Ques. 157. What works were finished from the foundation of the world? (Heb. 4:3.) What is the rest which remains to the people of God? (Verse 9.) R. B.
Ans. God had wrought in creation and then rested from His works when He had finished them, but man did not enter into it. Neither did Joshua nor David give God's people rest; so that the rest of God is still future, and believers will enter into it. We are to take care not to appear like coming short of it. It is laboring now as Christians; it will be resting when God's rest comes.
All taint of sin shall be removed,
All evil done away:
And we shall dwell with God's Beloved,
Through God's eternal day.
Ques. 158. Did the wicked who were drowned at thy flood, go into everlasting punishment in Sheol, or did they have another chance when Christ preached to the spirits in prison? (1 Peter 3:19.) M. S. P.
Ans. All the wicked that died before, at, or after the flood, will be raised to stand before the great white throne (Rev. 20:11-15). This is the resurrection of judgment. (John 5:29.)
When an unsaved man dies, his soul is in prison, awaiting the judgment (2 Peter 2:4, 9); he is also in torment. See Luke 16:23, where the rich man's soul is "in torment", while men give his body a funeral. It is everlasting punishment; justice cannot be defeated when Christ is the judge. The wrath of God abideth on the sinner. (John 3:36.)
There is no preaching or offer of salvation to a man after death. There was no preaching in the prison. The Spirit of Christ preached through Noah to the people who lived at his time, then they were drowned, and their souls are in prison for their disobedience to the preaching.
When Christ died, His spirit went to the Father. "Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit." (Luke 23:46.) His body was put in the grave. Then He arose, and after forty days He ascended up on high. He is now the man at God's right hand. It is a man-spirit, soul and body-that ascends. He had been in death, but could not be holden of it. That was "the lower parts of the earth". When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive. Satan is vanquished, and we are set free, sharing His triumphs now over sin, death and Satan's power. This is our blessing now, as brought to Himself to share His place before and with His God and Father.