DESTRUCTION
Do
the words "everlasting" and "forever and ever"
as applied to the punishment of the wicked, mean an eternity
of misery, and torment, or merely punishment for a season? Cannot
the wicked be destroyed? If they are fireproof and indestructible;
then have they not eternal life as well as the righteous? And
if they have eternal life, how shall we understand the words
of the inspired writer when he says "and ye know that no
murderer hath eternal life abiding in him"? `John 3:15`
(Serious).
<ANSWER>--Let no one be deceived regarding the duration
of the punishment of the wicked, as it is repeatedly put forth
in the scriptures that it is for eternity and not merely for
a season. However; it is not a question as to the duration of
the punishment, but it is a question as to the nature of the
punishment. It is about this point that many Christians have
been confused. When the Apostle says, concerning the ultimate
fate of the wicked, "they shall suffer everlasting destruction
from the presence of the Lord," they at once get the thought
of the eternal feature of the punishment, but do not get the
proper idea as to its nature; reasoning generally that "destruction"
means preservation (in fire and brimstone). Death is the punishment
for sin. It is the penalty for disobedience. "The wages
of sin is death" (`Rom. 6:23`.) And when death is eternal,
it is eternal punishment. There should be no question on this
point. The scriptural proposition is very plain. "The gift
of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord."
The wicked, who after full light and knowledge, refused to accept
of the grace of God as manifested through Christ, will never
receive the "gift" of eternal life.
What
is the meaning of the word "Armageddon"? Also, what
is signified by "the battle of Armageddon"? These
are expressions that I see are appearing quite frequently in
the daily press these balmy political days, and my curiosity
is aroused considerably. (T.R.)
<ANSWER>--The name is found in `Rev. 16:16`, and means
literally "The Mountain of Destruction." It is supposed
to have reference to the place where the Lord caused fearful
destruction of the enemies of Israel before the armies of Gideon,
and of Jehoshaphat. On both of these occasions, the slaughter
of the allied armies of the foe was terrible and the rout was
complete (`Judges 8`; `2 Chronicles 20`). These are believed
to be types or illustrations of the "time of troubles such
as was not since there was a nation" in the end of this
Christian era, when "the whole world is gathered together
for the battle of the great day of God the Almighty." (`Dan.
12:1`; `Rev.14:14`; `Zeph. 3:8`.) As a matter of fact, the opposing
hosts of this last final conflict are gathering at this present
time. The spirit of revolution and anarchism in the world is
generating a boiling, seething condition of affairs. The warring
political factions, the militant suffragettes, the socialists,
the nihilists, the anarchists, the labor organizations, the
capitalistic combinations, and the ecclesiastical system, all
in opposition to each and all, are rushing headlong to the Mountain
of Destruction--Armageddon. The nations of the earth are already
gathered together, forming one vast community of general interests,
commercially, financially, and politically, and associated by
the modern methods of communication, the cables, wireless telegraphs,
railways and steamship lines. Armageddon will truly be an awful
place of destruction with all the world engaged in that last
final struggle!
