On all these occasions he was recognized by his
actions, his words, and the familiar tone of his voice. It was hard to
convince Thomas, who declared he must have some more proof; therefore
the Lord created a body having in it the marks of the nails in order
that Thomas might be convinced. And when he was convinced, Jesus said to
him: "Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are
they that have not seen, and yet have believed".--John 20:27-29.
[291]The purpose of Jesus' appearing to the disciples was that the fact
might be fully established that he was resurrected and alive. He had the
power to create a fleshly body and appear in it and dissolve it at any
time; and without doubt when he appeared to his disciples behind locked
doors he created the body immediately in their presence and dissolved
it when he disappeared. To prove to them that he was a real body of flesh
and bones he said to them: "Handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not
flesh and bones, as ye see me have". (Luke 24:39) This was not a spirit
body, but a body of flesh. The body with which he ascended on high and
which he has in heaven is a glorious body which no man can look upon and
live except by the miraculous power of Jehovah. The apostle Paul states:
"Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God". (1 Corinthians
15:50,51) In addition to this, St.
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