Love's Final Victory Part 19

It has just struck me that the multiplicity of the considerations here advanced may lead to some degree of confusion. I will therefore repeat some of them, and glance at others, condensing them into as few words as possible. I think the effect will be that the total argument will be presented with more clearness and force.

We read that Christ "gave Himself a ransom for all." To my mind that settles the extent of the Atonement. Words could not be plainer. But if Christ gave Himself a ransom for all, will He be satisfied with saving only some? Surely He will see that the ransom which He paid will have its due effect. That means that somehow, sometime, all will be saved.

Else in regard to those who are not saved, He died in vain; which is unthinkable.

But He will be satisfied. Yes. He will be satisfied. It is so predicted.

Can He be satisfied with less than the salvation of every human soul?

We have seen that He died for all. Can He be satisfied with less than the redemption of all? If that is not effected now, will it not be effected later? His administration is from everlasting to everlasting.

It is said again that "He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." The scope of His Atonement is universal. Evidently it fails of its full effect now. There are millions who have not even heard the Saviour's name; but they are included in the great plan of propitiation, and it cannot fail.

Then it is written that He "tasted death for every man." This puts the matter beyond all peradventure. His Atonement was not only for the whole world, but for every man. He had every individual singly in His view in making His Atonement; and will it fail of its effect? Surely "His purpose will stand, and He will do all his pleasure."

We read again that "all Israel shall be saved." The words must not be minimized or explained away. Certainly Israel is not saved now. Think of the sins into which they fell in the past; think of all the crises in their history when G.o.d was ready to cast them off; think of their condition to-day,--a byword and a hissing among the nations. If the scene is thus to be closed, it seems a mistake ever to have chosen them as a people at all. But it was no mistake. Their time will come; if not in this life, then in the life beyond. They will be saved; the promise will stand.

Again: Christ has promised that if he is lifted up on the cross He will draw all men to Himself. If that promise is limited to this life it is not true. Christ has not drawn more than a moiety of mankind to Himself.

But it is gloriously true if we take in the future. He is not limited to one epoch of time. A thousand years are with Him but as one day.

Then think of the sacrifice which the Father made. He gave His Son. Who will fathom the meaning of that sacrifice? Some there are who say that G.o.d cannot suffer. On the contrary. I believe that His suffering in giving His Son no man nor angel can fathom. And is it to be thought that G.o.d made that sacrifice for less than every human soul? The fact that He loved every soul that He has made, should settle the question.

Then we are often told that the Atonement is suited for all, though it is not intended for all. When we admit that G.o.d loves every soul, and that the Atonement is suited for all, are we not shut up to the conclusion that it is, or will be, applied to all? Nothing could hinder, except man's own obstinacy, and we have seen that his obstinacy can be overcome without interfering with his freedom.

We believe that sin will finally be put down. To that effect there are many scriptural declarations. But it is conceivable that it is tolerated for a time as an object lesson, and as a safeguard against evil. Some such beneficent design G.o.d certainly has in view; else all His benevolent purposes would take effect in this life. We have to remember that His administration is from everlasting to everlasting. We have also to remember that G.o.d has all moral as well as all physical power, even to taking captive the most wicked of men.

When we think of the divine union of love, wisdom and power in G.o.d, it is not hard to believe that they will finally triumph. If G.o.d in His divine wisdom knows how to act, and divine power enables Him to act, and divine love impels Him to act, it is reasonable to forecast the ultimate holiness and happiness of all intelligences.

We are accustomed to say, and we often see it, that G.o.d brings good out of evil. The ultimate abolition of all sin, and the universal triumph of goodness, are but an expansion of the same principle.

We have also to remember that sin in any form is an abnormal condition of the universe. It is not reasonable to think that abnormal conditions will prevail for ever.

There are some who believe that G.o.d is so unchangeable that He must necessarily be happy under all conditions. Such are not the representations of Scripture; and though they are but representations, we believe they are agreeable with the fact. Besides; that is not true of our selves; and we know that we are created in the divine image. Now if sin is a disturbing factor of divine happiness, it is reasonable to think that it will finally be done away.

There is no const.i.tuent of character that brings so much happiness as love. As G.o.d really is love, He is the infinitely happy one. It is therefore reasonable to suppose that divine love will ultimately have its happiest expression; and that will involve the abolition of all sin.

Wrath is no const.i.tuent of the divine character; but a potentiality only. If G.o.d is to be supremely happy there will finally be no sin to call forth his wrath, for wrath is a disturber of happiness.

So long as G.o.d is just, He must punish sin. But punishment is His strange work; it does not directly minister to happiness; therefore it is reasonable to think that sin that calls for punishment will be done away. Besides; Christ bore the penalty of all sin; infinite justice demands no more, any further infliction of suffering is intended only for discipline.

When the angels came to earth on the occasion of the Saviour's birth, they said that they brought good tidings of great joy to all people. But millions and millions of people pa.s.sed away from earth without hearing the good tidings. Then they must hear the good tidings in the life beyond. But if they are consigned to eternal torment, there are no good tidings for them. And if they are extinct they can hear no tidings, either good or bad. What remains but that the good tidings that did not reach them here will be conveyed to them there? It is likely that the angels knew the scope of their message, and that the conveyance of that message to those on the other side of time, was no more difficult or abnormal than to us on this side.

Then, what about those whom we have known whose spiritual condition was doubtful when they pa.s.sed away? Is it not extremely likely that G.o.d has some way of developing what is good in them, and casting out what is evil? We feel that just at present they would be out of place in either world. Is it not reasonable to think of some intermediate stage of preparation?

Besides; from what we know of the divine method of procedure, it does not seem likely that He would thrust a frail human spirit into the blinding glory of heaven all at once. We are used to gradual changes; they suit us better. An infant newly born is not conscious at first that any radical change in its life has occurred; but it accommodates itself easily and naturally to its new life. And so it would seem uncongenial to us to be thrust at once into the excellent glory. A stage of preparation--be it long or short--would seem to be desirable and necessary. And if it is desirable and necessary, it is provided.

Then there are sins of the mind which are not cast off with the flesh.

The sins may be forgiven, but the evil inclinations cling to us. We need a certain time and a certain process to have them eliminated.

We can easily conceive too--in fact we meet with cases of the kind quite often--where a man that is not a Christian has a soul of goodness that makes him really the superior of many so-called Christians. But he is not a Christian. He dies suddenly; and where does he go? The idea of Restoration settles all difficulty. The good that is in him is developed; ultimately he is fit for the inheritance of the saints. In no other way can we think of a wise and gracious disposal of him.

In connection with this idea we cannot but note that even dying saints are by no means perfect in general. There are many cases in which the last sickness seems to bring no marked change. Yet we have the a.s.sured hope that all is well. But if we look at the matter critically, we see no evidence of a state of perfection being reached. There seems to be a need of a refining process on the other side of death; and if it is needed it is provided.

There is a recognized principle, too, that whatsoever is really good will not perish. This is true, both in the domain of physics and of morals. If therefore there is even the beginning of goodness in any soul, it is but reasonable to a.s.sume that such goodness will persist, and be completed either on this side of death or on the other side. Such an idea seems to be highly compatible with a beneficent, divine government.

If it be asked why such a process is not carried out always on this side of time, I say we must be cautious about irreverently intruding into divine methods. We might as well ask why Saul, for instance, was not converted earlier. We can but say, "Even so Father, for so it seemed good in Thy sight."

We have to remember that the present is only one domain of G.o.d's administration. The whole span of time which is to us so vast, is but a pa.s.sing epoch to Him. If we would keep this in mind, it would solve many supposed difficulties.

I think it will be freely granted that no design of G.o.d can ultimately fail. But if we follow up that principle, there is no eternal torment; for if will hardly be contended that G.o.d designed it. And so with final extinction. It would be a reflection on the divine intention to suppose that he called into being such myriads of the human race, and so wonderfully endowed them, merely to extinguish them at last. This principle, if duly studied, will be seen, I think, to eliminate all possibility both of extinction and of endless torment.

When we consider how both extinction and torment might have been avoided, we are forced to believe that neither alternative was in G.o.d's plan. When sin was introduced by our first parents, He might at once have cut them off, or rendered them childless. In either case the myriads of the human race would not have appeared, and thus any alternative of torment or extinction would have been avoided. This consideration, it seems to me, goes a long way to settle the whole question.

Another thing is, that endless torment cannot really be believed. Men may say they believe it; they may think they believe it; it may seem orthodox to believe it; but they really do not believe it. To think that a soul is tormented for ever and ever and ever, is really beyond belief.

It is well it is so. Otherwise man would be insane.

When we consider that the soul has a strong affinity for truth, and when we consider that endless torment cannot be believed, there is a strong presumption that it is not true. Any sustained attempt to believe that which the mind instinctively repudiates as false, is in the highest degree demoralizing. There is a strong presumption therefore that the theory of endless torment is not true.

Let it also be noted how hardening was the process of believing the old doctrine. So far did they go who professed it, that some of them gloated over the prospect of souls in torment. Such hardening of the heart raises a strong presumption that the doctrine is false.

Our highest idea of punishment is, that it is reformatory. But in endless torment there is no possibility, and no design, of reformation.

A G.o.d of infinite love would surely use the highest method, with the highest intention. If suffering was of a limited duration and conduced to our final perfection, we could understand it, and adore the Author of it. But who can see any beneficent design in everlasting torment?

If strict justice demands punishment of eternal duration, we would ask why the punishment is not as a matter of necessity inflicted at once.

But we see that justice does not demand its prompt infliction. G.o.d can wait long years before inflicting it. But if He can wait ten years, why not a hundred? And if a hundred, why not forever?

Along the same line, we would say that an infinite penalty can never be rendered. For infinitude has no end; and so, no matter how long the penalty might be drawn out, there would still be an eternity to come. So we would never come to the end of eternity; and the penalty could never be rendered. This seems to me a strong argument against everlasting punishment.

In the same connection I would venture the idea that sin is not an infinite evil, and does not call for an infinite punishment. I do not think that a finite creature like man can commit an infinite crime. The fact that an infinite punishment cannot be rendered, seems to show that the crime is not infinite. If not, then in justice there is no everlasting punishment.

Coming back to matters more strictly within our grasp, I would ask what has been so often asked: What will become of the heathen? Many of them never had a chance to be much better than they are. Restoration, so far as I can see, is the only settlement of the difficulty. But that settles it completely. In the next world they will learn the way of eternal life which they could not learn here, and ultimately they will rise to eternal blessedness. If there were nothing else, the settlement of that transcendent problem would be a strong endors.e.m.e.nt of Restoration.

Then there were heathens who in this life rose very high in knowledge and character. On the principle that whatever is good is immortal, what they gained here will be supplemented, until they are fit for the inheritance of the saints. "The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this."

The idea of Restoration also explains the apparent cruelty of the G.o.d of the Old Testament. Sinners were often cut off; and that was a salutary lesson for others; but those who were cut off, were transferred to scenes where they would have better surroundings, and where they would in time rise to a higher moral plane.

The same theory accounts for the salvation of infants. We all believe in the salvation of infants. The heart refuses any other belief. But it is largely a matter of sentiment, apart from the idea of Restoration. They have no character whatever to begin with. But Restoration supplies--we know not how and do not need to know--all they require. The mere fact that infants require some place and process of development beyond this life, is a strong argument for such aid being rendered to others as well.

Also, take the case of suicides. There are many who in a frenzy of despair commit the crime of self-destruction. It is easy to believe that there is sympathy and helpfulness for them on the other sh.o.r.e.

And so with lunatics. Apart from Restoration it is difficult to think what will become of them. They are not responsible, and it would be unfair to treat them as criminals. On the other hand, they have no ideas nor character such as would fit them for a better world. But they will regain their intellect at the point they lost it; and it is not hard to conceive of their swift upward trend.

There is one very serious difficulty which we can conceive of no way of solving, except on the supposition of Restoration. I refer to the agony which a person must suffer even in heaven on finding that loved friends or relatives are not there. To know that they are in extinction, that they are fit for nothing better, and that hence they are shut out from eternal joy, would surely be an everlasting pang. And the case is infinitely worse if it is realized that they are in endless torment. We think the very thought of that would be unendurable even in a better world.

But how gladsome is the prospect of neither of these fates being in store for them. If it is known that they are in a state of discipline for a time, to emerge by and by into scenes of bliss, we can fancy that such knowledge would be a source of joy unspeakable. And who can imagine the rapture of meeting with such friends later on? This view of Restoration solves the difficulty so often felt in regard to dear ones who died in a state of alienation from G.o.d. The everlasting hope that is thus opened up for them is a source of perennial joy.

Here I would make a statement which at the first glance may seem to some rather startling. It is this: There is not punishment for sin, either in this life, or in the next. Christ has settled all that by offering Himself as the sin-bearer for all mankind. "The Lord laid on Him the iniquity of us all." "He hath made Him to be sin for us." "It pleased the Lord to bruise Him." "G.o.d gave His Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." If the condition of believing on Him seems to limit the everlasting love of that statement, take the next; "G.o.d sent not His Son into the world, to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." Yes, the world.

There is no limitation there. That means the modern heathen world, and the ancient heathen world, and all grades of humanity of all time.

Christ has suffered for them every one. There may be suffering, but there can be no just punishment for sin, either in this life or the next.

But then, there is the necessity for purification. And suffering is made by divine grace to serve that end. We can well conceive then that there are all grades of suffering, and all grades of the duration of suffering, in the next life. It is no contradiction of this idea, but rather a confirmation of it, that very much of this suffering is the result of former sin. Indeed, when we see, even in this life, how often that suffering is a result of sin, yet is a means of purification, we can well believe that it will so operate in the next life, and on a larger scale.