NOTES OUT OF THE CATECHISM CLASSES Of Rev. J. Fraanje Using the Catechism Book
SPECIMENS OF DIVINE TRUTHS
Of the Resurrection Lesson 40 Part I
If it is in the Lord’s will for us, we should begin the lesson on the resurrection this afternoon.
To begin with we shall recite the questions word for word just as you learned them as we attempt with one another to understand their contents.
Hellenbroek has arranged the contents in the question book in an orderly fashion. He has not placed the horse behind the wagon as is so often done. He begins by teaching the fundamental doctrinal truths, advancing on with the depravity of man, and now there remains only the sections on the Resurrection, Of the Last Judgment, and Of Everlasting Life.
We were made aware in the lesson on the resurrection of Christ that there is more than one resurrection. We spoke of these various resurrections then and shall not repeat all that but proceed immediately with this lesson. It is obvious that the great resurrection or the very last resurrection on the day of the judgment is the one meant here as he asks, “Will there be a resurrection?”
Answer: Yes, Acts. 24:15, “Of both the just and the unjust.”
When?
Answer: At the last day.
By whom shall they be raised?
Answer: By God.
Will the wicked also be raised?
Answer: Yes, John 5:28, “The hour is coming in 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.
With what bodies will the dead arise?
Answer: With the same bodies, otherwise it would be no resurrection, but a new creation; this was the expectation of Job. Job 19:25, 26, & 27 saying, “--yet in my flesh shall I see God, etc.”
But is this possible?
Answer: Yes, with God all things are possible.
Will not these bodies be changed?
Answer: Not in essence, but only in their qualities because, “This corruptible must put on incorrup-tion, and this mortal must put on immortality.”
Thus we have gone through the lesson completely.
Are there people who do not believe there will be a universal resurrection?
Yes, there were such even at the time Jesus was on earth. They were called Sadducees. They denied a resurrection and the existence of angels and spirits. It is not necessary for me to disprove this error now because the Lord did so in great details as we can see in Matthew 22:29-32.
These are the words He used, “Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God -- But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob?’ God is not the God of the dead but of the living.’’
The Lord was explaining to them that if there is no resurrection and everything and everyone ceases to exist, then He was reciting names of persons who have ceased being and only their names remain. “No Sadducees”, he would say; Abraham, Isaac and Jacob still exist. At present their soul is in heaven, but presently their bodies will be raised up and shall exist eternally as soul and body; because, says He, “The hour is coming, in which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice.”
There are, even now, many persons who do not believe in the resurrection simply because they cannot understand it with their natural minds. Because they cannot, they would rather disown it than admit that it is above their comprehension.
The resurrection is not a matter of understanding but a matter of faith. The old divines confessed that too. You are all acquainted with the “12 Articles of Faith”, are you not? So, what does it say in the 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th articles?
I understand a holy catholic Christian Church; The forgiveness of sins; The resurrection of the body? No, but I believe it. It is an act of faith to believe that all Adam’s descendents, to the very last dying one, shall rise again with the same but then immortal body.
It is no wonder that many people do not believe this, or, do all you believe it without some questioning? Be honest about it. Haven’t you too at some time or other secretly thought, “How can that possibly ever happen.” Thousands of people have drowned and others burned up, and even though millions are buried in the earth, they decay until they cannot be distinguished from ordinary soil; it is impossible, then, that these dead persons have their bodies restored to them. Haven’t you ever thought that? Perhaps you don’t dare to openly speak of the hidden things that exist in your heart!
Or, perhaps, you never actually thought about that? Then it is time that we discuss this with one another.
It is impossible to truly accept the resurrection without faith. That is the way it is, but yet it is possible to believe in the resurrection with historical faith. It would only be by God’s gracious influence that one could speak of the resurrection as Job did. That man had a knowledge of it in an exercise of faith. He could say: “I know that my Redeemer liveth and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth; and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.” And will it be One whom he had never known before? No, so he continues, “Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another (stranger).”
Job had an exercise of faith in this matter of the resurrection! But other of God’s people have experienced this too. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians contains a whole chapter on this.
He wrote, “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” He was convinced, though, that this was a matter of faith and not a matter of comprehension. He said, “Behold, I show you a mystery.”
Everyone must be raised up. And, what will happen to those on earth who have not yet died when the trumpet shall sound before the judgment? What will happen to them? Will it be necessary for them to first die, too? No, at a certain point of time, in an instant, they shall be changed by Divine power.
What will be the nature of that change? Then-mortal bodies shall become immortal. The apostle was steadfast in his belief that this would happen when he said, “For the trumpet shall sound; (he was emphasizing the certainty of it) and the dead shall be raised incorruptible and we shall be changed.”
What are your thoughts about this? Would the doctrine of resurrection be one of comfort or of terror?
It will be a great comfort to those who have been sanctified by the blood of Christ to know they will soon receive an immortal body with which they can magnify and glorify the Lord in the absence of sin.
O, that imcomprehensible resurrection! It is a point of worship and astonishment to the Church. The apostle was so overcome that he called out, “So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption - then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O, death, where is thy sting, O, grave where is thy victory?”
This is the glory the apostles saw in the resurrection; death is swallowed up in victory!
Was there not a reason to be joyful in anticipation of his presence at the glorious resurrection? And this joy is not exclusive to the people of God in then-sojourn here on earth, but it is also shared by the Church triumphant in heaven; the souls of the deceased faithful; those who are now the blessed spirits round about the throne. These have joy too, and do you know why?
Because there exists a certain imperfection prior to the judgment day, that is, before the last resurrection.
Now without a doubt, you are thinking, “But dominie, this is one time you are in error! That is just impossible!”
No, I am not in error. I shall explain it to you.
(to be continued)
Deze tekst is geautomatiseerd gemaakt en kan nog fouten bevatten. Digibron werkt
voortdurend aan correctie. Klik voor het origineel door naar de pdf. Voor opmerkingen,
vragen, informatie: contact.
Op Digibron -en alle daarin opgenomen content- is het databankrecht van toepassing.
Gebruiksvoorwaarden. Data protection law applies to Digibron and the content of this
database. Terms of use.
Bekijk de hele uitgave van dinsdag 1 augustus 1978
The Banner of Truth | 20 Pagina's
Bekijk de hele uitgave van dinsdag 1 augustus 1978
The Banner of Truth | 20 Pagina's