What Christ's Coming Means to the Righteous
By H. W. Cottrell
Questions with Answers in Scripture
1. Will the righteous dead be raised at Christ's coming? "For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first." 1 Thess. 4:16. 2. Will the living righteous join this throng and meet Christ in the air? "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 shall we ever be with the Lord." 1 Thess. 4:17. 3. Will the saints then be immortalized? "Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep [die], but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory." 1 Cor. 15:51-54. 4. When will Christ receive His children and remain with them ever? "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." John 14:3. 5. What is the consummation of the Christian's hope? "Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ." Titus 2:13. 6. Will the new-born nation enter in through the gates into the city of God? "Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children." Isa. 66:8. "Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in." Isa. 26:2. 7. Will their voices then be attuned to heaven's melody? "And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honor, and power, unto the Lord our God: for true and righteous are His judgments." Rev. 19:1, 2. 8. When, therefore, will all men receive their reward? "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing." 2 Tim. 4:7, 8. 9. Does Christ reassure us of the reward at His Coming? "Behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be." Rev. 22:12. 10. Can this eternal gift ever be marred by sin? "The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Rom. 6:23. "They which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: neither can they die any more." Luke 20:35, 36.