Are the definitions given in those chapters of the words right, righteous, love, faith, and repentance, in reference to future eternal safety, sustained by common use and by our dictionaries? What texts illustrate the distinction between right as to motives, or intention and right as to resulting consequences?
What texts show that wrong actions, owing to mistaken opinions as to what is right, do not necessarily destroy evidence of a righteous or virtuous character?
What texts show that the righteous character which secures eternal safety consists, not chiefly in emotional love to God, but rather in a controlling principle of obedience to his will, as manifested in both his natural and revealed laws?
What texts show that at some future period (it may be millions of ages hence) there will be a final separation of the righteous and the wicked?
Are there any texts which show that in the intervening ages there will be no improvement of character for those who fail in this life? and are there any which show that there may be for some, if not for all?
Are there any texts which show that the character of every human being is fixed at death?
Are there any texts which show that some of mankind will be forever sinful, and forever separated from the righteous?
Are there any texts which show that all mankind will finally become righteous, and thus forever happy?
When all the texts in the Bible on these questions are collected and arranged, when applying the rules of interpretation, these considerations are to be noticed:
1. That the word “Hades,” in many cases, is translated “Hell,” when its proper translation is “the place of departed spirits.” The story of Dives and Lazarus, and of the repentant thief, can be properly explained only by ascertaining the meaning the Jews attached to the words Hades and Paradise; for Christ, of course, expected them to be thus understood.