Minggu, 27 September 2015

MENGAJAR ANAK-ANAK KITA MEMBUNUH!


MENGAJAR ANAK-ANAK KITA MEMBUNUH!



Beberapa orang tua yang menghancurkan anak-anak mereka; apakah Anda salah satu dari mereka?

David Grossman adalah seorang profesional yang melatih medis, penegakan hukum, dan personel militer AS tentang realitas perang. Ia melatih orang-orang bagaimana untuk bereaksi terhadap kematian dan luka-luka. Dia mengingatkan tentara untuk mengakui bahwa, ketika mereka pergi ke medan perang, mereka akan membunuh orang, dan bagaimana mereka harus berhubungan dengan ini. Sebelum pensiun, Grossman adalah seorang perwira infanteri Angkatan Darat, psikolog dan konselor tentang pembunuhan selama hampir 25 tahun.

Dia berasal dari Jonesboro, Arkansas. Pada tanggal 24 Maret, ia mempelajari tentang peristiwa penembakan di sekolah yang mengakibatkan kematian empat anak perempuan dan seorang guru. Sepuluh lainnya terluka. Akibatnya, dua anak, usia 11 dan 13, dipenjara dan didakwa dengan pembunuhan.

Segera, Grossman, yang seorang  ahli tentang masalah ini, mulai bekerja meneliti lebih lengkap dalam masalah ini. Dia menulis sebuah buku, On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society, yang menyajikan penyebab meningkatnya kekerasan ini di Amerika.

Ini adalah tujuan dari artikel singkat ini untuk meninjau temuan profesionalnya.

Tingkat pembunuhan meningkat dua kali lipat pertahun di negara ini antara tahun 1957 dan 1992 (ketika FBI mulai melacak data tersebut)  . yang Jauh lebih buruk adalah kenaikan tindakan penyerangan yang bertambah. Ini adalah tingkat di mana orang berusaha untuk membunuh satu sama lain. Ini telah naik dari 60 per 100.000, pada tahun 1957, menjadi dari 440 per 100.000 pada 1995.

Masalah ini menjamur  di seluruh wilayah dunia Barat. Di Kanada, per kapita tindak penyerangan meningkat hampir lima kali lipat antara 1964 dan 1993; tindak percobaan pembunuhan meningkat hampir tujuh kali lipat, dan tindak pembunuhan dua kali lipat. Di Australia dan Selandia Baru, tingkat serangan meningkat sekitar empat kali lipat, dan tingkat pembunuhan hampir dua kali lipat. Tingkat serangan telah tiga kali lipat di Swedia, dan dua kali lipat di Inggris, Perancis, Denmark, Belgia, Belanda, Skotlandia, dan Hungaria.

Populasi penjara di AS telah hampir empat kali lipat antara tahun 1975 dan 1992.

Jika bukan karena dua faktor, tingkat pembunuhan akan jauh lebih tinggi. Pertama, begitu banyak penjahat sekarang di balik jeruji besi. Kedua, adalah peningkatan teknologi medis. Menurut US Army Medical Corps, sembilan dari sepuluh yang terluka di perang vietnam akan selamat , di mana pada saat perang dunia II sembilan dari sepuluh tentara terluka di Perang meninggal. Dengan demikian tingkat pembunuhan akan sepuluh kali lebih tinggi hari ini jika bukan karena helikopter medis, paramedis, CPR, pusat trauma, 911 operator, teknik khusus, dan obat-obatan darurat baru dikembangkan

Mengapa tempat yang agak terpencil dan damai seperti Selandia Baru juga terganggu dengan serangan dan pembunuhan seperti yang terjadi di Amerika Serikat? Apa yang terjadi? Apa yang salah? Apa yang menyebabkan masalah ini? Itulah tujuan dari artikel ini.

Anda perlu mengambil tindakan tentang informasi ini, dan juga berbagi fakta-fakta ini dengan teman-teman Anda.

Setelah pembunuhan Jonesboro, , the American Academy of Pediatrics Task Force on Juvenile Violence  menyatakan bahwa anak-anak tidak secara alami membunuh. Ini adalah keterampilan yang dipelajari.

Tapi dari mana mereka belajar hal ini di kota tenang seperti Jonesboro? Penulis saat ini telah berada di Jonesboro, dan secara keseluruhan tempat ini adalah tempat yang damai.

Para ilmuwan telah menemukan bahwa pada saat terjadi pertengkaran  dan amarah serta ketakutan, vasokonstriksi cenderung menutup pembuluh darah ke lobus frontal ( materi abu-abu sifat prikemanusiaan ). Pada titik ini, aktivitas refleks terjadi lebih aktif di otak tengah, dan proses berpikir menjadi lebih seperti binatang. Namun telah ditemukan bahwa, seperti lobus frontal ( pikiran pri kemanusiaan ), otak tengah yang bersifat binatang pun tidak akan berpikir untuk membunuh sesama manusia.

 Militer memiliki masalah karena hal ini. Mereka harus melatih tentara untuk membunuh ketika mereka   ke medan perang. makanya pikiran dan perilaku tentara dilatih khusus ,"sehingga membuat bisa menarik pelatuk pada saat mereka melihat musuh. Sejarawan militer kuno melaporkan bahwa sebagian besar pembunuhan yang terjadi di pertempuran bukan selama pertempuran yang sebenarnya, tetapi ketika satu sisi melarikan diri kemudian mereka dibunuh dari belakang.

rata-rata tingkat penembakan senjata sangat rendah selama Perang Saudara. Pada Pertempuran Gettysburg, dari 27.000 senapan yang diambil dari tentara yang mati dan sekarat setelah pertempuran, 90 persen diisi peluru. Lebih dari setengahnya memiliki cadangan peluru. Fakta-fakta ini mengejutkan, karena butuh 95 persen dari waktu mereka untuk mengisi senapan dan hanya 5 persen untuk menembakannya. Dalam pertempuran, bahkan ada tentara yang tidak menembakan senjata mereka. Dari mereka yang menembakan senjata, hanya sejumlah kecil menembaki musuh; sisanya ditembak di atas kepala mereka.

pada saat Perang Dunia Kedua, seseorang melakukan penyelidikan yang cermat atas masalah tersebut. Tentara amerika Brig. Jenderal S.L.A. Marshall menugaskan kelompok riset untuk mengetahui apa yang sedang terjadi. Mereka belajar bahwa, dalam pertempuran, hanya 15-20 persen dari tembakan tentara yang mengenai musuh mereka. Demi tujuan militer untuk menghabisi musuh, pemerintah AS mengatur untuk mengubah rasio. Mereka mengembangkan teknik baru, yang sangat sukses; begitu sukses sehingga pada Perang Korea, sekitar 55 persen tembakan membunuh musuh, pada perang Vietnam, lebih dari 90 persen. Mereka telah melatih orang untuk membunuh. Untuk melakukan hal ini mereka harus membuat tentara yang  menyukai membunuh.

Metode yang digunakan untuk melatih para prajurit terdiri dari kombinasi desensitisasi, pengkondisian psikologis, pemodelan peran, dan brutalization.

Desensitisasi adalah proses mengajar seseorang untuk menyukai kebencian. Calon tentara diajarkan untuk menikmati  kebrutalan dan pembunuhan. Namun mereka diajarkan hal ini tanpa harus dibunuh siapa pun! Cara ini dilakukan di boot camp yang tidak nyaman dan terisolasi. Mereka diberi tontonan film perang, pembunuhan, wanita, dan anak-anak yang terluka, pemutilasian, dan kebrutalan lainnya. seiring tontonan ini, para prajurit yang dalam pelatihan diberikan minuman ringan dan junk food; dan petugas yang bertanggung jawab akan membuat mereka untuk tertawa tentang hal itu. Selama hitungan beberapa minggu, calon tentara tersebut  berubah secara moral . Mereka kemudian dapat masuk ke pertempuran dan membunuh orang-orang dengan tanpa perasaan, Hati nurani mereka sudah mati. Kedengarannya aneh? Terdengar akrab? Proses dasar ini telah terjadi di ruang tamu Anda sendiri, malam demi malam. Inilah  yang terjadi pada anak-anak Amerika, Kanada, Australia, Selandia Baru dan setiap bangsa lain yang memiliki televisi di ruang tamu mereka.

Metode yang sama dari desensitisasi terhadap kekerasan terjadi bukan hanya selama 6 minggu dari dasar pelatihan tetapi untuk satu dekade atau lebih. Pelatihan bertahap dimulai pada usia 18 bulan ketika anak pertama mampu membedakan apa yang terjadi di televisi.  anak-anak menonton  televisi dan mencoba untuk meniru itu. sampai anak-anak berusia enam atau tujuh mereka baru mengetahui bahwa apa yang mereka tonton adalah  sesuatu yang tidak benar-benar terjadi. Sebelum usia itu, ketika anak-anak melihat seseorang ditikam, diperkosa, ditembak, brutal, terdegradasi, atau dibunuh, mereka percaya itu benar-benar terjadi. sesuatu yang mereka ketahui dan suka adalah melukai dan pembunuhan . Ketika berusia tiga, empat, atau lima tahun mereka belajar untuk berhubungan dengan seseorang selama 90 menit, apabila mereka melihat penembakan atau penikaman, tidak ada kata ngeri dalam pikiran mereka karena pengalaman ini terjadi pada mereka ratusan, bahkan ribuan kali, dalam beberapa tahun pertama.

apa yang mereka katakan tentang hal yang digambarkan horor oleh orang dewasa adalah,   "itu semua menyenangkan; jangan khawatir tentang hal itu. "Tapi, lebih sering, mereka diam-diam mengamati bahwa sebagian besar orang dan saudara mereka yang lebih tua   tidak sedikitpun terganggu. Jadi mengapa mereka harus? Hal ini tampaknya merupakan bagian penting dari kehidupan sehari-hari; dan mereka terus menonton acara tersebut  sehingga menonton kekacauan dan pembunuhan adalah sesuatu yang menarik. Sementara itu, para penulis skenario berupaya mati-matian untuk merancang plot baru dan metode agresi, penyimpangan, kekerasan, transaksi obat, perampokan, pemalsuan, kecabulan, dan pembunuhan. Itulah pekerjaan mereka, dan gaji mereka ditentukan oleh bagaimana imajinasi mereka. Sementara itu, anak-anak belajar untuk menikmati kegiatan yang diputar terus menerus. tidak lama kemudian anak-anak akan lebih suka menonton adegan kekejaman   daripada pemandangan alam. Dan pemikiran mereka telah berubah, mereka lebih tertarik dengan kekerasan dari hal lainnya di sekitar mereka. Tahun demi tahun, nilai dan integritas mereka berubah. Akhirnya mereka tumbuh dewasa dan memutuskan bahwa mereka ingin terus menikmati jenis hiburan tersebut.

Studi definitif tentang masalah hubungan menonton kekerasan dalam televisi dilakukan oleh Journal of American Medical Association. penelitian ini dilakukan dalam waktu yang lama dan didukung fakta yang sangat banyak. Selama periode waktu ini, tim penelitian menganalisis jumlah kekerasan di sejumlah daerah kembar (dua negara, daerah, atau kota) yang meskipun dipisahkan satu sama lain,  sama di hampir setiap detail lainnya kecuali  yang satu memiliki televisi dan yang lain tidak. 

Cukup konsisten, analisis yang sedang berlangsung mengungkapkan bahwa, setiap kali daerah memperoleh televisi, langsung ada ledakan tindak kekerasan di tempat bermain dan dalam waktu 15 tahun,  tingkat pembunuhan meningkat dua kali lipat.

waktu 15 tahun adalah waktu untuk proses  brutalization dari tiga sampai lima tahun sampai mencapai "usia kejahatan prima."

Jadi sekarang Anda tahu bagaimana untuk menghancurkan pikiran anak-anak Anda. Hanya membiarkan mereka menonton televisi, dan Anda akan mengkriminalisasi pikiran kecil mereka

Tentu saja, kekerasan televisi juga berpengaruh pada orang dewasa. Sering pria dan wanita bertengkar , minum sedikit alkohol, dan mereka bertindak apa yang mereka telah tonton selama bertahun-tahun.

Televisi melatih pikiran untuk menerima kekerasan sebagai solusi cepat; alkohol, obat keras, atau kemarahan ekstrim membawa pelatihan ke puncaknya. Sebuah kejahatan yang mengerikan dilakukan, dan pelaku bingung bertanya-tanya bagaimana dia bisa melakukan seperti hal yang mengerikan.

Ratusan penelitian telah dilakukan secara langsung menghubungkan menonton televisi dengan kekerasan. ( majalah, koran, dan buku kekerasan  juga termasuk.) Apakah Anda tahu bahwa, pada saat ini, ada lebih banyak data yang menghubungkan kekerasan di media kekerasan dalam masyarakat darpada menghubungkan kanker dengan tembakau?

The Journal of American Medical Association menyimpulkan laporannya dengan komentar ini:

"sejak televisi diperkenalkan pada tahun 1950-an, ini telah menyebabkan peningkatan pembunuhan dua kali lipat, anak anak yang menonton televisi sejak kecil  adalah faktor penting di balik sekitar satu setengah  pembunuhan yang dilakukan di Amerika Serikat, atau sekitar 10.000 pembunuhan setiap tahunnya.  jika teknologi televisi tidak pernah dikembangkan, maka  saat ini akan menjadi 10.000 kasus pembunuhan lebih sedikit setiap tahun di Amerika Serikat, 70.000 perkosaan lebih sedikit, dan 700.000 lebih sedikit serangan berbahaya "-. JAMA, 10 Juni 1992.

Di Jepang tentara dilatih menikmati pembunuhan  dengan membiarkan para prajurit menyaksikan tahanan dibunuh, mendorong mereka untuk terhibur dengan hal yang terjadi dengan makanan. Televisi Amerika berbuat hal yang sama supaya penonton menyukai kekerasan dan kematian bukan hanya seminggu tetapi bertahun- tahun . Sangat sering anak-anak minum softdrink dan makan kerupuk saat mereka menonton kengerian di layar depan mereka.

Pada Jonesboro, ketika salah seorang guru SMA menyampaikan kabar dari tragedi mengerikan di kota untuk murid-muridnya, mereka tertawa. Bagaimana bisa  respon itu  terjadi? Pengkondisian klasik. Para siswa di kota yang tenang ini telah belajar untuk menyukai pembunuhan dari film yang mereka saksikan pada malam hari di channel sampah Hollywood. Anda mungkin ingat bagaimana orang-orang Romawi kuno bersorak ketika orang Kristen dibunuh di stadion Romawi, Colosseum. Anak-anak Anda di colosseum setiap malam!  . Apa yang Anda lakukan untuk mengubah situasi?  Ini mengajarkan seseorang untuk melakukan sesuatu dalam keadaan darurat, dengan cepat, tindakan refleks membabi buta. Seperti keadaan darurat yang terjadi ketika dia takut atau marah. Selama bertahun-tahun, televisi menanamkan proses pemikiran   ketika marah atau takut,  dapatkan senjata dan menembak orang lain mati!

Militer dan penegak hukum menggunakan metode pengkondisian dalam target latihan menembak mereka. Tidak menggunakan sasaran lingkaran yang disebut mata banteng, tetapi menjadi siluet manusia sehingga ketika Tiba-tiba ada target terkunci, Prajurit atau polisi hanya memiliki sepersekian detik untuk merespon. mereka dilatih untuk langsung menembak orang tersebut. mereka belajar untuk menembak secara akurat pada sasaran manusia sehingga mereka akan menembak refleks saat kesulitan terjadi. Ahli militer sekarang mengetahui bahwa 75-80 persen dari pembunuhan di medan perang modern adalah karena respon.

Pada Jonesboro, dua anak laki-laki membunuh banyak orang. Namun itu hanya anak laki-laki yang melakukannya! Salah satunya memiliki lumayan pengalaman menembakan senjata . Yang lain tidak pernah menembakkan pistol nyata dalam hidupnya. mereka menembakkan 27 tembakan dari jarak  lebih dari 100 yard, dan mengenai 15 orang. Itu adalah nilai yang sangat tinggi. Polisi sering mengalami situasi di mana anak-anak yang tidak pernah memegang senjata nyata ternyata cukup baik dalam menembak orang di dunia nyata. Mengapa? itu karena Video game.


Setiap kali seorang anak memainkan point-and-shoot video game interaktif, ia belajar pengkondisian  yang sama persis dengan yang tentara lakukan ketika mereka menembak target mereka! Anak belajar menembak untuk membunuh, dan ia belajar bagaimana menjadi akurat dalam penembakan itu.

Ada seorang anak muda di kota Amerika yang seperti banyak orang lain, telah menghabiskan banyak waktu pada video game, mereka belajar untuk menarget dan menembak. Namun ia tidak akrab dengan senjata asli. Suatu hari temannya menunjukkan dia senjata snub nose 0,38, dan mengajak mereka bersenang-senang dengan merampok sebuah toko lokal. bagi mereka, Ini akan menjadi lebih menarik daripada video game! waktu di dalam toko, anak itu menondongkan pistol di kepala penjaga toko. Ketika penjaga toko itu berbalik untuk melihat mereka berdua, anak itu secara naluriah menembak, tanpa salah satu dari mereka yang mengatakan sepatah kata pun. Enam kamera video merekam peristiwa itu. Ketika anak itu kemudian diinterogasi mengapa dia melakukannya, dia mengatakan dia tidak tahu. "Ini bukan apa yang kita rencanakan; hanya terjadi secara reflek dan alami . "

Tentara dan polisi tahu bahwa mereka tidak seharusnya menembak di setiap kesempatan! Tapi ketika anak Anda bermain video games , ia hanya melakukannya dengan tujuan menembakkan senjata untuk membunuh orang sebelum waktu habis. ketika anak anda melakukan hal itu, situasi kegembiraan telah menyebabkan vasokonstriksi  menutup lobus frontal ( bagian otak prikemanusiaan )  dan otak tengah mengambil alih dalam permainan. Ini  menyebabkan refleks yang  membuat keputusan, dan tindakan yang terjadi adalah apa yang telah dikondisikan selama ini.

inilah yang dilakukan oleh anak muda di caronina selatan itu. saat Kegembiraan menyebabkan detak jantung cepat , vasokonstriksi terjadi, dan otak tengah menyuruhnya untuk melakukan apa yang selalu ia lakukan. Ketika ia menarik pelatuk, ia menembak dengan akurasi yang luar biasa di antara mata penjaga toko tersebut, seorang ayah dari dua anak. Apa yang menyebabkan kegembiraan itu? yaitu memiliki senjata asku di tangannya, dan seseorang  target yang berdiri di depannya. Sebagai hasil dari pengkondisian tersebut, pengadilan negeri sedang dihadapkan dengan sosiopat buatan rumah tangga yang menunjukkan sedikit atau tidak ada penyesalan.

Anak-anak Anda di rumah belajar untuk membunuh dan belajar untuk menyukainya.

kemudian di dalam militer ada istilah teknik panutan. contoh model peran adalah sersan pelatih. Dia melambangkan kekerasan dan agresi. Ini adalah tugasnya untuk membuat prajurit  menjadi tangguh seperti dirinya. Pada awalnya, calon prajurit muda akan menghindari makhluk seperti itu, tapi dengan segera ia akan belajar untuk mengagumi dan ingin menjadi seperti dia.

Dalam kehidupan sehari-hari, model peran adalah laki-laki dan perempuan yang terlibat dalam kekerasan di depan mata anak-anak Anda. Ada juga reka ulang pembunuhan yang sering muncul di berita televisi. pelaku pembunuhan tiba-tiba menjadi selebriti instan di TV. ada seseorang di suatu tempat yang ingin melakukan apa pembunuh lakukan sehingga dia juga dapat menjadi orang penting dan terkenal.


rata rata anak TK menonton televisi selama 27 jam seminggu. Apa yang Anda pikir mereka tonton? Sebagian besar  filmnya bukan mengenai burung tetapi kartun dan film. kartun atau film apakah?, mereka sering melihat kekerasan lebih sering dari apa pun. Menurut penelitian pendidikan, itulah yang mereka pelajari dan secara emosional merangsang? akhirnya Mereka menyukai hal itu lebih dari apa pun. bagi anak-anak, hal ini menyenangkan. 

Rata-rata anak sekarang lebih banyak menonton televisi daripada berinteraksi dengan orang tuanya, guru, atau orang lain!

hal yang penting sekarang, setelah anda membaca dan mengetahui dampak dari televisi, anda harus membuat keputusan terhadap televisi anda, dan bertindaklah segera. Masih ada waktu untuk menyelamatkan pikiran anak Anda, tetapi Anda harus bertindak cepat. singkirkan dan buanglah ke tempat sampah. Sayangnya, masih akan ada orang yang tidak mematikan televisi mereka sehingga suatu saat anak mereka akan segera keluar mencari seseorang untuk ditembak.


Mencabut televisi dan membuangnya  akan membuat rumah anda yang jauh lebih baik. Tetapi mengubah jenis program yang ditunjukkan oleh industri televisi juga diperlukan, untuk membuat komunitas Anda menjadi tempat yang lebih baik .

Tanpa peraturan pemerintah yang dituntut oleh orang-orang, industri televisi tidak mungkin berubah. Kita hidup di jam krisis sejarah manusia. Berapa lama lagi ini terjadi sebelum akhirnya? 


Judul Asli : Teaching Our Children To Kill ! By Vance Ferrel

Diterjemahkan & dipublish di blog oleh klavierlenk September 2015








Selasa, 22 September 2015

The Earth in Ruins


When the voice of God turns the captivity of His people, there is a terrible awakening of those who have lost all in the great conflict of life. Blinded by Satan’s deceptions the rich prided themselves on their superiority to those less favored. But they had neglected to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, deal justly, and love mercy. Now they are stripped of all that made them great and are left destitute. They look with terror upon the destruction of their idols. They have sold their souls for earthly enjoyments and have not become rich toward God. Their lives are a failure, their pleasures turned to gall. The gain of a lifetime is swept away in a moment. The rich bemoan the destruction of their grand houses, the scattering of their gold and silver, and the fear that they themselves are to perish with their idols. The wicked lament that the result is what it is, but they do not repent of their wickedness. – {HF 395.1}
The minister who has sacrificed truth to gain the favor of men now discerns the influence of his teachings. Every line written, every word uttered that led men to rest in a refuge of falsehood has been scattering seed; and now he beholds the harvest. Saith the Lord: “Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! ... Behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings.” “With lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life.” Jeremiah 23:1, 2; Ezekiel 13:22. – {HF 395.2}
Ministers and people see that they have rebelled against the Author of all righteous law. Setting aside the divine precepts gave rise to thousands of springs of iniquity, until the earth became one vast sink of corruption. No language can express the longing which the disloyal feel for that which they have lost forever—eternal life. – {HF 396.1}
The people accuse one another of having led them to destruction, but all unite in heaping their bitterest condemnation upon the unfaithful pastors who prophesied “smooth things” (Isaiah 30:10), who led their hearers to make void the law of God and persecute those who would keep it holy. “We are lost!” they cry, “and you are the cause.” The hands that once crowned them with laurels will be raised for their destruction. Everywhere there is strife and bloodshed. – {HF 396.2}
The Son of God and heavenly messengers have been in conflict with the evil one to warn, enlighten, and save the children of men. Now all have made their decisions; the wicked have fully united with Satan in his warfare against God. The controversy is not alone with Satan, but with men. “The Lord hath a controversy with the nations.” Jeremiah 25:31. – {HF 396.3}
The Angel of Death
Now the angel of death goes forth, represented in Ezekiel’s vision by the men with the slaughtering weapons, to whom the command is given: “Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary.” “They began at the ancient men which were before the house,” those who professed to be the spiritual guardians of the people. Ezekiel 9:6. – {HF 396.4}
False watchmen are the first to fall. “The Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.” “A great tumult from the Lord shall be among them; and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbor, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbor.” Isaiah 26:21; Zechariah 14:13. – {HF 396.5}
In the mad strife of their own fierce passions and by the outpouring of God’s unmingled wrath, fall wicked priests, rulers, and people. “And the slain of the Lord shall be at that day from one end of the earth even unto the other.” Jeremiah 25:33. – {HF 397.1}
At the coming of Christ the wicked are destroyed by the brightness of His glory. Christ takes His people to the city of God, and the earth is emptied of its inhabitants. “Behold, the Lord maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down, and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof. ... The land shall be utterly emptied and utterly spoiled: for the Lord hath spoken this word ... because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned.” Isaiah 24:1, 3, 5, 6. – {HF 397.2}
The earth appears like a desolate wilderness. Cities destroyed by the earthquake, uprooted trees, ragged rocks torn out of the earth are scattered over its surface. Vast caverns mark the spot where the mountains have been rent from their foundations. – {HF 397.3}
The Banishment of Satan
Now the event takes place foreshadowed in the last solemn service of the Day of Atonement. When the sins of Israel had been removed from the sanctuary by virtue of the blood of the sin offering, the scapegoat was presented alive before the Lord. The high priest confessed over him “all the iniquities of the children of Israel, ... putting them upon the head of the goat.” Leviticus 16:21. In like manner, when the work of atonement in the heavenly sanctuary has been completed, then, in the presence of God and heavenly angels and the host of the redeemed, the sins of God’s people will be placed on Satan; he will be declared guilty of all the evil which he has caused them to commit. As the scapegoat was sent away into a land not inhabited, so Satan will be banished to the desolate earth. – {HF 397.4}
After presenting scenes of the Lord’s coming, the revelator continues: “I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, and cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.” Revelation 20:1-3. – {HF 398.1}
The “bottomless pit” represents the earth in confusion and darkness. Looking forward to the great day of God, Jeremiah declares: “I beheld the earth, and, lo, it was without form, and void [*] and the heavens, and they had no light. I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly. I beheld, and, lo, there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens were fled. I beheld, and, lo, the fruitful place was a wilderness, and all the cities thereof were broken down.” Jeremiah 4:23-26. – {HF 398.2}
Here is to be the home of Satan with his evil angels for a 1000 years. Limited to the earth, he will not have access to other worlds to tempt and annoy those who have never fallen. In this sense he is “bound.” None remain on whom he can exercise his power. He is cut off from the work of deception and ruin which has been his sole delight. – {HF 398.3}
Isaiah, looking forward to Satan’s overthrow, exclaims: “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! ... Thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: ... I will be like the Most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; that made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?” Isaiah 14:12-17. – {HF 398.4}
For 6000 years Satan’s prison-house has received God’s people, but Christ has broken his bonds and set the prisoners free. Alone with his evil angels he realizes the effect of sin: “The kings of the nations, even all of them, lie in glory, every one in his own house [the grave]. But thou art cast out of thy grave like an abominable branch. ... Thou shalt not be joined with them in burial, because thou hast destroyed thy land, and slain thy people.” Isaiah 14:18-20. – {HF 399.1}
For 1000 years, Satan will behold the results of his rebellion against the law of God. His sufferings are intense. He is now left to contemplate the part he has acted since he rebelled and to look forward with terror to the dreadful future when he must be punished. – {HF 399.2}
During the 1000 years between the first and second resurrections, the judgment of the wicked takes place. Paul points to this as an event that follows the second advent. 1 Corinthians 4:5. The righteous reign as kings and priests. John says: “I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them. ... They shall be priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with him a thousand years.” Revelation 20:4-6. – {HF 399.3}
At this time “the saints shall judge the world.” 1 Corinthians 6:2. In union with Christ they judge the wicked, deciding every case according to the deeds done in the body. Then the portion the wicked must suffer is meted out, according to their works, and it is recorded against their names in the book of death. – {HF 399.4}
Satan and evil angels are judged by Christ and His people. Says Paul: “Know ye not that we shall judge angels?” 1 Corinthians 6:3. Jude declares: “The angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.” Jude 6. – {HF 399.5}
At the close of the 1000 years, the second resurrection will take place. Then the wicked will be raised from the dead and appear before God for the execution of “the judgment written.” Psalm 149:9. Thus the Revelator says: “The rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished.” Revelation 20:5. And Isaiah declares, concerning the wicked: “They shall be gathered together as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited.” Isaiah 24:22. – {HF 400.1}

Sabtu, 12 September 2015

What Lies Beyond The Grave ?


Satan, who had incited rebellion in heaven, desired to bring the inhabitants of the earth to unite in his warfare against God. Adam and Eve had been perfectly happy in obedience to the law of God—a constant testimony against the claim Satan had urged in heaven that God’s law was oppressive. Satan determined to cause their fall, that he might possess the earth and here establish his kingdom in opposition to the Most High. – {HF 328.1}
Adam and Eve had been warned against this dangerous foe, but he worked in the dark, concealing his purpose. Employing as his medium the serpent, then a creature of fascinating appearance, he addressed Eve: “Hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” Eve ventured to parley with him and fell victim to his wiles: “The woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:1-5. – {HF 328.2}
Eve yielded, and through her influence Adam was led into sin. They accepted the words of the serpent; they distrusted their Creator and imagined that He was restricting their liberty. – {HF 328.3}
But what did Adam find to be the meaning of the words, “In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die”? Was he to be ushered into a more exalted existence? Adam did not find this to be the meaning of the divine sentence. God declared that as a penalty for his sin, man should return to the ground: “Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” Genesis 3:19. The words of Satan, “Your eyes shall be opened,” proved to be true in this sense only: their eyes were opened to discern their folly. They did know evil and tasted the bitter fruit of transgression. – {HF 328.4}
The tree of life had the power of perpetuating life. Adam would have continued to enjoy free access to this tree and have lived forever, but when he sinned he was cut off from the tree of life and became subject to death. Immortality had been forfeited by transgression. There could have been no hope for the fallen race had not God, by the sacrifice of His Son, brought immortality within their reach. While “death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned,” Christ “hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” Only through Christ can immortality be obtained. “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life.” Romans 5:12; 2 Timothy 1:10; John 3:36. – {HF 329.1}
The Great Lie
The one who promised life in disobedience was the great deceiver. And the declaration of the serpent in Eden—“Ye shall not surely die”—was the first sermon ever preached on the immortality of the soul. Yet this declaration, resting solely upon the authority of Satan, is echoed from pulpits and received by the majority of mankind as readily as by our first parents. The divine sentence, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die” (Ezekiel 18:20), is made to mean, The soul that sinneth, it shall not die, but live eternally. Had man after his fall been allowed free access to the tree of life, sin would have been immortalized. But not one of the family of Adam has been permitted to partake of the life-giving fruit. Therefore there is no immortal sinner. – {HF 329.2}
After the Fall, Satan bade his angels to inculcate the belief in man’s natural immortality. Having induced the people to receive this error, they were to lead them to conclude that the sinner would live in eternal misery. Now the prince of darkness represents God as a revengeful tyrant, declaring that He plunges into hell all who do not please Him, that while they writhe in eternal flames, their Creator looks down on them with satisfaction. Thus the archfiend clothes with his attributes the Benefactor of mankind. Cruelty is satanic. God is love. Satan is the enemy who tempts man to sin and then destroys him if he can. How repugnant to love, mercy, and justice, is the doctrine that the wicked dead are tormented in an eternally burning hell, that for the sins of a brief earthly life they suffer torture as long as God shall live! – {HF 330.1}
Where in God’s Word is such teaching to be found? Are feelings of common humanity to be exchanged for the cruelty of the savage? No, such is not the teaching of the Book of God. “As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die?” Ezekiel 33:11. – {HF 330.2}
Does God delight in witnessing unceasing tortures? Is He regaled with the groans and shrieks of suffering creatures whom He holds in the flames? Can these horrid sounds be music in the ear of Infinite Love? Oh, dreadful blasphemy! God’s glory is not enhanced by perpetuating sin through ceaseless ages. – {HF 330.3}
The Heresy of Eternal Torment
Evil has been wrought by the heresy of eternal torment. The religion of the Bible, full of love and goodness, is darkened by superstition and clothed with terror. Satan has painted the character of God in false colors. Our merciful Creator is feared, dreaded, even hated. The appalling views of God which have spread over the world from the teaching of the pulpit have made millions of skeptics and infidels. – {HF 330.4}
Eternal torment is one of the false doctrines, the wine of abominations (Revelation 14:8; 17:2), which Babylon makes all nations drink. Ministers of Christ accepted this heresy from Rome as they received the false sabbath. If we turn from God’s Word and accept false doctrines because our fathers taught them, we fall under the condemnation pronounced on Babylon; we are drinking of the wine of her abominations. – {HF 331.1}
A large class are driven to the opposite error. They see that Scripture represents God as a being of love and compassion and cannot believe that He will consign His creatures to an eternally burning hell. Holding that the soul is naturally immortal, they conclude that all mankind will be saved. Thus the sinner can live in selfish pleasure, disregarding the requirements of God, and yet be received into His favor. Such doctrine, presuming on God’s mercy but ignoring His justice, pleases the carnal heart. – {HF 331.2}
Universal Salvation Unscriptural
Believers in universal salvation wrest the Scriptures. The professed minister of Christ reiterates the falsehood uttered by the serpent in Eden, “Ye shall not surely die.” “In the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods.” He declares that the vilest of sinners—the murderer, the thief, the adulterer—will after death enter into immortal bliss. A pleasing fable indeed, suited to gratify the carnal heart! – {HF 331.3}
If it were true that all men passed directly to heaven at the hour of dissolution, we might well covet death rather than life. Many have been led by this belief to put an end to their existence. Overwhelmed with trouble and disappointment, it seems easy to break the thread of life and soar into the bliss of the eternal world. – {HF 331.4}
God has given in His Word decisive evidence that He will punish the transgressors of His law. Is He too merciful to execute justice upon the sinner? Look to the cross of Calvary. The death of the Son of God testifies that “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23), that every violation of God’s law must receive retribution. Christ the sinless became sin for man. He bore the guilt of transgression and the hiding of His Father’s face until His heart was broken and His life crushed out—all this that sinners might be redeemed. And every soul that refuses to partake of the atonement provided at such a cost must bear in his own person the guilt and punishment of transgression. – {HF 331.5}
Conditions Are Specified
“I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.” This promise is only to those that thirst. “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” Revelation 21:6, 7. Conditions are specified. To inherit all things, we must overcome sin. – {HF 332.1}
“It shall not be well with the wicked.” Ecclesiastes 8:13. The sinner is treasuring up unto himself “wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; who will render to every man according to his deeds,” “tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man that doeth evil.” Romans 2:5, 6, 9. – {HF 332.2}
“No fornicator, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.” “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” Ephesians 5:5, ARV; Revelation 22:14, 15. – {HF 332.3}
God has given to men a declaration of His method of dealing with sin. “All the wicked will he destroy.” “The transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.” Psalms 145:20; 37:38. The authority of the divine government will put down rebellion, yet retributive justice will be consistent with the character of God as a merciful, benevolent being. – {HF 332.4}
God does not force the will. He takes no pleasure in slavish obedience. He desires that the creatures of His hands shall love Him because He is worthy of love. He would have them obey Him because they have an intelligent appreciation of His wisdom, justice, and benevolence. – {HF 333.1}
The principles of the divine government are in harmony with the Saviour’s precept, “Love your enemies.” Matthew 5:44. God executes justice on the wicked for the good of the universe and even for the good of those on whom His judgments are visited. He would make them happy if He could. He surrounds them with tokens of His love and follows them with offers of mercy; but they despise His love, make void His law, and reject His mercy. Constantly receiving His gifts, they dishonor the Giver. The Lord bears long with their perversity; but will He chain these rebels to His side, force them to do His will? – {HF 333.2}
Not Prepared to Enter Heaven
Those who have chosen Satan as their leader are not prepared to enter the presence of God. Pride, deception, licentiousness, cruelty, have become fixed in their characters. Can they enter heaven to dwell forever with those whom they hated on earth? Truth will never be agreeable to a liar; meekness will not satisfy self-esteem; purity is not acceptable to the corrupt; disinterested love does not appear attractive to the selfish. What enjoyment could heaven offer those who are absorbed in selfish interests? – {HF 333.3}
Could those whose hearts are filled with hatred of God, of truth and holiness, mingle with the heavenly throng and join their songs of praise? Years of probation were granted them, but they never trained the mind to love purity. They never learned the language of heaven. Now it is too late. – {HF 333.4}
A life of rebellion against God has unfitted them for heaven. Its purity and peace would be torture to them; the glory of God would be a consuming fire. They would long to flee from that holy place and would welcome destruction, that they might be hidden from the face of Him who died to redeem them. The destiny of the wicked is fixed by their own choice. Their exclusion from heaven is voluntary with themselves, and just and merciful on the part of God. Like the waters of the Flood the fires of the great day declare God’s verdict that the wicked are incurable. Their will has been exercised in revolt. When life is ended, it is too late to turn their thoughts from transgression to obedience, from hatred to love. – {HF 333.5}
The Wages of Sin
“The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” While life is the inheritance of the righteous, death is the portion of the wicked. “The second death” is placed in contrast with everlasting life. Romans 6:23; see Revelation 20:14. – {HF 334.1}
In consequence of Adam’s sin, death passed upon the whole human race. All alike go down into the grave. And through the plan of salvation, all are to be brought forth from their graves: “There shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust,” “for as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” But a distinction is made between the two classes brought forth: “All that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life: and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” Acts 24:15; 1 Corinthians 15:22; John 5:28, 29. – {HF 334.2}
The First Resurrection
They who have been “accounted worthy” of the resurrection of life are “blessed and holy.” “On such the second death hath no power.” Luke 20:35; Revelation 20:6. But those who have not secured pardon through repentance and faith must receive “the wages of sin,” punishment “according to their works,” ending in the “second death.” – {HF 334.3}
Since it is impossible for God to save the sinner in his sins, He deprives him of the existence which his transgressions have forfeited and of which he has proved himself unworthy. “Yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.” “They shall be as though they had not been.” Psalm 37:10; Obadiah 16. They sink into hopeless, eternal oblivion. – {HF 335.1}
Satan, who had incited rebellion in heaven, desired to bring the inhabitants of the earth to unite in his warfare against God. Adam and Eve had been perfectly happy in obedience to the law of God—a constant testimony against the claim Satan had urged in heaven that God’s law was oppressive. Satan determined to cause their fall, that he might possess the earth and here establish his kingdom in opposition to the Most High. – {HF 328.1}
Adam and Eve had been warned against this dangerous foe, but he worked in the dark, concealing his purpose. Employing as his medium the serpent, then a creature of fascinating appearance, he addressed Eve: “Hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” Eve ventured to parley with him and fell victim to his wiles: “The woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:1-5. – {HF 328.2}
Eve yielded, and through her influence Adam was led into sin. They accepted the words of the serpent; they distrusted their Creator and imagined that He was restricting their liberty. – {HF 328.3}
But what did Adam find to be the meaning of the words, “In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die”? Was he to be ushered into a more exalted existence? Adam did not find this to be the meaning of the divine sentence. God declared that as a penalty for his sin, man should return to the ground: “Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” Genesis 3:19. The words of Satan, “Your eyes shall be opened,” proved to be true in this sense only: their eyes were opened to discern their folly. They did know evil and tasted the bitter fruit of transgression. – {HF 328.4}
The tree of life had the power of perpetuating life. Adam would have continued to enjoy free access to this tree and have lived forever, but when he sinned he was cut off from the tree of life and became subject to death. Immortality had been forfeited by transgression. There could have been no hope for the fallen race had not God, by the sacrifice of His Son, brought immortality within their reach. While “death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned,” Christ “hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” Only through Christ can immortality be obtained. “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life.” Romans 5:12; 2 Timothy 1:10; John 3:36. – {HF 329.1}
The Great Lie
The one who promised life in disobedience was the great deceiver. And the declaration of the serpent in Eden—“Ye shall not surely die”—was the first sermon ever preached on the immortality of the soul. Yet this declaration, resting solely upon the authority of Satan, is echoed from pulpits and received by the majority of mankind as readily as by our first parents. The divine sentence, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die” (Ezekiel 18:20), is made to mean, The soul that sinneth, it shall not die, but live eternally. Had man after his fall been allowed free access to the tree of life, sin would have been immortalized. But not one of the family of Adam has been permitted to partake of the life-giving fruit. Therefore there is no immortal sinner. – {HF 329.2}
After the Fall, Satan bade his angels to inculcate the belief in man’s natural immortality. Having induced the people to receive this error, they were to lead them to conclude that the sinner would live in eternal misery. Now the prince of darkness represents God as a revengeful tyrant, declaring that He plunges into hell all who do not please Him, that while they writhe in eternal flames, their Creator looks down on them with satisfaction. Thus the archfiend clothes with his attributes the Benefactor of mankind. Cruelty is satanic. God is love. Satan is the enemy who tempts man to sin and then destroys him if he can. How repugnant to love, mercy, and justice, is the doctrine that the wicked dead are tormented in an eternally burning hell, that for the sins of a brief earthly life they suffer torture as long as God shall live! – {HF 330.1}
Where in God’s Word is such teaching to be found? Are feelings of common humanity to be exchanged for the cruelty of the savage? No, such is not the teaching of the Book of God. “As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die?” Ezekiel 33:11. – {HF 330.2}
Does God delight in witnessing unceasing tortures? Is He regaled with the groans and shrieks of suffering creatures whom He holds in the flames? Can these horrid sounds be music in the ear of Infinite Love? Oh, dreadful blasphemy! God’s glory is not enhanced by perpetuating sin through ceaseless ages. – {HF 330.3}
The Heresy of Eternal Torment
Evil has been wrought by the heresy of eternal torment. The religion of the Bible, full of love and goodness, is darkened by superstition and clothed with terror. Satan has painted the character of God in false colors. Our merciful Creator is feared, dreaded, even hated. The appalling views of God which have spread over the world from the teaching of the pulpit have made millions of skeptics and infidels. – {HF 330.4}
Eternal torment is one of the false doctrines, the wine of abominations (Revelation 14:8; 17:2), which Babylon makes all nations drink. Ministers of Christ accepted this heresy from Rome as they received the false sabbath. If we turn from God’s Word and accept false doctrines because our fathers taught them, we fall under the condemnation pronounced on Babylon; we are drinking of the wine of her abominations. – {HF 331.1}
A large class are driven to the opposite error. They see that Scripture represents God as a being of love and compassion and cannot believe that He will consign His creatures to an eternally burning hell. Holding that the soul is naturally immortal, they conclude that all mankind will be saved. Thus the sinner can live in selfish pleasure, disregarding the requirements of God, and yet be received into His favor. Such doctrine, presuming on God’s mercy but ignoring His justice, pleases the carnal heart. – {HF 331.2}
Universal Salvation Unscriptural
Believers in universal salvation wrest the Scriptures. The professed minister of Christ reiterates the falsehood uttered by the serpent in Eden, “Ye shall not surely die.” “In the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods.” He declares that the vilest of sinners—the murderer, the thief, the adulterer—will after death enter into immortal bliss. A pleasing fable indeed, suited to gratify the carnal heart! – {HF 331.3}
If it were true that all men passed directly to heaven at the hour of dissolution, we might well covet death rather than life. Many have been led by this belief to put an end to their existence. Overwhelmed with trouble and disappointment, it seems easy to break the thread of life and soar into the bliss of the eternal world. – {HF 331.4}
God has given in His Word decisive evidence that He will punish the transgressors of His law. Is He too merciful to execute justice upon the sinner? Look to the cross of Calvary. The death of the Son of God testifies that “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23), that every violation of God’s law must receive retribution. Christ the sinless became sin for man. He bore the guilt of transgression and the hiding of His Father’s face until His heart was broken and His life crushed out—all this that sinners might be redeemed. And every soul that refuses to partake of the atonement provided at such a cost must bear in his own person the guilt and punishment of transgression. – {HF 331.5}
Conditions Are Specified
“I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.” This promise is only to those that thirst. “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” Revelation 21:6, 7. Conditions are specified. To inherit all things, we must overcome sin. – {HF 332.1}
“It shall not be well with the wicked.” Ecclesiastes 8:13. The sinner is treasuring up unto himself “wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; who will render to every man according to his deeds,” “tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man that doeth evil.” Romans 2:5, 6, 9. – {HF 332.2}
“No fornicator, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.” “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” Ephesians 5:5, ARV; Revelation 22:14, 15. – {HF 332.3}
God has given to men a declaration of His method of dealing with sin. “All the wicked will he destroy.” “The transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.” Psalms 145:20; 37:38. The authority of the divine government will put down rebellion, yet retributive justice will be consistent with the character of God as a merciful, benevolent being. – {HF 332.4}
God does not force the will. He takes no pleasure in slavish obedience. He desires that the creatures of His hands shall love Him because He is worthy of love. He would have them obey Him because they have an intelligent appreciation of His wisdom, justice, and benevolence. – {HF 333.1}
The principles of the divine government are in harmony with the Saviour’s precept, “Love your enemies.” Matthew 5:44. God executes justice on the wicked for the good of the universe and even for the good of those on whom His judgments are visited. He would make them happy if He could. He surrounds them with tokens of His love and follows them with offers of mercy; but they despise His love, make void His law, and reject His mercy. Constantly receiving His gifts, they dishonor the Giver. The Lord bears long with their perversity; but will He chain these rebels to His side, force them to do His will? – {HF 333.2}
Not Prepared to Enter Heaven
Those who have chosen Satan as their leader are not prepared to enter the presence of God. Pride, deception, licentiousness, cruelty, have become fixed in their characters. Can they enter heaven to dwell forever with those whom they hated on earth? Truth will never be agreeable to a liar; meekness will not satisfy self-esteem; purity is not acceptable to the corrupt; disinterested love does not appear attractive to the selfish. What enjoyment could heaven offer those who are absorbed in selfish interests? – {HF 333.3}
Could those whose hearts are filled with hatred of God, of truth and holiness, mingle with the heavenly throng and join their songs of praise? Years of probation were granted them, but they never trained the mind to love purity. They never learned the language of heaven. Now it is too late. – {HF 333.4}
A life of rebellion against God has unfitted them for heaven. Its purity and peace would be torture to them; the glory of God would be a consuming fire. They would long to flee from that holy place and would welcome destruction, that they might be hidden from the face of Him who died to redeem them. The destiny of the wicked is fixed by their own choice. Their exclusion from heaven is voluntary with themselves, and just and merciful on the part of God. Like the waters of the Flood the fires of the great day declare God’s verdict that the wicked are incurable. Their will has been exercised in revolt. When life is ended, it is too late to turn their thoughts from transgression to obedience, from hatred to love. – {HF 333.5}
The Wages of Sin
“The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” While life is the inheritance of the righteous, death is the portion of the wicked. “The second death” is placed in contrast with everlasting life. Romans 6:23; see Revelation 20:14. – {HF 334.1}
In consequence of Adam’s sin, death passed upon the whole human race. All alike go down into the grave. And through the plan of salvation, all are to be brought forth from their graves: “There shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust,” “for as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” But a distinction is made between the two classes brought forth: “All that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life: and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” Acts 24:15; 1 Corinthians 15:22; John 5:28, 29. – {HF 334.2}
The First Resurrection
They who have been “accounted worthy” of the resurrection of life are “blessed and holy.” “On such the second death hath no power.” Luke 20:35; Revelation 20:6. But those who have not secured pardon through repentance and faith must receive “the wages of sin,” punishment “according to their works,” ending in the “second death.” – {HF 334.3}
Since it is impossible for God to save the sinner in his sins, He deprives him of the existence which his transgressions have forfeited and of which he has proved himself unworthy. “Yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.” “They shall be as though they had not been.” Psalm 37:10; Obadiah 16. They sink into hopeless, eternal oblivion. – {HF 335.1}
Thus will be made an end of sin. “Thou hast destroyed the wicked, thou hast put out their name forever and ever. O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end.” Psalm 9:5, 6. John, in the Revelation, hears a universal anthem of praise undisturbed by one note of discord. No lost souls blaspheme God as they writhe in never-ending torment. No wretched beings in hell will mingle their shrieks with the songs of the saved. – {HF 335.2}
Upon the error of natural immortality rests the doctrine of consciousness in death. Like eternal torment, it is opposed to Scripture, to reason, and to our feelings of humanity. – {HF 335.3}
According to popular belief, the redeemed in heaven are acquainted with all that takes place on earth. But how could it be happiness to the dead to know the troubles of the living, to see them enduring the sorrows, disappointments, and anguish of life? And how revolting the belief that as soon as the breath leaves the body the soul of the impenitent is consigned to the flames of hell! – {HF 335.4}
What say the Scriptures? Man is not conscious in death: “His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.” “The living know that they shall die: but the dead know not anything. ... Their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion forever in anything that is done under the sun.” “The grave cannot praise thee, death cannot celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth. The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day.” “In death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?” Psalm 146:4; Ecclesiastes 9:5, 6; Isaiah 38:18, 19; Psalm 6:5. – {HF 335.5}
Peter on the day of Pentecost declared that David “is both dead and buried, and his sepulcher is with us unto this day.” “For David is not ascended into the heavens.” Acts 2:29, 34. The fact that David remains in the grave until the resurrection proves that the righteous do not go to heaven at death. – {HF 336.1}
Said Paul: “If the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: and if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.” 1 Corinthians 15:16-18. If for 4000 years the righteous had gone directly to heaven at death, how could Paul have said that if there is no resurrection, “they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished”? – {HF 336.2}
When about to leave His disciples, Jesus did not tell them that they would soon come to Him: “I go to prepare a place for you,” He said. “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself.” John 14:2, 3. Paul tells us further, that “the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” And he adds: “Comfort one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18. At the coming of the Lord, the fetters of the tomb shall be broken and the “dead in Christ” shall be raised to eternal life. – {HF 336.3}
All are to be judged according to the things written in the books and rewarded as their works have been. This judgment does not take place at death. “He hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness.” “Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgment upon all.” Acts 17:31; Jude 14, 15. – {HF 336.4}
But if the dead already enjoy heaven or writhe in the flames of hell, what need of a future judgment? God’s Word may be understood by common minds. But what candid mind can see either wisdom or justice in the current theory? Will the righteous receive the commendation, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant, ... enter thou into the joy of thy Lord,” when they have been dwelling in His presence for long ages? Are the wicked summoned from torment to receive sentence from the Judge, “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire”? Matthew 25:21, 41. – {HF 337.1}
The theory of the immortality of the soul was one of those false doctrines that Rome borrowed from paganism. Luther classed it with the “monstrous fables that form part of the Roman dunghill of decretals.” [1] The Bible teaches that the dead sleep until the resurrection. – {HF 337.2}
Blessed rest for the weary righteous! Time, be it long or short, is but a moment to them. They sleep; they are awakened by the trump of God to a glorious immortality. “For the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible. ... So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.” 1 Corinthians 15:52-54. – {HF 337.3}
Called forth from their slumber, they begin to think just where they ceased. The last sensation was the pang of death; the last thought, that they were falling beneath the power of the grave. When they arise from the tomb, their first glad thought will be echoed in the triumphal shout: “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” 1 Corinthians 15:55. – {HF 337.4}