It is contended that fire must necessarily consume; that nothing could continue to exist in fire. Is it not remarkable that the Baptist uses the word "unquenchable"' (Greek, "asbestos") when speaking of this fire? Is any light thrown on the question by the incident of the three Hebrew children in the fiery furnace? Did they consume, or did they withstand the fire? (Dan. 3:27). In the parable of the Tares (Matt. 13:36-43) our Lord speaks of the tares being burned up. When Christ retired to the house after delivering the parable, his disciples asked Him to explain to them what He meant by the figures of speech He used in the parable. This request He granted. He explained the figurative language of the parable; every figurative word in it except that of "fire." He said: "The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; the enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so shall it be at the end of this world. . . . And they shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth." Why did not the Master explain what he meant by the figurative word "fire"? He explained all the other figurative words, why not this one? Did He forget? Or did He intend that His disciples should have the impression that He was speaking of literal fire? Here was His opportunity to explain His use of words, for the disciples were asking for just that very thing. Was there any significance in the fact that Jesus did not explain the word "fire"? Whether we believe in literal fire or not, we certainly ought to ask for a reason for the Master's failure to literalize the figurative word "fire." 4. "DARKNESS." This word is used to describe the condition of the lost: "Cast into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Seven times these terms are found together: Matt. 8:12; 13:42, 50; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30; Luke 13:28. The picture is that of a banquet which was usually held at night. The wicked are thrust out from the light, joy, and festivity into the darkness and gloom without, as into the remote gloom and anguish of a dungeon in which are found agony, wrath, and despair. Is this a description of hell --absence of spiritual light; separation from the company of the saved; lamentation; impotent rage? E. THE FINAL REWARD OF THE RIGHTEOUS. I. THE BELIEVER NEVER DIES. II. THE BELIEVER GOES TO BE WITH CHRIST. III. THE BODY OF THE BELIEVER IS RAISED FROM THE DEAD. IV. THE BELIEVER IS REWARDED. V. THE NATURE OF THE BELIEVER'S REWARD. 1. THE "CROWNS" OF SCRIPTURE. 2. THE SEVEN "OVERCOMES" (REV. 2 AND 3). VI. THE NEW CONDITION AND ABODE OF LIFE FOR THE SAINTS. 1. NEW SPHERE OF LIFE. 2. A NEW HOME. 3. NEW CONDITIONS. E. THE FINAL REWARD OF THE RIGHTEOUS.