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No one could be more convinced than Paul of the blessedness in which the saint enters at death, and he was wonderfully qualified by visions and revelations to entertain this conviction. Yet he sets his heart upon that which could only be remote. What, then, must be that sequel which can fix and overwhelm such a mind, that while an instantaneous heaven lies before it, is transported beyond it to splendours which it agonizes to "attain"?

I. WHAT IS THAT ENTIRE SATISFACTION AND CLIMAX FOR WHICH THE TEXT TEACHES US TO LONG AND LABOUR. Immortality as an idea was not unknown to the pagans, but the resurrection is the almost exclusive doctrine of Scripture.

1. That resurrection will be simultaneous, and the judgment of all will immediately succeed it.

2. Yet it is not unnatural that this common event should sometimes be specially regarded and personally applied. In the language of Paul to the Corinthians it is argued in the case of believers from their union with Christ. He mentions not the wicked who shall rise for different reasons. They could never wish to attain the resurrection. The first resurrection (1 Thessalonians 4:15) is shared by the dead over those who have never died, and that of Revelation 20:6, is of souls.

3. St. Paul desired but a share in the general resurrection, attended as that event would be to him and all the people of God with consequences of surpassing happiness and glory.

4. Yet searching the experience of present Christians we do not find this hope ardently cherished. Thousands are contented with the salvation and glorification of the soul; this is to be deplored as the slight of a matchless good. Apart from the resurrection man is incomplete.

II. WHAT ARE THE SCRIPTURAL REPRESENTATIONS OF ITS ACCOMPANIMENTS AND CONSEQUENCES.

1. The mutual recognition of saints in heaven. Is violence to be done to memory, and can love be changed? Can a spirit made perfect be wanting in sympathies which so much purified it from imperfection?

2. The happiness of our future condition is made chiefly to depend on our resemblance to Christ.

3. There the saints shall be fully acknowledged. They who here were unknown and hated shall there shine forth as the sun.

4. Christians shall be glorified with their Master.

5. We therefore find the righteous in Scripture earnestly seeking and exultantly hailing this resurrection. Why? Because —

(1) It is the triumph of Christ.

(2) The full redemption of the believer.

(3) The restitution of our entire nature.

(4) Purposes will then be indicated which our present mixed being has not hitherto revealed, for both mind and body; the latter will then be a perfect instrument for the soul.

(5) A congeniality will be established between the risen saints and the materialism of their glorious abode.

(6) In the reintegration of our manhood shall be displayed the most perfect spectacle of the beauty of holiness.

(7) There will be endless progression.

III. WHAT ARE THE DETERMINATIONS BY WHICH IT IS TO BE WON. The manner or method supposes far higher means than those we can command. The "power of the resurrection" alone secures our confidence. The "means," however, in this connection, refer not to the causative but the moral; to the influence of present character and conduct on this event. We often mark the influence of former conduct on our present condition; and so we exist and act for all the future of our immortality.

1. What prayer, then, should we devote to this attainment?

2. What anticipation should familiarize it?

3. What preparation should facilitate it? "Mortify therefore your members."

4. What counterpart should we exhibit of it.

(R. W. Hamilton, D. D.)

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KJV: If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

WEB: if by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.