p. 256 | A Lame Argument

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Apr 22, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 16.

A Lame Argument.

We sometimes see an argument like this: "It is certain that the fate of the wicked will be just the opposite of the reward of the righteous; the righteous are promised everlasting happiness; therefore the wicked will suffer everlasting misery." But this is not a just conclusion, because the minor premise is not correct. It is life, eternal life, that is promised to the righteous. Those who believe in Christ are promised everlasting life. John 3:16. Paul was a servant of God, "in hope of eternal life." Titus 1:1, 2. Christ says: "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." John 10:10. Eternal life with Christ will certainly be a happy condition, but the happiness is secondary to the life, and dependent upon it. Life is the promised reward, and without it there would be no possibility of happiness. With the minor premise thus corrected, we find that the conclusion to the above syllogism is that the wicked are to receive everlasting death. And this is exactly in harmony with the Bible. See Rom. 6:23; 2 Thess. 1:7-9.