[537]Some noted teachers of the Bible deny the doctrine of restoration.
Let us observe, then, what else must fail if this doctrine fails. If
there is to be no restoration of man to his original state, then it must
be admitted that the creation of man was and is a failure. Not only
would the creation of man result in a failure, but the very purpose for
which God created the earth must fail. This would mean, then, that his
word has not and will not accomplish what he said. But God being
all-wise, and having unlimited power, his purposes cannot fail. If we
believe the Bible, we will have to believe the doctrine of restoration.
Jehovah has said: "My word that goeth forth out of my mouth ... shall
not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please and
it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it".--Isaiah 55:11.
[538]If there is to be no restoration of man to his original state and
no opportunity for him to be so restored, then the manifestation of
divine justice against Adam amounts to nothing more than God's
destroying the work of his own hands and admitting he was and is unable
to people the earth with a perfect race. If we believe in his
omnipotence, we must believe that he will accomplish his design. Having
made the promise at the time of the sentence of man that the great enemy
should ultimately perish, we may take this as one truth upon which to
hang a hope that something better is to come in the future.
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