The resurrection of the Lord is, we know, a grand central mystery. It speaks of the end of the old creation, and begins the sure, immovable foundations of the new. It has, however, its various results. Some of its power will display itself in heavenly places—some in earthly—some of it will be known in the power that sets the enemy aside-some in the grace that saves the lost, and brings them to God forever.
It is presented differently at the close of each of the gospels.
In Matthew (chap. 28) we have the resurrection in its power over the adversary. The sealed stone and the set watch represent the power and enmity of the world; but the angel that witnessed the risen Jesus, as it were, laughs them to scorn, puts the sentence of death upon them, letting them know that it was hard for them to kick against the pricks—self-destruction for them to resist the Son of God in power.
And this is one great result of the resurrection. It is judgment against the world. It shows that there is direct collision between God and the world, and that God is the stronger, because the world had put Jesus to death, and God had raised Him from the dead—two simple facts which indicate the entire collision between God and man, and that the strength and victory were with God, the result of which facts must be the judgment or doom of the world; and such judgment is here expressed by the angel rolling away the sealed stone and putting the sentence of death on the keepers of it.
But this same chapter shows the resurrection in its results on earth. It puts Jesus in possession of all power, and gives Him a claim upon the discipleship and obedience of all the nations.
This claim, I know, is not now made good, nor is this power now exercised. But it is His, and in the coming millennial days of the kingdom it will be realized. Power which is His by right, as the risen One, will be exercised by His hand then; and the nations of the earth, from the rising to the setting sun, will own Him.
This is very distinct and very characteristic of Matthew's gospel-so perfect are the oracles of God in their variousness, as in their unity.
But here you have nothing of the effects of the resurrection upon heaven—no peopling of heavenly places with the redemption and grace which the resurrection has sealed and accomplished.