What other scriptures discuss the transformation from perishable to imperishable bodies? Starting Point: Flesh and Blood Cannot Inherit the Kingdom “Now I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.” (1 Corinthians 15:50) The Immediate Context in 1 Corinthians 15 Paul expands his statement with a sweeping description of our coming change: • 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 – “What is sown is perishable; it is raised imperishable… it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body.” • 1 Corinthians 15:51-54 – “We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed… the perishable must be clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality… ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory.’” Other Pauline Passages on the Same Transformation • Philippians 3:20-21 – “Our citizenship is in heaven… [He] will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body.” • Romans 8:11 – “He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who dwells in you.” • Romans 8:23 – “We ourselves… groan within ourselves as we eagerly await our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.” • 2 Corinthians 5:1-4 – “If the earthly tent we live in is dismantled, we have a building from God… so that our mortality may be swallowed up by life.” • 2 Timothy 1:10 – Christ “has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” Testimony from the Gospels • Luke 20:35-36 – Those who attain the resurrection “can no longer die; because they are like the angels… sons of the resurrection.” • John 5:28-29 – “All who are in their graves will hear His voice and come out—those who have done good to the resurrection of life.” • John 11:25-26 – “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies.” Witness of the General Epistles • 1 John 3:2 – “When Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is.” • 1 Peter 1:3-4 – We have “an inheritance… undefiled and unfading, reserved in heaven for you.” Old Testament Foreshadowings • Job 19:25-26 – “In my flesh I will see God… I myself will behold Him.” • Psalm 16:10 – “For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay.” • Isaiah 25:8 – “He will swallow up death forever; the Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from every face.” • Daniel 12:2-3 – “Many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life… and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever.” Putting It All Together • Scripture consistently teaches a literal, bodily resurrection in which what is now perishable, mortal, and weak is raised imperishable, immortal, and glorious. • The Spirit who raised Jesus already dwells in believers, guaranteeing that this future transformation is certain. • From Genesis to Revelation, the Creator’s purpose never stops with disembodied spirits; it culminates in redeemed people, in redeemed bodies, living in a redeemed creation—forever free from decay, death, and sin. |
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