A Body Like His Glorious Body

Philippians 3:20-21 For our conversation [citizenship] is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

We anticipate the day that Christ Jesus will return to gather the believers knowing that when he comes back we will receive a spiritual body like his glorious resurrected body.

I Corinthians 15:49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

I John 3:2 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.

I Corinthians 15:51--52 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep [die], 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.

If Christ returns while we are yet alive (could be today) the Word of God declares that we shall be changed and receive a body like his glorious resurrected body.

Our only references for understanding the resurrected body of Christ and the bodies that we are to receive are the records of God's Word related to Christ's time on earth after his resurrection and before his ascension.

  1. His resurrected body was solid - flesh and bones.

    Luke 24:39 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.

  2. He was able to "pop in" - appear in a locked room.

    John 20:26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.

  3. He was able to "pop out" - disappear from sight.

    Luke 24:30-31 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.

  4. He was able to eat - broiled fish and honeycomb.

    Luke 24:42-43 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. And he took it, and did eat before them.

  5. He was able to travel from earth to the ends of the universe over night.

    1 Peter 3:18-19 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit [but made alive with a spiritual body]; By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;

    More about the spirits in prision

  6. He was able to change the appearance of his form.

    Luke 24:16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.

    Mark 16:12 After that he appeared in another form unto two of them , as they walked, and went into the country.

Romans 8:23 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. It could be today!

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As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. Proverbs 25:25

January 1997
URL http://www.cortright.org/glorybod.htm
Michael Cortright