The Lord teaches us to pray: "Remember not against us the iniquities of our forefathers." (Psalm 89:8,RV)
Therefore we know that He will not punish us for what our ancestors have done.
"But," you exclaim, "doesn't He say that He visits the iniquities of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation?" "Visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me." (Exodus 20:5)
Yes; He does; but it is only upon them that hate Him; that is, upon them who are committing the same sins that their forefathers committed. The infidel thinks that he has a case against God, when he says that it is not fair to punish one man for what another does; but God will never do anything of the kind. "The Lord is righteous in all His ways." (Psalm 145:17) And some day everybody will say so. Why not begin now?--Present Truth, December 5, 1901--Original title: Back Page--Psalm 89:8.