THE NATURE OF THE REDEEMED BODY
"For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
So when this corruptible shall have put on immortality, 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.
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." (I Corinthians 15:53-58)
"For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travailed in pain together until now.
And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body." (Romans 8:22,23)
Man is made of three component parts. He has a spirit, a soul and a body. When the Lord Jesus died on the cross He died to save the entire man - spirit, soul and body. Not until our bodies are redeemed will our salvation be complete. At the present time we are altogether safe, but not altogether saved. The final installment of our redemption, although assured, is yet to be delivered -that of the redemption of our body.
The redemption of the body is a tenet of Christian doctrine. It is a fascinating, comforting and strengthening truth. The bodies of believers are to be "changed" and not exchanged: they are to experience restoration rather than a new creation. Sin has marred these bodies of ours. Redemption in Christ restores them to the original condition planned by our Creator.
WHAT WILL OUR REDEEMED BODY BE LIKE?
The years 1992 and 2005 involved the "planting" of the bodies of my beloved son, and that of my life's mate, with the expectancy of those same bodies being raised from among the dead.
My son's body was ravaged by a "body destroying" disease, that of diabetes. My beloved wife was, for 12 years, handicapped as a result of a stroke. Another more serious one snatched away her ability to speak. Just weeks prior to our 64`h wedding anniversary, a massive stroke resulted in her "departure".
Numerous Scriptures assure our hearts of the eventual resurrection of the bodies of these loved ones. But, in what kind of bodies will they be clothed? What saith the Scriptures? Let's take our concern to the infallible Word of our wise, omnipotent and compassionate God.
1. The redeemed body will be one planned by the infinite love and wisdom
("as it hath pleased him") of God (vs.38).
All the works of God are marvelous. His creation of the world was marvelous. His redemption of sinners is marvelous. But the salvation of lost souls is God's masterpiece.
"Oh the love that drew salvation's plan!
Oh, the grace that brought it down to man!
Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span at Calvary."
The nature of the resurrection body will be a product of the Triune God's love and wisdom. Truly that will be marvelous beyond description.
2. The redeemed body will be an individual body ("his own") vs. 38.
Every child of God is to have his own body. Personality, identity, and individuality are to continue. I will always be myself with my own individual body.
3. The redeemed body will be an incarnation ("flesh" "body") vss. 38-41.
The word "incarnation" means clothed in flesh. We live in a body at the present time and our bodies are made of flesh and bones. That will be equally true in eternity. The redeemed body will likewise be composed of flesh and bone. It will be a real, tangible body with substance that can be seen and touched. When some of the disciples supposed that they had seen a spirit, our Lord, in His resurrection body, said to them, "Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.” (Lk. 24:39).
Presently, we are tenants residing in our bodies. That will be equally true in eternity.
4. The redeemed body will be inherently celestial or
heavenly (celestial bodies). vs. 40
Our body in its present condition is at home in the earthly realm. The body in its redeemed condition will be at home in the heavenly realm. Our Lord said, "I go to prepare a place for you." Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people. The Son of God is preparing, for us, that place up there; the Spirit of God is down here preparing His people for that place. The redeemed bodies will be perfectly fitted to the new environment. We are the elect of heaven. All that we need to be at home in the "glory land" will be furnished for us by God's marvelous grace.
5. The redeemed body will be an incorruptible body. (“incorruption”) vs. 42.
We are all mortal at the present.‑ that is, we are subject to death, or capable of dying. Death trails us daily and seems to hold a first mortgage on us all. The day we start to live, we begin to die. Nourishment, rest, exercise, care and caution must constantly be employed to keep us going. In spite of these things, disease and disaster may lay us low. If I am exempt from disease and experience no disaster, old age will catch up with me and bring me down in death. Destruction, deterioration and decay are constantly at work. All this makes me corruptible.
The redeemed body is to be an incorruptible body -that is, it will be incapable of dying, or not subject to death. Disease and disaster will never enter heaven. Time will bring about no changes in the redeemed body. Deterioration and decay will be unknown. Think of being in the condition wherein we will be immune to all disease, disaster and the destruction of time.
6. The redeemed body will be an ineffable body ("glory") vs. 41.
The word ineffable means beyond description, inexpressible, or too sacred for utterance. This is true concerning the bodies of the redeemed. Something of an indescribable glory was present on the mount of the transfiguration, radiating from our Blessed Lord. The Shekinah glory from the presence of God was witnessed in the tabernacle in the wilderness.
There are some theologians who believe that prior to the fall Adam was clothed with the brightness from God. In I John 3:2 we read, "It doth not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him." The saved are destined to be like the Savior.
7. The redeemed body will be immune to limitations
("raised in power") vs. 43.
In our present condition we are heirs of weakness. We are limited by time, space, natural laws and physical frailties. The body, in its incorruptible state, will know none of these limitations. The redeemed body will be a body of power. Just think of living in a body that will never get tired, weary or faint! Hallelujah!
8. The redeemed body will be in an innately spiritual body
("spiritual") vss. 44-48.
The resurrection body is not an imaginary thing, ethereal or a ghost-like thing. We need to realize that spiritual things are just as real as are material things. The redeemed body will be fitted to the spiritual realm.
God is interested in but two races. Adam, our original father, was made the federal head of the physical race. He sinned, and brought death to us all. The Lord Jesus, the last Adam, was made the federal head of a spiritual race. In Christ all are made alive. In Adam we die, in Christ we live.
9. The redeemed body will bear the image of Christ
("image of the heavenly") vss. 49,50.
The resurrection of Christ is a guarantee of our resurrection. The promise of Scripture is that "we shall be like Him." According to Romans 8:29 God has predestined us "to be conformed to the image of his son." We bear the image of Adam in his fallen nature at the present time. Throughout eternity we shall bear the image of the "second man." the "last Adam," the Lord Jesus. Surely this is a comforting truth and a powerful incentive toward holy living.
10. The redeemed body will be an immortal body ("immortality") vss. 51-53.
Immortal means incapable of dying. The redeemed body will be immune to death. Dying, and all that accompanies it, are unknown in heaven. The wildest guesses of our imagination cannot adequately picture what heaven must be like! Conditions there are unspeakable or "not lawful for a man to utter." Death is the result of sin. Sin, with all its penalty, power and pollution has been removed by the blood of Calvary's Lamb and in eternity we will experience none of its ravages or evil effects.
11. The redeemed body will be an invincible body
("death is swallowed up in victory") vss. 54-57.
Man's last enemy is death. Death is to be ultimately defeated. The resurrection body will never know defeat. It will never be overcome. Death is to be swallowed up in victory. We are destined to be more than conquerors through Christ who loved us. To be more than a conqueror means to be unconquerable. The redeemed body will never know any kind of defeat. Following our glorification we will never be vanquished.
12. The redeemed body will be instantly "put on"
("in a moment in the twinkling of an eye") vss. 51,52.
The resurrection body is not to be evolved. It is not a development or growth. The resurrection body will be suddenly, miraculously and instantly "put on". That will be one of the greatest miracles of all time.
It is written in Hebrews 11:40 "they without us should not be made perfect." This together with other passages informs us that all of the redeemed will "put on" their incorruptible immortal, glorified bodies simultaneously. Paul will not receive his before you receive yours. David will not receive his before I receive mine. All of the redeemed of all ages will be glorified together. This marvelous, miraculous experience is to be ours when the Lord Jesus returns.
The rapture and the resurrection of the dead in Christ form the first event of the Second Advent. With such truths as these in our minds and hearts we can well understand why the second coming of Christ should be for the Christian "That Blessed Hope." Amen!
-o –
It is our hope that each child of God will find comfort and encouragement in these infallible truths as they serve Him and look for His Son from heaven. Keep the ear tuned for the sound of the trumpet. It just may be today!
Lee R. Russell, March 2007 Used by permission.