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The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 3
our heart to him, and say, Abide with us. He says, “Behold, I stand at
the door, and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I
will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Our life
is a continual strife; we must war against principalities and powers,
against spiritual wickedness, and foes that never sleep; we must resist
temptations, and overcome as Christ overcame. When the peace of
Jesus enters our heart we are calm and patient under the severest trials.
The resurrection of Jesus was a sample of the final resurrection of
all who sleep in him. The risen body of the Saviour, his deportment,
the accents of his speech, were all familiar to his followers. In like
manner will those who sleep in Jesus rise again. We shall know our
friends even as the disciples knew Jesus. Though they may have
been deformed, diseased, or disfigured in this mortal life, yet in their
resurrected and glorified body their individual identity will be perfectly
preserved, and we shall recognize, in the face radiant with the light
shining from the face of Jesus, the lineaments of those we love.
The death of Jesus had left Thomas in blank despair. His faith
seemed to have gone out in utter darkness. He was not present in the
upper chamber when Jesus appeared to his disciples. He had heard
the reports of the others, and had received copious proof that Jesus
had risen, but stolid gloom and stubborn unbelief closed his heart
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against all cheering testimony. As he heard the disciples repeat their
account of the wonderful manifestation of the resurrected Saviour, it
only served to plunge him in deeper despair; for if Jesus had really
risen from the dead there could be no farther hope of his literal earthly
kingdom. It also wounded his vanity to think that his Master would
reveal himself to all his disciples but him; so he was determined not
to believe, and for an entire week he brooded over his wretchedness,
which seemed all the darker as contrasted with the reviving hope and
faith of his brethren.
During this time he frequently, when in company with his brethren,
reiterated the words, “Except I shall see in his hands the print of the
nails, and my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into
his side, I will not believe.” He would not see through the eyes of his
brethren, nor exercise faith which was dependent upon their testimony.
He ardently loved his Lord, but jealousy and unbelief took possession
of his mind and heart.