The Biblical Conception of Sin 23 students of the Bible are aware that both statements can be explained in such a way as to render them useless as a basis for the doctrine of a second probation. In judging concern ing this, therefore, dependence must be placed on texts which admit of no dubiety as to their meaning. Such texts are Matt. 12:32: “Whosoever speaketh a word against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, nor in that which is to come”—no second chance in this case. Matt. 25:48: “These shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal.” Not much hope here of the ultimate destruction of sin through a second probation. Every attempt to find room for the idea shatters itself on the unchallengeable fact that the words “everlasting” and “eternal” are the same in Greek ( aionion ) and indicate that the pun ishment of the wicked and the blessedness of the righteous are of equal duration. 2 Cor. 6 : 2: “Behold, now is the day of salvation”—not hereafter in a future state of existence, but here in this world. Nor is it merely that the doctrine of a second probation is devoid of support from Scripture, but, contrary to all experience, it takes for granted that every unsaved soul would accept the second offer of salvation, which is more than any one can certainly affirm; and, if all did not, sin would still remain. It may be argued that all would accept because of the fuller light they would then have as to the paramount importance of salvation, or because of the stronger influences that will then be brought to bear upon them; but on this hypothesis a reflection would almost seem to be cast on God for not having done all He might have done to save men while they lived, a reflection good men will be slow to make. The third theory for banishing sin from the human family if not from the universe is that of Universalisnt, by which is signified that through reformatory discipline hereafter the souls of all will be brought into subjection to Jesus Christ. That the universal headship of Christ is taught in Scripture is true: Paul declares that all things will yet be subdued unto Christ
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