MAN IS NOT IMMORTAL by George C. Tenney

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Nov 7, 1892

MAN IS NOT IMMORTAL

By George C. Tenney

THE NATURE AND EXISTENCE OF MAN. NO. I.

BY ELDER G. C. TENNEY.

THIS subject is presented under a compound title because these two phases of the question are so closely related that they are almost universally considered together, though in real character they are entirely distinct. That in which the race is most intensely interested is the problem of existence. This brief life seems to be but a taste of what life should be. So fleeting, so uncertain, so disappointing, it fails to satisfy the heart; and all people have from these circumstances learned to anticipate a future more complete existence, where the joys and happiness of which we here obtain but brief glimpses will exist in perpetual fullness.

From early childhood the mind reaches into the future and seeks to penetrate that unknown, mysterious region whose gateway is the tomb, and whose warden is Death. But no tidings have ever been borne back from those who have crossed the threshold of Death's dominion. So far as human knowledge is concerned, all we know of life beyond this state is but empty speculation.

We leave this unprofitable field at once without entering upon it, and turn to the only source of knowledge of unseen things. God has in his word lifted the veil, and we see rays of glory piercing death's domain and lighting up our future. The universal yearning for a satisfying portion of life led the ancient philosophers, who were unacquainted with God and the revealed truth, to conclude that the essential principle in man was immortal. The body might be dissolved, but the soul would live forever. It was an emanation from Deity; it must be immortal. Spiritual education or divine revelation was not required to originate such an idea; it naturally arose from the longing of the heart. This universal desire is frequently spoken of as a proof that man is by nature immortal; but to us it conveys no such evidence,

MAN IS NOT IMMORTAL.

The Bible bears an unvarying testimony to this truth. Existence is not an inherent quality of man's nature. There is no part of his being but is liable to extinction. Life or existence is an attribute of God only. He has the power to create; he can destroy; he can perpetuate; he can cut off. Continued existence is a manifestation of divine power, and death ensues at once when that power is withdrawn. The Bible teaches that God and he only hath immortality, and that man is mortal. 1 Tim. 6:16; Job 4:17; Isa. 40:6; and many others. This being true, man can only become immortal by endowment from God. Until he is thus specially endowed he holds his life by no natural tenure, but lives as a pensioner upon divine bounty, subject to the emergencies of mortality. It is true that mankind was designed by the Creator to enjoy eternal life, but before the race had proved itself worthy of the priceless boon, yea, even at the very outset of their trial, human nature betrayed a fatal weakness, and all was lost. They lost all hope or possibility of obtaining eternal life, and by sin were alienated from God. In this unhappy state life and immortality were brought to light through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Again the precious boon was placed before mankind to be obtained at the end of a successful probation.

The word "immortality" occurs but five times in the Bible, as follows: Rom. 2:6, 7, "Who will render to every man according to his deeds; to them who by patient continuance in welldoing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life." Certainly this text would lead no one to conclude that man now possesses immortality. We next find the word in 1 Cor. 15:53, 54, where it is twice introduced in this way: "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." The event here spoken of is Christ's second coming and the resurrection of the just. When the faithful ones are endowed with immortality, it becomes a part of their nature. The word is again used in 1 Tim. 6:16, where it speaks of God the "King of kings and Lord of lords; who only hath immortality;" and again in 2 Tim. 1:10, where we are told that immortality is brought to light through the gospel. The word "immortal" is used but once in the Scriptures, 1 Tim. 1:17, where it is applied to God. Not once is immortality ascribed to man under this term directly, or under any other term by inference. In vain we look for the "immortal soul," "never-dying soul," "deathless spirit," or any similar epithet or phrase in the Bible.

THE STORY CONCISELY STATED

is this: Man was created in the image of God and designed for a high position. Before he was fixed in this position, he was placed upon trial. He failed, and was banished from his beautiful abode in paradise. He was excluded from the tree of life, "lest," saith God, "he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever." Gen. 3:22. This one circumstance settles the question beyond successful dispute. In that home death like a dark cloud overshadowed the human race. But Christ undertook to pay the debt of all who by faith and obedience would demonstrate their loyalty to God; so that eternal life became the gift of God through Jesus Christ. Rom. 6:23. The record is that "God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." And, "He that hath the Son of God hath life, and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." This life is in his Son, and when Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then he will confer the prize upon those whose names are in the "Lamb's book of life."