The Bible talks about something called "glorification." It's the final part of being saved. It means we'll be changed to be more like Jesus and share in His Glory. The Bible has a lot of verses that help us understand this.
Getting Comfort from the Bible
- In two stories, Matthew 9:24 and John 11:11, Jesus shows us something important. He said, 'Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.' Jesus used the expression "Asleep" affirming both that the "body" was dead, and implying that her spirit still lived, and that she would be raised up again.
- After he had said this, he went on to tell them, 'Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.' The Bible often spoke of the justified as "sleeping" The meaning of sleeping then is that those who are justified do not cease to "exist;" but, though their bodies are dead, yet their spirits live, and therefore, they sleep in the hope of the resurrection. He wanted us to know that death isn't the end.
Learning from Jesus' Return
- When Jesus came back to life, it showed us that we'll also come back to life someday. Since he is the first fruits, we will follow. His resurrection is the promise and guarantee of our future resurrection.
Our New Bodies
- In describing the attributes of resurrected bodies, we can derive certain qualities from the appearance of Christ after his resurrection.
- Death has no power over Jesus, so it will have no power over us in our new bodies and we will live forever, healthy, without being subject to death again.
More Verses to Think About
There are more verses that help us understand this.
- Acts 7:60 (NIV) Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.
- 1 Corinthians 15:6 (NIV) After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:14 (NIV) For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.
- 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 (NIV) Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed - in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.
- 1 Corinthians 15:20 (NIV) But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
- 1 Corinthians 15:44 (NIV) it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.
Conclusion
The Bible tells us about glorification, which means becoming like Jesus in the end. It promises that, just like Jesus came back to life, we will too. We'll have new bodies that won't ever get sick or old. These verses remind us to look forward to this amazing future with joy and hope.
