Message of the Latter Rain - Kelvin M. Duncan

orn condemned), the context supports good news: We are born under grace.
The default state of humanity is not condemnation but grace. "But where sin
abounded, grace did much more abound" (Rom. 5:20). As we have
demonstrated in the book that you hold in your hands, this conclusion is
consistent with the preponderance of Scripture, as well as the writings of
Ellen White. After all, how could we be born under condemnation after,
"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for
us" (Gal. 3:13)? In other words, if all have been redeemed from the curse of
the law, how can all still be under the curse of the law?
When we look at verse 18 in this light, we understand that John
introduces the term already to highlight the uniqueness of this condemnation.
If one refuses to believe after light comes, he comes under final
condemnation. The expression, already condemned refers to the fact that
probation has closed for that individual. Thus we see in verse 18 a reference
to the final condemnation reserved for the act of committing the
unpardonable sin. This condemnation can only be seen as a second
condemnation. We were all redeemed from the first condemnation (i.e., the
condemnation that came in Adam) and placed under probationary grace. But
those who refuse to believe the gospel will come under ultimate and final
condemnation--and that is condemnation which can never be reversed. This
condemnation results in eternal damnation.
In a similar passage of Scripture, Christ teaches this same lesson: "And
he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every
creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that
believeth not shall be damned" (Mark 16:15, 16). Notice that Christ does not
say that he that believeth not remains in the condemnation into which he/she
was born. Rather, He says, "He that believeth not shall be damned". John
3:18 must be interpreted in agreement with the preponderance of the New
Testament. We are born under grace. We are not born under condemnation.
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