p. 8 | Them That Are Asleep by H.

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Apr 7, 1909

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 36, No. 14.

“Them That Are Asleep”

By H.

THAT Paul believed and taught that the dead sleep in their graves till the resurrection “at the last day,” is evident from that wonderful chapter on the resurrection, 1 Corinthians 15. “If Christ hath not been raised, your faith is vain,” the apostle declares. “Then they also that are fallen asleep in Christ have perished.” Not only those who accepted of Him through His personal ministry on earth, and through the ministry of His apostles, but all the righteous of all the ages, are included, for the ancient worthies looked forward to Him, and in their death as truly “fell asleep in Christ,” as did those who died after His earthly ministry.

Now if the righteous receive their reward at death, Paul was mistaken in speaking of these “that are fallen asleep in Christ” as having perished. Evidently they had not entered into their reward. And so he continues, “But now hath Christ been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of them that are asleep.” He has risen, the “first-fruits;” His saints “are asleep,” waiting the “set time” to which Job looked for the awakening. Then “in Christ shall all be made alive, . . . they that are Christ’s, at His coming.”