Of the State of Man after Death, and of the Resurrection from
the Dead
I. The bodies of men, after death, return to dust, and
see corruption:a but their souls, which neither die nor sleep, having an
immortal subsistence, immediately return to God who gave them:b the souls of
the righteous, being then made perfect in holiness, are received into the highest heavens,
where they behold the face of God, in light and glory, waiting for the full redemption of
their bodies.c And the souls of the wicked are cast into hell, where they
remain in torments and utter darkness, reserved to the judgment of the great day.d
Beside these two places, for souls separated from their bodies, the Scripture acknowledges
none.
a. Gen. 3:19; Acts 13:36.
b. Luke 23:43; Eccl. 12:7.
c. Heb. 12:23; II Cor. 5:1, 6, 8; Phil. 1:23; Acts 3:21; Eph. 4:10.
d. Luke 16:23-24; Acts 1:25; Jude 6-7; I Pet. 3:19.
II. At the last day, such as are found alive shall not
die, but be changed:a and all the dead shall be raised up, with the self-same
bodies, and none other (although with different qualities), which shall be united again to
their souls forever.b
a. I Thess. 4:17; I Cor. 15:51-52.
b. Job 19:26-27; I Cor. 15:42-44.
III. The bodies of the unjust shall, by the power of
Christ, be raised to dishonor: the bodies of the just, by His Spirit, unto
honor; and be
made conformable to His own glorious body.a
a. Acts 24:15; John 5:28-29; I Cor. 15:43; Phil. 3:21.
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