The place of Seventh Day Adventism within the story of the church is difficult to assess. Some scholars argue that those who embrace the teaching of Adventism are cultic, while others argue they are part of the mainstream Christian heritage, but with some distinctive doctrinal differences. One of the main doctrinal differences from orthodox Christianity is a failure to embrace the concept of an eternal hell. Five reasons are given for their position in Questions on Doctrine, first published in 1957:
- Because everlasting life is a gift of God (Romans 6:23). The wicked do not possess this—they "shall not see life" (John 3:36); "no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him" (1 John 3:15).
- Because eternal torment would perpetuate and immortalize sin, suffering, and woe, and contradict, we believe, divine revelation, which envisions the time when these things shall be no more (Revelation 21:4).
- Because it seems to us to provide a plague spot in the universe of God throughout eternity, and would seem to indicate that it is impossible for God Himself ever to abolish it.
- Because in our thinking it would detract from the attribute of love as seen in the character of God, and postulates the concept of a wrath which is never appeased.
- Because the Scriptures teach that the atoning work of Christ is to "put away sin" (Hebrews 9:26)—first from the individual, and ultimately from the universe. The full fruition of Christ’s sacrificial, atoning work will be seen not only in a redeemed people but in a restored heaven and earth (Ephesians 1:14).
As attractive as these ideas are to the sensitive soul, the question remains, "But is it true?" For the conservative Christian, it is difficult to reconcile the five arguments advocating the annihilation of the wicked with the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 25:46. "And these shall go away into everlasting punishment; but the righteous into life eternal." It is instructive to note that the same word qualifying the punishment of the unbelieving also qualifies the life of the righteous. If there is everlasting life, there is everlasting punishment for individuals. "Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched" (Matt. 9:44, 46, 48). Moreover, the annihiliation theory fails to consider how the wrath of an almighty and infinite God can be placated through the temporal punishment inflicted on finite creatures. "Oh it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Heb. 10: 31), which is why the gospel must be embraced.
"Therefore, come ye sinners, poor and needy,
Weak and wounded, sick and sore,
Jesus ready stands to save you,
Full of pity, and love, and power.
Come you weary, heavy laden,
bruised and broken by the Fall,
If you tarry till you’re better,
You’ll never come at all.
Let not conscience make you linger,
Or of fitness fondly dream;
All the fitness He requireth,
Is to feel your need of Him.
Come ye thirsty, Come and welcome!
God’s free bounties glorify.
True belief, true repentance,
Every grace that brings you nigh,
Without money,
Come to Jesus Christ and buy."
