Man is designed exclusively as per earthly norms. This masterpiece of God wasn’t created for the heavenly environment or the spirit realm; instead, his whole self would crave to be permeated with untarnished oxygen, even after attaining immortality. He would prefer and acknowledge only his home planet earth as his habitat, which is abundantly filled with oxygen in its crust. That is where he was fashioned, from. When God made man, he did not make a mistake. Flawless are the works of his hands.
What God did through Jesus Christ was nothing but reinstate man to his original state of glory and honor (Acts 3:21/Rom 8:21/Col 1:20).
“Restitution” means, a giving back of something that has been lost or taken away; restoration; payment for loss or damage, reimbursement.
Many believe that, after the resurrection, we will be severed from our body and be transformed into some kind of floating spirits in the heavenly’s. That is distorted truth.
If mankind is going to be stripped off his bodily structure, which was perfect when created; then why did God say, that he is going to create for us new heavens and a new earth (without a trace of sun and an ocean) (Rev 20:11/21:1/7:16/22:5/2Pet 3:10-13)?
Throughout the Scriptures we could find countless verses, which assures that, our mortality will be swallowed up in life, and that, we will be clothed upon (we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon)(2Cor 5:1-4).
If our flesh is to be discarded, then why the trouble of merging the spirit with the already dissolved bodies, that are buried in the earth and the depths of the seas (Rev 20:13)?
Of course, every flesh needs to be brought under judgment; but that isn’t the only purpose, according to my understanding of the Bible. When it was said, “The dead in Christ shall rise first,” it wasn’t talking about the spirit itself, but the body too. Only the mortal body comes to grip with the first death; and the elimination of the defected spirits* (those having filth in the flesh and spirit – 2Cor 7:1/Rev 20:13-15 – and those who will receive the mark of the beast – Rev 19:20/14:9,10 – and he that believes not the Son of God – John 3:36 – there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defiles, neither whatsoever works abomination, or makes a lie – Rev 21:27) *takes place only after the great white throne judgment, which is the second death (Rev 21:8/20:6,12,14/2:11).
Our body plays a vital role and is not to be left aside as an inferior substance. We must bear about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus* (the mortification of Jesus – Douay-Rheims Bible/ as the sufferings of Christ abound in us – 2Cor 1:5,7/1Pet 4:1,2,12,13 – by partaking of his sufferings –1Pet 4:12-14/Phil 1:29/3:10/2:5/2Tim 2:12/Rom 8:17/Col 1:24/1Pet 4:1,2/James 1:12/5:10/Gal 6:12/ be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God – 2Tim 1:8/Matt 5:10-12/11:29,30/John 15:18/Heb 12:10,11/ 2Thes 1:4,5/1Cor 11:32 – one needs to be broken for the light of the grace of God to shine out – and only the cross of Christ can stir up such ignominy – mortify therefore: Rom 8:13/Col 3:5/Eph 4:22), *that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we, which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake (I die daily – according to the corrupt self – 1Cor 15:31/Eph 4:22/Col 3: 5/Mark 7:20-23/James 3:2,5,6,8/1John 1:8/Rom 7:17,20,23 – Gal 2:20/5:24), that the life also of Jesus (the power of his resurrection – Phil 3:10,11) might be made manifest in our mortal flesh (2Cor 4:10,11 – here in lies the power for ministry – The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD – Pro 20:27 – we have this treasure in earthen vessels – 2Cor 4:7 – the lamps were hid within the earthen pitchers – but Gideon and his company had to brake the pitchers that were in their hands for the light to come out – as a result of doing so they were able to overpower the Midianites – Judges 7:16,19,20 – break up your fallow ground – Jeremiah 4:3/Hosea 10: 12/Rom 8:13/Eph 4:22/Col 3:5/2Cor 7:1/Gal 5:24 – for the word of Christ to dwell in you richly in all wisdom – Col 3:16 – you need to let your corrupt self be crucified with its affections and lusts – For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would – Gal 5:17 – if the fallen nature of ours is not put off through the Spirit – Eph 4:22/Rom 8:13 – by the continual washing of water by the word – Eph 5:26/Heb 12:10,11/2Pet 1:4/2Cor 7:1 – it would hinder the spirit-man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness, which is renewed in knowledge of the word of truth – Col 3:10/Eph 4:24 – from attaining the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ – Eph 4:13/Gal 4:19/1Pet 2:2/Heb 5:13,14/1Cor 3:1 – it will not let you follow Christ as you ought – it will wear you away/choke the life that’s in you in the long run – Rom 8:7,13/Mark 4:18,19/Luke 8:14 – And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts – Gal 5:24/Eph 4:22).
How are we broken? In much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, In stripes, in imprisonments (the first and second century church had to suffer likewise), in tumults, in labors, in watching, in fasting; By pureness, by knowledge, by long-suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, By honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened (1Cor 11:32/Heb 12:5-11/Job 5:17/Pro 3:11), and not killed; As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things – 2Cor 6:4-10/ Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak (according to the flesh), then am I strong (in the spirit) – 2Cor12:10 – “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed” (2Cor 4:8,9); for in all these experiences we are simply “bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be made manifest in our body.” For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison – 2Cor 4:17 – Blessed is the man that endures temptation/trials: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him – James 1:12/Heb 12:7 – if you endure chastening which is grievous (Heb 12:7,10) God would deal with you as with sons – but if ye are without chastisement* (the righteous judgment of God/the effect of abiding in the word/that we might partake of his holiness/that we might yield the peaceful fruit of righteousness – Matt 13:21/ 2Thes 1:4,5/John 15:2/Heb 12:10,11/1Pet 4:1,2,12-14/5:10/2Pet 1:4), *then ye are bastards and not sons (Heb 12:7,8).
We ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body (Rom 8:23). Our spirit is groaning within, for this body of our’s to be reinstated to its original state. That individual whose old man which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts is put off/crucified with its affections and lusts, in this age (Eph 4:22/Gal 5:24/Col 3:5/ Rom 8:13/2Cor 7:1) alone will be liberated from the body of sin (Rom 6:6 – For he that is dead (in Christ – 1Thes 4:16) is freed from (the power of) sin – verse 7) – the same Spirit that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal body – Rom 8:11/Phil 3:10,11 – He shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body – Phil 3:21 – when he shall appear, we shall be like him – 1John 3:2.
For this spirit which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness – Eph 4:24 – to function effectively on earth (to make use of its full potential – in the millennium), an impeccable body is essential. This body of our’s was created to assist the spirit; but due to Adam’s transgression, the spirit had lost its grips on this earthen vessel. The effect of the restored state of this earthly body is what the body of Jesus demonstrated after his resurrection from the dead. We still have no idea what our spirits which are of God are capable of. Its full potential will only be unleashed in the Millennial Reign of Christ on the earth. When we consider the present human beings in their degenerated state, we see only worthlessness; but all the nations of the world shall see and marvel at the refined, restored, supreme human beings, which shall come down from God (Rev 3:12/21:2) to rule the earth in righteousness and judgment (Isaiah 32:1/Ps 9:8/Rev 2:27/ 5:10).
Our old man (the corrupt nature) is crucified with him (Eph 4:22/Rom 8:13/13:14/Col 3:5/2Cor 7:1/1Pet 2:11/4:1,2/Gal 5:24), that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin (Rom 6:6). You think God will destroy the body of sin! It isn’t talking about the elimination of the physical body* (though it will undergo total transformation – 1Thes 4:16,17/Phil 3:20,21/ 1John 3:2/1Cor 15:35-57 – the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we who are alive, who will be caught up, shall be changed (we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord – 2Cor 3:18/ He shall quicken our mortal bodies – Rom 8:11) – the life of the flesh is in the blood – Lev 17:11 – and every impurities gets flushed out when this corruptible shall put on incorruption, and this mortal shall put on immortality –1Cor 15:53 – the flesh and blood of the remnant of the nation of Israel and people from other parts of the world, which will believe in the Holy One and the Redeemer of Israel in the Millennium, will walk right into the Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ – if that is the case, then I don’t think God would drain the lifeblood from the redeemed human race as many presume – when God created man, He did not make a mistake – So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them – Gen 1:27 – he might alter the properties and may increase the efficiency of the blood (which alone carries oxygen to, and carbon dioxide from the tissues of the body – the blood carry oxygen from the lungs to the tissues – The white blood cells which protect the body against the invasion of foreign agents (for instance – bacteria) and platelets and other factors present in plasma which are concerned in the clotting of blood, preventing hemorrhage, and also the enzymes which are crucial in the sustenance of life on earth may not be of any assistance at that period of time, when the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up – 2Pet 3:10-13 – (ie, in the new earth) when corruption must put on incorruption – because Jesus Christ in whom is eternal life (1John 5:11) will be their life force – for he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit –1Cor 6:17 – (Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away – Rev 21:3,4 – Yea, flesh and blood (men after the flesh – 1 Cor 1:26/ Eph 6:12/Heb 2:14 – not a Jew, which is one outwardly – Rom 2:28 – Nicodemus, ye must be born-again – John 3:1,7) cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption (need to be justified before God) inherit incorruption –1Cor 15:50 – listen, he didn’t say, cannot enter the new earth; but kingdom of God.
The kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost – Rom 14:17 – if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you – Luke 11:20 – if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you – Matt 12:28 – Neither shall they say, Lo here! Or, lo there! For, behold, the kingdom of God is within you – Luke 17:21 – and only a person born of the Spirit can enter into it – John 3:5,6 – the Bible portrays a born again person as a spiritual being in the physical body – 1Pet 2:5/Gal 6:1/1Cor 2:15/3:1/ John 3:6 – the body of Jesus/the Son of man/of the fruit of David’s loins, according to the flesh – John 19:38/Rev 1:13/Acts 2:30/7:56/13:22,23/Luke 19:10/21:27/Rom 1:3 – a body hast thou prepared me – Heb 10:5 – Jesus then was not the body – he dwelled in a mortal body which now is raised in power –1Cor 15:43/John 20:26/21:5-14 – when it was said, flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; it meant, an unregenerate person cannot partake of the spiritual things – It is the spirit that quickens; the flesh profits nothing – John 6:63 – the resurrected Jesus had a body, he could be felt, touched, seen – even though it required no food for sustenance, he ate fish – he could enter into a closed room without opening the door – and he could disappear suddenly – he had a glorified physical body* (not a spiritual one – his spiritual body is the church) *which not only could levitate but also was able to travel beyond the speed of thought (John 20:17-28/Luke 24:13-31), yet at the same time a physical one, with an exception –“Incorruptible” – we know that, when he shall appear, we shall not only be like him; for we shall also see him as he is –1John 3:2 – and in this glorified body we along with Christ shall rule this world for one thousand years – the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal – 2Cor 4:18 – but we having possessed eternal life can be seen and felt, even then – we will always be humans – what will take place is nothing but restitution of all things – that which we lost in Adam, the last Adam, Christ –1Cor 15:45 – will regain it all, when he shall destroy the last enemy “death” –1Cor 15:26-28 – In the presence of God, at the brightness of his coming only darkness and all the things that causes putrefaction and corruption be expunged – but the matter which were created by his own hands and in his presence, other than losing its dross will not alter or lose its property, neither will be destroyed – for He created everything to remain eternally.
Listen: David shall never want a man (not a spirit) to sit upon the throne of the house of Israel – Jeremiah 33:17 – Jesus Christ the Son of man (John 3:13/Luke 21:27/Acts 7:56 Dan 7:13/Rev 1:13/14:14), shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end – Luke 1:33 – though in the Millennium, the people of Israel shall enjoy longevity of men in the first age of the world, they are subject to death – for death is expelled only in the new earth – hence we can conclude that the physical structure and glory of the body of Christ, which is the church of the firstborn of God, the bride of Christ and the people that live on earth, inclusive the nation of Israel will not be the same – the church will never see death or any kind of putrefaction – but natural death will take place among the people of Israel within that one thousand years period (for death is not yet destroyed) even though they shall enjoy longevity – and the Gentile nations of the world at that period of time will die as usual – but among them which believe and walk into the kingdom will also come in contact with the blessings of the Jewish people.
Keep in mind that, the land of Israel and the New Jerusalem, which is the church are two entities. One is of earthly political nature and the other a heavenly spiritual organism – the earthly Jerusalem will be affiliated with the heavenly/New/Holy Jerusalem (the Great and Holy city)(Heb 12:22/Rev 3:12/21:2,10) which shall descend out of heaven from God – Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all – Gal 4:26); *instead that old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts (Eph 4:22), the spirit of our minds (Eph 4:23). If our body in which, the law of sin and death presides (Rom 7/1John 1:8/1Pet 4:1,2), deserves condemnation; then wouldn’t that mean, Christ did not condemn sin in the body of his flesh? (Rom 8:3) Christ is dead in vain! It is true that our body is now in its depraved state, due to sin (Rom 8:10/7:17,20,23/1John 1:8); but because of the blood of Jesus Christ, it too shall be redeemed (Rom 8:23).
For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise (Heb 10:36). The truth of the matter is; though our physical body isn’t yet reinstated, it shall be restored, because Christ has already paid a ransom for it too (Rom 8:3,1,23/Isaiah 53/Hosea 13:14/Matt 20:28); provided, if ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel – Col 1:23 – God the holy Spirit wouldn’t choose to dwell in it, if it were inferior, as many believe. Our body is the temple of the living God and it certainly is honorable. We would appreciate the handwork of God only when its glory is restored.
The root of sin, which deprived us, is already cut to its root by condemning sin in his (Jesus’) body; and the power of sin, which is the law of sin and death, was also invalidated. We can say, that, our body is almost at the verge of total liberation. The one and only obstacle that is left to overcome is the last enemy, death (1Cor 15:26,54). Because Jesus Christ conquered the world, the flesh, sin, the devil, death, hell, and the grave on Calvary’s cross (Phil 2:9-11), we have valid reason to hope for this one too. Through him alone have we reached so far – he is faithful and just to keep us going until the end of ages, if we put our wholehearted trust in him and walk in the Spirit. Being confident of this very thing, that he who hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ (Phil 1:6). For it is God which works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure (Phil 2:13).
From my childhood, I have been hearing preachers and clerics in one accord hoping and praying for eternal life with God in heaven; when, the Bible that they brag about and read often, tells them the contrary. I really don’t have any clue why these people think like that. Either, they could be ignorant or lack gravely in knowledge. I would not say that I was smart enough to understand well. No way. I’m still a novice touching the things of God. An essential virtue, which the Lord has taught me to have in possession of is, “steadfastness”, which is extremely vital for any person to develop spiritually.
You don’t need a doctorate to understand the Bible. If you only believe and know how to read or listen (with diligence, humility and with a steadfast spirit), I can assure that, you will be able to divide the word of God rightly in no time. But remember, unless you are born of the Spirit, there is no way you could learn from the scriptures the way God wants. Whoso-ever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, shall in no wise enter therein (Luke 18:17). Child like reliance in God is so required. They could not enter in because of unbelief (Heb 3: 19). Because they sought it not by faith, they stumbled (Rom 9:31).
With your carnal, unregenerate mind, you cannot study the word of God. You could, but it doesn’t affect or revolutionize your nature, as it should. It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes – Ps 119:71 – the afflictions of the soul is crucial – this earthly pitcher needs to be broken, as we have learned about it earlier for the light of the spirit to shine out – Don’t you worry – if you are truly following the word of God in its entirety – trouble will find its way of refining you – Matt 13:21/ 5:10,11/2Tim 1:8/3:12/Luke 6:22,23/ 17:1/2Thes 1:4,5/1Pet 5:10/James 5:10/Heb 12:6-11 – only the weaned child (in whom the word of Christ dwell richly in all wisdom – Col 3:16) will experience such sorrows – Gen 21:8,9/Gal 4:29/Matt 13:21 – godly sorrow works repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world works death – 2Cor 7:10 – for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better – Eccl 7:3 – when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold – Job 23: 10/1Pet 1: 7/4:1,2,12-14/James 1:3/Heb 11:17/Ps 105: 19/Deut 8:2,3 – but as a Christian, if you are experiencing no resistance/ distress whatsoever, the Scriptures compels me to doubt your stance. You need to thoroughly examine yourselves in the light of the word of God before it is too late.
The head knowledge which puffs up (1Cor 8:1) may popularize your world, but the revelation knowledge of the truth which the spirit of man receives from the school of the Spirit alone, firstly, reorganize the protege and then others. Here, a readiness to revenge all disobedience will be granted, only when your obedience is fulfilled (2Cor 10:6 – thou must be weaned of the Holy Ghost before you would be approved of God for the service – 1Sam 1:22-24/2Tim 2:15,21/1Pet 5:10). Cast out first the beam out of your own eye, and then shall thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother’s eye (Luke 6:42). This disciple has to put to practice what he learns and must go through the process of pruning, purging and scourging before he could even start preaching. This man shall be approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (who would not water-down/ corrupt the word of truth for personal gain), a vessel unto honor, sanctified (in both spirit and body – Eph 5:26/2Cor 7:1/Gal 5:24/ John 15:2), and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work (2Tim 2: 15,21). But the person who has obtained knowledge by learning, imparts to others the same, without having any impact whatsoever. Break up the fallow ground of your heart (Hosea 10:12). Whether, the soil of your heart is plowed enough for the seed to take root, is what matters. If the ground that is your heart is untilled, the seeds that you sow will remain the same. The seeds that you sow must perish in the crevasses of your heart, before it can emerge into another form.
That which thou sow is not quickened, except it dies: And that which thou sows (Gal 6:8/Luke 8:11), thou sows not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain (1Cor 15:36,37). Seed is the word of God (Luke 8:11). Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth (untilled ground): And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away (Matt 13:5,6). The sun represents the afflictions. Tribulation and persecution is certain to crop up when you implement the word of God into your life (Matt 13:21/1Pet 2:8/Luke 17:1). When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and understands it not (because of the same condition of the soil), then comes the wicked one, and catches away that which was sown in his heart (an unprepared ground/heart). This is he, which received seed by the way side (Matt 13:19). And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life (the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word seed), and bring no fruit to perfection/become unfruitful (Luke 8:14/12: 29-31/Mark 4:18,19/1John 2:15,16/John 6:27/Pro 23:4/1Tim 6:8-11).
It is the spirit that quickens; the flesh profits nothing (John 6:63). The natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God (1Cor 2:14). Only your spirit that is revived (born-again) can digest the sincere milk of the word or the engrafted word (1Pet 2:2/Heb 5:13,14/Col 3:10/ James 1:21). Hence, it’s crucial that your inner-man is vibrant while you learn of God’s word. Behold, thou desires truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shall make me to know wisdom (Ps 51:6).
You see this could be the problem of those people, whom I’ve been talking about that hopes for life in a weird manner. Without a shadow of doubt, they will miss it, unless they come to their senses and realize how foolish and ignorant they really are. They must let go off their traditional belief’ and escape the perils of being hooked to an organization which practices mere religion. They have no idea that they’ve been mislead. They sincerely believe that, the organization they are in is their launching pad, to be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. The eternal life that we are looking for resides in Christ Jesus, and not in any traditional humbugs.
Jesus said, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live (John 11:25). And this is the record, that, God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life (1John 5: 11,12). For, in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily (literally)(Col 2:9 – the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ – Titus 2:13/3:4/2Pet 1:1/Jude 1:25/1Tim 2:3/ 4:10/Luke 1:47). Remember: The spiritual body of Christ (1Cor 12:12,13/one new man – the born again Jew and Gentile concoction – Eph 2:12-16) is an entity and not an organization. Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom 13:14).
If the Lord tarries, it is appointed unto us once to die (Heb 9:27). That which thou sow is not quickened (Rom 8:11), except it dies (1Cor 15:36). But that would not conclude mortal life, would it? Through death, mortal body is sown into the ground, to be raised incorruptible in Christ. If the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he that raised Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies (Rom 8:11). See, you are not given a new body, but a quickened one. Here, it says that, The Spirit will quicken our mortal bodies and not the other way around. ‘Quickened’ means, revived, galvanized, revitalized, invigorated etc…
This transfiguration happens to them who are alive at the time of rapture. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed (quickened by the Spirit)(1Cor 15:51,52).
Some people get to experience this invigorating of the Spirit in part, in this life itself. It depends upon how a person is committed to Christ. Through the blood of Jesus Christ, we have access to absolute healing to unwholesomeness, because, he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit (1Cor 6:17). A sound mind belongs to them that are born after the will of God/that are of full age (2Tim 1:7/Heb 5:13,14).
God is not going to eliminate our natural body; instead, he is going to cloth the natural with a spiritual one (not that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon – 2Cor 5:4).
- But some men will say, how are the dead raised up? With what body do they come? Thou fool, that which thou sows is not quickened, except it die: And that which thou sow, thou sows not that body that shall be, but bare grain it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: But God gives it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption (imperishable, virtuous): It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written. The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural: and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven (the last Adam was made a quickening spirit – 1Cor 15:45). As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy (those that aren’t born of the Spirit/ them that haven’t crucified their flesh with the affections and lusts, through the Spirit –1Cor 3:3/Gal 5:24/Rom 6:6/8:13/Eph 4:22): and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly (born of the Spirit/ whose heart is circumcised by the Spirit, through sufferings – Gal 5:24/1Pet 4:1,2/2Thes 1:4,5/Rom 2:28,29/8:17/Heb 12:10,11/1John 3:9). As we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall bear the image of the heavenly also (if ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel – Col 1:23 – if we by faith and patience would inherit the promises – Heb 6:12 – after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise – Heb 10:36). Behold, I show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and, the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruptible, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory (1Cor 15:35-38,42-49,51-54). The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death (1Cor 15:26).
- He shall change our vile body, that it may be, fashioned like unto his glorious body (Phil 3:21).
All these scripture verses vividly portray the kind of body we are going to be clothed with. You can see the preview in the gospel of John 20:26/21:5-15, on how God’s going to transfigure us. There, we can see the risen Savior entering through the closed door and even dining out. He was raised incorruptible and was clothed with immortality, yet he could be felt and touched. He wasn’t a spirit being without a body, but a Spirit with the glorified body, expelled of any festering properties of the physical structure.
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is (1John 3:2).
Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it (Heb 4:1). Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith (author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him – Heb 5:9); who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured (James 5:10,11) such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds (Heb 12:1-3). Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus (Phil 2:5).
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God (2Cor 7:1). Follow holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord (Heb 12:14/1John 3:2); and build yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost (Jude 1:20). Every man that hath this hope in him purifies himself, even as he is pure (1John 3:2,3).
For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house, which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened (even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body – Rom 8:23): not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life (2Cor 5:1-4).