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VII. Coming Events and Signs of
the Times
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Chapter 75
:
The Resurrection of the Just
1.
CONCERNING what should we not be ignorant?
"But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren,
concerning them which are asleep, that you sorrow
not,
even as others which
have no hope." 1 Thess. 4:13.
2.
What is set forth as the basis for hope and comfort?
"For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again,
even so them also which sleep, in Jesus will God bring
with Him." Verse 14.
3.
When will this resurrection of the saints take place?
"For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that
we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the
Lord shall not prevent [precede] them which are
asleep. For the Lord Himself shall descend from
heaven with a shout, with the voice of the
Archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in
Christ shall rise first." Verses 15,16.
4.
What will then take place?
"Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up
together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in
the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." Verse
17.
5.
With what are we to comfort one another?
"Wherefore comfort one another with these words."
Verse 18.
NOTE.-The hope of a resurrection from the dead to a
life immortal is the great hope set forth in the
gospel.
6.
Concerning what did Christ tell us not to marvel?
"Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the
which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice,
and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto
the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil,
unto the resurrection of damnation." John 5:28,29.
7.
What is said of those embraced in the first
resurrection?
"Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the
first resurrection: on such the second death hath no
power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ,
and shall reign with Him a thousand years." Rev. 20:6.
8.
Upon what one fact does Paul base the Christian hope?
"Now if Christ be preached that He rose from the dead,
how say some among you that there is no resurrection of
the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the
dead, then is Christ not risen: and if Christ be not
risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is
also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of
God; because we have testified of God that He raised
up Christ: whom He raised not up, if so be that the
dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not
Christ raised: and if Christ be not raised, your faith
is vain; you are yet in your sins. Then they also
which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.
If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of
all men most miserable." 1 Cor. 15:12-19.
9.
What positive declaration does the apostle then make?
"But now is Christ risen from the dead, and
become the first fruits of them that slept. For since by
man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the
dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall
all be made alive." Verses 20-22.
NOTE.-The resurrection of Christ is in many respects
the most significant fact in history. It is the
great and impregnable foundation and hope of the
Christian church. Every fundamental truth of
Christianity is involved in the resurrection of
Christ. If this could be overthrown, every essential
doctrine of Christianity would be invalidated. The
resurrection of Christ is the pledge of our
resurrection and future life.
10.
What does Christ proclaim Himself to be?
"I am the resurrection, and the life: he that
believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
and whosoever lives and believes in Me shall never die."
John 11:25,26. "1 am He that liveth, and was dead;
and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the
keys of hell and of death." Rev. 1:18.
NOTE.-Christ changed death into a sleep.
Absolute death knows no waking; but through Christ
all who have fallen under the power of death will be
raised, some to a life unending, some to everlasting
death.
11.
What question does Job ask and answer?
"If a man die, shall he live again? all the days
of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.
Thou shall call, and I will answer Thee: Thou
wilt have a desire to the work of Thine hands." Job
14:14,15.
12.
Why did Job wish that his words were written in a book,
graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock forever?
"For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He
shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though
after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my
flesh shall I see God." Job 19:25,26.
13.
How does Paul say the saints will he raised?
"Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep,
but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the
twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet
shall sound, and the dead shall be raised
incorruptible." 1 Cor. 15:51,52.
14.
What great change will then take place in their bodies?
"So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is
sown in corruption; it is raised in
incorruption: it is sown in dishonor; it is
raised in glory: it is sown in weakness;
it is raised in power: it is sown a natural
body; it is raised a spiritual body." Verses
42-44.
15.
What saying will then be brought to pass?
"O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is
thy victory?" Verse 55.
16.
When did David say he would be satisfied?
"As for me, I will behold Thy face in righteousness: I
shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness."
Ps. 17:15.
17.
What comforting promise has God made concerning the
sleeping saints?
"I will
ransom them from the power of the grave; I will
redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy
plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction." Hosea
13:14.
18.
What else has He promised to do?
"And God shall wipe away all tears from
their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither
sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more
pain: for the former things are passed away." Rev. 21:4.
See readings in Chapters 192. thru 201. of this book.
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