judgment, and have been accepted of the Judge. That they are thus
raised to immortality the following texts plainly teach:-
"So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in
incorruption; it is sown in dishonor; 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." "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." 1Cor.14:42-44. 51,52.
8
These passages are certainly convincing. The resurrection of the saints is to
immortal life, and they are made immortal in the very act of the resurrection. The
decision of their cases is, therefore, passed before their resurrection, for the
nature of their resurrection is declarative or eternal salvation. But the fact that the
decision of the judgment in the case of the righteous precedes the advent is
proved by another proposition, as follows:-
3. The righteous are to be raised before the wicked have their resurrection.
This shows that the examination of their cases takes place before they are
raised, for the final discrimination is made in the very act of raising the just and
leaving the unjust to the resurrection of damnation.
"But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were
finished. This is the first resurrection Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the
first resurrection; on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be
priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years." Rev.
20:5,6.
"But 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; for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of
God, being the children of the resurrection." Luke 20:35,36.
"If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead." (Literally
"the resurrection out from the dead ones.") Phil.3:11.
"For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every
man in his own order; Christ the first-fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his
coming." 1Cor.15:22,23.
9
There is a resurrection which bears the inspired designati