A Rival of Christ Jesus.
By EPSILON
To ADMIT the Roman idea of the soul, that it is an intelligent being not subject to death, living on after the death of the body through all coming ages, amounts to setting up the claim that a future state does not depend upon Christ and the resurrection. Jesus and the resurrection is what the apostles preached. “Being grieved that they taught the people and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.” Acts 4:2. This scripture alone shows what hope they held up to the people; but let us notice others. “For thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.” Luke 14:14. They could not be recompensed before the resurrection of the just, because a future state is brought in by the resurrection. “I will come again, and receive you to myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:3. He will receive us when he comes again to give us another and better life. “I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live” [at the resurrection]. “And whosoever liveth, [at the time of the resurrection], and believeth in me, shall never die.” John 11:25, 26. This scripture promises a second and better life at the resurrection, and not before. “And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.” John 6:39. According to this scripture, Jesus would lose those the Father hath given him, unless he should raise them up at the last day. Paul speaking of the resurrection, says, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” 1 Cor. 15:19. No cunning false reasoning can evade this text. It can mean nothing else than that this life is all there is of man, unless he be raised from the dead. Again: “If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to-morrow we die.” 1 Cor. 15:32. Yes, if the dead rise not, let us eat and drink and enjoy ourselves as best we can, while we do live; for death will be the end of us. What profit was it to Paul to suffer such dangers, if death would end his existence forever? Nothing but the glamour of the imaginary immortal soul can shut out the true meaning of these and many other scriptures. When God created Adam and Eve corporeal beings, and gave them access to the tree of life that their lives might be perpetuated, he showed his design. Has Satan defeated God's design, and changed man into an apparition? Sin has brought death unto man. Adam and Eve were condemned to die, and driven away from the tree of life on the very day that they sinned. “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” 1 Cor. 15:22. Christ will raise the wicked, also, from the dead. But when they shall have risen they will still be under condemnation of death, and must die “the second death.” The Scriptures often treat the resurrection of the wicked as not worthy of the name of resurrection. Luke 20:36 and Phil. 3:11. The Greek prefix ex, meaning out from, is in some texts applied to the resurrection from the dead. O what a difference will then be made between the righteous and the wicked! Glorious thought, to be “equal unto the angels!” to be like our glorified Redeemer, and be eternally in his kingdom! EPSILON.