2 Corinthians 5:1-9 – “1Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, 3because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 6Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7We live by faith, not by sight. 8We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.
The last article looked at what Jesus said to his disciples about heaven. This one looks at what Paul wrote to the church.
Jesus’ disciples had become troubled for reasons similar to today. The remedy is to trust Him and get heaven on your mind. Some people consider this escapism. You are simply broadening your worldview and putting troubles into the backdrop of eternity. From an eternal perspective the situations of life are much less troublesome.
Included in the blessing of heaven is your wardrobe. Of all the miracles disclosed in Scripture, the glorified body is one of the greatest.
What gives a widow comfort as she stands beside the fresh grave of her husband? What is promised to the physically challenged, the amputee and the burn victim? Why is the blind, the deaf and the paralyzed encouraged when they think of life beyond the present? What is the final answer to pain, mourning, senility, insanity, terminal disease, sudden calamities and major disasters? Where do the thoughts of a young couple go when grieving the loss a baby? When a family is given tragic news of a teenager or a parent killed in an accident, what single hope becomes their sole focus? How can someone make sense of the martyrdom of helpless hostages or devoted missionaries? The answer is the hope of a glorified body!
The resurrection of Jesus gives understanding to the heavenly body. Before and after His resurrection Pharisees argued with Sadducees about the validity of a resurrection. The Sadducees, recognizing only the first five books of the Old Testament (the books of Moses), believed there was no such thing.
When Paul spoke in Athens he told the crowd about Jesus’ resurrection. Some laughed while others wanted to learn more. You can expect a similar response, some laughing and others wanting more.
His resurrection is controversial and those who follow Him are considered equally controversial.
How do we know there is a resurrection for believers?
“Now we know….” (V. 1) How do we know? On account of the death and resurrection of Jesus!
Jesus is the “first fruits” of the upcoming resurrection day. “1Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 3For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. 6After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.” (1 Corinthians 15:1-6)
His sacrificial death for sin was accepted by the Father and Jesus was resurrected from the dead. His resurrection experience will also happen to those whose sins are forgiven.
“… A time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out—those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.” (John 5:28-29)
Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies.” (John 11:25)
First Corinthians 15:3 states Jesus died for “our sins.” His death has personal meaning. First Corinthians 15:4 declares Jesus was “raised from the dead.” His resurrection also has personal meaning.
How do we know Jesus actually was resurrected from the dead?
If the future resurrection is based on His resurrection, how do we know He died and was raised from the dead? By the testimony of eye witnesses!
A Roman soldier gave an eye witness report about His death. “And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, ‘Surely this man was the Son of God!’ … Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. 45When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph.” (Mark 15:39, 44-45)
Soldiers know how to inflict death and are not a novice to witnessing death. They know when someone is dead. Jesus died!
Numerous people gave an eye witness report about His resurrection. Paul wrote, “…he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. 6After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8and last of all he appeared to me also.” (1 Corinthians 15:5-8)
The highest number of witnesses required in a court of law is seven, to execute an oral will. Over 500 gave testimony that Jesus was alive after being crucified and their testimony was not refuted in their lifetime.
We also know He is resurrected on account of the observance of worship. Followers of Jesus worship on the first day of the week in honor of His resurrection, which occurred on that day. The stated Sabbath of Scripture is the last day of the week. Jewish believers would never make such a dynamic change in worship if the resurrection of the Messiah had not occurred.
Eyewitnesses and the day of worship give testimony Jesus was resurrected from the dead.
How do we know the resurrection has not already occurred?
Attempts have been made in the past to persuade believers the resurrection has already occurred and will not happen again. “17Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some.” (2 Timothy 2:17-18)
We know the resurrection has not occurred because of the present burdens that cease in glorified bodies. “For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened….” (V. 4)
We are burdened with the reality of death. If the rapture does not occur in our lifetime, we will die. Upon birth the aging process begins. Death is like a shadow that looms over everyone. This shadow exists from a darkness caused by the uncertainty and uncomfortableness of the unknown. The thought of death is burdensome. Young couples often will not talk about dying or discuss family plans, as if the mere mentioning of the subject causes death to occur.
We are burdened with the ongoing battle with sin. “42So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; 43it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.” (1 Corinthians 15:42-44)
Have you struggled with any kind of unwholesome temptation lately? That is a testimony that the resurrection has not yet occurred. Believers today wrestle with moral issues, as well as with greed and idolatry. These encumbrances reveal the glorified existence has not started. The sin issue ends in the glorified body.
We are burdened with suffering. “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” (Philippians 3:10-12)
Believers are suffering for their faith around the world. Church burnings, displacement and martyrdom continue today and will do so until the great resurrection morning.
The book of Revelation reveals that in God’s presence there will be no more pain, sorrow or death. As long as these burdens exist the resurrection has not already happened.
How do we know the resurrection is for us?
“Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” (V. 5) The Holy Spirit is God’s promise that our resurrection will occur.
When speaking about financially supporting global evangelism a distinction is often given between a “faith promise” and a “pledge.” A faith promise is a promise to give as the Lord provides. A pledge is a determined amount that becomes a personal obligation, no matter what. The Holy Spirit in you is God’s personal commitment, or guarantee, that you will be resurrected. His presence is not a faith promise but a pledge. As long as the Holy Spirit dwells in you, ministers through you and is manifested by you, you have God’s personal pledge of a future resurrection and of a glorified body.
How should the resurrection affect present lifestyles?
“We live by faith, not by sight” (V. 7). People who live only for the present are missing God’s plan for their life. This world is not your final resting place. Live by faith, press on, look for a celestial city, and expect Jesus to come at any moment.
“So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.” (V. 9) When you get up every morning make a fresh decision to serve the Lord. Determine to honor God each day. Start the morning by simply praying, “Guide me, Lord, in ways that please You.”
In heaven you get a whole new wardrobe, inside and out. The resurrection is the changing room of eternity. Are you living for the moment or for eternity? Make the right decision and live by faith!
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