Some Queries

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Jul 26, 1910

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 37, No. 29.

But why, you ask, is even the condition of believing made a prerequisite to our salvation? Why not take us back to Adam’s former estate en masse? There are many reasons for this; but two or three are sufficient. First, God will not govern any one against his consent. He can have no persons in His kingdom who do not want to be there. And if selfishness and greed should enter the realms of Eden restored, it would be “hell on earth” with a vengeance. Second, without faith, which is simply another word for “believing God,” he must needs continue to believe the devil; and that is the way he first got himself into trouble. Eve believed the devil in a saying which was exactly contrary to the Word of God. To believe this, was only to disbelieve God. To disbelieve God, was the way to disobey God; and this second part followed precisely on the heels of the first. Adam followed suit; and that is the way sin entered. Now the way to get out of trouble, is the exact opposite to the way you got in. Unbelief, disobedience, sin. Belief, obedience, righteousness.

But why did not God kill the devil?—He will, when the time is ripe for it. And that is what He meant when He told Eve that her “Seed” (a descendant of hers) should “bruise” the serpent’s “head.” But first He came to “destroy the works of the devil” (sin) out of our hearts, as it is written: “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8. What are the works of the devil?—Sin. Then sin must be destroyed. Next, Christ will destroy the devil, for so it is written:

“Forasmuch then as the children [ourselves] are partakers of flesh and blood, He [Christ] also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.” Heb. 2:14. Thus the devil will eventually be destroyed; but inasmuch as man voluntarily chose him as his ruler and guide, God can not, in justice, destroy him until all mankind have declared openly and finally for the cause Satan advocates, or for God. And at that time probation will close. And then we shall see how God will deal with the devil. But that is another story, and will claim our attention more fully before this series of articles closes.

Let us, then, who read these lines, declare for God. Let us dare to believe Him. Tho men and devils dispute Him, let us believe God’s Word. Adam failed by believing one lie. Now the devil has flooded the world with lies and liars. And we are safe only as we believe, and implicitly trust, the Word of that God who “can not lie.”