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 name forever and ever . O thou enemy , destructions are come to a perpetual end ." Psalm 9:5 , 6 . John , in the Revelation , looking forward to the eternal state , hears a universal anthem of praise undisturbed by one note of discord . Every creature in heaven and earth was heard ascribing glory to God . Revelation 5:13 . There will then be no lost souls to blaspheme God as they writhe in neverending torment ; no wretched beings in hell will mingle their shrieks with the songs of the saved .
Upon the fundamental error of natural immortality rests the doctrine of consciousness in death--a doctrine , like eternal torment , opposed to the teachings of the Scriptures , to the dictates of reason , and to our feelings of humanity . According to the popular belief , the redeemed in heaven are acquainted with all that takes place on the earth and especially with
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