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Divine Immortality

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Dec 25, 1913

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 90, No. 52.

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Divine Immortality

By Joseph E. Steed

JOSEPH E. STEED
“As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.” John 6: 57. One of the most important attributes of God, which can be traced in connection with the history of the human race from the fall of man to the final restoration, is that of immortality.
While in Eden’s garden, and in his probationary period, Adam had placed before him the hope of immortality; he was created in the image of God. The power to retain the divine attributes depended upon his loyalty to his Creator and his partaking of the life-giving virtue of the tree of life.
The fiat that went forth from God, “For in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die,” was not an arbitrary provision on God’s part. By his own act of disobedience Adam would take himself and all the race out of God’s great plan of life into the domain of death, and as a result he and all his posterity would forfeit their lives.
That God’s character might be rightly understood, and that sin might be seen in its true light, God gave to man another opportunity to develop the traits of character to fit him for the bestowal of the divine attribute of immortality. Jesus said, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10: 10.
Man must partake of the divine nature before he becomes immortal. God will never bestow the highest attribute of his divine being upon any creature that fails to become like him. In his great mercy and love the Lord has provided the means whereby human beings may become partakers of the divine nature. “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness [God-likeness] . . . whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature.” 2 Peter 1: 3, 4.
By the fulfilment of these promises man will be restored to the moral image of God. These promises rest in one who is divine and has life in himself; and so we are told, “He that eateth me, even he shall live by me.” This experience means a partaking of him,— living the life that he lived; being as he was in this world; bearing his cross; living his life over once again in this world where he lived amid evil surroundings. This godlikeness must be seen and felt as his was seen and felt; it must be a power in this world to help others. This life can come only through an acquaintance with him. “This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” John 17: 3.
While upon this earth our Saviour spoke many parables, used many illustrations and object-lessons, in order to impart this great truth to man; and yet few give this important truth very much thought. Satan has led man to believe that he has inherited this immortal life, and consequently has no need to ask for it. By his world-wide deceptions in this generation Satan is leading men to believe that they will rise to a higher plane of life, and that an eternal life. Others measure eternal things by the things they see; and oftentimes the things they see are of more value in their way of thinking than the eternal. The Saviour said: “And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.” John 5: 40.
The one who lives Christ’s life may go down into the dusty tomb, but to such Paul says: “Your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” Col. 3: 3, 4. When God imparts this divine attribute to his creatures, “then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.” This will glorify “the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God,” to whom “be honor and glory forever and ever.”
This great act before the universe will be God’s answer to Satan’s charges against his rule and character.
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