July 20

The hour is coming in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice and shall come forth. John 5:28.

The fourth point of the Third Article is: "I believe in the resurrection of the body." We have been created for eternity. Death is but the link between two modes of life. The day is coming when our mortal bodies shall be raised up and be clothed with immortality and honor. And this belief is not mere speculation. We believe in the resurrection of the body, not because we were able to reason it out that way. We know not what will come to pass. But God knows, and He has told us in His Word.

Jesus speaks of the hour in which all men shall come forth from their graves: "they that have done good unto the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation." And as to the nature of the resurrection-bodies of the believers He says: "Neither can they die any more, for they are equal unto the angels." According to Scripture the believers will rise with glorified bodies to everlasting life; but the unbelievers will rise to eternal death, that is, to everlasting shame, contempt, and torment. Those, however, yet living on the earth at Christ's second coming shall not see temporal death, but shall be changed.

When the day of resurrection will arrive, we do not know. But certain signs are heralding its approach, and we know that the coming of the Lord is drawing nigh. The day will come when the folly of fools shall be apparent and the saints in Christ shall be manifest as the truly wise. We Christians comfort our souls with the certain hope of eternal life; we know that the soul is immortal and that the body, the same body that has died, shall live again. The more convinced we are that this hope will not fail us, and the more we dwell upon it in our meditations, the more will it encourage us to continue steadfast in faith in all our trials, knowing that our redemption is drawing nigh. Yonder is our eternal home.

Prayer.

Almighty God, Thy beloved Son Jesus Christ has destroyed death for us, by His rest in the tomb He has sanctified the graves of Thy saints, and by His glorious resurrection He has brought life and immortality to light, so that all who die in Him abide in peace and hope. — Receive, we pray Thee, our unfeigned thanks for that victory which He has obtained for us. Now we need not waver when sickness and sorrow distress us; for the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Now the shadows in the valley of death cannot frighten us. Amen.

Jesus, my Redeemer, lives! I, too, unto life must waken; Endless joy my Savior gives; Shall my courage then be shaken? Shall I fear? Or could the Head Rise and leave His members dead?