The Great Controversy The Great Controversy | Page 545
“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; 1 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
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