A Goodness in God's Justice, June 19

The Interlude of Silence

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28.FLB 176.1

How repugnant to every emotion of love and mercy, and even to our sense of justice, is the doctrine that the wicked dead are tormented with fire and brimstone in an eternally burning hell; that for the sins of a brief earthly life they are to suffer torture as long as God shall live....FLB 176.2

Where, in the pages of God's Word, is such teaching to be found? Will the redeemed in heaven be lost to all emotions of pity and compassion, and even to feelings of common humanity? Are these to be exchanged for the indifference of the stoic, or the cruelty of the savage? No, no; such is not the teaching of the Book of God....FLB 176.3

The theory of eternal torment is one of the false doctrines that constitute the wine of the abominations of Babylon.^{45The Great Controversy, 535, 536.}FLB 176.4

When we consider in what false colors Satan has painted the character of God, can we wonder that our merciful Creator is feared, ... even hated? ^{46The Great Controversy, 536.}FLB 176.5

The principles of kindness, mercy, and love, taught and exemplified by our Saviour, are a transcript of the will and character of God.... God executes justice upon the wicked, for the good of the universe, and even for the good of those upon whom His judgments are visited....FLB 176.6

Those who have chosen Satan as their leader, and have been controlled by his power, are not prepared to enter the presence of God....FLB 176.7

Could they endure the glory of God and the Lamb? No, no; years of probation were granted them, that they might form characters for heaven; but they have never trained the mind to love purity; they have never learned the language of heaven, and now it is too late.^{47The Great Controversy, 541-543.}FLB 176.8

To sin, wherever found, “our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:29. In all who submit to His power the Spirit of God will consume sin. But if men cling to sin, they become identified with it. Then the glory of God, which destroys sin, must destroy them.^{48The Desire of Ages, 107.}FLB 176.9