THE RESURRECTION by Frank Hope

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Feb 10, 1887

THE RESURRECTION.

By Frank Hope

THE resurrection is a doctrine that one hears very little about among many denominations of to-day, and the little that is heard is generally of a disparaging nature. It is not uncommon to see in religious papers flat denials of this truth. But believing, as they do, in the immortality of the soul this is only a natural consequence. They experience the same difficulties that the Grecian philosophers did at Athens—the very birthplace of the immortal soul doctrine—who were thoroughly impregnated with the teachings of Plato and Socrates. The Stoics and Epicureans both believed in the continued conscious existence of the soul after death; so “when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; and others said, ‘We will hear again of this matter.’” To them Paul’s teaching was foolishness; for the immortality of the soul and the resurrection taken together produce an absurdity.

The Bible teaches that at the resurrection the righteous are raised to a higher state of existence than they enjoyed before. They are raised in power (1 Cor. 15:43). But if the soul is already enjoying the felicity of Paradise, it can hardly be seen how it is made more powerful by being placed in its original “house of clay.” Such an idea is just as absurd as trying to give a bird more freedom by placing it again in the shell, from which it was hatched, or to make a butterfly more beautiful by closing it up in its chrysalis. Thus, these two doctrines coming in conflict, one of them has to go, and when men accommodate doctrine to suit their own belief, the truth is generally sacrificed; and in this manner many who profess Christianity have rejected the doctrine of the resurrection.

In taking this course men reject one of the greatest truths of the Bible. The resurrection is essentially a Christian doctrine. Unlike many ministers of to-day, Paul and the other apostles went everywhere preaching “Jesus and the resurrection.” Christ and the resurrection are inseparably connected. Says our Saviour, “I am the resurrection.” Therefore to deny the resurrection is to deny Christ. The Bible also teaches that the saints are to receive their reward only by a resurrection. “The dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so [in this manner] shall we ever be with the Lord.” And this is the only way in which the saints can ever be with the Lord. Then if we deny the resurrection we must also deny the reward of the righteous. See also Luke 14:14.

The resurrection was not only preached and believed by the early Christians, but was perfectly familiar to the people of God in the earliest times. Thus Abraham believed so strongly in the resurrection that he was comforted when about to slay his son, “accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead.” Heb. 11:19. Paul also states with approval that “by faith Joseph . . . gave commandment concerning his bones;” and Job gives this positive testimony, “I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth; and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.” Job 19:25, 26. So we see that the hope of the resurrection has ever been cherished by the people of God, and we must therefore conclude that those who have not this hope are not the people of God.

But say what men may, the resurrection still remains a startling, wonderful reality. This world as it rolls through space with its living freight carries in its bosom a treasure, the price of which was the life of the Son of God. And although by mortal eyes only a little brown dust may be seen, yet in reality there lie those who sleep in Jesus, an innumerable company that are yet to people Paradise restored. Some day the resurrection will really take place; then the grave-yards which are now so quiet and mournful will present the most wonderful scenes of life and happiness. Then will be fully realized that “blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection.”