IMMORTALITY

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Dec 13, 1905

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 50.

1. THE word “immortal” means incorruptible, not subject to death or decay. It occurs but once in the Bible, and is applied only to God. “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever.” 1 Tim. 1: 17.

2. God is the only being who is naturally, essentially, inherently, immortal. He is “the blessed and only Potentate, the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords; who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see; to whom be honor and power everlasting.” 1 Tim. 6: 15, 16.

3. To “mortal man” (Job 4: 17; 2 Chron. 14: 11, margin) immortality is “brought to light,” or made possible, only “through the Gospel.” 2 Tim. 1: 10. Through Adam’s fall, death, hopeless death, came upon all his posterity.” Gen. 3: 19; Rom. 5: 12. And only through Jesus Christ is there salvation from this condemnation. John 3: 16, 36; Acts 4: 10–12; Rom. 5: 8–11; 8: 1.

4. Immortality can come only to those who seek for it through the Gospel. In the judgment God will “render to every man according to his deeds; to them who by patient continuance in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; but unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath.” Rom. 2: 6–8.

5. Immortality will be “put on” by those who obey the Gospel, at the resurrection of the righteous. 1 Cor. 15: 21–23, 51–57; 1 Thess. 4: 13–18.