The Hope of the Gospel

IMMORTALITY

The word immortality occurs five times only in our version, and is never connected with the soul or spirit. We will look at these texts. Paul, in his letter to Timothy, while urging the church to “fight the good fight of faith,” and to “lay hold on eternal life,” says of Christ, “Which in his times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power everlasting.” 1 Timothy 6:15, 16. HPGO 64.2

This scripture shows in the most emphatic manner that God is the being alone who is absolutely the Immortal One-the one from whom all immortality is, and must be, derived. If his word states that he has given immortality to the race at creation, or since, that is sufficient to prove that they are immortal; but, if we find it to be an object of pursuit, and that it is only to be obtained through the resurrection of the dead, then it is folly to claim that man must be conscious in death because his immortal soul cannot die. The first thing to be proved is that man has any such immortal part. HPGO 65.1

In the second epistle to Timothy, Paul says: “But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” 2 Timothy 1:10. That is, in the teachings of the gospel it is brought to light, or made plain, how death is to be abolished, and immortality to be bestowed. It was predicted by the ancient prophet that death should be abolished, or “swallowed up,” Isaiah 26:8, but the New Testament shows in clear light for whom this shall be done, and how it shall be done. HPGO 65.2

We read in Paul’s letter to the Romans: “Who will render to every man according to his deeds; to them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory, and honor, and immortality; eternal life.” Romans 2:6, 7. Here we see it is those who “seek for immortality” that are to receive it. In the letter of Paul to the Corinthians are the two remaining instances where the term immortality occurs; this chapter is addressed to the saints, the ones for whom death is abolished. To them he says: “We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.” 1 Corinthians 15:51-54. HPGO 65.3

We see by these testimonies that the abolition of death, and the bestowment of immortality, is indeed made plain in the gospel, but these scriptures are far from telling us that we are already in possession of immortality, but they are in perfect accordance with the whole chapter, which shows that all future life is dependent upon the resurrection of the dead, as we have before shown. HPGO 66.1