The Promises Of Easter

Zerich Fri 10 Apr 2009, 12:46 pm

April 10, 2009
The Promises of Easter
1 CORINTHIANS 15:50-57

Easter is a season of promises fulfilled and promises waiting to be realized. One of the latter is that believers, like the Savior, will experience physical resurrection (John 5:25). Christ's triumph over the grave makes possible our victory against death. When the Lord returns, the dead in Christ will hear His voice and come forth from their burial places. Each soul that sheds a mortal "cloak" upon entering heaven will now dwell in an imperishable body.

Next, believers still living in "earthly tents" will be transformed (2 Cor. 5:1). In these customized vessels, God's children will be perfectly suited for reflecting His glory.

When I preach on this subject, I am often asked, "What will we look like?" To answer that, let's think about Christ's seaside encounter with His disciples following the resurrection (John 21:1-14). John, who witnessed the event, said that the seven men did not immediately recognize Jesus. Only after interacting with Him for a few minutes did they know their Lord. Though He seemed familiar, He was also amazingly changed. In a word, He was glorified.

Believers, too, will have glorified, perfected bodies (1 Cor. 15:42-43). We won't be limited by time, space, or matter. Therefore, nothing can stop us from serving God to the very best of our abilities.

Studying about the saints' physical resurrection can bring up more questions than the Bible answers. But we know some things for sure, so let me leave you with this assurance: believers are going to be in God's presence forever. This means that whatever we and the new heaven and earth are like, we'll be satisfied.

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