|
Author
|
Topic: The Body Is Raptured
|
Kindgo
Advanced Member
Member # 2
|
posted
Job 19:26
And after my skin is destroyed, this I know,
That in my flesh I shall see God,
--------------------
God bless,
Kindgo
Inside the will of God there is no failure. Outside the will of God there is no success.
Posts: 4320 | From: Sunny Florida | Registered: Jun 2002
| IP: Logged | 
|
|
Bloodbought
Advanced Member
Member # 4365
|
posted
1 Corinthians 15
15:35 In verses 35–49, the apostle goes into greater detail concerning the actual mode of the resurrection. He anticipates two questions which would inevitably arise in the minds of those who questioned the fact of bodily resurrection. The first is: “How are the dead raised up?”The second is: “And with what body do they come?”
15:36 The first question is answered in verse 36. A common illustration from nature is used to illustrate the possibility of resurrection. A seed must fall into the ground and die before the plant can come forth. It is wonderful indeed to think of the mystery of life that is hidden in every tiny seed. We may dissect the seed and study it under the microscope, but the secret of the life principle remains an unfathomable mystery. All we know is that the seed falls into the ground and from that unlikely beginning there springs forth life from the dead.
15:37 The second question is taken up next. Paul explains that when you sow a seed, you do not sow the plant that shall eventually result, but you sow a bare grain—perhaps wheat or some other grain. What do we conclude from this? Is the plant the same as the seed? No, the plant is not the same as the seed; however, there is a very vital connection between the two. Without the seed there would have been no plant. Also, the plant derives its features from the seed. So it is in resurrection.
The resurrection body has identity of kind and continuity of substance with that which is sown, but it is purified from corruption, dishonor, and weakness, and made incorrupt, glorious, powerful, and spiritual. It is the same body, but it is sown in one form and raised in another. (Selected)
15:38 God produces a body according to the seed that was sown, and each seed has its own type of plant as a result. All the factors which determine the size, color, leaf, and flower of the plant are somehow contained in the seed that is sown.
15:39 To illustrate the fact that the glory of the resurrection body will be different from the glory of our present bodies, the Apostle Paul points out that all flesh is not the same kind. For instance, there is human flesh, flesh of animals, flesh of fish, and flesh of birds. These are distinctly different, and yet they are all flesh. There is similarity without exact duplication.
15:40 And just as there is a difference between the splendor of heavenly bodies (the stars, etc.) and bodies which are associated with this earth, so there is a difference between the body of the believer now and the one which he will have after death.
15:41 Even among the celestial bodies themselves, there is a difference of glory. For instance, the sun is brighter than the moon, and one star differs from another in brightness.
Most commentators agree that Paul is still emphasizing that the glory of the resurrection body will be different from the glory of the body which we have on earth at the present time. They do not think that verse 41, for instance, indicates that in heaven there will be differences of glory among believers themselves. However, we tend to agree with Holsten that “the way in which Paul emphasizes the diversities of the heavenly bodies implies the supposition of an analogous difference of glory between the risen.” It is clear from other passages of Scripture that we shall not all be identical in heaven. Although all will resemble the Lord Jesus morally, that is, in freedom from sin, it does not follow that we shall all look like the Lord Jesus physically. He will be distinctly recognizable as such throughout all eternity. Likewise, we believe that each individual Christian will be a distinct personality recognizable as such. But there will be differences of reward granted at the Judgment Seat of Christ according to one’s faithfulness in service. While all will be supremely happy in heaven, some will have greater capacity for enjoying heaven. Just as there will be differences of suffering in hell, according to the sins that a man has committed, so there will be differences of enjoyment in heaven, according to what we have done as believers.
15:42 Verses 42–49 show the contrast between what the believer’s body is now and what it will be in its eternal state. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. At the present time, our bodies are subject to disease and death. When they are placed in the grave, they decompose and return to dust. But it will not be so with the resurrection body. It will no longer be subject to sickness or decay.
15:43 The present body is sown in dishonor. There is nothing very majestic or glorious about a dead body. However, this same body will be raised in glory. It will be free from wrinkles, scars, the marks of age, overweight, and the traces of sin.
It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. With the coming of old age, weakness increases until death itself strips a man of all strength whatever. In eternity, the body will not be subject to these sad limitations, but will be possessed of powers that it does not have at the present time. For instance, the Lord Jesus Christ in resurrection was able to enter a room where the doors were locked.
15:44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. Here we must be very careful to emphasize that spiritual does not mean nonmaterial. Some people have the idea that in resurrection we will be disembodied spirits. That is not at all the meaning of this passage, nor is it true. We know that the resurrection body of the Lord Jesus was composed of flesh and bones because He said, “A spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have” (Luke 24:39). The difference between a natural body and a spiritual body is that the former is suited to life here on earth whereas the latter will be suited to life in heaven. The former is usually soul-controlled whereas the latter is spirit-controlled. A spiritual body is one that will be truly the servant of the spirit.
God created man spirit, soul, and body. He always mentions the spirit first, because His intention was that the spirit should be in the place of preeminence or dominance. With the entrance of sin, something very strange happened. God’s order seems to have been upset, and the result is that man always says “body, soul, and spirit.” He has given the body the place which the spirit should have had. In resurrection it will not be so; the spirit will be in the place of control which God originally intended.
15:45 And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. Here again the first man Adam is contrasted with the Lord Jesus Christ. God breathed into Adam’s nostrils the breath of life and he became a living being (Gen. 2:7). All who are descended from him bear his characteristics. The last Adam, the Savior, became a life-giving spirit (John 5:21, 26). The difference is that in the first case, Adam was given physical life, whereas in the second case Christ gives eternal life to others. Erdman explains:
As the descendants of Adam, we are made like him, living souls inhabiting mortal bodies, and bearing the image of an earthly parent. But as the followers of Christ, we are yet to be clothed with immortal bodies and to bear the image of our heavenly Lord.
Believer’s Bible Commentary
Posts: 822 | From: Ireland | Registered: Feb 2005
| IP: Logged |
|
|
Carol Swenson
Admin
Member # 6929
|
posted
For a few days.
After the Resurrection, Jesus could appear and disappear at will, and ascend bodily into Heaven. But He also sat on the beach and ate fish with His apostles.
So too, apparently, our bodies will be adapted to live both in Heaven, and on the Earth when we live here during the Millennial Kingdom, and on the New Earth.
Posts: 6787 | From: Colorado | Registered: Dec 2007
| IP: Logged |
|
|
WildB
Moderator
Member # 2917
|
posted
"Jesus did not leave His body in the tomb."
Well he kinda did.
Ephesians 4
9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
--------------------
That is all.....
Posts: 8775 | From: USA, MICHIGAN | Registered: Mar 2004
| IP: Logged |
|
|
Carol Swenson
Admin
Member # 6929
|
posted
Celestial bodies are sun, moon, and stars. They are compared to the things on the earth to show a difference. They are also different from each other; the sun is different from the moon, the moon is different from the stars. Paul is saying we will be transformed, and our glorified bodies will not all be the same, but he never said that we shed these bodies and leave them for dead.
1 Corinthians 15:53 (NASB)
53 For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality.
Jesus did not leave His body in the tomb. Heaven forbid! If He had shed His earthly body and left it in the tomb, then there would be no resurrection account. Everything would be different. There would be no Christianity!
After the Rapture, there will be empty tombs, and empty graves, all over the world!
The two witnesses rose in their bodies, they didn't leave them in the street.
So, I believe our bodies will be changed, but not shed and left behind.
Posts: 6787 | From: Colorado | Registered: Dec 2007
| IP: Logged |
|
|
WildB
Moderator
Member # 2917
|
posted
Dead in Christ don't have flesh and blood, just seed. They already shed that. Those still in flesh and blood cant take it with them. Has to be changed and shed too and made new from the seed?
Just something I been thinking about.
Luke 24:39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
Ephesians 5:30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
I think the sin nature is in the blood that sustains the flesh of the terrestrial of man.
1 Corinthians 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
1 Corinthians 15:40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.
--------------------
That is all.....
Posts: 8775 | From: USA, MICHIGAN | Registered: Mar 2004
| IP: Logged |
|
|
Carol Swenson
Admin
Member # 6929
|
posted
The Pattern in Prophecy Says Our Bodies Will Not Be Left On Earth
What We Know
Let's look at what the scripture actually says will happen at the catching away:
1. The dead in Christ will rise from the dead:
1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
2. The church alive and remaining will be forcibly snatched up into the clouds to meet both the dead in Christ, and Christ himself, in the air:
1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
3. Both the dead in Christ, and all Christians alive at the time of the rapture, will have their corruptible bodies changed into incorruptible bodies in the twinkling of an eye:
1Co 15:51 Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
1Co 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
Let's look at each of these in more depth, in reverse order.
"We Shall Be Changed"
Paul tells us our bodies will be changed into incorruptible ones "in a moment". The word moment is "atomos", and is where we get our English word "atom". It literally means that in the smallest, tiniest space of time you could imagine, we will be changed. The word "changed" is "allasso", and means to exchange one form for another form, or to transform. This brings to mind two scenarios:
1. We will leave our mortal, corruptible bodies on earth at the rapture.
This scenario is pure speculation, and really has no scriptural basis. But it is interesting to wonder about, and offers a different result than the standard "leaving behind your clothing" interpretation. Could it be possible we will simply "exchange" our mortal bodies for our immortal bodies, which according to Paul happens in an atomic second, leaving our mortal bodies on the earth? Those left behind would see our slumping bodies left on earth, and would simply think we had a heart attack or just died somehow. Meanwhile, what really happened was that we were forcibly snatched up to the clouds with a new, immortal body, our spirit and soul coming along for the ride. The explanation back on earth could be any number of reasons for why we died, or what happened to us. Again, this is purely speculative, but an idea that would help explain a lot of the questions about how the rapture will be "explained away" after the fact.
2. Our mortal bodies will be transformed into eternal, incorruptible ones, leaving the earth in a moment.
This view is the more likely of the two, because it has the most scriptural proof. Consider the following examples of "harpazo" in the New Testament:
We Will Be Caught Up
a. Paul's harpazo in II Corinthians 12
In this account, Paul says he was caught up to the third heaven, and heard unspeakable things which it was "not lawful for a man to utter". But he said he was forcibly caught up into paradise when it happened, and could not tell whether he was in his body or out of his body when it happened. This account, therefore, suggests it is possible to be caught up, or raptured, while the body remains on earth. Although Paul wrote this account in the third person, it is clear from reading the rest of the chapter that the person to whom the experience happened was Paul himself.
2Co 12:1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2Co 12:2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such a one caught up to the third heaven.
2Co 12:3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
2Co 12:4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
b. Philip's harpazo in Acts 8
In this account, Luke the physician tells us that Philip was conversing with an Ethiopian consulate, who was reading from the book of Isaiah in that great chapter, 53. As Philip witnessed to the eunuch, he believed and wanted to be baptized. So they stopped the chariot, found some water, and Philip baptized the eunuch. As they were walking up out of the water, Philip was forcibly raptured from that place and placed in the town of Azotus (known in Hebrew as Ashdod, a Philistine city about 30 miles from where Philip and the eunuch were). This account tells us that Philip's physical body was definitely moved from one place to another.
Act 8:38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
Act 8:39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
Act 8:40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.
c. Jesus' harpazo in Revelation 12 and chapter 1
Here we read in the beginning of Revelation 12, a stunning chapter tucked in the middle of the book with a high-level history of Israel, that after the birth of Israel's man-child Jesus Christ, he was forcibly caught up to the throne of God. This is the ascension of Christ to heaven, where he was bodily lifted in front of many witnesses up into the clouds. So, this account too shows that the physical body is removed when raptured.
Rev 12:4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
Rev 12:5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
Act 1:9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
Act 1:10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
Perhaps the strongest argument that our mortal bodies WILL NOT remain on the earth at the catching away is found in I Corinthians 15, just after Paul reveals the mystery of the rapture:
1Co 15:42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
1Co 15:43 It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:
1Co 15:44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
1Co 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
1Co 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
We see here that our current, mortal bodies must "put on" an incorruptible body, which suggests there will not be a mortal body left on the earth. The mortal body will be transformed into a new one.
The Dead in Christ will Rise
At the same time the Christians alive and remaining are receiving the incorruptible bodies, the dead in Christ will be rising from the dead and receiving their incorruptible bodies. Yes, even those bodies that were cremated and have long since rotted away will be reformed into a new body, with the same soul and spirit. But what will be happening on earth when the graves of the dead in Christ are opened and they rise to meet the Lord in the air?
First, we must make a distinction between being raised from the dead BACK INTO THE CORRUPTIBLE BODY, and being raised from the dead INTO A NEW BODY, THEN IMMEDIATELY TAKEN TO THE HEAVENS. There are a few cases in which people were raised from the dead, and the life was simply restored to their mortal bodies:
1. Lazarus in John 11
2. Eutychus in Acts 20
3. Tabitha in Acts 9
Again, these accounts show the recipient of life from the dead coming back into their mortal bodies, which then obviously died later in time. They were not raised up with incorruptible bodies. However, we also have some examples in which those rising from the dead were obviously given incorruptible, immortal bodies.
1. The saints at the crucifixion and death of Jesus in Matthew 27
This account tells us that many saints rose from the dead, went to Jerusalem, and actually appeared to many people. What an incredible time to be alive! These saints arose with incorruptible bodies. It is believed by many, including myself, that this group of saints are those who were faithful to God under the old covenant, and actually accompanied Jesus to heaven at his ascension. The "cloud" that received him out of their sight in Acts chapter 1 is the same word as found in Hebrews 12:1 in describing the "cloud of witnesses" that we are surrounded by as we run the race of our lives. Those "witnesses" are described throughout Hebrews chapter 11, the famous faith chapter.
Mat 27:50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.
Mat 27:51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
Mat 27:52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
Mat 27:53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
2. Jesus Christ after 3 days in the tomb in Luke 24
Jesus received a glorified body, not a mortal one, after his resurrection. We see that in Luke, some of the disciples thought they were looking at a spirit when they looked at Jesus post-resurrection:
Luk 24:36 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
Luk 24:37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.
3. The two witnesses after 3.5 days laying dead in the streets of Jerusalem in Revelation 11
In the amazing account of the future two witnesses during Daniel's final week of 70 weeks, we read that the beast takes over Jerusalem in the middle of the 7 year period and kills the two witnesses. After 3.5 days of lying dead in the streets for the whole world to see, the Spirit of God Almighty will enter those corpses and bring them to life. They receive their glorified bodies at this time and ascend to eternity with their Father. This is not the time to discuss who the two witnesses are, but I am of the opinion that they are Enoch and Elijah, two men who have never died according the scriptures. Zechariah tells us in chapter 4 that the two "candlesticks" have the holy anointing oil constantly pouring through their bodies, and Revelation chapter 11 tells that the two witnesses are these two candlesticks. I am of the belief their mortal bodies are being supernaturally preserved until their appointed time, when they will again come to the earth, minister during the tribulation, and be killed as Hebrews 9:27 tells us every man, other than those alive at the rapture, must experience.
Rev 11:7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
Rev 11:8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.
Rev 11:11 And after three days and a half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.
Rev 11:12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.
Adapted from
http://www.raptureready.com/soap/rapture_eq.html
Posts: 6787 | From: Colorado | Registered: Dec 2007
| IP: Logged |
|
|
|
Printer-friendly view of this topic
