Topical Bible: Glory: Eternal: The Bodies of Saints Shall be Raised In

◄ Glory: Eternal: The Bodies of Saints Shall be Raised In ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of eternal glory, particularly in relation to the resurrection of the bodies of the saints, is a profound theme in Christian eschatology. This belief is rooted in the promise of a future resurrection, where the faithful will be raised in a glorified state, reflecting the glory of God.

Biblical Foundation

The Apostle Paul provides a foundational understanding of this doctrine in his first letter to the Corinthians. He writes, "So will it be with the resurrection of the dead: What is sown is perishable; it is raised imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power" (1 Corinthians 15:42-43). Here, Paul contrasts the current physical state of human bodies with their future glorified state, emphasizing the transformation from perishable to imperishable, dishonor to glory, and weakness to power.

In Philippians 3:20-21, Paul further elaborates on this transformation: "But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to subject all things to Himself, will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body" . This passage highlights the believer's hope in the resurrection, where their bodies will be conformed to the glorified body of Christ.

The Nature of Glorified Bodies

The glorified bodies of the saints will be free from the limitations and sufferings of earthly existence. Revelation 21:4 provides a glimpse of this future state: "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away" . This promise underscores the complete renewal and perfection that will characterize the glorified bodies of the saints.

The transformation into a glorified state is not merely physical but also spiritual. The glorified body will be fully aligned with the will and nature of God, reflecting His holiness and righteousness. This is in accordance with 1 John 3:2, which states, "Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is" .

Theological Implications

The resurrection of the saints in glory is a testament to the power and faithfulness of God. It affirms the victory of Christ over sin and death, as proclaimed in 1 Corinthians 15:54-55: "When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come to pass: 'Death has been swallowed up in victory.' 'Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?'" .

This doctrine also serves as a source of hope and encouragement for believers, assuring them of their future inheritance and the eternal life promised through Jesus Christ. The anticipation of being raised in glory motivates Christians to live in a manner worthy of their calling, as they await the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.

Conclusion

The eternal glory in which the bodies of the saints shall be raised is a central tenet of Christian hope, rooted in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the promises of Scripture. It speaks to the transformative power of God and the ultimate redemption and restoration of His people.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Corinthians 15:43
It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:
Nave's Topical Index

Philippians 3:21
Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like to his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things to himself.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Meditations of the Blessed State of the Regenerate Man after Death ...
... of hell, and obtained with them thy eternal rest and ... of the sun, the body of Christ
in glory surpassing all! ... 28.) To this agility of the glorious bodies of the ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/3 meditations of the blessed.htm

The Great Preparatives for the Saints' Rest.
... Contentedly commit these bodies to a prison that shall not ... a house not made with
hands, eternal in the ... with great dishonor, thou shalt receive it in glory. ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter ii the great preparatives.htm

The Resurrection.
... the soul in its great acts before God in eternal glory. ... was so glorious and so
overweighing a glory that he ... count us thoroughly saved, until our bodies be as ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xxv the resurrection.htm

Christ's Transfiguration
... to stand under an exceeding and an eternal weight of ... have a body strong, full of
vigor and of glory. ... the opinion of Archbishop Usher, that as the bodies of the ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/christs transfiguration.htm

Creation's Groans and the Saints' Sighs
... divine which is the beginning of our eternal portion ... frame raised to its own condition
of holiness and glory. ... made perfect;" that is, until our bodies are raised ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 14 1868/creations groans and the saints.htm

On the Resurrection of the Dead
... our home, " we look for another "house, eternal in the ... Stephen's face seemed to be
an earnest of his glory. ... the other world, when his, and the bodies of all ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 137 on the resurrection.htm

The Power of Christ Illustrated by the Resurrection
... by which he shall raise and change the bodies of the ... God ordains to save escape from
that eternal love which is ... through us to the praise of his glory, for "He ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the power of christ illustrated.htm

Heavenly Contemplation Assisted by Sensible Objects, and Guarded ...
... How high will his eternal love exalt me ... kingdom will say, "There was never glory
like this glory." If, when ... is rent, the sun is eclipsed, the dead bodies of the ...
/.../the saints everlasting rest/chapter xv heavenly contemplation assisted.htm

On the Words, and in one Holy Catholic Church, and in the ...
... its Maker, and to us who ascribe glory to God ... a virtue resides in the body of the
saints, because of ... be raised therefore, all with our bodies eternal, but not ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture xviii on the words.htm

Whether Christ was the First to Rise from the Dead?
... that rising of the just, if an eternal rising was ... Lazarus rose, so also many of the
bodies of the ... preparatory for Christ, so is grace a disposition for glory. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christ was the first.htm