1917_The_Finished_Mystery_Text

essential to the ‘Plan' as herein set forth; for therest of the dead— the world at large— will notlive again in the full sense, in the perfect sensethat Adam lived before he sinned and cameunder the sentence ‘dying thou shalt die.' Perfectlife without weakness or dying is the only sensein which God recognizes the word life. From Hisstandpoint all the world has already lost life, isdying, and might now be more properlydescribed as dead than as alive.— 2 Cor. 5:14;Matt. 8:22."The word resurrection (Greek, anastasis)signifies raising up. As related to man, itsignifies raising up man to that condition fromwhich he fell, to full perfection of manhood—the thing lost through Adam. The process ofresurrection will be a gradual one, requiring theentire Age for its full accomplishment; thoughthe mere awakening to a measure of life andconsciousness, as at present enjoyed, will ofcourse be a momentary work.And since anything short of perfect life is acondition of partial death, it follows that,although the above words are no part of theinspired record, it would be strictly true to saythat the rest of the dead will not live again (willnot regain the fullness of life lost) until thethousand years of restitution and blessing arecomplete."— A288.This is the First Resurrection.— "It isimpossible for the tongue to describe this greathonor and dignity."— 1 Cor. 2:9; Pastor Russell.Revelation 20:6.Blessed and holy is he that hath part in theFirst Resurrection.— " ‘We shall be like Him[the glorified "changed" Jesus], for we shall seeHim as He is.' He is a Spirit Being, ‘the expressimage of the Father's person,' ‘far above angels,principalities and powers, and every name that isnamed.' and hence, far above perfect manhood. Ifwe shall be like Him and share His glory and Hisnature, it means that we too shall be images ofthe Father's person. ‘whom no man hath seen norcan see, dwelling in light which no man can