The resurrection is both a spiritual and bodily restoration. It is believed by some that the resurrection excludes a bodily resurrection because the restoration of Israel was a spiritual renewal of dead Israel brought back to life. There is no doubt that the resurrection motif refers to the restoration of fellowship to the dead ones. However, this does not deny a bodily resurrection. The assumption is made that by “bodily,” it is also physical. We are not advocating that a 5’5” Jewish body comes out of the graveyard. But, a bodily resurrection can be very spiritual. John writes that we do not know what we shall be, but that when he comes, we will be like him for we shall see him as he is (1 John 3:1-3). Philippians 3 explains, at least in part, in what way we will be like him. Paul writes that He will change our vile body that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body. The fact that there is a body does not demand the same physical resurrection that Jesus had experienced when he was raised. Even those saints who were alive at the coming of Jesus were changed before being caught up to meet the Lord because flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven (1 Corinthians 15). The entrance into our glory includes a glorious bodily resurrection that is very spiritual. Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 15 that it was sown a physical, corruptible body, but is raised a spiritual incorruptible body. Still, a body that houses the soul is under consideration. Whatever conclusion one reaches, you cannot deny the existence of a spiritual incorruptible body and that it is not the same physical body that was sown.

On the other hand, resurrection is a spiritual event wherein we experience not only spiritual resurrection (life) from death but a bodily glorification that lifts us from the effects of sin and death. Adam and Eve died spiritually on the day they violated God’s law. But the effects of that spiritual death included physical corruption and death. To reverse one is to reverse the other. Spiritually, resurrection is an event that takes place in the heavenly places, wherein we are raised together with him (Romans 6:4; Ephesians 2:6-7, Phil. 3:11). It is a condition of the soul in fellowship with God through Christ. It is not seen, but eternal in the heavens (2 Cor. 4:17), therefore, it is not physical or material. Once we put off the physical body through death, the physical realm is forever gone. It goes back to the dust from which it came. What remains is resurrection life.

Still, acknowledging this fact does not negate the presence of a body. The resurrection includes the restoration of a body that is intended to live forever. The body is a building for the soul, not made with hands, but eternal in the heavens (2 Cor. 5:1-2). Paul uses the idea of being “clothed with our heavenly habitation.” The view of a spiritual resurrected life without a body is exactly what Paul explains he does not want. In complaining about his physical body in which he is burdened and groans, he does not mean to say that he would rather be “found naked.” He writes, “We do not desire to be unclothed, but clothed, that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life” (2Cor. 5:4; cf. 2 Tim. 1:10). Though children of God are at home with the Lord after physical death, it appears that we are disembodied spirits with God until the resurrection. While that may be heaven for you and me, it is not the full picture of glorification that is promised us. The resurrection theme includes a new, changed body that is beyond my comprehension. All I’m given is that it is a “glorified body.”

The residents of the Hadean world after the resurrection of Christ and His kingdom rule is probably not the same as those ancient worthies who existed before the resurrection. The reason we would expect it to be different is that it has changed hands. Jesus, now, has its keys. Those in his presence are those He allows to be in His presence. In the first resurrection, saints were given glorified bodies but the wicked are not described except to suggest that their lives are tormented, either in disembodied spirits or bodies designed to experience torment. We are not told, but we can safely conclude that they will not have glorified bodies as they will be separated from God for eternity.

About

I have been a fervent student of the Bible all of my life
Experience: Preacher for 30 years and father of three sons
Education: Florida College and Missouri State University

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