Q3. Will the same body in all its atoms be raised that is deposited in the earth?

A. We have no reason to suppose, that it will; though it will be raised the same in substance, but possessing different qualities. The body deposited will be the foundation of the one raised. What identity is, or what will constitute the same body in the resurrection we know not. All, however, that is essential to constitute the same body will be raised.(b)

Q. 4. Is it possible that the dead should be raised? A. Certainly it is. Infinite knowledge, wisdom, and power can do it. There is no incapacity in a dead body's being raised. Death does not annihi

shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me. John 5. 28, 29. 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, they that have done good unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation. Acts 24, 15. And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. 1 Cor. 15.21,22. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. Heb. 11, 5. 2 Kings 2. 11. Luke 8. 54, 55. Luke 7. 15. John 11. 44. Matt. 28, 6, 10. (b) 1 Cor. 15. 55-44. But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? Thou fool, that which thou sowest, is not quickened, except it die. And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body, that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain. But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. All flesh is not the same flesh; but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption; it is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

late, but only reduces the body to its first principles or elements. It cannot be more difficult to raise the dead, to form anew and repair the wastes of time and death, than to create at first.(c)

Q. 5. When will the dead be raised?

A. At the end of the world and the time of general judgment. Then the bodies of all those, who have deceased will be raised, and the bodies of all those, who are alive will be changed, (which will be equivalent to a resurrection,) as were the bodies of Enoch and Elijah at their translation. The bodies of the righteous will be raised or changed first, and then, afterwards, the bodies of the wicked will be raised or changed. The bodies of the righteous who have deceased will be raised, before the bodies of the righteous who are alive will be changed; and thus it will be with the wicked. And the raised bodies of both the righteous and the wicked will be united to the souls, with which they were associated in this life.(")

Q. 6. Why will the body be raised or changed, and united to the soul in the life hereafter.

A. 1. It will be raised or changed, because the present body is physically and necessarily unsuited

(c) Acts 26. 8. Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead.

(d) 1 Thess. 4. 15-17. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord; that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 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. 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 Cor. 15. 51, 52, 53, 23. Behold, I show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, 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. But every man in his own order; Christ the first fruits, afterwards they that are Christ's at his coming.

to the future or spiritual state. The body of every creature is fitted by God to the state, in which it exists, whatever it be. This is a constituted law of the whole creation.(e)

2. The body will be raised, that it may be united to the soul, so that as it was a partaker of the deeds on earth, it may be a partaker of the awards, that shall be adjudged in eternity.

3. By the re-union of body and soul, the Person will become invigorated and prepared to enjoy or suffer more than he otherwise would; and the righteous hereby will be completely redeemed from the evil effects of sin.

4. By the resurrection or change of the body and its re-union with the soul, the wisdom, goodness, and power of God will be magnified and manifested.

Q. 7. By whom will the dead be raised?

A. This supernatural and Divine work is attributed in Scripture to the Lord Jesus Christ in His mediatorial character. It will be effected instrumentally by the archangel's trumpet, sounded by Christ's order, and attended with His all-quickening power. This will be a summons, not only to the dead bodies to arise, but to the souls to appear, whether they are in heaven or hell, and be united with them!(f)

Q. 8.

tion body?

What will be the nature of the resurrec

A. The bodies of the righteous will be raised spiritual, incorruptible, strong, active, and glorious. They will not be subject to weariness by labour, wasting by disease, or decays by age. The bodies of the wicked will be raised spiritual and immortal;

(e) 1 Cor. 15. 50. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

(f) 1 Thess. 4. 16. 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

but in dishonour, deformity, shame, and everlasting contempt.(5) Q. 9. What will be the feelings of mankind at the time of the resurrection?

A. The righteous will rise with joy and triumph; but the wicked will rise with fear and trembling.

Q. 10. Will persons who were acquainted with each other in this life, know each other in the life to come, when clothed with the resurrection body?

A. They will. The righteous who knew each other on earth, will know each other in heaven. The wicked who knew each other on earth, will know each other in hell. Even spirits in the separate or intermediate state know each other. Moses and Elijah knew each other, and talked with each other, in the mount of transfiguration.(1)

Q. 11. Is the doctrine of the resurrection an important and peculiar doctrine of Christianity?

A. It is; for, though it may appear non-essential to some, incredible to others, and mysterious to all, yet the whole Gospel stands or falls with the truth of this doctrine, especially the resurrection of Christ.(i)

(g) Philip. 3. 21. Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. Dan. 12. 2. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to everlasting shame and contempt.

(h) Matt. 17.3. And behold there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

(i) 1 Cor. 15. 12, 13, 14. Now if Christ be preached, that he rose from the dead, how say some among you, that there is no resurrection of the dead. But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen. And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith also vain.

CHAPTER XXII.

Judgment.

Q. 1. What is meant by the general judgment? A. The general trial of angels and men, whether holy or unholy.

A. 2. Is there a particular judgment passed upon all, both angels and men, at the close of their probation?

A. There is, though the judgment is individual and secret.

Q. 3. What are the evidences, that there will be a general judgment?

A. The dictates of conscience and reason teach this; the justice of God teaches this;-and the Sacred Scriptures explicitly teach this. All, that is said in the Bible with respect to the probation of angels and men, has reference to a time of general judgment.(")

(a) Acts 17. 31. Because he hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man, whom he hath ordained, whereof he hath given assurance unto all men in that he hath raised him from the dead. Rom. 14. 10, 12. But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Jude 6. And the

angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains, under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.