The European Union in Prophecy The EU in Prophecy I | Page 427

The European Union in Prophecy
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. Yet this doctrine has been widely taught and is still
embodied in many of the creeds of Christendom. Said a learned doctor of divinity:
"The sight of hell torments will exalt the happiness of the saints forever. When they
see others who are of the same nature and born under the same circumstances,
plunged in such misery, and they so distinguished, it will make them sensible of how
happy they are." Another used these words: "While the decree of reprobation is
eternally executing on the vessels of wrath, the smoke of their torment will be
eternally ascending in view of the vessels of mercy, who, instead of taking the part of
these miserable objects, will say, Amen, Alleluia! praise ye the Lord!"
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. Those
who present the views expressed in the quotations given above may be learned and
even honest men, but they are deluded by the sophistry of Satan. He leads them to
misconstrue strong expressions of Scripture, giving to the language the coloring of
bitterness and malignity which pertains to himself, but not to our Creator. "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.
What would be gained to God should we admit that He delights in witnessing
unceasing tortures; that He is regaled with the groans and shrieks and imprecations
of the suffering creatures whom He holds in the flames of hell? Can these horrid
sounds be music in the ear of Infinite Love? It is urged that the infliction of endless
misery upon the wicked would show God's hatred of sin as an evil which is ruinous to
the peace and order of the universe. Oh, dreadful blasphemy! As if God's hatred of sin
is the reason why it is perpetuated. For, according to the teachings of these
theologians, continued torture without hope of mercy maddens its wretched victims,
and as they pour out their rage in curses and blasphemy, they are forever augmenting
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