was created in the likeness of God , not only in character , but in form and feature . Sin defaced and almost obliterated the divine image ; but Christ came to restore that which had been lost . He will change our vile bodies and fashion them like unto His glorious body . The mortal , corruptible form , devoid of comeliness , once polluted with sin , becomes perfect , beautiful , and immortal . All blemishes and deformities are left in the grave . Restored to the tree of life in the long-lost Eden , the redeemed will “ grow up ” ( Malachi 4:2 ) to the full stature of the race in its primeval glory . The last lingering traces of the curse of sin will be removed , and Christ ’ s faithful ones will appear in “ the beauty of the Lord our God ,” in mind and soul and body reflecting the perfect image of their Lord . Oh , wonderful redemption ! long talked of , long hoped for , contemplated with eager anticipation , but never fully understood .
The living righteous are changed “ in a moment , in the twinkling of an eye .” At the voice of God they were glorified ; now they are made immortal and with the risen saints are caught up to meet their Lord in the air . Angels “ gather together His elect from the four winds , from one end of heaven to the other .” Little children are borne by holy angels to their mothers ’ arms . Friends long separated by death are united , nevermore to part , and with songs of gladness ascend together to the City of God .
On each side of the cloudy chariot are wings , and beneath it are living wheels ; and as the chariot rolls upward , the wheels cry , “ Holy ,” and the wings , as they move , cry , “ Holy ,” and the retinue of angels cry , “ Holy , holy , holy , Lord God Almighty .” And the redeemed shout , “ Alleluia !” as the chariot moves onward toward the New Jerusalem .
Before entering the City of God , the Saviour bestows upon His followers the emblems of victory and invests them with the insignia of their royal state . The glittering ranks are drawn up in the form of a hollow square about their King , whose form rises in majesty high above saint and angel ,
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