What happens to faithful believers who die? This is answered several times in scriptures and we will review some of them.
Today’s topic is the possibility for each of us to attain immortality for our terrestrial earthly bodies.
The first Apostles, especially Paul, were questioned about what happens to faithful believers who die before Jesus returns. They answered this question several times in scriptures. It is interesting to realize that the Apostle did not say that the faithful who have died are already in Heaven. Here he reveals that the faithful who have died are waiting to enter the Kingdom of Heaven just like we who are alive. Salvation is granted at Jesus return, not when a faithful person dies.
Let’s read from 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18.
13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who [c]sleep in Jesus.
15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
Here Apostle Paul comforts and assures the believers that the dead who are “in Christ” will one day, at Christ’s return, be raised up from the dead, be transformed, and receive eternal life. He then encourages us to comfort one another with these words.
In 1 Corinthians 15: 51-55
51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”
55 “O Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?”
The Apostle reveals another mystery. Not every mortal human being will have to experience physical death. Let’s read the passage.
Those whom Christ accepts at His return, from both the living and the dead, will be changed, in an instant. Verse 53 says: “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.” This means that both the dead and the living will be given an eternal glorified body and eternal life. Those mortal ones who are transformed at Christs return, or the Rapture, will never have had to experience physical death! What a wonderful blessing!
Please let me emphasize again, according to Apostle Paul’s teachings, this glorious transformation and entry into the Kingdom of Heaven takes place at Christ’s return, not when we die. So yes, all the faithful even from the Old Testament time period are waiting for The Rapture just as we are.
Now, let’s read from Philippians 3: 20-21.
20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.
Here the Apostle reminds us of 3 important things.
- Our citizenship is in heaven.
- We should eagerly await Christs return.
- Our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, will transform our lowly mortal and corruptible bodies to be conformed to His glorious body.
He will give us a body similar to His so that we can live in eternal fellowship with Him.
The main reason to be ready and accepted at Christ’s return is because we LOVE Him and want to be with Him ETERNALLY. At the same time, we sure can recognize what a great blessing it would be to never experience physical death and hope to experience that benefit as well.
It is worth noting that we all, both the living and the dead, already have an immortal soul and spirit. This presentation speaks to the real possibility of our mortal physical bodies being transformed to immortal glorious bodies at Christs return.
This goal is possible for us because Jesus is returning soon!
I look forward to hearing YOUR contributions.
I’m glad you take questions!!! Since man is made in the image & likeness of God since Adam how will this new glorified body image be any different than what we have now? Like to hear your thoughts on that question? Thanks in advance!
Thank you for your question. Here are my thoughts. You are right! In Genesis the Triune God says: Let Us make man in our image. It is important to realize that Jesus is God. It is also important to recognize the dual nature of Jesus. He is true God and true Man. He is Triune and dual. Our Savior is unique and fascinating, really. Since Jesus is the first Man to resurrect to eternal life, let’s consider the descriptions of Him in His glorified or transfigured appearance. In John 4: 24 Jesus tells us that God is spirit. Jesus took Peter, James and John to the top of a high mountain, apart by themselves, where He was transfigured before them. In Luke 9: 29 it says that the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening. In Matthew 17: 2 we can read that His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. In Mark 9: 3 it is written: His clothes became shinning, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. These are descriptions of Jesus the true Man transfigured into His glorious state. I believe He wanted His first Apostles to see for themselves what is possible for the faithful. After his resurrection, and up until His ascension into heaven, the glorified Jesus appeared many times to the believers. They did not always recognize Him. He moved around not bound by the laws of physics. There are more descriptions of Jesus in the bible in Revelation. We must keep in mind however, what the Apostle wrote in 1 John 3: 2, Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. From what Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 3: 21, we can understand that our lowly body will be conformed to His glorious body. In Revelation 22: 4-6 we can read that His (Jesus) name shall be written on their foreheads and they shall reign forever and ever. So, we can glean from scriptures some of the details, but many details have not yet been revealed. I hope this helps. I am always interested to hear your thoughts.
Good morning John, and thanks for your thoughts, answers, & certainly the scriptures! Thanks!