But we have the great consolation that
"what we know not now, we shall know hereafter."
In regard to the unfolding of divine truth, I have just met with the
following terse expression of it: "The inscrutable laws of the all-wise
God do not reveal themselves in one generation, but ripen with the
desire for knowledge on the part of mankind."
Thus, there is a progress in revelation. There are epochs when men get
larger views of truth. I think the present is one of these epochs. Many
statements of Scripture that were supposed formerly to relate wholly to
the present life, are now seen to relate to the life beyond. This brings
a wonderful naturalness and harmony into the whole scheme of grace, so
far as it is revealed.
The idea of no endless torment is but an enlargement of the principle
that God brings good out of evil.
Consider also that an ideal condition of the universe seems to require
that sin and suffering will be forever eliminated; and that under God's
administration an ideal condition will be realized.
Further; God has a personal love for every human soul. The most
degraded of our race can say as truly as did Paul, "He loved me." It is
reasonable to expect, then, that infinite Love will secure for the worst
of mankind something better than endless torment.
I have referred to the fact that the mind has a strong affinity for
truth.
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