THE EVIDENCE OF THE RESURRECTION.
By T.
VERY much speculation has been indulged from time immemorial in regard to the resurrection of the dead. The Sadducees of old denied “that there is any resurrection,” and asked the Saviour questions concerning it that they supposed would confound Him. And the Sadducees have had numerous disciples all down the centuries. The apostle Paul had to meet this questioning about the resurrection, for he says, “But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?” 1 Cor. 15:35. Yes, these were the questions then, and they have been the standard queries ever since. Men are still asking, “How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?” They think they can not understand the “how” of this mighty work, and so they feel called upon to cast doubt upon it. But it is possible to know “how” the dead are raised. Yes, we can actually know. We can have the positive certainty of real and unmistakable and irrefutable knowledge upon this important point. Do you know that the dead will be raised, and how it will be brought about? If not, let us tell you how it may be definitely known. If you are not in the possession of this knowledge, it is because you are a sinner and away from Christ. You may be a professor of Christianity, but that does not always carry with it the real experience of a Christian life. The mere profession of Christianity is one thing, but our actual and personal acquaintance with the Master brings us into communion with His power. We really know Him, and are cognizant of the presence of His might. The one who is fretful and impatient, by coming to the Lord finds power to overcome every harsh and angry word. The vindictive, revengeful, savage hatred gives place to the tenderest and most constant love. He who is held by the demon of strong drink finds in Jesus the power that brings appetite into subjection by driving entirely away from him the ungovernable thirst for wines and liquors. He who is breaking down his vital forces and ruining his health and manhood by indulgence in riotous living and debasing passion, when he turns to the fountain of divine strength, experiences a change of every emotion and desire. He realizes that a mighty power has broken his shackles and set him free. This power that takes hold of a man and cleanses him from every defilement and besetment is indeed a marvelous thing. Dishonesty, and vice, and ungovernable appetite, and hatred, and emulations, and strife, and envyings, and drunkenness, and all other evils, no matter what their form or strength or degrading depths, are driven away by the power of God as the chaff is swept before the blast of the hurricane. The change that comes into the life of him who is born again by the mighty working of the Spirit of God on his mind and heart, is so tangible, so real, and so full of upbuilding vitality, that every one who experiences it knows that he has found an illimitable ocean of divine power. But how may we come in contact with this power from God?—By receiving His Word. “For the Word of God is quick [living], and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Heb. 4:12. Note it. “The Word of God is quick,” or living. It is not like the ordinary word of man, but it is a living Word. It has activity, it has life. But not only is “the Word of God living,” but it is “powerful.” Powerful is the being full of power. Then since God’s Word is both life and power, we come into communion with the infinite Source of life and power by receiving His Word into our minds. Every one who knows God at all knows Him through His Word. And all who have placed themselves in communion with that Word know that it is full of power. By connecting with the live electric wire we get all the light and power of the central station. Even so when we lay hold of the living Word of God we are in the current of that great Central Power that created and guides the universe. All who are converted to God, all who are in contact with Him through His “living” and “powerful” Word, know what this means. And those who do not know it may find it out to a complete and satisfying certainty if they “receive with meekness the engrafted Word.” Then how are the dead raised?—By the power of the word of God. “Marvel not at this; for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth.” John 5:28, 29. Don’t fail to observe closely what this text says, “All that are in the graves shall hear His voice.” His voice, His word, has both life and power in it. And that word, with its life-giving might, penetrates the silent abode of the dead, and they “come forth.” This is a divine certainty, and we know it. But how do you know it so surely? Is there not a lingering doubt that in some way it may fail?—Nay, verily. Every one who experiences the power of God in all the sublimely inexpressible realities of conversion has the positive knowledge that God both can and will raise the dead. God’s word has gone forth that the dead shall be raised. And every one of His children knows of the power of that word by His own experiences, and knows that it will raise the dead. Blessed knowledge! Priceless experiences! If this knowledge and experience are not yours, you are earnestly invited to step in at once and partake of all the riches of the treasures of God. “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Rev. 22:17.