December 12

PART II. — 1 Corinthians 15:20.

BUT the first fruits not only pledged the full harvest, but were of the same nature and quality of what followed. So believers shall not only be raised by Christ, but like unto him:—his resurrec-is a type of theirs: they shall have a resurrection similar to that of Jesus. It shall be a joyful resur-rection, as was that of the Redeemer. It shall be in the morning of the great day, and shall be con-nected with the ministry of angels. It shall be a resurrection to a deathless state. Jesus was dead, but is now alive for evermore. His people shall be raised to immortality and eternal life. Christ's resurrection was of his identical suffering body; but though it retained all its scars, yet it was raised in glory: it could move with the velocity of light, could be visible or invisible at his pleasure. Such will be the bodies of believers; — they will be exactly conformed to the likeness of Christ's glorious oody, according to the working by which he is able to subdue all things unto himself. (Philippians 3:21.)

"Hear Immanuel's voice proclaim I the resurrection am, Mine the power that brings to sight Immortality and light.

From the grave's ignoble trust, He redeems our sleeping dust. Pattern, in his glorious state, Of the change his followers wait.

Soon the rolling years shall bring Our returning God and King. Soon the joyful morn shall rise With new guests to deck the skies."

In affliction, with the scenes of mortality before our eyes, or when mourning the loss of beloved friends in Christ, let this cheer us, Christ has risen from the dead, and is become the first fruits of them that slept.