body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural 1 body, there is
also a spiritual body. So also it is written, The first man Adam became a living 1 soul.
The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. Howbeit that is not first which is spiritual, but that
which is natural; then that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second
man is of heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such
are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear
the image of the heavenly.'
At the time of the 'regeneration2' of the world, which is mentioned by the Lord Jesus
in St. Matthew's Gospel, the earth too, which through man's sin has been cursed 3 and
ruined, will be delivered from that curse, and will become new and glorious. And the Lord Jesus
Himself, who once appeared upon it wearing our human nature and the form of a servant, and was
despised 4 and rejected by men, shall at last descend 5 upon the earth from
heaven with great power and glory. He will then judge and punish the unbelieving and those who are
His enemies, but to the true believers in Him and to those that love Him He will give glory, honour
and immortality. God's infinite grace and goodness will for ever be their portion. The
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