i82 The Plan of the Ages.
tioiL It is flesh, blood and bones; for "that which is born of the flesh is flesh. ' ' And since they are two distinct kinds of bodies, we know that the spiritual, whatever it maybe, is not composed of flesh, blood and bones: it is heavenly, celestial, spiritual" That which is born of the Spirit is spirit." But what a spirit body is, we know not, for "It doth not yet appear what we shall be ; but ... we shall be like him" like our Lord Jesus, JoHn 3 : 6; i John 3:2.
We have no record of any being, either spiritual or hu- man, ever having been changed from one nature to another, except the Son of God ; and this was an exceptional case, for an exceptional purpose. When God made angels he doubtless intended them to remain angels forever, and so with men, each being perfect on his own plane. At least the Scriptures give no intimation of any different purpose. As in the inanimate creation there is a pleasing and almost endless variety, so in the living and intelligent creation the same variety in perfection is possible* Every creature in its perfection is glorious; but, as Paul says, the glory of the celestial (heavenly) is one kind of glory, and the glory of the terrestrial (earthly) is another and a different glory.
By examining the fecis recorded of our Lord Jesus after his resurre&ion, and of angels, who are also spirit beings, thus "comparing spiritual things with spiritual " (i Cor. 2 : 13), we may gain some general information with regard to spirit beings* First, then, angels can be and frequently are present, yet invisible. "The angel of the Lord en- campeth round about them that fear him;" and "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?" (Psa. 34: 7; Heb. i : 14.) Have they ministered visibly or invisibly? Undoubtedly the latter. Elisha was surrounded by a host of Assyrians ; his servant was fearful ; Elisha prayed to the Lord, and the
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