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With reference to the report which the Roman soldiers were bribed (Matthew 28:12-14) to circulate concerning Christ’s resurrection, “his disciples came by night and stole him away while we slept,” Matthew Henry in his “Commentary,” under John 20:1-10, fittingly remarks, “The grave-clothes in which Christ had been buried were found in very good order, which serves for an evidence that his body was not ‘stolen away while men slept.’ Robbers of tombs have been known to take away ‘the clothes’ and leave the body; but none ever took away ‘the body’ and left the clothes, especially when they were ‘fine linen’ and new (Mark 15:46). Any one would rather choose to carry a dead body in its clothes than naked. Or if they that were supposed to have stolen it would have left the grave-clothes behind, yet it cannot be supposed they would find leisure to ‘fold up the linen.’”

•RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD will be simultaneous both of the just and the unjust (Daniel 12:2; John 5:28, 29; Romans 2:6-16; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10). The qualities of the resurrection body will be different from those of the body laid in the grave (1 Corinthians 15:53, 54; Phil. 3:21); but its identity will nevertheless be preserved. It will still be the same body (1 Corinthians 15:42-44) which rises again.

As to the nature of the resurrection body, (1) it will be spiritual (1 Corinthians 15:44), i.e., a body adapted to the use of the soul in its glorified state, and to all the conditions of the heavenly state; (2) glorious, incorruptible, and powerful (54); (3) like unto the glorified body of Christ (Phil. 3:21); and (4) immortal (Revelation 21:4).

Christ’s resurrection secures and illustrates that of his people. “(1.) Because his resurrection seals and consummates his redemptive power; and the redemption of our persons involves the redemption of our bodies (Romans 8:23). (2.) Because of our federal and vital union with Christ (1 Corinthians 15:21, 22; 1 Thessalonians 4:14). (3.) Because of his Spirit which dwells in us making our bodies his members (1 Corinthians 6:15; Romans 8:11). (4.) Because Christ by covenant is Lord both of the living and the dead (Romans 14:9). This same federal and vital union of the Christian with Christ likewise causes the resurrection of the believer to be similar to as well as consequent upon that of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:49; Phil. 3:21; 1 John 3:2).” Hodge’s Outlines of Theology.

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