Page:The Judgment Day.pdf/69

 A similar remark might be made, in regard to the views of the apostles, on other subordinate doctrines, such for example as that of the resurrection. It is distinctly and repeatedly taught in their writings, that there is to be a resurrection both of the just and of the unjust. It is very clearly and fully declared, especially in the writings of the apostle Paul, that man will come forth from the resurrection in a spiritual body, a body which will be very unlike these natural bodies, but which will be immortal, incorruptible and glorious. The great and important fact of the resurrection of man, in a spiritual body, is distinctly and unequivocally announced. But here the question rests. The fact is not explained. It is true the apostle has attempted to explain it. He seems to have anticipated the deep anxiety which the reflecting mind must necessarily feel to know something of the real nature of that important change, which is soon to take place in the manner of our existance. "But some man" says he "will say—How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?" To the person who is supposed to make this very natural and reasonable inquiry, the apostle applies the epithet "fool" with a little more harshness and severity than might have been necessary, if he had been fully qualified to give a clear and satisfactory answer to the question. He attempts an answer however, in which he very distinctly announces the fact of a wide dissimilarity between the natural and the spiritual body. He endeavors to illustrate this point, by referring to the difference between the kernel of wheat that is sown, and the stalk that subsequently grows up from the ground; and by the difference between various kinds of animals; between terrestrial and celestial bodies; the sun and moon, and stars of different degrees of brilliancy. But the real question,—what is the precise relation of the spiritual body to the natural,—when and in what way is it brought forth from the natural,—this question is unexplained, untouched. The plain and necessary inference is that