When Christ Returns, Believers Will Be Bodily Resurrected

Section 7: Salvation – Part 2

Week 4: Glorification

Day 4: When Christ Returns, Believers Will Be Bodily Resurrected

1 Cor. 15:35-58

We noted yesterday that, although the souls of believers go immediately to heaven upon death, that cannot be our final destination. God intends to restore his creation, and, at that time, he will give us new resurrected bodies. What will those bodies be like? The Bible doesn’t give us a lot of details, but it does tell us a few things.

At the moment, our bodies are inevitably subject to decay. No matter how much we exercise, no matter how well we eat, no matter what supplements we take, none of that changes the fact that our bodies are breaking down.

Jeni recently watched a TED talk on angiogenesis and the role it plays in the growth of cancer. Angiogenesis refers to the process of new blood vessel formation. Cancer needs blood vessels in order to grow. So, in the case of tumors, angiogenesis is not a good thing. It turns out there are a number of foods and spices that inhibit angiogenesis in tumors. So emerging research suggests that, if we eat more of these anti-angiogenic foods, we might be able to live longer.

That would be a great thing. Maybe we could add 10, 20, even 30 years to our life span. But what is that in comparison to eternity? Nothing. We can try to slow down the process of death, but we can’t stop it. Our bodies, as they are currently constituted, inevitably breakdown and die.

Paul says that will change, though, when Christ returns. At that time, we will receive resurrected bodies that are like his. And that means death will have no power over them.

For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory’ (1 Cor. 15:52-54).

Challenge:

 Read 1 Cor. 15.

Reflection Question:

According to Paul, the resurrection of believers is an essential aspect of our faith.  Why is that?