The European Union in Prophecy The EU in Prophecy I | Page 434

The European Union in Prophecy
constantly leading others to rebellion. It was so in Cain's and in Noah's day, and in
the time of Abraham and Lot; it is so in our time. It is in mercy to the universe that
God will finally destroy the rejecters of His grace.
"The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ
our Lord." Romans 6:23. While life is the inheritance of the righteous, death is the
portion of the wicked. Moses declared to Israel: "I have set before thee this day life
and good, and death and evil." Deuteronomy 30:15. The death referred to in these
scriptures is not that pronounced upon Adam, for all mankind suffer the penalty of
his transgression. It is "the second death" that is placed in contrast with everlasting
life.
In consequence of Adam's sin, death passed upon the whole human race. All
alike go down into the grave. And through the provisions of the plan of salvation, all
are to be brought forth from their graves. "There shall be a resurrection of the dead,
both of the just and unjust;" "for as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made
alive." Acts 24:15; I Corinthians 15:22. But a distinction is made between the two
classes that are brought forth. "All that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and
shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that
have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." John 5:28, 29. They who have
been "accounted worthy" of the resurrection of life are "blessed and holy." "On such
the second death hath no power." Revelation 20:6.
But those who have not, through repentance and faith, secured pardon, must
receive the penalty of transgression--"the wages of sin." They suffer punishment
varying in duration and intensity, "according to their works," but finally ending in the
second death. Since it is impossible for God, consistently with His justice and mercy,
to save the sinner in his sins, He deprives him of the existence which his
transgressions have forfeited and of which he has proved himself unworthy. Says an
inspired writer: "Yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt
diligently consider his place, and it shall not be." And another declares: "They shall
be as though they had not been." Psalm 37:10; Obadiah 16. Covered with infamy,
they sink into hopeless, eternal oblivion.
Thus will be made an end of sin, with all the woe and ruin which have resulted
from it. Says the psalmist: "Thou hast destroyed the wicked, Thou hast put out their
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