Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1908-04-24
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RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD.
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LES UhhECTION OF THE DEAD.
By s. T. Willis, LII. d.
How are the dead raised up? And
with what body do they come?--I. Cor.
XIV, 50.
The two questions of this text fill
anxious hearts when the precious bod
les of loved ones are laid away In the
tomb: In what manner and in what
form shall they come forth from the
grave?
The first of these serious questions
the how of the resurrection-is an
swered in this language: TT is not
Quickened except it die"
That Is. 1t is like the growth of the
flower from the seed which, when it is
planted, is to all intents and purposes
dead and without the least semblance
of life, but by proper environment is
changed into living plant. We ac-
cept the one mystery. why not the 9th
err? But the second question, with
what body?" is the one perhaps that
concerns us most, because 1t involves
the question of identity and of recoa-
milton.
There are six pairs of words employ
ed by the inspired writer in this In
comparable Fifteenth Chapter to the
Corinthians that should be put in or
derly contrast.
First-''Physlcal, Spiritual" - the
body is planted in the grave a physi-
cal, or natural body (like seed in the
ground). But in contrast st is raised
a spiritual body" perhaps with quail
ties and powers like unto the post
resurrection body of our Divine Lord,
in which He could pass through closed
doors and in which He assembled to
heaven.
Second-"Mortal immortal - This
renewed body shall be immortal, be-
cause 1t Is spiritual, being allied In its
very nature with the holiness of God,
partaking of His nature. Such divine
potentialities shall have been wrought
into it as to render this immoral body
immune to the powers of decay and
death, for its bloom and beauty shall
be imperishable
Third-"Weakness Power The
natural, mortal body Is also a body of
weakness. The power resident in IL
will give it dominion in a higher and
better condition of being to rise above
all that is weak and sinful, for the
power of God shall be in the new body
Fourth-"Glory"-I Is planted in
dishonor; 1t is raised In glory not nee
essarily moral, but physical dishonor.
But in the resurrection it is changed
and raised a body of glory and beauty.
For "our vile body shall be changed
into the likeness of the body of His
glory" by the mighty working whereby
He Is able to subdue all things unto
Himself. The mount of transfigura-
ton reminds us of what it shall be-
His countenance shone as the sun in
His strength and His garments became
whittier than the snow.
Such shall be the glory of the risen
saints.
Fifth-"Corruption, interruption -.
Do for our bodies what we will, yet
the germs of corruption in them con-
1uer and they at last decay.
But this corruptible knowledge shall
put on interruption and be no longer
subject to the irresistible powers of de-
struction.
AS the flesh of Christ saw no corr
ruption in the grave, so our resurrec-
ton bodies shall see none, and we shall
never grow old or feeble or weak. but
shall flourish in eternal youth.
Sixth, and flually-"Death, Victory"
After death, which means defeat and
separation, all the essential elements
of this natural, mortal, weak, dishon-
ored. corrupt and dying body shall be
swallowed up in n glorious eternal and
divine victory and in the resurrection
body we shall be forever at home with
the Lord and with those who are His.
Therefore, beloved brethren, be
steadfast, unmovable, always abound
ing in the work of the Lord, for as
much as you know that your labor is
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