If the transgressor is to be treated according to the letter of this covenant, then there is no hope for the fallen race; for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. The fallen race of Adam can behold nothing else in the letter of this covenant than the ministration of death; and death will be the reward of everyone who is seeking vainly to fashion a righteousness of his own that will fulfill the claims of the law. By His word God has bound Himself to execute the penalty of the law on all transgressors. Again and again men commit sin, and yet they do not seem to believe that they must suffer the penalty for breaking the law (The Signs of the Times, September 5, 1892).{6BC 1095.4}

Hvis Lovens overtrædere skal behandles efter denne pagts bogstav, så er der intet håb for den fortabte menneskehed; for alle har syndet og mangler herligheden fra Gud. Adams faldne slægt kan ikke få øje på noget andet end en sikker død efter denne pagts ord. Døden vil helt sikkert blive lønnen for alle dem, som forgæves søger at opstille deres egen retfærdighed for at opfylde Loven. Gud har forpligtet sig selv til at fuldbyrde Lovens straf for alle, der overtræder den. (ST 5 Sept., 1892).