p. 797 | LESSON VI.-SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1893

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Oct 23, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 50.

LESSON VI.—SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 1893.

THE RESURRECTION.

[NOTE.—The questions which follow are merely suggestive for the student on the leading points of the lesson; it is presumed that the thorough student will think of many more as he studies the subject. References, where verses alone are given, always refer to the lesson scripture printed above. All other references are given in book, chapter, and verse. The text printed is that of the Revised Version, not because it is especially preferred, but because it is not found in every family, as is the common version.]

Lesson Scripture, 1 Cor. 15: 12-26.

Now if Christ is preached that he hath been raised from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?
But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither hath Christ been raised;
And if Christ hath not been raised, then is our preaching vain, your faith also is vain.
Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we witnessed of God that he raised up Christ; whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead are not raised.
For if the dead are not raised, neither hath Christ been raised;
And if Christ hath not been raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ have perished.
If in this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all men most pitiable.
But now hath Christ been raised from the dead, the first fruits of them that are asleep.
For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits; then they that are Christ's, at his coming.
Then cometh the end, when he shall deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have abolished all rule and all authority and power.
For he must reign, till he hath put all his enemies under his feet.
The last enemy that shall be abolished is death.

Golden Text: "Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Cor. 15: 57.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

What was preached concerning Christ? Verse 12.
With what claim did some object to this doctrine?
How intimate is the relation existing between Christ's resurrection and that of the dead? Verse 13, first part.
How would this affect faith in him? Verse 14.
What character would it give to all who preached the resurrection? Verse 15.
What would the eternal sleep of the dead prove regarding Christ's resurrection? Verse 16.
If Christ is still dead, what hope is there for the sinner? Verse 17.
How would sleeping saints be affected? Verse 18.
If the righteous go to heaven at death, why are they dependent upon the resurrection in order not to perish? Note 1.
What would be our condition if only in this life we had hope in Christ? Verse 19.
What has Christ become by his resurrection? Verse 20.
What two things came by man? Verse 21.
By what two men come life and death? Verse 22.
What order is observed in the resurrection? Verse 23.
What comes at the end? Verse 24.
Give the paraphrase of verses 24, 25. Note 2.
Who will deliver up the kingdom to God?
What kingdom will he deliver up?
Who puts down all rule and authority?
Where does Christ reign till the Father puts all enemies under Christ's feet?
What is the last enemy to be destroyed? Verse 26.

NOTES.

1. Are Perished.—Paul's argument proves conclusively that there is no future life only through the resurrection from the dead. Man possesses no natural or inherent immortality. The dead know not anything. Eccl. 9:5, 6. In the very day that their breath goes forth, their thoughts perish (Ps. 146:3, 4), hence the "dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down into silence." Death would be one long eternal sleep of oblivion to the dead were it not for the bright hope of the resurrection at the last day. At the resurrection morn immortality is bestowed. 1 Cor. 15: 51-55. If, as some teach, the righteous go to heaven at death, what care they about the resurrection of the dead. They are saved if there be no resurrection. But no, all who ever died must through the resurrection awake to life.

2. Verses 24 and 25 might be paraphrased as follows: "Then cometh the end, when he [the Son] shall have delivered up the kingdom [as priest] to God, even the Father; when he [the Father] shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he [Christ] must reign [as king and priest on the Father's throne, Ps. 110:1], till he [the Father] hath put all enemies under his [Christ's] feet." When Christ ascended, he sat down on the right hand of God's throne. Heb. 8:1. While occupying that position he officiates as kingly priest, after the order of Melchizedek. As priest and king he is building for himself a house, a kingdom, a spiritual temple. By the exercise of grace and the offering of his blood he is calling from the kingdom of darkness all who will enlist under his banner. This work might be called the work of the kingdom of grace. After all who will have responded to the call of the Prince of Peace, the work of grace will cease. Christ will end his work as priest. Sin and sinners will be destroyed, this earth renewed to Eden beauty, and here will then be established Christ's kingdom, with Christ as King, this earth as the territory of his kingdom, and the saved of all nations the people over whom the scepter of love shall rule. See Dan. 7:27; Matt. 25:31, 34. This same truth is taught in Zech. 6:12, 13: "Behold the man [Christ] whose name is The Branch; and he [Christ] shall grow up out of his [Christ's] place, and he [Christ] shall build the temple of the Lord [the Father]; even he [Christ] shall build the temple of the Lord [the Father]; and he [Christ] shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his [the Father's] throne; and he [Christ] shall be a priest upon his [the Father's] throne; and the counsel of peace shall be between them both [the Father and Christ]."