BY THE REV. D. MACFARLANE, DINGWALL.
Though Pastor Russell is dead, his followers are as active as ever in seeking to spread his deluding doctrines. Under the name of the International Bible Students’ Association they are spreading their literature broadcast over the land. The following exposure of their teaching from the pen of Mr Macfarlane, Dingwall, appeared in a recent issue of the “North Star”:—
THESE Bible Students profess to study the Bible, but they do not understand the Bible, and they teach error instead of truth, and have been the means of leading many of their fellow sinners—without intending it—to everlasting ruin in eternity!
I shall point out some of their errors:—
(1) They teach that the order of things, which obtained in pre-war days has gone, and that the world that then was has ended—we are now in a new world, and all forms of sin and unrighteousness are closed down. Now in opposition to this false representation, we say that bad as people were in their conduct before the War they are ten times worse after it. All who have eyes to see will admit this. But the blind—all these Students are—cannot see.
(2) They hold that at death the soul sleeps in an unconscious state in the grave with the body till the Resurrection. The teaching of the Bible is opposed to this doctrine. “Then”—that is, at death—”shall the dust return to the earth, as it was, and the spirit (soul, shall return unto God who gave it”—Ecc. xii., 7. Jesus said to the thief who prayed to Him “To-day shall thou be with me in Paradise”—Luke 23, 43. The body was put in the grave, but the soul went to heaven. The Apostle Paul looking forward to death said—”Having a desire to depart, and be with Christ, which is far better” (Phil. i., 23). He expected that his soul would be with Christ in heaven immediately after death.
(3) They deny that the punishment of the wicked is everlasting. The Apostle Paul, who spoke by the inspiration of the Spirit, said—”When the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power” (2 Thes. i., 7-9). Christ says—”These (the wicked) shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal” (Matt. 25, 46.) The punishment is as everlasting as the happy state of the redeemed in heaven, for it is the same Greek word translated everlasting that is used in both cases. Those who will not believe during their life-time that the punishment is everlasting must believe it when they die. But it shall be too late then for their eternal misery cannot be changed.
(4) They deny that Jesus Christ is God, equal with the Father in power and glory. Jesus Himself claims to be God. He said—”He that hath seen me hath seen the Father” (John 14, 9). The Apostle John said—”In the beginning (that is from all eternity) was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John i., 1). In holding that Christ is a mere man they have no Saviour, for a mere man cannot save; therefore they shall be lost in hell for ever.
(5) They hold and teach that Christ shall in human nature reign on earth for a thousand years. They call this “the second advent.” Now, there is no foundation in the Bible for that idea. The Bible speaks of the first and second coming of Christ, but says nothing about His third coming, and His second coming is always spoken of in connection with the end of the world, and the last judgment of the quick and the dead.
How is it that Bible Students speak contrary to the teaching of the Bible? This is the reason—they come to study the Bible with their own preconceived ideas, and make these ideas the rule of interpretation. They are like those to whom Christ said—”Ye have taken away the key of knowledge.” They took the tradition of the elders as the key to open Scripture instead of Scripture itself. Scripture is its own interpreter.
Oh! deluded Students, give up your evil work, you are in ignorance serving the devil, advancing his kingdom, ruining your own souls, and the souls of your fellow creatures. Forsake your wicked master. Come to Christ. Serve Him. He is the best Master, and His service is the best service.
It is very remarkable that the Old Testament ends with the word curse; but the New with a precious blessing, even the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.—George Whitefield
Every promise which God makes is evidence of His good will.—John Calvin.