13 September 2015 A.D. Rev. Leonard Van Horn on WSC Q.37
13 September 2015 A.D. Rev.
Leonard Van Horn on WSC Q.37
Van Horn, Leonard. “September 13: Van Horn on WSC
Q.37.” This Day in Presbyterian History. 13
Sept 2015. http://www.thisday.pcahistory.org/2015/09/september-13-sermon/.
Accessed 13 Sept 2015.
September 13:
Van Horn on WSC Q. 37
STUDIES IN THE WESTMINSTER SHORTER CATECHISM
by Rev. Leonard T. Van Horn
by Rev. Leonard T. Van Horn
A. — The souls of believers are at their
death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory; and
their bodies, being still united to Christ, do rest in their graves till
the resurrection.
Scripture References: Luke 23:43
; Luke 16:23
; Phil. 1:23
; II Cor. 5:6-8
; I Thess. 4:14
; Rom. 8:23
.
Questions:
1. When believers die what benefits are
received?
The
believer receives a benefit in regard to his soul and in regard to his
body.
2. What benefit is received of the
believer in regard to his soul?
3. How is the believer benefited with
respect to his body?
The
body of the believer in the grave will still be united to Christ in a
mystical union (l Cor. 6:15). At the resurrection the body of the believer
will be united with his soul.
4. What is this “resurrection” spoken of
in the prior question?
This
resurrection is the last and general resurrection of all the dead in the
last day (l Thess. 4:16).
5. What is the lot of the souls and bodies
of the unbelievers?
The
bodies of the unbelievers are shut up in the prison of the grave (Dan. 12:2
) and their souls suffer the anguish and torment of
hell.
6. Will the believer be raised with the
same body at the last day?
Yes,
the dead in Christ shall be raised with the same body (Job 19:26
), There will be a difference in quality, not in
substance and essence. (Phil. 3 :20-21
).
7. How can a believer be assured of these
blessings when death is nigh?
A
believer can be assured of them because the promises of God are sure and
true, promises made even before the world began (2 Tim. 1 :9
), There need be no doubt on the part of the
believer for “What the Bible says, God says, and that ends the matter!”
DEATH AND THE BELIEVER
“Yea,
though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no
evil; for thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4
). In this wonderful verse from God’s Word we
have a comfort for the Christian that includes all man needs to face death
itself. There is the Presence—”for Thou art with me.” There is the
Defender—”Thy rod and Thy staff comfort me.” The rod was a most formidable
weapon of defense. Our Lord defends us from all. There is the One who
guides—”Thy rod and Thy staff comfort me.” The staff is a guidance in the
sense of pointing out the way. All of this in one verse of Scripture, all
this and Heaven too!
The
poet, E. H. Hamilton, put it well when he said:
“Afraid?
Of What?
To feel the spirit’s glad release?
To pass from pain to perfect peace?
The strife and strain of life to cease?
Afraid?— of that?
To feel the spirit’s glad release?
To pass from pain to perfect peace?
The strife and strain of life to cease?
Afraid?— of that?
Afraid?
Of What?
Afraid to see the Saviour’s face,
To hear His welcome, and to trace
The glory gleam from wounds of grace?
Afraid?— of that?
Afraid to see the Saviour’s face,
To hear His welcome, and to trace
The glory gleam from wounds of grace?
Afraid?— of that?
Afraid?
Of What?
A flash — a crash — a pierced heart;
Darkness — light — O heaven’s art!
A wound, of His counterpart!
Afraid? — of that?
A flash — a crash — a pierced heart;
Darkness — light — O heaven’s art!
A wound, of His counterpart!
Afraid? — of that?
Afraid?
Of What?
To do by death what life could not
Baptize with blood a stony plot,
Till souls shall blossom from the spot?
Afraid? — of that?
To do by death what life could not
Baptize with blood a stony plot,
Till souls shall blossom from the spot?
Afraid? — of that?
The
believer should note that this particular Question begins with “What
benefits”. So many times it seems that the believer does not realize that
there are benefits to receive at death. When a believer dies there will be
those who will miss him. It is true that it is hard to think of what life would
be like without those closest to us. It is equally true though that the
Bible says, “To be with Christ is far better.” Many years ago I
opened a letter from the mother of one of my former Professors, a godly
man who meant so much to me as a young Christian. She told of his sudden
death. I reached back and took a book from the shelf, a book I had
received from him just a few months before. In the midst of my sadness and
grief this question suddenly came to my mind and burned itself into my
soul. I went again to the Scripture references and looked them up. I was
able, by God’s grace, to praise Him for taking my brother in Christ to
Himself.
Published
By: THE SHIELD and SWORD, INC.
Vol. 3 No. 37 (January, 1964)
Rev. Leonard T. Van Horn, Editor
Vol. 3 No. 37 (January, 1964)
Rev. Leonard T. Van Horn, Editor
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