1885 Watch Tower - A2Z.org

distinctly states that men who have never heard the gospel do notknow Jesus Christ, and therefore cannot be saved. Upon this point,we must side with the Andover Review in affirming that thisimmediate opening of the door of heaven to devout men of everynation who strive to live up to the light they possess, is moredangerous than the theory which supposes that by the grace of Godsuch men may be brought to a true knowledge of Christ after death.When Dr. Hodge apologizes for a conscientious Jew that "what he,through national prejudice, may have failed to appreciate was notthe real Christ, but a distorted reflection cast by the so-calledChristian world of the day," he admits a principle upon whichconclusions may be based, which we are sure, he would not accept.There are many others failing to acknowledge Christ who may hopeto be excused at last on similar grounds. A distorted image of Christlies indeed in the minds of all men to whom the Holy Spirit has notrevealed him.Our general objection to all these views which makes the entranceinto heaven more wide and easy than the straight and narrow wayof the gospel is that, in order to make room for such high-mindedsouls to escape from everlasting torment, they lower the claims ofGod's holiness. This is far worse than the view that, after judgment,resurrection will open out to such another door of hope. For thisview may be held without any abatement of the testimony ofScripture that without holiness no man shall see the Lord, that ourGod is a consuming fire, and that there is no other name givenunder heaven or among men whereby we must be saved.--Words of Reconciliation.R801 : page 5====================THE REVEALING."There is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, thatshall not be known. What I tell you in darkness, speak ye in light;and what ye hear in the ear, preach ye upon the housetops." Matt.10:26,27.The greater portion of divine truth has been expressed undercover, so that its full import is not always discernable. The Bibleabounds in symbols, figures and allegories, and the same is as trueof Jesus' teachings as of any other portions of the Word. He openedhis mouth in parables and dark sayings, so that those who heardhim, and even his disciples, often said, We cannot tell what hesaith. But the above assurance of Jesus is that all will in due time bemade manifest.Several objects have been served by the hiding, and gradualunfolding of truth--first, the successful development of God's plan;secondly, the saving of his children from discouragement because