The Revelation of Jesus Christ - The Herald

In great contrast with others is the exposition of this vision, so clearly, logically, as well as
Scripturally, presented by Mr. Russell. One of his most luminous statements is found in
his early writings and is in perfect harmony with all written by him since. The quotation
we now submit deals with the question as to who are meant by the "dead" referred to as
standing before the "throne":
"'The dead' includes all of the Adamic race who during this Gospel Age do not escape
from the condemnation that is on the world--death--by becoming partakers of spiritual life
through Jesus. 'By the offense of one [Adam] judgment came upon all men to
condemnation,' but there is 'now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus'; for
the law of life in Christ made such free from the condemnation of death.--Rom. 5:18; 8:1,2.
"As during this Age a little fragment of humanity escapes condemnation (death), by
obtaining spiritual life offered on certain conditions, so we understand the world are to be
privileged to escape from the death condemnation, by obedience to certain laws of natural
life. Their right to this privilege of running [having a trial] for life comes as a consequence
of Jesus having ransomed them."
"He gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time."--1 Tim. 2:6.
We next inquire, Where will these awakened dead ones be standing? The Scriptural
answer is, that there will be no literal standing in empty space before a literal throne as
would be necessary if the literal earth and heaven had fled away:
"This will not be a marshaling of mankind in ranks, and rows, before a literal judgment
bench. . . . We believe that the world of mankind, during their day (age) for trial of
worthiness or unworthiness of perfect human life, will be tried in a similar way to that in
which certain ones are now being tried and tested in this day (Gospel Age) to prove
whether worthy or unworthy of the perfection of the Divine nature."
The enlightened ones, the Church class are now having their judgment-trial. They do not
stand before a literal, visible throne of judgment; and it is a real judgment-trial,
notwithstanding. Thus will it be with the world in its Judgment Day. Concerning the
world's Judgment Day, the ancient prophet informs us that during its progress "they shall
build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them.
They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat."--Isa.
65:21,22.
"And the books were opened"
The books referred to in the vision are not literal books, containing a literal record of every
evil or good thought, word, or deed, of each individual of the human race; nor are such
books to be carefully inspected that each person may be judged according to the standard
of perfection. If such were the program for judging the world, then of course none would
be found perfect, all would be consigned to eternal punishment, which as most
commentators have taught means endless torment in a vast torture-chamber. Surely such