Chapter XXIII: Part XI: Life Only in Christ (1)

The Open Grave At Hanover, Germany. "This grave, purchased for eternity,
must never be opened."—German Princess. See page 515.

Origin, History, And Destiny Of Satan

The Temptation. "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the
morning!" Isa. 14:12.

1. Have any others than the human family sinned?

“God spared not _the angels that sinned_, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment.” 2 Peter 2:4.

2. What is the name of the one who led the angels to sin?

“Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for _the devil_ and his angels.” Matt. 25:41.

3. By what other names is he known?

“And the great _dragon_ was cast out, that old _serpent_, called the Devil, and _Satan_, which deceiveth the whole world.” Rev. 12:9. See also Isa. 14:12, where he is called “Lucifer.”

4. What was Satan’s condition when created?

“_Thou wast perfect_ in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.” Eze. 28:15.

5. What description is given of him by the prophet Ezekiel?

“Thus saith the Lord God; _Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty_. Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, ... the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.” Verses 12-14.

NOTE.—From this it is evident that Satan was a high and exalted
angel before he fell, a masterpiece of wisdom and beauty. From the
reference to his “tabrets” and “pipes” it seems probable that he
was chorister of heaven, and led the angelic host in song. In the
earthly sanctuary the cherubim overshadowed the mercy-seat. Ex.
25:16-22; Heb. 9:3-5; Ps. 99:1.

6. What unholy, ambitious spirit took possession of Satan, and led to his fall?

“For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High.” Isa. 14:13, 14.

7. Did pride also contribute to his fall?

“_Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty_, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy _brightness_.” Eze. 28:17.

8. What does Solomon say precedes destruction and a fall?

“_Pride_ goeth before destruction, and _an haughty spirit_ before a fall.” Prov. 16:18.

9. How does the prophet Isaiah describe Satan’s fall?

“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!” Isa. 14:12.

10. Why was Satan cast from his high position?

“By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, _and thou hast sinned_: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.” Eze. 28:16.

11. When cast out of the mountain of God, to what place were Satan and his angels banished, to be kept till the judgment?

“For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but _cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness_, to be reserved unto judgment.” 2 Peter 2:4.

NOTE.—This, we understand, is the darkness surrounding this world,
and is symbolic of the darkness of utter hopelessness and despair
in rebellion and sin. When Satan led man to sin, darkness was
brought upon this world. But God did not leave man to
hopelessness. In His mercy and great love He caused “the light of
the glorious gospel of Christ” to shine, to call men “out of
darkness into His marvelous light.” That Satan and the angels who
fell with him had a period of probation and opportunity to repent,
there can be no doubt. Their fate is the result of stubborn
rebellion and persistence in sin in spite of the overtures of
mercy and the offers of pardon. For this they were cast out of
heaven. The wicked angels are kept in everlasting chains of
darkness.

12. How is the conflict which took place in heaven between Christ and Satan described by the revelator?

“And there was war in heaven: Michael and His angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Rev. 12:7-9.

13. In what terms did Christ refer to Satan’s fall?

“And He said unto them, _I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven_.” Luke 10:18.

14. Has Satan ever appeared before God since his fall?

“Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, _and Satan came also among them_.” Job 1:6. See also chapter 2:1.

15. When asked whence he came, what was Satan’s reply?

“Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, _From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it_.” Job 1:7. See Job 2:2.

NOTE.—By tempting man to sin, Satan usurped man’s dominion over
the earth. Rom. 6:16; 2 Peter 2:19. This he now claims as his
kingdom (Luke 4:6); hence the temptation in offering the kingdoms
of this world to Christ. As the “god” and ruler of this world,
Satan, for four thousand years before the crucifixion of Christ,
appeared before God among the representatives of other worlds, as
the representative of this world. After accomplishing the death of
Christ, the Son of God, the sinless One, Satan was cast out of
this council, or assembly, and has not been permitted to enter it
since. This was his second fall, and the one, doubtless, to which
Christ, just before His crucifixion, alluded when he said, “Now is
the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be
_cast out_.” John 12:31. His final fall and destruction are still
future.

16. What has been the character of Satan since his fall?

“He that committeth sin is of the devil; for _the devil sinneth from the beginning_.” 1 John 3:8.

17. Was he ever in the truth?

“Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and _abode not in the truth_, because there is no truth in him.” John 8:44.

NOTE.—The expression “_abode_ not in the truth” implies that Satan
was once _in_ the truth, but that he did not _remain_ there.

18. What is the only “beginning” of which we have record?

“In the beginning God _created the heaven and the earth_.” Gen. 1:1.

19. What besides a _murderer_ did Christ say Satan is?

“When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for _he is a liar, and the father of it_.” John 8:44.

20. What did God tell Adam and Eve would be the result if they transgressed by partaking of the forbidden fruit?

“Thou shalt _surely die_.” Gen. 2:17.

21. What did Satan say to Eve concerning this?

“And the serpent said unto the woman, _Ye shall __NOT__ surely die_.” Gen. 3:4.

NOTE.—This, as far as the record shows, was _the first lie_,—a
direct denial of the word of God. By persuading Eve to accept and
believe it, Satan led our first parents to _commit sin_; and, as
“the wages of sin is _death_,” by it, also, he caused their
_death_, and so became, in reality, _the first murderer_. A lie,
therefore, is a twin brother to murder, and one of the most
hateful things to God, the “God of _truth_.” See Prov. 6:16-19.
“The lip of truth shall be established forever: but a lying tongue
is but for a moment.” Prov. 12:19. “All liars shall have their
part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone.” Rev.
21:8. See also Rev. 21:27; 22:15.

22. What has been the result of sin’s entrance into the world?

“By one man sin entered into the world, and _death by sin_.” Rom. 5:12. “By one man’s disobedience _many were made sinners_.” Verse 19. “_The whole world lieth in wickedness._” 1 John 5:19. “In Adam _all die_.” 1 Cor. 15:22.

23. When Christ came to redeem man, what did Satan do?

“And immediately the Spirit driveth Him into the wilderness. And He was there in the wilderness forty days, _tempted of Satan_.” Mark 1:12, 13. See also Matt. 4:1-11.

24. How severely was Christ tempted of Satan?

“For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was _in all points tempted like as we are_, yet without sin.” Heb. 4:15.

25. What has the church suffered since the days of Christ?

“And when the dragon [Satan] saw that he was cast unto the earth, _he persecuted the woman_ [_the church_].” Rev. 12:13.

NOTE.—Many millions of the people of God have been put to death
since the beginning of the Christian era, under pagan and papal
persecutions, all of which have been instigated by Satan. See
Buck’s Theological Dictionary, any commentary or church history on
the subject of persecution, and the readings on pages 218, 264,
268, 491.

26. Is the remnant church to feel his wrath, and why?

“And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” Verse 17.

27. How will Satan deceive men in the last days?

“And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth _by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast_.” Rev. 13:14.

NOTE.—This, we understand, refers to Spiritualistic manifestations
and miracles to be wrought to fasten men in error and deception.
See readings on pages 530, 533.

28. What will influence the nations to gather for the great battle of Armageddon?

“They are _the spirits of devils_, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, _to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty_.” Rev. 16:14.

29. Why will men be allowed thus to fall under the delusion of Satan?

“_Because they received not the love of the truth_, that they might be saved. _And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie_: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” 2 Thess. 2:10-12. See 1 Kings 22:20-23.

30. For how long is Satan to be bound at the second advent?

“And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and _bound him a thousand years_.” Rev. 20:1, 2.

31. What is to take place at the close of the thousand years?

“And when the thousand years are expired, _Satan shall be loosed out of his prison_, and shall _go out to deceive the nations_ which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, _to gather them together to battle_: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.” Verses 7, 8.

NOTE.—Satan’s evil career began in rebellion against God in
heaven, and ends in rebellion against Him on earth.

32. As Satan and his host compass the camp of the saints, what will take place?

“And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and _fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them_.” Verse 9.

33. What is to be Satan’s final doom?

“_I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth_ in the sight of all them that behold thee. All they that know thee among the people shall be astonished at thee: thou shalt be a terror, and _never shalt thou be any more_.” Eze. 28:18, 19.

NOTE.—A gladsome thought! Satan, sin, and sinners are finally to
come to an end, and be no more. Then God will have a clean
universe.

34. Why did Christ partake of our nature?

“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; _that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil_.” Heb. 2:14.

35. What exhortations are given to Christians in view of Satan’s hatred against God and all that is good?

“_Be sober, be vigilant_; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom _resist steadfast in the faith_.” 1 Peter 5:8, 9. “_Resist the devil_, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7.

36. With what weapon did Christ successfully meet Satan’s temptations?

The Word of God. “_It is written, ... It is written, ... It is written._” Matt. 4:4-10.

NOTE.—The Word of God is the “sword of the Spirit.” Eph. 6:17. If
Christ met and vanquished the enemy with this, so also may we. But
no one can use it who is unfamiliar with it. How important, then,
that we search, study, and know it! See first readings in this
book, and reading on “Importance of Sound Doctrine,” page 127.

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Gracious Father, guard Thy children
From the foe’s destructive power;
Save, O save them, Lord, from falling
In this dark and trying hour!
Thou wilt surely prove Thy people,
All our graces must be tried;
But Thy Word illumes our pathway,
And in God we still confide.

What Is Man?

Sea Of Galilee. "And the Lord ... breathed into his nostrils the breath of
life; and man became a living soul." Gen. 2:7.

1. In what condition was man created?

“Thou madest him _a little lower than the angels_.” Ps. 8:5.

2. What will be the final condition of the righteous?

“_Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels_; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.” Luke 20:35, 36.

3. What are angels called?

“And of the angels He saith, Who maketh His angels _spirits_, and His ministers a flame of fire.” Heb. 1:7.

4. What is the difference between the two Adams?

“The first man Adam was made _a living soul_; the last Adam was made _a quickening spirit_.” 1 Cor. 15:45.

5. Are our present bodies natural or spiritual?

“Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.” Verse 46.

6. When will the righteous have spiritual bodies?

“It is sown a natural body; _it is raised a spiritual body_. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.” Verse 44.

7. To what does the sowing here spoken of refer?

“That which thou sowest is not quickened, except it _die_.” Verse 36.

NOTE.—Man does not now possess the undying, spiritual nature of
the angels, except as he holds it by faith in Christ; nor will he
until the resurrection. Then, if righteous, he will be made
immortal, and he cannot die any more (Luke 20:36), because he will
be “_equal unto the angels_.”

8. How is man’s nature defined?

“Shall _mortal man_ be more just than God?” Job 4:17.

_Mortal_: “Subject to death.”—_Webster._

9. What is God’s nature?

“Now unto the King _eternal, immortal, invisible_, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Tim. 1:17.

_Immortal_: “Exempt from liability to die.”—_Webster._

10. Of what was man formed in the beginning?

“And the Lord God formed man _of the dust of the ground_.” Gen. 2:7, first part.

11. What act made him a living soul?

“And [God] _breathed into his nostrils the breath of life_; and man became a living soul.” Same verse, last part.

NOTES.—The living soul was not put _into_ the man; but the breath
of _life_ which was put into man, made _him_—the man, made of the
earth—a _living_ soul, or creature.

The original for “living soul” in this text is _nephesh chaiyah_.
On the use of this expression in Gen. 1:24, translated “living
creature,” Dr. Adam Clarke says: “A general term to express all
creatures endued with animal life, in any of its infinitely varied
gradations, from the half-reasoning elephant down to the stupid
potto, or lower still, to the polyp, which seems equally to share
the vegetable and animal life.”

12. Are other creatures besides man called “living souls”?

“And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and _every living soul died in the sea_.” Rev. 16:3. See also Gen. 1:30, margin.

13. Do others besides man have the “breath of life”?

“And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of _fowl_, and of _cattle_, and of _beast_, and of _every creeping thing_ that creepeth upon the earth, and every man: _all in whose nostrils was the breath of life_.” Gen. 7:21, 22.

14. Is their breath the same as man’s?

“As the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, _they have all one breath_; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.” Eccl. 3:19.

NOTE.—That is, here men, as well as beasts, die. This present
life, with them, as with the rest of the animal creation, is
dependent upon their breath. When this is gone, they, the same as
beasts, die. In this respect they have no preeminence over beasts.
But men have a future unending life held out before them, and may,
if they will, die in hope of eternal life, which is a very great
preeminence over the rest of the animal creation.

15. What does Job call that which God breathed into man’s nostrils?

“All the while my breath is in me, and _the spirit of God is in my nostrils_.” Job 27:3.

16. When man gives up this spirit, what becomes of it?

“Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and _the spirit shall return unto God who gave it_.” Eccl. 12:7.

NOTE.—That is, the spirit of life by which man lives, and which is
only lent him of God, at death goes back to the great Author of
life. Having come from Him, it belongs to God, and man can have it
eternally only as a gift from God, through Jesus Christ. Rom.
6:23. When the spirit goes back to God, the dust, from which man
was made a “living soul” in the beginning, goes back _as it was_,
to the earth, and the individual no longer exists as a living,
conscious, thinking being, except as he exists in the mind, plan,
and purpose of God through Christ and the resurrection. In this
sense “all live unto Him” (Luke 20:38), for all are to be raised
from the dead. See John 5:28, 29; Acts 24:15; Rom. 4:17.

17. Who only have hold of the life eternal?

“_He that hath the Son hath life_; and _he that hath not the Son of God hath not life_.” 1 John 5:12.

NOTE.—The veriest sinner has this temporal life; but when he
yields up this life, he has no prospect nor promise of the life
eternal. That can be received only through Christ.

18. Why was Adam driven from the garden of Eden and excluded from the tree of life?

“And now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and _live forever_.” Gen. 3:22.

19. What was done to keep man away from the tree of life?

“So He drove out the man; and He placed at the east of the garden of Eden cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.” Verse 24.

20. How are all men in the natural state regarded?

“We all ... were by nature _the children of wrath_, even as others.” Eph. 2:3.

21. If the wrath of God _abides_ on a person, of what does it deprive him?

“He that believeth not the Son _shall not see life_; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” John 3:36.

22. Through whom is the sinner saved from wrath?

“Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath _through Him_.” Rom. 5:9.

23. With whom is the Christian’s future life hid?

“For ye are dead [to sin], and your life is _hid with Christ in God_.” Col. 3:3.

24. When will this life be bestowed upon the believer?

“_When Christ, who is our life, shall appear_, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.” Verse 4.

NOTE.—The word _immortal_ occurs but once in the English Bible (1
Tim. 1:17), and is there applied to God.

25. Who only possesses inherent immortality?

“Who is the blessed and only potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; _who only hath immortality_.” 1 Tim. 6:15, 16.

NOTE.—God is the only Being who possesses original life or
immortality in Himself. All others must receive it from God. See
John 5:26; 6:27; 10:10, 27, 28; Rom. 6:23; 1 John 5:11.

26. Through whom has immortality been brought to light?

“But is now made manifest by the appearing of _our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel_.” 2 Tim. 1:10.

27. To whom is eternal life promised?

“To them who by patient continuance in well-doing _seek for glory and honor and immortality_, eternal life.” Rom. 2:7.

NOTE.—One does not need to seek for a thing which he already
possesses. The fact that we are to seek for immortality is proof
in itself that we do not now possess it.

28. When will the faithful be changed to immortality?

“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, and we shall be changed.” 1 Cor. 15:51, 52.

29. What is then to be swallowed up?

“So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, _Death is swallowed up in victory_.” Verse 54. See verse 57.

Life Only In Christ

Moses Smiting The Rock. "They drank of that spiritual Rock that followed
them." 1 Cor. 10:4.

1. What is the wages of sin?

“The wages of sin is _death_.” Rom. 6:23.

2. Through whom only is there salvation from sin?

“_Neither is there salvation in any other_: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12.

NOTE.—If men do not die, why should Christ die to save them from
death? And what need of the resurrection and the second advent?

3. Why did God send His only begotten Son to this world?

“That whosoever believeth in Him should not _perish_, but have _everlasting life_.” John 3:16.

4. What does Christ declare Himself to be?

“I am the way, the truth, and _the life_.” John 14:6.

5. What does He say He gives to those who follow Him?

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: and _I give unto them eternal life_; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.” John 10:27, 28.

6. Upon what is the possession of this life conditioned?

“Except ye _eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood_, ye have no life in you.” John 6:53.

7. In whom is the life eternal?

“And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, _and this life is in His Son_.” 1 John 5:11.

8. Who only have this life?

“_He that hath the Son hath life_; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” Verse 12. “_He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life_, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” John 5:24.

9. What is Christ therefore fittingly called?

“When Christ, who is _our life_, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.” Col. 3:4.

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There is a fountain filled with blood,
Drawn from Immanuel’s veins;
And sinners plunged beneath that flood
Lose all their guilty stains.

The dying thief rejoiced to see
That fountain in his day;
And there may I, though vile as he,
Wash all my sins away.

Thou dying Lamb! Thy precious blood
Shall never lose its power,
Till all the ransomed church of God
Are saved, to sin no more.

E’er since by faith I saw the stream
Thy flowing wounds supply,
Redeeming love has been my theme,
And shall be till I die.

Lord, I believe Thou hast prepared,
Unworthy though I be,
For me a blood-bought, free reward—
Eternal life for me.

There in a nobler, sweeter song,
I’ll sing Thy power to save,
When this poor lisping, stam’ring tongue
Is ransomed from the grave.

WILLIAM COWPER.

The Intermediate State

The Burial Of Sarah. "If I wait, the grave is mine house." Job 17:13.

1. By what figure does the Bible represent death?

“But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are _asleep_, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.” 1 Thess. 4:13. See also 1 Cor. 15:18, 20; John 11:11-14.

NOTE.—In sound sleep one is wholly lost to consciousness; time
goes by unmeasured; and the mental functions which are active
during consciousness are suspended for the time being.

2. Where do the dead sleep?

“And many of them that _sleep in the dust of the earth_ shall awake.” Dan. 12:2. See also Eccl. 3:20; 9:10.

3. How long will they sleep there?

“So man lieth down, and riseth not: _till the heavens be no more_, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.” Job 14:12.

4. For what did Job say he would wait after death?

“If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, _till my change come_.” Verse 14.

5. Where did he say he would wait?

“_If I wait, the grave is mine house_: I have made my bed in the darkness.” Job 17:13.

6. While in this condition, how much does one know about those he has left behind?

“His sons come to honor, and _he knoweth it not_; and they are brought low, but _he perceiveth it not of them_.” Job 14:21.

7. What becomes of man’s thoughts at death?

“His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; _in that very day his thoughts perish_.” Ps. 146:4.

8. Do the dead know _anything_?

“For the living know that they shall die: _but the dead know not anything_, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.” Eccl. 9:5.

9. Do they take any part in earthly things?

“Also their _love_, and their _hatred_, and their _envy_, is now _perished; neither have they any more a portion forever in anything that is done under the sun_.” Verse 6.

NOTE.—If one continued in consciousness after death, he would know
of the promotion or dishonor of his sons. But Job says he does not
know this. Not only so, but in death one loses all the attributes
of mind,—love, hatred, envy, etc. Thus it is plain that his
thoughts have perished, and that he can have nothing more to do
with the things of this world. But if, as taught and held by some,
man’s powers of thought continue after death, he _lives_; and if
he lives, he must be _somewhere_. Where is he? Is he in heaven, or
in hell? If he goes to either place at death, what then is the
need of a future judgment, or of a resurrection, or of the second
coming of Christ? If the judgment does not take place at death,
but men go to their reward at death, then their _rewards_ precede
their _awards_, and there would arise the possibility that some
have at death gone to the wrong place, and must needs be sent to
the other, after having been in bliss or torment for ages,
perhaps.

10. What does the psalmist say about the dead praising God?

“_The dead praise not the Lord_, neither any that go down into silence.” Ps. 115:17.

11. How much does one know of God when dead?

“For in death _there is no remembrance of Thee_.” Ps. 6:5.

NOTE.—There is not even a remembrance of God. As already seen, the
Bible everywhere represents the dead as _asleep_. If they were in
heaven or in hell, would it be fitting to represent them thus? Was
Lazarus, whom Jesus loved, in heaven when the Saviour said, “Our
friend Lazarus _sleepeth_”? John 11:11. If so, calling him to life
was really robbing him of the bliss of heaven that rightly
belonged to him. The parable of the rich man and Lazarus, recorded
in Luke 16, was given to teach, not consciousness in death, but
that in the judgment riches will avail nothing unless rightly and
beneficently used, and that poverty will not keep one out of
heaven.

12. But are not the righteous dead in heaven?

“For _David is not ascended into the heavens_.” Acts 2:34.

13. What must take place before the dead can praise God?

“Thy dead men shall live, together with My dead body shall they arise. _Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust_: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.” Isa. 26:19.

14. 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.

15. Were there to be no resurrection of the dead, what would be the condition of those fallen asleep in Christ?

“For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: and if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. _Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished._” 1 Cor. 15:16-18.

16. When is the resurrection of the righteous to take place?

“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_.” 1 Thess. 4:16.

NOTES.—If, as stated in Eccl. 9:5, the dead know not anything,
then they have no knowledge of the lapse of time. “Six thousand
years in the grave to a dead man is no more than a wink of the eye
to the living.” To them, consciousness, our only means of
measuring time, is gone; and it will seem to them when they awake
that absolutely no time has elapsed. And herein lies a most
comforting thought in the Bible doctrine of the sleep of the dead,
that in death there is no consciousness of the passing of time. To
those who sleep in Jesus, their sleep, whether long or short,
whether one year, one thousand years, or six thousand years, will
be but as if the moment of sad parting were followed instantly by
the glad reunion in the presence of Jesus at His glorious
appearing and the resurrection of the just.

It ought also to be a comforting thought to those whose lives have
been filled with anxiety and grief for deceased loved ones who
persisted in sin, to know that they are not now suffering in
torments, but, with all the rest of the dead, are quietly sleeping
in their graves. Job 3:17.

Again, it would mar the felicity of one’s enjoyment in heaven
could he look upon earth and see his friends and relatives
suffering from persecution, want, cold, or hunger, or sorrowing
for the dead. God’s way is best,—that all sentient life,
animation, activity, thought, and consciousness should cease at
death, and that all should wait till the resurrection for their
future life and eternal reward. See Heb. 11:39, 40.

‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

Sleep on, beloved! sleep, and take thy rest;
Lay down thy head upon thy Saviour’s breast.
We love thee well, but Jesus loves thee best—
Good night.

The Two Resurrections

Christ’s Second Coming. Descent Of The Holy City.

1. What comes to all men as the result of the fall?

“In Adam _all die_.” 1 Cor. 15:22. See also Rom. 5:12.

2. Where do all go at death?

“All go unto _one place_; all are of _the dust_, and _all turn to dust again_.” Eccl. 3:20.

3. In what condition is man while in the grave?

“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for _there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest_.” Eccl. 9:10.

NOTE.—That is, man, when dead, has no use of the powers of mind or
body. He cannot, therefore, while in the grave, praise God, or
even think of Him (Ps. 6:5); for in the day he dies his thoughts
perish. Ps. 146:2-4. See preceding reading.

4. What has been promised in order that man may be redeemed from this condition?

“_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.

5. Through whom will come this redemption from the grave?

“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_.” 1 Cor. 15:21, 22.

6. What would have been the result to the dead had not Christ procured their release from the grave?

“For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: and if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then _they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished_.” Verses 16-18.

7. Why did God give His only begotten Son to the world?

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, _that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish_, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

8. What did the Sadducees in Christ’s time deny?

“Then came to Him certain of the Sadducees, _which deny that there is any resurrection_.” Luke 20:27.

9. How did Christ, from the Old Testament Scriptures, prove the resurrection?

“Now that the dead are raised, even Moses showed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. For He is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto Him.” Verses 37, 38.

NOTE.—That is, in view of the resurrection—of the fact that there
is to be a resurrection—all live unto God. In His purpose, all are
alive. It is in this sense that Paul speaks of God as the one “who
quickeneth the dead, and _calleth those things which be not as
though they were_.” Rom. 4:17.

10. Under what illustration from nature are the resurrection and the final salvation of the righteous taught?

“_That which thou sowest_ is not quickened, except it die.” 1 Cor. 15:36. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, _Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die_, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” John 12:24.

NOTES.—The seed dies to spring forth into new life. In this we are
taught the lesson of the resurrection. All who love God will
spring forth to life, and live again through endless ages in the
earth made new.

_The Open Grave._—The truth of the resurrection has been forcibly
illustrated by the following incident: In the city of Hanover,
Germany, is a grave known as “The open grave.” It is that of a
woman, an infidel German princess, who died over one hundred years
ago, and who, on her death-bed, gave orders that her grave should
be covered with a great marble slab, weighing perhaps a ton,
surmounting solid blocks of stone firmly bound together with
clasps of iron, with this inscription placed on the lowermost
stone of the tomb: “This grave purchased for eternity, must never
be opened.” But no human device can thwart the plans of God, or
hinder the workings of life from Him. It happened, providentially
no doubt, that a birch-tree seed was buried with the princess.
Soon it began to sprout. Its tiny shoot, soft and pliable at
first, found its way up through the ponderous stones of the
massive masonry. Slowly and imperceptibly, but with irresistible
power, it grew, until at last it burst the bands of iron asunder,
and opened this never-to-be-opened grave, leaving not a single
stone in its original position. See illustration on page 498. What
a rebuke to infidelity! and what a mute but striking promise that,
erelong, in God’s own time, all graves shall be opened, and the
sleeping ones awake from their dusty beds!

The Raising Of Lazarus. "I am the Resurrection, and the Life." John 11:25.

11. Where are the dead when they hear the voice of Christ calling them to life?

“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.” John 5:28, 29.

12. How many distinct classes will have a resurrection?

“There shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the _just_ and _unjust_.” Acts 24:15.

13. By what terms did Christ refer to the two resurrections?

“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.

14. When will the resurrection of the just occur?

“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_.” 1 Thess. 4:16. See also 1 Cor. 15:23.

15. When are the righteous to be recompensed?

“For thou shalt be recompensed _at the resurrection of the just_.” Luke 14:14.

16. In what condition did David expect to rise?

“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 great contrast will be seen between the present body and the one to be put on in the resurrection?

“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_.” 1 Cor. 15:42-44.

18. After whose body will these resurrected ones be fashioned?

“We look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned _like unto His glorious body_.” Phil. 3:20, 21.

19. What will the righteous do upon rising from the grave?

“Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. _Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust_: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.” Isa. 26:19.

20. In what words will their triumph over death and the grave be expressed?

“O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” 1 Cor. 15:55.

21. How long will they live?

“_Neither can they die any more_: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.” Luke 20:36.

22. How long do the other class wait after the first resurrection before they are raised?

“And they [the righteous] lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. _But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished._” Rev. 20:4, 5.

23. What is to be their fate?

“And fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.” Verse 9.

24. Who are to share this fate?

“But the _fearful_, and _unbelieving_, and the _abominable_, and _murderers_, and _whoremongers_, and _sorcerers_, and _idolaters_, and _all liars_, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” Rev. 21:8.

25. What is the last enemy to be destroyed?

“The last enemy that shall be destroyed is _death_.” 1 Cor. 15:26. See Rev. 20:13, 14.

26. How will the righteous ever afterward appear?

“Then shall the righteous _shine forth as the sun_ in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” Matt. 13:43.

Fate Of The Transgressor

The Giving Of The Law. "Sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death."
James 1:15.

1. What question does Peter ask regarding the wicked?

“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, _what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God_?” 1 Peter 4:17.

2. What does the Bible say is the wages of sin?

“For the wages of sin is _death_.” Rom. 6:23. “The soul that sinneth, it shall _die_.” Eze. 18:4.

_Die_: “To pass from physical life; to suffer a total and
irreparable loss of action of the vital functions; to become dead;
to expire; perish.”—_Webster._

3. What will be the character of this death?

“Who shall be punished with _everlasting destruction_ from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power.” 2 Thess. 1:9.

_Destroy_: “To unbuild; to break up the structure and organic
existence of; to demolish; to spoil utterly; to bring to naught;
to put an end to; to annihilate.”—_Webster._

4. How complete will be the destruction of the wicked?

“Fear Him which is able to _destroy both soul and body in hell_.” Matt. 10:28.

5. What does Christ say will befall those who do not repent?

“Except ye repent, _ye shall all likewise perish_.” Luke 13:3.

_Perish_: “To be destroyed; to pass away; to become nothing; to be
lost; to waste away; to die.”—_Webster._

6. How does the apostle Peter say they shall perish?

“But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and _shall utterly perish in their own corruption_.” 2 Peter 2:12.

7. To what are the wicked in their punishment compared?

“But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the Lord shall be _as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away_.” Ps. 37:20.

_Consume_: “To destroy; as by decomposition, dissipation, waste,
or fire.”—_Webster._

8. How does John the Baptist describe the destruction of the wicked?

“He that cometh after me is mightier than I, ... whose fan is in His hand, and He will throughly purge His floor, and gather His wheat into the garner; but _He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire_.” Matt. 3:11, 12.

9. For whom does Christ say the fire which will finally destroy the wicked was originally prepared?

“Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, _prepared for the devil and his angels_.” Matt. 25:41.

NOTE.—This fire is called “everlasting” because of the character
of the _work_ it does; just as it is called “unquenchable” because
it cannot be _put_ out, and not because it will not _go_ out when
it has done its work.

10. What will be the result of this punishment?

“As the whirlwind passeth, _so is the wicked no more_: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.” Prov. 10:25.

11. Will any part of the wicked be left?

“For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and _all_ that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall _burn them up_, saith the Lord of hosts, that _it shall leave them neither root nor branch_.” Mal. 4:1.

12. What will then be their condition?

“For as ye have drunk upon My holy mountain, so shall all the heathen drink continually, yea, they shall drink, and they shall swallow down, and _they shall be as though they had not been_.” Obadiah 16.

13. Where will the _place_ of the wicked then be?

“For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be; yea, _thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be_.” Ps. 37:10.

NOTE.—It would be difficult to keep the wicked in eternal torment
without any place for them, even, in which to exist.

14. Where are both the righteous and the wicked to be recompensed?

“Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed _in the earth_: much more the wicked and the sinner.” Prov. 11:31.

15. Do the wicked go directly to their punishment at death, or wait till the day of judgment?

“The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and _to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished_.” 2 Peter 2:9.

16. To what are the present heavens and earth reserved?

“But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, _reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men_.” 2 Peter 3:7.

NOTE.—Both the present heavens and earth and sinners await the
fires of the last day.

17. What will be the result of the fires of the last day?

“Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein _the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat_.” “_The earth also, and the works that are therein shall be burned up._” Verses 12, 10.

18. By what means does Christ say His kingdom is to be cleansed from sin and sinners?

“The Son of man shall send forth His angels, and _they shall gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; and shall cast them into a furnace of fire_.” Matt. 13:41, 42.

NOTE.—Satan and the wicked now have this world as their “place.”
In due time Christ will have it. He will cleanse it from sin and
sinners, and restore it, that He may give it to the saints of the
Most High for an everlasting possession. See Dan. 7:18, 22, 27.

19. When are the wicked dead to be raised to receive their final punishment?

“But the rest of the dead lived not again _until the thousand years were finished_.” Rev. 20:5.

20. Whence will come the fire that will destroy them?

“And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: _and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them_.” Verse 9.

NOTE.—This is called God’s “strange act” and His “strange
work,”—the work of destruction. Isa. 28:21. But by this means God
will once and forever cleanse the universe of sin and all its sad
results. Death itself will then be at an end—cast into the lake of
fire. Rev. 20:14.

21. To what will this fire reduce the wicked?

“And ye shall tread down the wicked; for _they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this_, saith the Lord of hosts.” Mal. 4:3.

NOTE.—The wicked are to be utterly destroyed—consumed away into
smoke, brought to ashes. Having inseparably allied themselves with
sin, they have forfeited the right to life and an immortal
existence, and chosen the way of death and destruction. By their
choice they have proved themselves worthless. For this reason they
are compared to chaff, briers, thorns, etc. Their destruction will
consequently be no real loss. They will themselves have lost their
opportunity to obtain eternal life; but by the way in which they
used their probationary time they proved themselves unworthy of
it. Their destruction will, in fact, be an act of love and mercy
on the part of God; for to perpetuate their lives would only be to
perpetuate sin, sorrow, suffering, and misery. Terrible,
therefore, as this judgment will be, there will, in consequence of
it, be nothing of value lost,—nothing lost worth saving. The
experiment of sin will be over, and God’s original plan of
peopling the earth with a race of holy, happy beings will be
carried out. 2 Peter 3:13.

22. What is this final destruction of the wicked called?

“This is _the second death_.” Rev. 20:14.

23. After the burning day, what will appear?

“Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for _new heavens and a new earth_, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” 2 Peter 3:13.

24. Where will the righteous then be found?

“Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun _in the kingdom of their Father_.” Matt. 13:43.

25. What promise of the Saviour will then be fulfilled?

“Blessed are the meek: for _they shall inherit the earth_.” Matt. 5:5. See also Ps. 37:11, 29; Isa. 65:17-25; Dan. 7:18.

26. What universal song of praise will then be sung?

“And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, _Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever_.” Rev. 5:13.

The Ministration Of Good Angels

Moses On The Nile. "He shall give His angels charge over thee." Ps. 91:11.

1. Of what family does Paul speak in Ephesians?

“For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom _the whole family in heaven and earth_ is named.” Eph. 3:14, 15.

2. By what name are the members of this family called?

“Now there was a day when _the sons of God_ came to present themselves before the Lord.” Job 1:6. “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called _the sons of God_.” 1 John 3:1.

3. By what name are those composing the family in heaven commonly known to us?

“And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many _angels_ round about the throne.” Rev. 5:11.

4. Did angels exist before the death of any of the human family?

“So He drove out the man; and He placed at the east of the garden of Eden _cherubim_.” Gen. 3:24.

_Cherub_: “A creature of a sacred and celestial
nature.”—_Gesenius._

5. Who witnessed the laying of the foundations of the earth?

“Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner-stone thereof; when _the morning stars_ sang together, and all _the sons of God_ shouted for joy?” Job 38:6, 7.

6. How many of these beings did John see around the throne?

“And I beheld, and I heard the voice of _many angels_ round about the throne; ... and the number of them was _ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands_.” Rev. 5:11.

7. What does Paul say of their number?

“But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to _an innumerable company of angels_.” Heb. 12:22. See also Dan. 7:10.

8. Are angels of a higher order of beings than man?

“Thou hast made him _a little lower than the angels_.” Ps. 8:5.

NOTES.—There are different orders of angels: “Cherubim” (Gen.
3:24); “Seraphim” (Isa. 6:2, 6); “Archangel” (1 Thess. 4:16; Jude
9).

Some of their names are: “Michael” (Dan. 10:13, 21; 12:1; Jude 9);
“Gabriel” (Dan. 8:16; 9:21; Luke 1:19); “Uriel” (2 Esdras
[Apocrypha] 4:1, 36; 5:20. See 1 Chron. 15:5); “Ariel” (doubtless
of angelic origin. See Ezra 8:16).

_Michael_ means, “Who is _like_ God,” and hence is a fit title for
Christ. _Gabriel_ signifies, “The _strength_ of God,” an
appropriate name for the angel or being who stands next to Christ
(Dan. 10:21). _Uriel_ means, “The _light_ of God;” _Ariel_, “The
_lion_ of God.”

9. Is Christ ever called an angel?

“Behold, I send _an Angel_ before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.” Ex. 23:20. See verse 23; Acts 7:38; and margin of 1 Cor. 10:4. “_The Angel of His presence_ saved them.” Isa. 63:9. “Michael _the Archangel_.” Jude 9. See also Dan. 12:1; 1 Thess. 4:16.

NOTE.—Angel means _messenger_. In Mal. 3:1, Christ is called “the
_messenger_ of the covenant.”

10. What is said of the strength and character of the angels?

“Bless the Lord, ye His angels, _that excel in strength, that do His commandments_, harkening unto the voice of His word.” Ps. 103:20.

11. What description is given of Gabriel in Daniel?