Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1884-05-08
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
From the Now York Observer.
INTERNATI0N LESS0 Ms.
nv nEv. HESRr N,oRour, D. D.
Nay ll-Victory over HI Cor.
Is 50-5S.

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The main purpose of this chapter, |
which has been called the crowning |
glory of the Epistle, was TO confirm
the Corinthian Christians in the sub.
limo and inspiring truth OF the resur-
rection of the dead. Doubts of this
seem to have erept into tine church.
II is not certain tn, any were ready to
gu 'stion all future existence. But the
pagan atmosphere about them was full
of unbelief in any renewed bodily life
for the dead. At best the common
heather thought was that the dead sur.
vived only as ghostly shadows, spirits
unclothed, with no corporsal habili.
ment, or house from heaven, and so
living but half life. 1t was TO meet
the rising tendency to question, or let
go, the hope of glorious, complete,
embodied immortal life, that this chap
ter was written.
The first part OF the chapter is de.
voted to the fact Of the resurrection, and
the second to its mode. Our present
concern is with the last eight verses.
What are the chief things of which we
are here told?
|. A second and batter paradise Co.,
Two terms are used to designate and
partially describe it. "the kingdom Of
God, and interruption
The phrase "the kingdom of Cod is
sometimes applied to the new order OF
things Christ set up in this world. In
other places, as here it points to the per.
fected state of holiness and glory in
heaven. To the dying thief who pray.
ed, Lord remember me when thou
camest into thy klngio0,," Jesus answer.
ed, today shalt thou be with me in para.
RiSs." This kingdom is called "incor
ruption' for the reason that naught in
it will be subject to decay. Flesh and
blood, our bodies as they now are, can
never share its glories. 1t is an ''in
Ecritanco incorruptible, undefled and
tadelcss."
Where that heavenly realm will be
found to be, is not told Us. Some have
thought this earth, purified and re.
newed, will be its scene others thi nix
the Scriptures point to some other body
or bodies in space Plainly it is a place
81 go t,prepare place for you"
Not. that word inherit 1t points
to heirship. The inheritance will fall
to "heirs of God, and joint heirs with
Christ"
. A Promised change 70 prepare s far Il
ljl~53) Here in this world our bodies
are subject to corruption, dishonor and
weakness to disease, humiliation and
decay. Immortality, glory and power
will mark ali who have place in the in
corruptible kingdom. How then can
any of US have pl,ce in it2 The ans
wer is I'VE shall all be changed" /"
Note that the Apostle is here speak
ing of the resurrection Of jsirrsy,. Then
note that the chang, spoken Of 1t in the
body, not in the spirit 1t is mortality
which is put off: immortality which ia
put on.
OF the time when this shall be, it is
only said that it shall be "at the last
trump" The word trump is used te.
cause in war signals were given by means
ofa trumpet. There will be some sig.
Dal then, some great demonstration.
possibly some physical phenomena, to
mark the opening Of the last grand
events. Then "the dead shall be raised
incorruptible. and We shall be changed >,
That is, not only -hal, those who have
lived and passed to be with Christ, but
al who may be stiil living on the earth
when the day ari.vcs-all shall be
changed. Thus the we includes all
believers Of ell generations.
The reason for the change has already
been indicated. II is that the clothing
Of the soul, it's habitrti may be such
~ shall beft the new md more gloriou,
state, and suited to the occupations to
engage US there. We are to remember
that the heavenly paradise is a real
world, with more that is outward and
substantial than IL sometimes imagined.
The bodies will be real bodies spiri' u,l
not in the sense that they are immater
ial, but in the sense that they are suited
TO the Spirits need, to the functions
and enjoyment of the future state. So
clothed, the glorifed saints shall be
swift as angels, strong ss cherubs. ar.
dent as seraphs, glorious as Christi
The beat idea Of what the spiritual body
will be may be derived from shat il
told US Of the body Of the risen Saviour
for ours shall be changed Unto the like