a’ Brakel on the Resurrection of the Body
ajcarter | July 20, 2009
I never tire of reading Wilhelmus a’ Brakel. Here he is on the blessed subject of the resurrection of the body:
“Believers have much sorrow in this life – also according to the body. Many have weak bodies; are full of pain and subject to many sicknesses and mishaps; weep and cry sorrowfully; observe with sorrow the ungodliness of the world; must endure being mimicked by many; must hear the contemptuous, biting, and slanderous words of their opponents; and must suffer hunger, cold, nakedness, and wrong. Moreover, their corruptible body burdens the soul and their earthly tabernacle oppresses their heart so filled with concerns. Believers, be it known, however, that your bodies, in which you must now suffer so much, will one day be delivered from all sorrows. The Lord will then wipe all tears from your eyes and will change this vile body so that it may be conformed to the glorious body of Christ. Then your body will shine forth as the stars, and as the brightness of the firmament. Your eyes will rejoice in beholding your beloved Jesus and all those glorious things which are to be seen in heaven. Your ears will delight themselves in hearing the heavenly hallelujahs, and you will join them in singing the heavenly doxologies. All that God has prepared to the delight of your body, the Lord will cause you to enjoy forever. What a wondrous exchange that will be! Therefore, in all patience suffer all that is distasteful to the body, and counteract your suffering by the expectation of glory.”
(The Christian’s Reasonable Service, Vol. 4 “The Resurrection of the Dead”)