December 28, 1891

“Conditional Immortality” The Signs of the Times, 18, 8.

E. J. Waggoner

What is meant by conditional immortality?—Simply this, that immortality, or eternal life, which is the same thing, is conditional upon the individual’s belief in Christ. It means that “the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23. It is the doctrine which our Saviour himself taught, when he said: “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” John 3:36. Or, as expressed by the apostle: “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.” 1 John 5:11.SITI December 28, 1891, page 84.17

It is the doctrine which Christ taught to Nicodemus in these words: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. It is the doctrine which gives Christ his rightful title of Life-giver, which he himself claimed, when he said: “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10.SITI December 28, 1891, page 84.18

To hear some men talk, one would get the idea that the doctrine of conditional immortality is rank infidelity, and utterly opposed to all true Christianity. As a matter of fact, it is based on the recognition of the fact that in all things Christ has the pre-eminence; that man can have nothing except as he gets it through Christ.SITI December 28, 1891, page 84.19

As a matter of fact, a denial of the doctrine of conditional immortality is to that extent a denial of Christ. Indeed, we may truly say that it is wholly a denial of Christ, since it denies the very thing for which Christ came. He himself declares that his only object in coming to this earth to die, was that men might, by believing on him have life. Now the man who says that eternal life is not conditional upon believing in Christ, virtually says that man has no need of Christ. This was just what so many of the ancient Jews did, to whom Christ sadly said, “Ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.” They did not profess to be Christians; they rejected Christ unreservedly. Is it not strange that in these days Christ is rejected in exactly the same way by those who profess to love and honor him? Why should people refuse to acknowledge that indebtedness to Christ for all that they have or hope to have?SITI December 28, 1891, page 84.20