The kingdom promise of a glorious resurrection can be a confusing one. It is hard to imagine a world where believers are raised in glory and power—their natural, earthly bodies having been transformed (1Corinthians 15:40, 42–44). The promise of glory stands in contrast to just about everything that we experience on a day-to-day basis here on earth.
The natural bodies that will be transformed in the final resurrection are the same bodies that endure all sorts of affliction here on earth. Similar to God’s promise to make everything new, His promise to make us glorious is the reimagination of biological life itself—a body without pain or hardship (Revelation 21). Inherent in this promise is an acknowledgement of the physical struggles we often experience on earth and a reminder that the pain and fatigue we experience will not last forever. The bodies of believers in this life battle sickness, heartache, and brokenness; in the new heaven and new earth, those things will be no more. Our bodies will “bear the image of the man of heaven” (1Corinthians 15:49), Jesus Christ. We will shine “like the stars” (Daniel 12:3), taking on a measure of beauty beyond what is possible in this age.
Living with this promise in view is an example of what it looks like to experience the already-not-yet nature of God’s kingdom. We have already been given the glory of having the Spirit of God reside within us (Ephesians 1:14), but have not yet experienced the glory of the new bodies we will one day inherit. That day may seem far off, but because of Christ, it is also a guarantee.
The last sentence of the devotional says that the day of receiving our glorious bodies may seem far off but it’s a guarantee…I feel as though in the last couple of months with all that’s going on that day for believers doesn’t seem far off at all. Soon and very soon we are going to see the King❤️
JESSIE PIPP, I love your honest about your anxiety when pondering heaven. I wonder if it would be helpful to you (& to others) to consider the responses of Isaiah (Isaiah 6), Daniel (Daniel 10) and John (Revelation 1) when they encountered the visions of heaven and the throne room. Each of them expressed by words and body being overwhelmed in these visions. What’s comforting to me is that the Lord strengthened them to stand up and take it in through his power and means of grace! Realizing this helps me to trust that though I might even faint at the sight, it is the Lord who will lift me up! Hope that’s an encouragement to you.
Your words are absolutely beautiful. Thank you!
My struggles are temporary and I find complete hope in that truth. It helps me each day to continue to persevere. I’m an overcomer because I have a savior.
♥️
To be honest, I struggle with severe anxiety anytime I dwell on Heaven or eternity for too long. I have to change subjects or think of something else. It’s always been like that for me, ever since I was little. I think it’s partially because my human, finite brain cannot comprehend that which is infinite. Eternity is FOREVER. Never ending. I don’t know why, but that terrifies me. I hate that I struggle with that, because I KNOW our home is in Heaven, that we are not meant for this world and that it is so much more glorious than I could ever imagine. But it’s so easy to get stuck in the here and now, the tangible things of earth. To want those things to last forever. I have a long ways to go but this devotional was a good reminder of what is waiting for me.
I have been a believer for most of my life, and I’m 42. I’ve been reading the Bible since I have memory of pictures in a children’s Bible. However, I am the same as you!! I get some overwhelmed with trying to think about eternity I have to shit down. You nailed it! We are trying to think of something infinite with our finite minds. I get anxious as well, but then I’ve learned to release it and just say, “I can’t think about this, Lord, because it’s a little scary and overwhelming. I’m trusting you.” Then I just stop thinking about it. You are NOT alone!
Jessie, you are not alone in these thought. I don’t think about it, I focus on today, this day that has been given to me. Today I live here, on earth, with its struggles and it’s joys. Thinking about forever, death, heaven – that brings me anxiety.
You are not alone <3
I totally relate to you- I get so much anxiety around death and also thinking about eternity. I don’t know if it will help you at all, but I started reading the book HEAVEN by Randy Alcon and it has really changed what I used to think about heaven and has gotten me more excited for it :)
Lately, I have been listening to the song “Light & Momentary” by the group For All Seasons on repeat. The song is based on today’s passage from 2 Corinthians 4:17-18. It has been an encouragement to me so I thought I’d share!
It’s hard to think about what it will be like when everyone is raised from the dead and we have eternal life. Especially thinking about a life without sickness, sadness, heartache, brokenness, sin, etc. since it’s what we’ve gotten accustomed too. But, I needed this reminder today that He will make us glorious and will raise us up to be with Him. I know I’m not perfect and make so many mistakes, but if I just remember my relationship with Him and the “end goal,” then that will help me through anything.
❤️