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Experimental investigation of the spirit manifestations, [electronic ...

Experimental investigation of the spirit manifestations, [electronic ...

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158 THE TRUE DOCTRINE.old tlio age <strong>of</strong> prophecy had been upon <strong>the</strong> law, and <strong>the</strong> law upon <strong>the</strong>simple twilight <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> patriarchal age. In what a diflcrcnt light those wholived after <strong>the</strong> new dispensation dawned, stood from those under <strong>the</strong> OldTestament, is clear from what <strong>the</strong> Saviour says— 'Among those that areborn <strong>of</strong> women, <strong>the</strong>re is not a "Tcater prophet than John <strong>the</strong> Baptist; bu<strong>the</strong> that is least in <strong>the</strong> kingdom <strong>of</strong> God* (in <strong>the</strong> new dispensation) 'isgreater than he.'800. " At <strong>the</strong> present day, clearer views are enjoyed than were enjoyedin <strong>the</strong> early history <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Christian church.Let any one read <strong>the</strong> history<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> patristic controversies, and he will see how <strong>the</strong> most learned stumbledamong propositions in search <strong>of</strong> truth which arc now clearly comprehendedby intelligent Sabbath-school children. And so it will go on into <strong>the</strong>future. Spiritual ideas which are as giants to us, and <strong>the</strong> nature andrelations <strong>of</strong> which we do not see, will be apprehended by our successors atonce. Thus, under <strong>the</strong> tuition <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Spirit, revelation will show itselfprogressive, and new things, as well as old, in reference to <strong>the</strong> <strong>spirit</strong>ualworld, will be constantly and successively brought out <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> treasure <strong>of</strong>God's word, <strong>of</strong> which <strong>the</strong> divine Spirit is <strong>the</strong> commentator. IIow, youask, does all this apply to <strong>the</strong> subject in hand ? Thus <strong>the</strong> earlier a saintlived in this world, <strong>the</strong> longer time for this heavenly pupilage he will havein <strong>the</strong> next before <strong>the</strong> resurrection, and he needs more ;<strong>the</strong> later he livedin this world, <strong>the</strong> less will he have in <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r before <strong>the</strong> resurrection,and he needs less. Thus those who enjoy in this world superior advantageson account <strong>of</strong> living under <strong>the</strong> clearer dispensation <strong>of</strong> divine truth in<strong>the</strong> last ages <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> church, shall not have any advantage over those whohad less on account <strong>of</strong> living in <strong>the</strong> first ages, since those who had lesswill have longer time in <strong>the</strong> future world before <strong>the</strong> resurrection.801. ''With this idea in view, <strong>the</strong> passage in 1 Thess. iv. 15 becomesbeautifully intelligible :'For this we say unto you by <strong>the</strong> word <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto <strong>the</strong> coming <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Lord,shall not prevent' (that is, shall not go before, anticipate, or have anyadvantage over) ' those which are asleep ; <strong>the</strong> dead in Christ shall risefirst: fhoi (when <strong>the</strong>y have risen) 'we which arc alive and remain shallbe caught up toge<strong>the</strong>r with <strong>the</strong>m in <strong>the</strong> clouds, to meet <strong>the</strong> Lord in <strong>the</strong>air; and so shall we be ever with <strong>the</strong> Lord.' Those who shall live in <strong>the</strong>last moment, having had <strong>the</strong>ir <strong>spirit</strong>s fully enlightened and prepared for afuture existence in <strong>the</strong> brightness <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> latter-day glory before death,shall not 'sleep' at all, for <strong>the</strong>re will be no necessity for it; but 'shall allbe changed in a moment, in <strong>the</strong> twinkling <strong>of</strong> an eye, at <strong>the</strong> last trump.''The dead shall be raised incorruptible,' having been prepared for <strong>the</strong>irincorruptible body, but ' we shall be changed.' 1 Cor. xv. 51, 52.802. " This <strong>the</strong>ory may be seen in <strong>the</strong> same way to illustrate itselfconsistently when applied to those who are lost. Those who live last in<strong>the</strong> world, when superior light is around <strong>the</strong>m, sin against greater light

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