Library › St Peter Mogila › Orthodox Confession
Orthodox Confession
St Peter Mogila, tr. Lodvel, 1762
Part 1, 12. Questions 121–126
Question 121
What doth this Article of the Faith teach?
Answer.
It teacheth the undoubted and most certain Resurrection of the human Body; of the Good, and also of the Wicked: according to the Word of the Lord, saying (John v. 28), All who are in the Graves shall hear the Voice of the Son of God, and shall come forth; they that have done Good, unto the Resurrection of Life; and they that have done Evil, unto the Resurrection of Damnation. And they shall arise with the same Bodies which they lived with before in this World; according to that of Job (chap. xix. 25), I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter Day upon the Earth; and though after my Skin Worms destroy this Body, yet in my Flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine Eyes shall behold, and not another, though my Reins be consumed within me. But this Body, which, as we have said, will be the very individual same which was laid down in the Grave — this Body shall be raised, incorruptible and immortal; As saith St. Paul (1 Cor. xv. 51), We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 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. We are, moreover, to understand that the Soul of every one shall return into its own Body, and, together with it, shall receive the full and everlasting Reward of its Works. The Bodies of the Wicked, also, shall be made immortal, to receive eternal Punishment.
Question 122
What more doth this Article teach?
Answer.
It teacheth every Christian to bear constantly in Mind these four things — Death, the Last Judgment, the Torments OF Hell, and, lastly, the everlasting Kingdom of Heaven.
Question 123
What Benefit shall a Man receive by being mindful of these four Things?
Answer.
A Man, by constantly reflecting on these things, will beget in himself Devotion, a Watchfulness against Sin, the Fear of God, a Dread of Hell Torments, and a Longing after the Joys of Heaven. And whosoever duly considers these things will undoubtedly take Care to prepare himself for the World to come: For, by thinking on that last Day wherein the whole World shall be judged, he will be mindful to make himself ready for the Account which he must then give of all his Thoughts, Words, and Actions. The Thoughts of Hell will quicken his Endeavours to avoid it, and the Consideration of Heaven must excite his utmost Earnestness to attain its Joys.
Question 124
What is the twelfth Article of the Faith?
Answer.
And the Life of the World to come.
Question 125
What doth the Church teach us in this Article of the Faith?
Answer.
That in the World to come, the Grace and Blessing of God shall be given unto the Elect; and Life eternal, filled with Joy and spiritual Delights: As the holy Scripture testifieth (1 Cor. ii. 9), Eye hath not seen, nor Ear heard, neither have entered into the Heart of Man, the Things which God hath prepared for them that love him. And again, to the same Effect (Rom. xiv. 17), The Kingdom of God is not Meat and Drink, but Righteousness and Peace, and Joy in the Holy Ghost.
Question 126
Shall the Soul only, or shall the Body also, together with the Soul, enjoy eternal Happiness?
Answer.
As the Soul and Body jointly did good Works for the Hope of eternal Rewards, even so shall they jointly, and not separately, receive and enjoy the same triumphant Happiness and Felicity. For the Joy of the Soul and of the Body are not distinct and different things, but the same; and, therefore, as the Body shall be glorified, so the whole Man, both Soul and Body, shall be made glorious; and shall be made like the Angels, and equal unto them: According to the Scripture, which saith (Matth. xxii. 30), In the Resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in Marriage, but are as the Angels of God in Heaven. The Body shall be glorious, immortal, incorruptible, not needing Meat or Drink; and the Soul shall be the same: As saith the Scripture (1 Cor. xv. 52), 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. Now, this Joint Felicity will consist in contemplating the most blessed Trinity, and in bearing a delightful Part in the spiritual Harmony of the angelical Chorus: According to the Apostle (1 Cor. xiii. 12), Now we see as through a Glass, darkly; but then Face to Face: Now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
Now, whereas the Lord said unto Moses (Exod. xxxiii. 20), There shall no Man see my Face and live, this is to be understood of this present Life, and of this corruptible Body, not as yet glorified; and before that ultimate and most perfect Redemption. But after that complete Glorification, in the future and eternal Life, after the Day of Judgment, God will so clothe us with Light, that we shall be able to behold the Light of God: According to the Psalmist (Psal. xxxvi. 9), With thee is the Fountain of Life, and in thy Light shall we see Light. And this Light, as it shall be plainly and fully beheld, will entirely satisfy us, and gratify, to the utmost, all our Desires of Wisdom and Beauty. For all Good is contained in the Contemplation and Profession of the supreme Good; and the Perfection of Happiness, in the complete Enjoyment of it: As the divine Psalmist declareth (Psal. xvii. 15), When I awake up after thy Likeness, I shall be satisfied with it.