The Resurrection.

THE RESURRECTIO.
BY REV. CHARLES SIMEO, M.A.
John V. 2S, 29. The hour is coming, in the ivhich 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.
FROM the resurrection of Christ we may infer,
that we ourselves also shall rise from the dead.
Indeed, he is called " the first-fruits of them that
slept;" and therefore we may expect that there will
be a complete harvest in due time. To this effect
also we are informed in the words before us: from
which we shall be naturally led to consider,
I. The certainty of the resurrection —
By many it has been " thought incredible that God
should raise the dead." But " their error proceeds
from not knowing the Scriptures, or the power of
God^." Consider then,
1. What the Scriptures speak concerning it —
[They have recorded many instances wherein the dead
have been raised "^ Even in the Old Testament there
are not wanting many strong intimations of it ^ and in
the ew, it is declared in every page'* ]
2. The power of God to effect it —
[See what God has done : look at the whole creation ; and
then ask, Whether He who formed the universe out of nothing,
cannot as easily re-unite our scattered atoms {whatever changes
they mail have undergone), and restore to every one his own
body ? Yes ; it was the voice of Jesus that spake the uni-
verse
*Matt. xxii 23,29.
^ 1 Kin. xvii. 17 — 23. 2 Kin. iv. 32— 37. Luke vii. 12—15.
John xi. 43,44. Acts ix. 36—41. and especially Malt. xx\ii. 32, 53.
¦^ Exod. iii. 6. with Ahirk xii. 26, 27. Isai. xxvi. 19. Hos. xiii. 14.
with 1 Cor. XV. 54. 55. and especially Job xix. 25 — 27-
* passim. See 1 Cor. xv.
48 JOH, V. 28, 29. [807.
verse into existence; and that same voice will call forth into
renewed existence all that are mouldered in their graves.
See, moreover, what our God is doing. We forbear to notice
the succession of day and night, and summer and winter; or
the reviviscency of birds and insects after long intervals of sus-
pended animation. We call your attention rather to the changes
wrought upon the seed that is cast into the earth : it dies, and
rises again, in appearance different, in reality the same. What
more striking image of the resurrection could be presented
before our eyes ? Surely in this we have a pattern of the
change that shall be accomplished in us at the last day ; and a
pledge that " our bodies, which are sown in corruption, weak-
ness, and dishonour, shall be raised in incorruption, power,
and glory."]
As no doubt can remain upon our minds respecting
the certainty of the resurrection, let us next con-
sider,
II. The issue of it —
There will be an immense difference between the
states of different men —
[Who can conceive all that is implied in " a resurrection
to life ? " If in some respects we may borrow images from the
present life in order to illustrate it, in other respects that new
and heavenly life will form a perfect contrast to all that we
now experience. It is true, that all the faculties of our bodies
shall be employed in the service of our God : but it is also
true, that they shall never clog the soul in its operations ; their
capacities shall be exceedingly enlarged; they shall never be
subject to weariness or want of any kind; they shall be as
full of activity and blessedness as the soul itself
On the other hand, Who shall declare what is the full im-
port of " a resurrection to damnation?" We are shocked at
the very sound of the word " damnation :" how much more
should we be so, if we knew all that is comprehended in it !
It is in vain to attempt to describe the anguish which the body
shall endure in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone.
But we are persuaded, that the soul will bitterly bewail the
necessity it is under of being re-united to that body, which
once, instead of governing, it pampered and obeyed
And its misery will be fearfully augmented by the increased
capacity of anguish which it will derive from its union with
the body ]
This difference will correspond with, and be
founded on, their moral characters —
[The Scriptures uniformly declare the connexion that
subsists
808.] Christ's appeal to the scriptures. 49
subsists between our present conduct and our future state.
or need we be afraid of stating the truth precisely in the
same manner, provided we bear in mind what is impUed " in
doing good, and doing evil." To do good, is, to serve God
cheerfully and without reserve. ow the very first '' command-
ment of God is, that we believe on the name of his Son Jesus
Christ." This at once lays the axe to the root of all self-
righteousness; and necessitates us to look unto Christ both
for righteousness and strength. And we do not hesitate to
say, that all who serve God in conformity with this funda-
mental principle, shall have a resurrection to life.
If, on the contrary, we " do evil," neglecting this adoralle
Saviour, and living to ourselves rather than to him, we shall
certainly " come forth to everlasting shame and con-
tempt^."
Each of these truths is so firmly asserted in the Scriptures,
that no doubt of them can be entertained^. We want only to
have them brought home with more feeling to our hearts.]
Address —
[Consider for which of these states you are preparing.
You may delay, under the idea that the time will never come :
but " the hour is coming," as fast as the wings of time can
bring it forward. Let not your preparation for it be deferred :
for life is uncertain; and as death finds you, so will judgment
find you. If you five and die obedient followers of Christ,
you will be happy. If you rely not on him, or devote not
yourselves unreservedly to him, it will not be in the power of
God himself to save you: for " he cannot deny himself;" and.
he has expressly said, that all such persons shall have " a re-
surrection to damnation."]
"^ Dan. xii. 2. ^ Gal. vi. 7, 8. Rom. ii. 6— 10.
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