God's Gift to Man by S. P. Bollman

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Nov 27, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 45.

God's Gift to Man.

By S. P. Bollman

"And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son." 1 John 5:11.

THERE is in the world a manifest misunderstanding of much that is very plainly revealed in the Bible concerning eternal life. Jesus speaks of eternal life as a gift (John 17:2); something which is communicated or bestowed upon the children of God, at his appointed time, and in his appointed way. The misunderstanding in relation to this wondrous gift is not so much as to what it is, as to the time of its bestowment, or when it becomes the actual possession of the believer. Some understand the promise, or pledge of eternal life, as equivalent to its actual present possession; but for this there is no Bible warrant. The time when individual Christians (with a few noted exceptions) are invested with eternal life, is at the second coming of the Lord Jesus, when the righteous dead are raised incorruptible, and the living are instantaneously changed, as set forth by Paul in 1 Cor. 15:51-55. The unscriptural theory, held by many, that man is naturally immortal would make the bestowal of eternal life an unnecessary and impracticable act, for how could that be given which is already in possession of the proposed recipient, as his natural and inalienable attribute?

But if the sacred Scriptures are to be harmonized on this point, and every part made consistent with every other part in order to have the true interpretation, then natural, or inherent immortality is not a doctrine of the Bible, but a delusion of Satan having a tendency to subvert true faith, and to lead into the dangerous realms of Spiritualism, and eventually, "to destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power." 2 Thess. 1:9. The Scriptures very clearly set forth the time of the reception of this gift, as at the resurrection. The body which the apostle speaks of as being sown a natural body, is then raised a spiritual body; that which is sown in corruption is then raised in incorruption, and, to crown all, then "this mortal must put on immortality; then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory." See 1 Cor. 15.

Yes, this is the overcomer's victory, that for which the Christian sighs and pants. He wishes not only to finish his course joyfully in hope of eternal life, but also to be clothed with the undying existence which entitles him to be where Jesus is, and certifies his likeness to the Saviour, because he sees him as he is. 1 John 3:2. But for all this he must wait "till Jesus comes," and when he comes then shall we (believers), fully invested with eternal life, "appear with him in glory." Then shall be verified that record that God hath given us, namely, that eternal life which is in his Son. 1 John 5:11.

"To him that overcometh," says the Saviour, "will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." Rev. 3:21. "To them who by patient continuance in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, [God will give] eternal life." Rom. 2:7. It is, then, the patient perseverers in well-doing who are rewarded with eternal life, when the great depositary of this life (the Lord Jesus) comes to claim his own.

How strange that any should teach, or claim to believe, that eternal life is now an actual possession of even the most devoted soldiers of the cross, still liable to come under the power of him who has the power of death! Heb. 2:14. It cannot be that eternal life, and liability to death and corruption, should characterize the same individuals at the same time! This scene of conflict and spiritual warfare is not the theater where is displayed the wondrous glory of that life "which is hid with Christ in God." These low grounds of sin and death could never produce or develop those heavenly fruits which are only found on the banks of the river which flows by the throne of God. In the mind of the Spirit, eternal life is always associated with Heaven, with the place which Jesus has gone before to prepare for those who love him, and to which he will receive his redeemed ones, when he cometh in his glory. The eternal life which Jesus says he gives to his sheep (believers, John 10:28), is adapted only to realms from which sin, sorrow, and death are forever excluded; a condition of existence adapted to, and only experienced or enjoyed in Heaven, or in an earth made new, "wherein dwelleth righteousness." 2 Pet. 3:13.

Eternal life then is only intended for an eternal, unending condition or state of holiness; where every breathing of desire is "holiness to the Lord;" where nothing shall molest, or disturb; where all are pure; in short, "Where God the Son forever reigns, And scatters night away."

Such are the regions peopled by those invested with eternal life. That land is adapted to its inhabitants, and they to their cloudless, Lamb-enlightened home. No wonder Paul was enraptured with the thought when he gave utterance to the expression, "Earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from Heaven." 2 Cor. 5:2.

S. P. BOLLMAN.