humblest believer shall be raised again by Christ at the first resur- rection, and eternally glorified, just as certainly as the oldest saint in the family of God.
Stier remarks, " This raising up at the last day, twice empha- tically affirmed, points out to us the final goal of salvation, and preserving power; after the attainment of which there is no more danger of perishing, or losing again that eternal life, which is now, the body being raised, consummate."
Let us mark what abundant comfort there is in this verse for all doubting, trembhng sinners, who feel their sins and yet fancy there is no hope for them. Let such observe that it is the will of God the Father, that " every one " who looks at Christ by faith may have everlasting life. It would be impossible to open a wider door. Let men look and live. The will of God is on their side.
Calvin remarks on this verse, " The way to obtain salvation is to obey the Gospel of Christ. If it is the will of God that those whom He have elected shall be saved, and if in this manner He ratifies and executes His eternal decrees, whoever he be that is not satisfied with Christ, but indulges in curious inquiries about eternal predestination, such a person desires to be saved contrary to the purposes of God. They are madmen who seek their own salvation, or that of others, in the whirlpool of predestination, not keeping the way of salvation which is exhibited to them," — *' To every man, therefore, his faith is a sufficient attestation of the eternal predestination of God."