“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” Eccl. 9:10.
Note.—That is, man, when dead, has no use of the powers of mind or body. He cannot, therefore, while in the grave, praise God, or even think of Him (Ps. 6:5); for in the day he dies his thoughts perish. Ps. 146:2-4. See preceding reading.
4. What has been promised in order that man may be redeemed from this condition?
“I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction.” Hosea 13:14.
5. Through whom will come this redemption from the grave?
“For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection [pg 515] of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” 1 Cor. 15:21, 22.
6. What would have been the result to the dead had not Christ procured their release from the grave?
“For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: and if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.” Verses 16-18.
7. Why did God give His only begotten Son to the world?
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.