"The Fullness of the Gospel and the Eternal Punishments", by E.J.Ekman (1903) (Part 14)
But let us think of them, who here heard of Christ but still, as far as we could see, have not received him as the bridegroom of their soul. I wonder if we can always determine with complete certainty, how their innermost heart attitude is to God? Is it so certain, that they chose death instead of life? Maybe we think so, because they do not follow us. Perhaps the form in which we present the word of life to them, does not appeal to them. There can be a number of factors, which make them close themselves off. Well, who can examine a human heart! But it is not therefore said that they chose Barabbas for Christ. On the one hand, they may not have been given the right view on Christ, but on the other hand they have neither through a deliberate decision of their will rejected him. It is for them an "open" question, as they say. And in such a state are undoubtedly the greatest part of the people within the so-called Christian countries.
But suppose they even believed in the Lord and then apostatized, could they perhaps return to him in this day and age? Yes, both God's word and experience answer. Many, who broke their first faith and lost their first love, have returned, for the Lord has got gifts even for the apostate (Jer. 3:12). But if death snatches them from here, is all hope lost? Doesn't God always have the same mercy with the apostate, or does he have a different disposition in the ages to come? Or can't apostates there as well as here be touched by God's mercy, especially if he experiences the consequences of sin and unbelief there more tangibly than here? Plain and simple, however, the Lord says: »All sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven people. And whoever says anything against the Son of Man, it shall be him forgiven, but whoever says anything against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, neither in this world (age) nor in the next (Matthew 12:31,32).» Note: All sin and blasphemy against the Son of Man must (not only can) be forgiven either in this age or the age to come — for this is indicated by the context. However, there is a sin, the sin against the spirit, which cannot be forgiven neither in the present nor in the future age, no doubt because this sin has so hardened the heart and mind that much chastisement is needed, before it is bent. But it is clear from the Scriptures, as we shall show further on, that there are many ages. And shall it happen, what Paul says that God has purposed, regarding that housekeeping in the consummation of the ages, to bring all things in heaven and on earth together in Christ, both that which is in heaven and that which is on earth (Eph.1:9,10), so shall we also see that the Lord at last, if only at first in "the consummation of the ages", won victory over the most stubborn. For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all (Rom. 11:32). And this his intention of love he carries out by judgments that are unsearchable, and by ways which are impenetrable (v. 33).
