Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 262, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 November 1912 — PURGATORY “FIRES” NOT YET, BUT SOON. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

PURGATORY “FIRES” NOT YET, BUT SOON.

Word Purgatory Not In Bible, But Teaching Is Thera Saintly of Present Time Few, Yet All Must Become Holy Ere They Will Be Granted "the Gift of God, Eternal Lift), Through Josus Christ.”

Indianapolis, Oct 27.—The wofld-re-renowned Pastor Russell is here. We report one of his discourses from the text: “Some men’s sins go before to judgment, and some, they follow after.” (1 Timothy v, 24.) He said:— Gradually, as the eyes of our understanding open to

the true beauties of God’s Word, we find that while the gross Error of the past has some foundation In the Truth, the two are very different. Wrong Views of Future Punishment. Wrong views of future punishment have divided Christians into many sects. Our forefathers were not to blame; ability to read was not common until within a centqry. Furthermore. for centuries the Bible was out of the hands of the people and clerical zeal tried to bring the whole world, through fear, into the Church. Now, all thinking people repudiate the torment theories, and many are turning from the creeds, and from the Bible, the supposed foundation. The present trend is toward Highei Criticism, Evolution. In France, it is claimed, ninety-six per cent of the people have lost all faith in religion; in Germany, ninety per cent. How Important that the people should learn that God has made generous provision for all through Christ, and that He will bring all to a knowledge of Christ; that every wilful sin fdust bear its Just penalty. The subject of future punishment Is most Important The people should know respecting the word Hell In tbe original Scriptures—that Sheol of the Old Testament represents tbe Bible teaching of hell for tbe first four thousand years, and that Hades in the New Testament means tbe same; that these words do not stand for torture, but for the state of death. Humanity are redeemed from the grave by tbe death of Christ, and Sheol. Hades, the grave, shall be destroyed during Messiah’s reign.—Hosea xlii. 14; Isaiab xxv, 8; I Corinthians xv, 54, 55. Gehenna fire means the garbage-fur-nace valley outside Jerusalem; It is symbolical of the destruction of the finally Impenitent. Purgatorial Fires of the Bible. These are symbolical. The church is now on trial for everlasting life or everlasting death. The world’s purgatorial period .will be under the supervision of the Church.—l Cor. vl. 2.

St. Peter tells of purgatorial fires which now are purifying the saints: “Think It not strange concerning the fiery trial which shall try yon. as though some strange thing happened unto yon.” Jesus referred to these purgatorial experiences; read 1 John ill. 13; John xv, 18; Matthew xvt, 24. St Paul says that. Christ “learned obedience by the things which He suffered." and that “if we suffer with Him we shall also reign with Him.” The Scribes and Pharisees persecuted Jesus; He forewarned His followers that “a man’s foes shall be they of bis own household.” 0 St Paul points out that in the end of this Age fiery trials will come upon the Church: ’ “The fire of that day shall try every man’s work of what sort It is.” Faith built with the gold, silver and precious stones of Divine Truth will come forth nnscorched. Jesus declared to the Church. “Through much tribulation shall ye enter tbe Kingdom.” These are purgatorial tribulations for Dtbich we may give thanks. The World’s Purgatory Soon to Begin. Thd world's purgatory will begin with a severe ordeal upon all mankind, but will continue In instructive tribulation upon all needing tbe same. The “fires” will be symbolical. Tbe New Age will be ushered in by “a time of trouble such as never was 6ince there was a nation.” (Daniel xll. 1.1 Jesus declares that unless that trouble were checked no flesh could be saved: bnt* because of the Elect, those days shall be shortened. The Messianic Kingdom will end the strife and anarchy.

St Peter used symbolisms In describing these troubles: The “sea” represents the restless peoples; the solid “land”—earth—represents the social structure, whose “mountains’’ are the Kingdoms and whose “heavens” are the ecclesiastical powers. (II Peter ill. 5-7, 10, 12; Psalm xIvU The Apostle graphically pictures the elements of Society In violent agitation, resulting in a great “heat" which will consume these. He theu pictures the New Dis pensation. “The qew heavens” will be the Church In glory. “The new earth"" will be Society reconstructed. Who cannot see the capitalistic element, the' labor element and the social element In great danger of the conflagration Di vtnely foretold? The I.ord pictures mankind anxious to know and obey the Truth. '* "Then will 1 turn nnto the people a pure Message, that they may all call npon the name of the Lord, to serve Him with one consent”—Zepb. ill, 9.

PASTOR. RUSSELL