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T h e K i n g ’ s B u s i n e s s
April 1928
What the Resurrection Proved, Procured, Proclaimed B y F. J. A tkinson
come the first-fruits o f them that slept.” A careful study of 1 Corinthians 15 will show how much depended upon that great and glorious event. “ If we believe that J esus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in J esus will G od bring with Him” (1 Thess. 4 :14 ). When C hrist who is our life shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory’^ (C o l. 3 :4 ). W e have life in Christ now, and we shall have life with Christ then, for evermore. Let us live the Resurrection life while here below, that we may know the full blessedness of ever lasting glory (Col. 3 :1 -4 ). That which inspires hope in the believer also proclaims the awful judgment of the un saved. “ The resurrection of the just and also of the unjust” depends upon His Resurrection (John 5 :28-29; Acts 24:15-16). The appointed day o f judgment is placed beyond dispute by the resurrection o f Christ (Acts 17:31). What Holds Society Together? Some of our “ modern thinkers” might well ponder the question propounded by Benjamin Harrison: “ If you take out of your statutes, your constitution, your family life, all that is taken from the Sacred Book, what would there be left to bind society together ?”
HIS event o f events proved the Old Testament to be “ the word o f the living God.” “ He rose again the third day according to the Scripture” (1 Cor. 15 :4). Israel the type (Isa. 1 :17, with Matt. 17:40 ). The Sufferer was “ to prolong His days” (Isa. 53 :10 ). “ To live,” “ His Name shall endure for ever” (Psa. 72 : 15, 17). His “ holy one” was not to be left to hell, nor to see corruption, but to see “ the path of life” ; “ Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be holdep of it” (Psa. 16:9-11, with Acts 2 : 24-36). Thus was the despised and rejected One “ de clared to be the true M essiah .” “ T he S on of G od , with power” (Romans 1 :4).. The words o f the Lord Jesus Christ were also con firm ed^ “ Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19-21). “ Otf the third day” (Matt. 16:21; 17:23; 20:19). “ I have power, to lay it down, and I have power to take it again” (John 10:18). “ I will see you again and your hearts shall rejoice” (John 16:22, with 20 :20). The resurrection supplied His witnesses with an indisputable fact, which could not be denied by either demons or men. It procured fo r the sons o f Adam a full salvation, far greater than either prophets or angels could conceive (1 Pet. 1 :10, 11) . On the resurrection depended our sal vation in all its aspects and operations, from the new birth to our entrance into glory— our Justification (Rom. 4:24, 25), Reconciliation (Rom. 5 :9-11), Sanctification (Rom. 6:4-14), Identification (Eph. 1:18-21), our Glorification (Rom. 8:17-25), are all made possible because “ God, hav ing raised up His S on J esus , , sent Him to bless you” (Acts 3 :26 ). Thus was fulfilled His own precious word, “ Because I live ye shall live also” (John 14:19). And by the Advent o f the H oly S pirit , which was the outcome o f His resurrection (Acts 2 :33 ; John 16:7). N ew S ource of L ife and P ower Thus was introduced a New Source o f life and power, so that every believer might be assured, as were the dis ciples,- of a blessed union with their Lord and Saviour . . . as He said— “ I am in M y F ather and ye in M e , and I in you” (John 14:20). “ Much more being reconciled we shall be saved by His life” (Rom. 5 :10). Our Sub stitute has become our surety, and our advocate with G od . Our Lord’s return to His Father added a new factor into prayer. “ A t that day ye shall ask in My Name” ; “ What soever ye shall ask the F ather in My Name, He will give it you” (John 16:16-30). It also proclaimed a New and Blessed Hope fo r the future. “ Blessed be the G od and F ather of our L ord J esus C hrist , which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a living hope by the resur rection of J esus C hrist from the dead. T o an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, re served in heaven for you” (1 Pet. 1 :3-5). He not only de livered us from the fears of death, but also from its sting and its powers. His resurrection is the proof and pledge of ours. “ Now is C hrist risen from the dead, and be
Keystone View THE NARROW “ STREET OF SORROWS” IN JERUSALEM THAT LED FROM TRIAL HALL TO CALVARY.
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