David, speaking in the person of the Messias after death, says: "Thou hast made known to Me the ways of life" (Ps. xv. 11); and again it is written: "I will penetrate to all the lower parts of the earth, and will behold all that sleep, and will enlighten all that hope in the Lord" (Eccli. xxiv. 45). This earth is the smallest department of the world of mankind. There are other, far greater realms beyond, which were interested in the victory of the Redeemer over sin. To all these it was necessary that the Messias should be proclaimed as Lord of the living and the dead. The body of Jesus remained on the cross, still united with the Divinity though life had departed; the soul of Jesus, also united with the Divine Person of the Word, went at once to review all the other "ways of life" which it had not yet experienced. While darkness, horror, and grief prevailed around the dishonoured Body, the Soul of Christ proceeded, splendid with divine glory, living and vigorous, to assert His victory and supreme domination in the greater world of human souls. So will it be with you and all the elect of Christ. At the moment of death you will pass into a larger world, a fuller life of freedom, activity and glory. You can afford to wait patiently and suffer uncomplainingly, knowing what is in store for you.
