The Spirit of God as Fire; the Globe Within the Sun Our Heaven

by D. Mortimore

And, calling in spirit unto the silent dead, he saith:

"Awake and sing, ye that dwell in the dust, * * the earth shall cast out her dead."

In fulfilment of prophesy, the Son of God came as the "plague of death" and "destruction of the grave." His advent into the world was signalized by a "star in the East," guiding the wise men—who were looking for his coming—to the "town of Bethlehem, where lay the babe in the manger." While an angel, commissioned by the Father, announced his arrival, and "good tidings of great joy" to the shepherds who were watching their flocks by night upon the plains of Judea, saying, "Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God," and, as a heavenly choir, sounding the loud anthem, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." This was "Him of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets did write," even the "Sun of righteousness," whose coming was foretold by the prophet Malachi.

By his teachings, and miracles wrought in after life, he proved his origin and mission. But this mission could not be fully accomplished until he should conquer death, hell, and the grave, and "bring life and immortality to light through his own Gospel." Finally, the day and the hour came for its complete fulfilment. Borne down with the weight of the sins of a guilty world, he prayed his Father to strengthen him, while "in agony he sweat great drops of blood."

See him ascending the rugged steeps of Calvary, bearing his own cross, upon which his human nature must expire between Heaven and Earth. Nailed to that cross, he hung upon it in painful agony, and for three dreadful hours the sun, the source of light, was veiled, "and there was darkness over all the land," and about the ninth hour, his humanity "cried with a loud voice, my God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me!" and gave up the ghost. "And behold the vail of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks were rent, and the graves were opened, and many bodies of the saints which slept, arose."

Now, while his lifeless body was still suspended upon the cross, the work was not yet complete until the Roman soldier approached and plunged his spear into his side, and thus Baptized the world in a fountain of Blood. And, through faith in him, that is the only fountain that can wash our guilty stains away, and present us purified before his Throne.

Mark you the circumstances as they then transpired. The sun was veiled, and "darkness prevailed over all the earth, from the sixth until the ninth hour," and it was at the ninth hour he cried, "It is finished and gave up the ghost." It was his mission "to bring life and immortality to light." God, the Father, had veiled the sun, that the earth should be in utter darkness. May it not have been the first act of His son's immortality—after this tragic scene—to unveil the sun, and throw its light—under a new dispensation—upon the world? But he had come to conquer "death, hell, and the grave," "and lead captivity captive." His body was placed in a sepulchre; from whence he had said he would rise on the third day. The Priests and Pharisees remembering this, besought Pilate, who commanded that the sepulchre be made secure, which was done by a great stone under seal, and a guard stationed over it, that no one might approach by day or by night. But, behold, on the morning of the third day, an "angel of the Lord appeared from heaven," whose descent caused a great earthquake, who "rolled back the stone and sat upon it; and his countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow; and for fear of him the keepers did shake and became as dead men." The angel said unto the two Marys, "I know ye seek Jesus, which was crucified; He is not here, for he is risen."

Thus, behold his triumph! He burst the bands of death asunder, and rushing forth from the tyrant's grasp, shouted in triumph over this last enemy, "Oh, death where is thy sting? Oh, grave where is thy victory?" "I am the resurrection and the life." "I am he that liveth and was dead, and behold I am alive forevermore, and have the keys of hell and of death." Thus the fulfilment of prophesy and the promise, that he should become the first fruits of them that slept.

We have subsequent evidence of his resurrection, where he appeared in the midst of his disciples, when they had met in their private chamber and had closed the door. But there have been doubters, and unbelievers, in all ages—even though confirmative evidences have been strong and plain. So, also, was there one in that little assembly. Poor Thomas could not believe, even though his Lord and Master stood before him; but the Saviour, full of tender compassion, said to him: "Come, place thy fingers in the nail prints, and thrust thy hand into the opening made by the soldier's spear in my side, and be not faithless, but believing."

Now while God through his prophet hath said, "There is a spirit in man, and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth him understanding," revelation is replete with evidence that "though a man die, yet shall he live again." Christ, the Son of God, illustrated his power in uttering the command, "Lazarus, come forth," and he that had been dead four days, whose mortality was fast decomposing and yielding to corruption, arose again into life. Thus in the days of his incarnation, he manifested his power by the miracles he wrought in numerous instances of restoring sight to the blind, causing the deaf to hear; the dumb to speak; the lame to walk; healing the sick; cleansing the leprous, and bringing the dead to life again: while, in the power of his own resurrection, he made triumphantly manifest the immortality of the soul; and the entire New Testament scriptures abound with evidences that through Him "life and immortality have been brought to light." Thus we see that the immortality of the soul, and a future state of existence are plainly manifest.