p. 7 | EVERLASTING PUNISHMENT by C. A. Wyman

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Dec 3, 1896

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 22, No. 48.

EVERLASTING PUNISHMENT.

By C. A. Wyman

BY C. A. WYMAN.

[The previous article closed with the Scripture proof that the devils, or demons, had not yet come to a place of torment. This continues the subject.]

Where Is Hell?

SAYS an inquirer, "Are not the devils in hell?" To this we reply, Yes, but not the hell of the popular creeds, for that has no existence.

The testimony of Peter is sufficient to show that they are in hell: "For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment." 2 Peter 2:4. As to the place of hell, John bears witness as follows:—

"And there was war in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world; he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him." Rev. 12:7-9.

Thus the earth is seen to be the hell where Satan and his angels are, and to no other place can the Scriptures possibly refer, as here is the only place in the universe where sin exists, and the tempter's work is here alone. And since all beyond this earth, and its surrounding envelope of air, is clean, it follows that the place of hell is this place where Satan, as "prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience," reigns. Eph. 2:2.

The Earth the Place of Final Reward.

"Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth; much more the wicked and the sinner." Prov. 11:31. All through the Scriptures the inheritance of the earth is promised to the faithful. "Blessed are the meek," says Jesus, "for they shall inherit the earth." Matt. 5:5. But as that inheritance is not now, because of sin, the removal of sin and sinners must precede the inheritance; and thus we read:—

"For evil-doers shall be cut off; but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be; yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace." "Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it." Ps. 37:9-11, 34.

The Time of Cutting Off.

That this cutting off is limited to a time of beginning is abundantly shown from the Scriptures; for at the close of the thousand years succeeding the second advent of our

Lord, the city of God descends upon the earth, and the faithful of every age enter within its walls. Rev. 22:15, 16. With the descent of the city there takes place the resurrection of the unjust of every age, together with those who are "destroyed by the brightness of His coming" at the resurrection of the just. These all come forth, numberless as the sands of the sea, and, with Satan as their leader, make a last desperate attempt to take the seat of empire, and overthrow the government of God. Then fire comes down from God out of heaven and devours them. Rev. 20:9.

This is the time so long foretold, when "the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also, and the works that are therein shall be burned up." 2 Peter 3:10. "For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea,

and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble; and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch." Mal. 4:1.

The fire of "Tophet," ordained of old, envelopes the earth in a sheet of flame, and "the breath of the Lord, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it." Isa. 30:33. The whole earth becomes the "lake of fire;" "the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning pitch." Isa. 34:9.

Who Dwell in Everlasting Burning.

Thus the devouring fire will encompass the earth; and the beloved city, with its ransomed inhabitants, will dwell securely amidst the final destruction. Foreseeing this, the prophet exclaims: "Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil." Isa. 33:14, 15. Contrary to the contrary creeds of this world, the righteous are seen to be the ones that are able to dwell in everlasting burnings instead of the sinner. Thus the "everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matt. 25:41) is still future, and the place thereof is this sin-cursed earth.