WHERE ARE THE DEAD? EE §
These words are surely plain and clear. God will “reserve the un-
just unto the Day of Judgment to be punished.” Hence they are
not receiving their punishment now. Neither do the righteous
receive their reward at death; “for thou shalt be recompensed at
the resurrection of the just.” Luke 14:14. We read still fur-
ther, “Behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to
give every man according as his work shall be.” Revelation
22:12. Tt is at the coming of Christ that the righteous receive
their reward, and not at death.
But is death the end of all? — No, thrice no! There will be
a glorious resurrection. There will be a grand reunion of the
people of God. “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 Thessalonians 4:16, 17. The patri-
arch of old asked the same question: “If a man die, shall he
live again?” But he answers it in language full of hope and
confidence. He says: “All the days of my appointed time will I
wait, till my change come. Thou shalt call, and I will answer
Thee: Thou wilt have a desire to the work of Thine hands.” Job
14:14, 15. The great apostle Paul said that “there shall be a
resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.” Acts
24:15. Yes, there will be a resurrection. We shall come forth
again. We -may be laid to rest in the silent tomb; but the Lord
watches over the dust, and the voice of the Son of God will
awaken us in the resurrection morning.
Death is an enemy, and the grave may be cold and dark.
We may shrink from entering this dark abode; but if the Lord is
our refuge, we need not fear. We may shrink from death; but —
“There is a blessed hope,
More precious and more bright
Than all the joyless mockery
The world esteems delight.
“There is a lovely star
That lights the darkest gloom,
And sheds a peaceful radiance o'er
The prospects of the tomb.”
Yes, there is a blessed hope. This hope reaches beyond the
tomb, and lays hold upon the life of God through the resurrec-
tion. “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so
them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.”
1 Thessalonians 4: 14. Qur Saviour said, “I am the resurrection,