No Reward by A. Weeks

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 21, 1871

No Reward.

By A. Weeks

“THE dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward.” Eccl. 9:5.

The above text of Scripture is a plain statement concerning the unconsciousness of the dead; but those that do not choose to believe it, sometimes urge that it proves too much. Say they, “It proves the dead never have a reward.”

Do not those that urge this know that they are trying to overthrow the Bible, in saying that it proves too much and so proves nothing?

But let us see what idea is conveyed by the statement under consideration. The next verse reads, “Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion forever in anything that is done under the sun.” The idea seems to be that in the grave there is no knowledge, and that a reward cannot reach there; showing the necessity of a resurrection. This agrees with the language of Paul in 1 Cor. 15:16-18, where he says, if the dead rise not, they are perished; also verse 32, where he expresses himself as having no advantage if the dead rise not.

Thus we see that it is after the resurrection that a reward is received. While in the grave the dead have no reward, neither do they manifest love, hatred, or any emotion dependent upon consciousness; but wait till the resurrection, when they are judged according to their works, Rev. 20:13, and enter their reward.

A. WEEKS.

Smith’s Creek, Mich.