Sketches from the Life of Paul (1883) — PDF Scan 119
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112 LIFE OF PAUL . thosewho had turnedfromthepracticesofheathen idolatrytotheserviceofChrist. Vague heathen ideasconcerningthe stateof the dead were more or lessmingledwith the new faith. But those who clearlysaw thetruthof the resurrectionfrom thedead,in the doctrinepreachedby Paul,were greatlycomforted. The cheeringhopewhichthey thusreceived,thatthe righteousdead would rise fromtheirgravesto a holy,happyimmortallife, was in marked contrastwith theirformerpagan ideasofdeath. For theyhad believedthatthere was no futurelife,no happy meetingwith those whom they had lovedand loston earth. The Thessalonianshad eagerlygraspedtheidea thatChristwas comingto changethe faithfulwho werealive,and take them to himself. They had carefullyguardedthe livesof theirfriends, lest theyshoulddie,andlosetheblessingwhichthey anticipatedatthecomingoftheirLord. But,one afteranother,death had laidtheirlovedones low ; and theyhad buriedthem from theirsightwith fearand trembling. All theirancestorshad thus beenburied, and with anguishthe Thessalonians looked upon the facesof theirdead forthe last time,neverexpectingtomeetthem againin a future life. The receptionof Paul'sepistlewas to them a greatevent. Writtencommunicationspassingbetweenfriendswereofveryrareoccurrenceinthose times. There was greatjoy in the church as the epistlewas opened and read. What consolation was affordedthem by thosewords which revealed the true state of the dead . Paul therein showed them that those who should be alive when Christ shouldcome would not go to meet theirLord in advanceof thosewho shouldbe asleepinJesus.