John Stuart Bogg

“ Who believes that he is a soul, and has a body? Few acknowledge spiritual things to be substantial and permanent, as compared with material things; although the Apostle distinctly says, "The things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal" (2 Cor. iv. 18) .
Our first question is, When, and how, do we enter the Spiritual World?
The soul is the real man: the body is its instrument the uses of this world, a covering, adapted by Infinite Wisdom to reveal, while it also conceals, the indwelling soul. ”

“ If, then, there has been a heavenly quality in our relationship, or in our friendship, reunion will be grantes us in the Spiritual World. But, on the other hand, friendship has been merely of the earth, earthy, it will contain no element of endurance, and though we may—if we wish it—meet those with whom we have been connected by worldly ties, we shall not desire the continuance of these ties. ”

“ Picture to yourself the delight of living in a community of friends and neighbours, each of whom loves the other, and takes every opportunity to help another from the love of the Lord and from the love of the neighbour:—everyone an embodiment of charity, seeking not his own, never failing. ”

“ In the Spiritual World, no one need be lonely. The joys of companionship, however, spring from the love of usefulness. No one can love God unless he love his brother also (1 John iv. 20, 21) . Love must go forth into action. It must declare its presence by words and deeds of kindness. Heavenly society will call into play every talent we possess, and give us free scope. ”

“ Inhabitants of both worlds, we enter at birth alike the Spiritual and the Natural; though during our abode here we are, for the most part, conscious only of our material surroundings. Our best conceptions respecting that Spiritual World in which we shall find our future homes, society, and occupations, are remote and vague. ”

“ If we now enquire what is raised, the Scriptures reply that the man rises. Jesus said to the thief on the cross, "To-day shalt thou be with Me in paradise" (Luke xxiii. 43) . "Thou" was the man himself—not his corporeal covering. The Apostle Paul, in the 15th chapter of 1st Corinthians, disposes of the arguments which might be advanced by those who held the theory of a resurrection of the body. He says, "But some will say. How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? ”

“ Doubtless this is angels' work.
When our friends pass away from this world, when their fleshly tabernacle is laid aside, this is called death; but it is only the death of the body; the soul lives on in the Spiritual World. ”

“ The Scriptures teach that angelic occupations are the care of infants, little children, and adults (Matt. xviii 10; 2 Kings vi. 16) ; the preservation from evil of those who fear God (Psalm xxxiv. 7) ; also instruction, warning, consolation. Consider how large, too, must be the field of usefulness in regard to the teaching of those who enter the Spiritual World from heathen nations, all of whom will, in the intermediate state, need to learn Whom they should worship as the God of heaven. ”

“ The Lord Jesus Christ went away from the bodily sight of His disciples to come nearer their hearts. Those who are planted in the likeness of His resurrection pass, similarly, from the immediate companionship of friends and associates only to become more intimately consociated with those whom they love here and there, to be more kind and sympathizing, to give more prompt help in times of need, to suggest comforting thoughts and in every possible way assist those who are remaining. ”

“ Then, all the innocent delights of using our various talents to give pleasure to others will be continued to us in the Spiritual World! The poet, the philosopher, the preacher, the teacher, the artist, the musician, the merchant, the farmer, the tradesman, the master, and the servant—all who have acquired useful aptitudes in this life and taken delight in them—will find their congenial occupation, though it will not take necessarily the form of their employment here. "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth ”

“ Thus we learn that the terms "man" and "angel" are interchangeable in this respect: angels are men in the generic sense of the term. The Greek word translated "angel" and the Hebrew word translated "man" refer to both sexes.
Men and women become good angels, or " evil angels" (Psalm lxxviii. 49) , according to the character they have acquired during their abode in this world. Jesus, speaking of the children of God, in the resurrection, said "they are equal to the angels" (Luke xx. 36) ”

“ HE subject to which I invite your attention deeply concerns every one of us, both now and in the future; for the question is always being put, "What do the Scriptures teach concerning life in the Spiritual World?" and our lives here answer for us, day by day, what we understand their teaching to be. ”

“ Is it not encouraging to know, that all the useful faculties we here possess will be there called into play? Owing to ill-health, imperfect training, or adverse circumstances, we may fail here to obtain congenial work ”