The great pyramid passages and chambers

CHAPTER VII.

THE SYMBOLISM OF THE PASSAGES AND CHAMBERS OF THE GREAT PYRAMID MORE FULLY CONSIDERED.

(A) THE KING'S AND QUEEN'S CHAMBERS.

‘ , y ITH a view to the proper understanding of this subject, let us first consider

what are meant by ‘‘ Mortality” and ‘Immortality.’ ‘“ Mortality”’ signifies

a state or condition of liability to death; a condition in which death is

a possibility, not in which death is a certainty. “Immortality” signifies a state or

condition not liable to death ; not merely a condition of freedom from death, but a condition in which death is an impossibility.

132 Adam was mortal, that is, in a condition in which death was a possibility. He had life in full and perfect measure, yet not inherent life. His was a life sustained by ‘every tree of the garden” save the one tree forbidden; and so long as he continued in obedience to and in harmony with his Maker, his life was secure,—sustaining elements were not denied. Thus seen, Adam had life, and death was entirely avoidable; yet he was in such a condition that death was possible, he was mortal.

133 Immortality is ascribed only to the Divine nature. Originally it was possessed by Jehovah alone; subsequently it was given to our Lord Jesus in his highly exalted condition ; finally it will be imparted to the Church, the body of Christ, when glorified with him—1 Tim. 6: 16; John 5: 26; 2 Pet. 1: 4; 1 Cor. 15: 53, 54 (Scripture Studies, Vol. I, pp. 185-6).

134 In the Chart of the Ages (Plate VI) three important planes are represented: (1) the lowest, the plane of human depravity, condemnation and death; (2) above this, the plane of human perfection; and (3) the highest plane, the plane of the Divine nature, immortality. These three conditions are symbolized in the Great Pyramid by the same method of superimposed planes: (1) the Descending Passage represents the plane of Adamic condemnation to death ; (2) the Horizontal Passage and Queen’s Chamber (more particularly the level of the Queen’s Chamber floor) represents the plane of human perfection, the condition in which everlasting life is a possibility, but not a certainty; and (3) the King’s Chamber, the plane of the Divine nature, immortality, the condition in which death is an impossibility.

135 In his work, Tabernacle Shadows, C. T. Russell points out that gold in the tabernacle symbolizes things Divine; and copper, things human. In the third volume of Scripture Studies, he points out that the granite and limestone of the Great Pyramid teach the same lessons; for instance, the Granite Plug in the First Ascending Passage symbolizes the Divine Law. An examination of Plate IX will show that the only other