The Apostle Paul answers our two BIG questions about our new heavenly bodies: “How?” and “What?” (vs. 35)
The “How?” is easily answered – new life is produced by death. Consider seeds – until they fall from their life source and go into the ground, they are living. Not until they go into the ground and die do they produce new life. (36) When my earthly body dies, God gives me a new and improved home for my soul.
The “What?” is still a mystery. Our physical bodies are just the seeds (37)…God chooses what the new plant will be like! (38)
Even physical bodies have a great amount of variety – just consider the difference between people, animals, birds, and fish!!! (39) Heavenly bodies have just as much variety but are more splendid than anything physical. (40) Consider the mind-popping variety and splendor of the sun, moon, and stars! (41)
Our present bodies are thankfully temporary…our new bodies will be eternal! (42) My sin-wracked body has an end, but my glorified body has none. Pain, disease, and death will not be part of the afterlife. My present body is dying, human, weak, and natural. My future body will be eternal, perfected, new, and spiritual. (43) That’s good news for everyone growing “old”!!!
All humans are natural descendants of Adam. All believers are spiritual descendants of Christ. (45) Humanity is lost and perishable - believers become found and eternal! (46) Adam came from dust, Jesus came from heaven. (47) We can be like either - which would you rather be like??!!! (48-49)
In our humanity, we cannot experience the amazing heaven God has prepared – where He will live with His followers forever. (50) Here is a cool secret – not all believers will experience death. Some of us will experience the Rapture – but all believers will experience a new reality with a brand-new body! (51) Our metamorphosis will be instantaneous! (52) In Christ, we can experience a new reality!
To get around in the afterlife, you need a new body! (53) This new body allows us victory over death. (54) Death cannot snatch our recreated glorified bodies! (55) We will have complete victory over the grave! The law causes sin which causes death. (56) Victory over all this is found in Jesus Christ! (57)
Stand firm! (58) Give yourself completely to God’s work – because your body is only temporary but your soul is permanent! (59)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment