May 17, 1888

“Immortality” The Present Truth 4, 10.

EJW

E. J. Waggoner

(Concluded.)

Having learned how immortality may be obtained, we have only one thing to consider, and that is when it will be bestowed; when believers in Christ will come into possession of their promised inheritance. This is definitely settled by Paul in the fifteenth of 1 Corinthians, in a text which we have before quoted. We begin with verse 50: “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.” This statement might raise a query in the minds of some, so Paul adds: “Behold, I show you [that is, make known to 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.” Verses 51, 52. This, then, explains how we may get into the kingdom of God, even though flesh and blood cannot inherit it. “We shall be changed.” And when does this change take place? “At the last trump.” And what will the be change be? “For the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.” Verses 52, 53.PTUK May 17, 1888, page 149.1

“This mortal must put on immortality.” The Bible writers never speak of man as being anything else than mortal. “Shall mortal man be more just than God?” Job 4:17. How could they speak otherwise, since God only has immortality? The contrast is sharply drawn in Romans 1:23. Paul speaks of the heathen, who had “changed the glory of the uncorrupted God into an image like to corruptible man.” God is immortal, incorruptible; man is mortal, corruptible. But we are to be changed, and then we shall be like him, immortal.PTUK May 17, 1888, page 149.2

“So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.” 1 Corinthians 15:54. And this occurs, as the preceding verses show at the coming of the Lord.PTUK May 17, 1888, page 149.3

We have not quoted, besides several texts that speak of “the eternal life,” every text in the Bible that contains the word “immortality.” Let us see what we have found: 1. God alone has immortality. This, of course, applies to Christ, who, as the Son of God, partakes of his nature, and who is entitled to be called God. 2. If man would have immortality, he must seek for it. 3. The only proper way to seek for it is by a patient continuance in well-doing. 4. Man can find immortality only in the Gospel, for it is there that it is brought to light. 5. It belongs to every one who believes in Christ, but only by promise. This life is now in Christ, and whoever has Christ, as the eternal life, because he is in possession of that which will bring it to him. 6. This promise of life will be fulfilled, and a man’s search for immortality will be crowned with success, when “the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God.” Then those who have fought the good fight of faith will be crowned as victors with “a crown of glory that fadeth not away.”PTUK May 17, 1888, page 149.4

E. J. WAGGONER.