[294]Afterward Jesus Christ gave unto St. John a revelation by his angel, which is recorded as the book of Revelation.  In that he said:  “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death”. (Revelation 1:18) Hell means the tomb, the grave, the condition of death into which the whole human race has been going for so many centuries.  Death is the great enemy and in due time the Lord will abolish or destroy both death and the grave, as we shall see later on.

[295]As each person comes to a knowledge of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and understands and appreciates the purpose, his heart is made glad.  Only those who are enlightened have yet appreciated the fact that the resurrection of Jesus is one of the strings on God’s wonderful harp.  In due time these benefits will be made known to all, and all shall recognize this wonderful truth.  After the Lord has finished the selection of the members of his body, which is called the church (Colossians 1:18), then his merit or ransom-sacrifice will be presented on behalf of the world of mankind and all will reap the benefits of his resurrection.  The foregoing Scriptures conclusively establish the resurrection of Christ Jesus from the dead.

[296]In St. Paul’s day there were some who denied the resurrection, even as it has been ever since.  To meet their argument St. Paul wrote:  “Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?  But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:  and if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.  Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ; whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.  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.  If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.  But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.  For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.  For as in Adam all die, so in Christ shall all be made alive.  But every man in his own order:  Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.  Then cometh the end when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and authority and power.  For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.  The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.”—­1 Corinthians 15:12-26.