W h a t C h r is t T e a e h e s C on ce rn ing F u tu r e R e t r ib u t io n
B y Rev. Wm. C. Procter, F. Fit. Csoydl©», E n g la n d
S ty HERE are four reasons for g confining our consideration 5 of the subject of Future Ret rib u tio n to the teaching of Hour Lord Jesus Christ: (1) It limits .the range of our inquiry to what is possible in a brief essay. There will be no occasion to examine the fifty-six passages in the authorized version of our Bible which contain the word “Hell,” (most of which are the translations of the Hebrew “Sheol” and the Greek “Hades,” meaning “the grave” and “the unseen state,”) and we can concentrate out atten tion on the ten passages in which our Lord uses the word “Gehenna” (which was the usual appellation in His day for the abode of the lost) together with those other verses which evidently refer to the future state of the wicked. (2) It affords a sufficient answer to the speculation of those who don’t know, to refer to the revelation of the One who does know. Many other passages might be
quoted from the New Testament, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, who was promised by our Lord to His disciples to “guide them into all truth,” and “show them things to come” (John 16:12, 13); but, in taking the words of Christ Himself, we shall find the greatest ground of common agreement in these days of loose views of inspiration. Surely, He who is “The Truth” would never mis represent or exaggerate it on a matter of such vital importance, and would neither encourage popular errors nor excite need less fears. (3) It also affords a sufficient answer to those who represent the doctrine as unrea sonable and dishonoring to God, and who regard those who hold it as narrow minded and hard hearted, to remind them that all the very expressions which are most fiercely denounced in the present day fell from the lips of the Saviour who died for us, and came from the heart of the “Lover of souls.” Surely we have no right to seek
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