declared to be corruptible, or mortal, and is placed in contrast with God, who is said to be incorruptible, or immortal. In this mortal state we are to seek immortality, by patient continuance in well-doing. Rom. 2:7. And there have been those among every generation of the sons of Adam who have thus sought for immortality, and have found eternal life in Christ Jesus, and have fallen asleep in him, and are resting in the dust of the earth, awaiting the last day, to be called forth by the voice of the Son of God. “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” 1 Thess. 4:16, 17. But before being thus caught up, both the living and the dead receive immortality. “Behold, I show you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” Then the faithful of earth will receive the gift of immortality at the coming of Christ in the clouds of heaven.

In Rev. 22:11, 12 we read: “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still; and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still; and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still; and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” We learn from this text that just before Christ comes there goes forth a decree which forever fixes the character of every individual. Beyond that point of time no one can change his choice. Each one's destiny is sealed, each one's fate determined. This brings us to the time of rewards and punishments, and probationary time is forever passed away.

Thus we have found that both wicked men and fallen angels are reserved until after the close of probation to receive their punishment for sin, and that in the second death to both will be meted out the final result of their choice. We have also found that those of the human family who have developed right characters are reserved to receive the gift of immortality at the second coming of Christ. May we not then reasonably conclude that the loyal angels are also awaiting the same time to receive the same gift. Thus we have before us the idea of one common probationary period for the entire universe, and at its close one common period of rewards and punishments. To that time the eyes of all are turned. At that time the unfaithful everywhere who have developed wrong characters, and by so doing have become irreconcilable elements of discord, after receiving a just punishment for past acts of disobedience, will then be given the fullness of their choice (eternal death), and forever pass out of existence, while the righteous, receiving the gift of immortality, enter upon a life coequal with the life of God. “The world

passeth away, and the lust thereof; but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.” 1 John 2:17.

With this idea we can accept without qualification the statement that God only hath immortality, and thus during the probationary period all created beings are possessed of only a conditional life, the continued existence of each one depending upon his developing a character in accord with the character of God.

This plan when carried out will insure harmony to all eternity, for when all have developed right characters, it will be as impossible for any one of them to sin as it is for God to lie. To sin would be to violate the law of their being, to do contrary to their natures. To insure this result, however, sin must be dealt with in every one with great exactitude and without partiality. For in no other way could we be assured that eternity would differ from time as regards sin, for should God pass by or excuse a single sin in one person in the line of that individual's especial weakness, he, being no respecter of persons, would be compelled to grant the same favor to every one, and thus every conceivable sin would slip through; and thus the future state would be a sinful one, like the present. No, we are glad that God can not look upon sin with the least degree of allowance, and that perfect accord with his righteous character is the one condition upon which admission to the immortal state can or will be granted. Yes, for every wrong thought retained, for every idle word spoken, for every evil deed performed, each one will be called to account by his Maker. Only the overcomer “shall eat of the tree of life,” “shall not be hurt of the second death,” “shall be a pillar in the temple of my God, and shall go no more out.”

“The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; and shall cast them into a furnace of fire; there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.” Matt. 13:41-43.

A SOLDIER is held responsible for the condition of his gun. It must be kept bright and ready for use. The engineer must see that his locomotive is polished and oiled and in such repair as to make the best possible speed. So the Lord has intrusted your body, your mind, your soul, to your keeping. He holds you responsible; he wants you to be ever ready for service and to make the best time and the best record possible. Every man must look after himself and make the most of himself.