p. 5 | THE RESURRECTION by Luke Maxson

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 24, 1859

THE RESURRECTION.

By Luke Maxson

Before the gospel dispensation, the doctrine of a universal resurrection was generally unknown. No philosophical speculation ever fully attained unto it. But all the impossibilities attending the resurrection of the dead, were buried in the Saviour's tomb when he left it. If Christ rose from the dead, even so them also which are Christ's will God bring with him at his coming. But now is Christ risen from the dead and become the first fruits of them that slept. And this, Christian, is the pledge of our resurrection from death; and all our hopes spring from that tomb from which Jesus' rising brought immortality to light.

When the world's long week is done, and that which is pre-eminently the day of the Lord shall dawn upon us—the time so long foretold by prophets, Christ and the apostles—the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with the voice of the archangel and with the trump of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first. We shall ourselves be known as Jesus was among his friends. So may we suppose that we shall know our friends. And Jesus! we shall know him; for we shall see him as he is, and behold the glory.

"The resurrection of the Lord teaches us that there is a day to dawn when there will be restored to us all that we have loved and lost. There is not a treasure over which the jealous eye of the Lord does not watch. Nothing good perishes; it is impossible. Out of the world's wreck, all that is worth saving will be saved. Oh then what a glorious morn will the resurrection morning be! Behold the glad procession coming up, a multitude whom no man can number! See them adorned in robes of white, with crowns of everlasting joy upon their heads, and palms of victory in their hands! Hear their shouts of gladness as they cry, Victory! worthy is the Lamb that hath redeemed us! Fathers and mothers grasp children long lost. Husbands and wives separated for many centuries, fall into each other's arms. Behold the re-union of those whom the grave and the sea had buried, but who now are all restored forever with the coming back of Jesus."

Let us, therefore, as we love the doctrine of the resurrection, contend earnestly for the faith that was once delivered to the saints. I believe the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead to be the foundation and chief corner stone of the gospel. The doctrine of the resurrection was given to the world by Christ as a test of the truth of his Messiahship. It was the first business of the apostles after the ascension of their Lord, to choose one of his disciples to be a witness with them of his resurrection. That was the doctrine that Peter preached on the day of Pentecost, which God blessed by the influence of the Holy Spirit, in the awakening and conversion of three thousand in one day.

It was the doctrine of Jesus and the resurrection of the dead that Paul earnestly contended for in his epistles, and preached to the Gentiles, which subjected him to cruel mockings, persecutions and imprisonments. This was the life-giving and energizing power that aroused the dormant energies of a slumbering world, in the early ages of Christianity, and continued to spread, although opposed by fire and sword, until it overran the Roman Empire. This is the gospel that the apostles preached with such success; and they have warned us against receiving any other, though an angel from heaven should proclaim it.

I think the great lack at the present day of that life-giving power in the church, in extending the cause of Christ in the world, and the conversion of sinners, is owing in a great measure to this: that the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead has in these latter days almost ceased to be preached; and if at all, it is like angels' visits, few and far between.

The world is receiving another gospel, and climbing up another way. They have not patience nor self-denial enough to wait for the coming of their Lord. They have substituted death, instead of life and the resurrection of the dead, for the door through which to enter heaven. The doctrine of the apostles was, that without the resurrection of the dead there was no salvation: that if the dead rise not their faith was vain, and their preaching was vain, and they were yet in their sins; and those that had fallen asleep in Christ had perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, said they, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept. Even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

I would earnestly invite all the heralds of salvation who have any faith in the primitive doctrine of the resurrection to rally to its standard. It would prove a mighty barrier against Spiritualism and its kindred errors, which are pouring in like a mighty flood upon the world and like the locusts of Egypt are spreading devastation, darkness and blight throughout the land. I believe God is unchangeable; and if the same gospel was preached now that was preached in the early ages of the church, and with the same faith, it would produce the same effect, and a mighty change would take place, and bring glory to God, and salvation to the people.

LUKE MAXSON.

Alfred Center, Alleghany Co., N. Y., Nov 1859.