Upon this subject we will quote from the treatise entitled, “What Is the Soul?” by D. S. Warner: “The words ‘eternal life,’ as the great gift of God to men, occur in the New Testament just twenty-nine times, and in every instance the word eternal is derived from the Greek word aionios; the same word which tells how long the punishment of the wicked shall last in Mat. 25:46, and elsewhere. The words ‘everlasting life’ and ‘life everlasting’ occur in the New Testament fourteen times, and by reference to the Greek Testament you will find the word everlasting is, without a single exception, translated from the same Greek word—aionios. Here then we learn the wisdom of Heaven finds and uses no stronger term in all the forty-three promises and statements of eternal and everlasting life to the righteous in the New Testament than the word aionion, the very same word which he uses to declare the eternal and everlasting punishment of the wicked.... The Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit have described the duration [pg 191] of their own existence, attributes and glory by the use of the same word which we have seen fixes the eternal punishment of the wicked.
“In Heb. 5:9 we read that Christ became the author of ‘eternal [aionion] salvation unto all them that obey him.’ If therefore this word does not mean eternal, our salvation will finally fail and drop us back into the hands of the devil. In Heb. 9:12 we read that Christ has obtained eternal (aionion) redemption. If then the word only means a long period of time our eternal redemption is not yet secured. In Heb. 9:15 we are told that by means of Christ's death for our redemption, we have ‘received the promise of eternal [aionion] inheritance.’ Will the inheritance that Christ has purchased by his death come to an end?”
In speaking of hell-fire in the ninth chapter of the gospel by Mark the eternal—aionion—immortal Son of God five times says it is a fire “which is not” and “never shall be quenched.” If it never shall be quenched, can we possibly err in supposing that it will burn forever? “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.” Mat. 25:41. “And shall be tormented day and night forever and ever.” Rev. 20:10. “And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever and ever.” Rev. 14:11.
There are yet many other scriptures which positively [pg 192] teach everlasting punishment in an endless hell. Whatever fears this doctrine may bring to deluded souls, and however zealously they may labor for its refutation, it stands unshaken. If you fear eternal punishment do not endeavor to calm your fears by seeking to believe there is no endless torment, but seek the Savior, who will save you from your sins and fears, and give you hope, blessed hope, of everlasting peace and rest.
Chapter XI. Spiritual Culture.
“And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.” 1 John 5:11. There is eternal life in Jesus, but for man to come into possession of this life he must comply with the requirements made by the Bible. After getting into possession of this life there are certain duties which man must faithfully perform to retain and develop it. After entering the wide fields of grace development is necessary. “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Pet. 3:18. Nutrition necessary for the development of spiritual life is contained in the Word of God. “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Mat. 4:4. [pg 193] “As new-born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may prow thereby.” 1 Pet. 2:2.
By proper culture—attending to Christian duties—the Christ-life in the soul will be strengthened, and daily we will become stronger in faith, richer in virtue, deeper in knowledge, more strictly temperate, exercise a greater degree of brotherly kindness and godliness, and enjoy more of heaven's pure love in our hearts. Neglect the proper Scriptural culture of the spiritual life and the Christian will degenerate into a few irksome duties of cold formality. By the writers of the New Testament we are urgently exhorted, yea, commanded, to attend to certain duties necessary to keep us in the love of God. Of these especially important are reading the Scripture, prayer, fasting, examination, meditation, etc.
Reading The Scripture.
“Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.” “I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.” “The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.” Psa. 119:140, 127, 72. The Bible, to the Christian, is a richer treasure than gold. No other book is read with such deep, amazing interest. The soul ravishingly feasts upon the pure, simple truth. It is manna. It is life. “How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth.” Psa. 119:103. When the soul gets to taste of the honeyed sweetness [pg 194] of God's Word it endears it to God and the Bible so as to make death preferable to separation. “O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.” Psa. 119:97. Exile to Patmos would not be so lonely to the Christian did he but have his Bible.