What Will Our Resurrected Bodies Be Like?
I. THE GLORY OF THE GOSPEL
A. It is of first importance that we understand that Jesus died and rose from the dead. Scripture gives insight into the nature of the
resurrected body (Dan. 12:3; Mt. 13:43; Rom. 8:21-23, 29;
1 Cor. 15:35-58; 2 Cor. 5:1-8; Phil. 1:23; 3:21; 1 Thes. 4:13-17; 1 Jn. 3:2; Rev. 21:4).
1 I declare to you the gospel…2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you--unless you believed in
vain. 3 For I delivered to you first of all that…Christ died for our sins…4 and that He rose again the third day… (1 Cor. 15:1-4)
B. Jesus rose from the dead as the “first fruits” of a harvest of resurrected believers. He is the first one who was “ripe for harvest.”
Paul’s point is that the harvest to come will be similar to Him.
20 Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep [physically died]…23 But each one in his
own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming. (1 Cor. 15:20-23)
C. We gain insight into our resurrected body first, by observing the glorious aspects of our natural body including our five senses.
Next, we gain insight by searching out what the Scripture says about Jesus’ resurrection body (Lk. 24:13-53; Jn. 20-21; Acts 1:3-11)
35 How are the dead raised up? With what body do they come?…37 You do not sow that body that shall be, but mere grain--perhaps
wheat or some other grain. 38 God gives…to each seed its own body…49 We shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man [Jesus]. (1
Cor. 15:35-49)
1. The resurrection is the raising up of the same body that died and not the creation of a completely new body. Paul used the analogy
of a grain of corn, planted in the ground, to illustrate the relationship between the body that is buried and the body that is resurrected.
2. The same body that was buried is the one that is raised. There is continuity between our body that dies and our body that is
resurrected. The basic good elements for our humanity as well as our personality and personal DNA will be the same in our resurrected
body.
3. Paul points out two things. First, the continuity between the seed that is planted and the plant that grows from it. The basic nature of
a seed is expressed in the plant that comes forth from it. Second, the plant that comes from the seed undergoes dynamic change.
D. God will give us a resurrected body that will be conformed to Jesus’ own resurrected body. The Father “custom designed” Jesus’
body, giving Him the best design possible.
21 Will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body… (Phil. 3:21)
E. There will be no more tears, death, sorrow, crying nor pain.
4 God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain… (Rev.
21:4)
F. The weaknesses of our natural body will be replaced by supernatural qualities in the resurrection.
42 The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. 43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is
raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body…52 The trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised
incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For…this mortal must put on immortality. (1 Cor. 15:42-53)
1. Corruption but raised in incorruption: vitality and strength replaces sickness and decay
2. Dishonor but raised in glory: purity and honor replaces failure, shame, and dishonor
3. Weakness but raised in power: safety and prosperity replaces injustice and pain
4. Natural body but raised a spiritual body: supernatural capacities replace natural ones
5. Mortality puts on immortality: unending life and love replaces physical death and loss
II. THE GLORY IN JESUS’ RESURRECTED BODY
A. Jesus’ resurrected body is full of light that is brighter than the sun (Isa. 24:23; Hab. 3:4; Jn. 8:12; Acts 26:13-14; Heb. 1:3; Rev. 1:
16; 21:24; 22:3-5). His robes are radiant with light (Ps. 104:1-2). Jesus’ eyes have fire in them which speaks of His holiness and tenderness
(Rev. 1:14; 19:12).
2 He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun… (Mt. 17:2)
B. Jesus could veil His glory fully or partially or unveil it and terrify people (Lk. 24:37). At times, Jesus was not recognized as He veiled
His resurrection glory (Lk. 24:16, 31; Jn. 20:14-15; 21:4). He could appear or vanish from sight. He could show His terrifying glory (Rev. 1:
17).
16 But their eyes were restrained, so that they [disciples at Emmaus] did not know Him…31 Their eyes were opened and they knew Him;
and He vanished from their sight…36 Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them [apostles], and said to them, "Peace to you." 37 But they
were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. (Lk. 24:16-37)
C. Many agree that Jesus walked through walls to enter a room when the doors were shut (Jn. 20:19, 26). Scripture does not say this
explicitly. Jesus had the scars from the nails in His hands and feet and His pierced side (Jn. 20:27). Jesus prepared a fire and cooked fish
(Jn. 21:9-13).
19 When the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to
them, "Peace be with you." 20 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side…24 Thomas…was not with them when
Jesus came. 25…He said to them, "Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my
hand into His side, I will not believe." 26 After eight days His disciples were again inside…Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in
the midst…27 He said to Thomas, "…reach your hand here, and put it into My side." (Jn. 20:19-27)
D. Jesus’ resurrected body has “supernatural flesh” with bones and has the capacity to eat food.
39 Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have…41
He said to them, "Have you any food here?" 42 So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish…43 He took it and ate in their presence. (Lk. 24:
39-43)
1 He showed me a pure river of water of life…2 on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its
fruit every month. (Rev. 22:1-2)
E. Jesus appeared to His disciples to teach them for forty days and then traveled on a cloud.
3 He presented Himself alive after His suffering…being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the
kingdom of God…9 While they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. (Acts 1:3, 9)
III. DIFFERENT MEASURES OF GLORY IN THE RESURRECTED BODY
A. Each believer will receive a different measure of glory in their resurrected body. There will be a vast range of degrees of glory
including those who are called the least and the greatest (Mt. 5:19). Our rewards will greatly differ from one another. The largest star
known is the Pistol Star, which has a mass over 100 times that of the sun, and is about 10 million times brighter.
41 For one star differs from another star in glory. 42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. (1 Cor. 15:41-42)
B. As there is difference of gifts, ministries, and activities in the Body of Christ in this age, so there will be great diversity in all of these
in the age to come (1 Cor. 12:4-6, 11, 18-19).
4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of
activities…11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. (1 Cor. 12:4-11)
C. The saints are filled with light, glory, and beauty because of the light of the indwelling Spirit. Those most faithful in making known
God's truth to others will shine the most brightly.
3 The…wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament…like stars forever. (Dan. 12:3)
43 The righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. (Mt. 13:43)
3 To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes (Isa. 61:3)
17 Let the beauty of the LORD…be upon us, and establish the work of our hands… (Ps. 90:17)
D. Most of the glory that we will possess in our resurrected bodies has not yet been revealed to us. We will be like Him in spirit, soul,
body, mind, emotions, and in the dwelling in which we live.
2 Now we are children of God; and it has not yet been [fully] 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. (1 Jn 3:2)
E. Our five senses will be enhanced by the supernatural power of the Spirit in our:
1) Sight: seeing clearly at a distance or at close range
2) Hearing: at distances and with great perception and perfect balance, etc.
3) Taste: enjoyment of food and water to the fullest degree (1 Cor. 10:31; Rev. 22:1-2)
4) Touch: to have glorified physical senses to discern and feel perfectly
5) Smell: to enjoy and bring to remembrance important moments of our life
We will possess supernatural abilities:
1) To think: to learn, grow in understanding, and to remember
2) In health: there will be no fatigue or lack of energy nor sickness or death
3) In strength: expressed in speed, endurance, and strength in lifting objects
4) In travel: for flight and speed
5) In the material realm: passing through walls like Jesus did?
6) To communicate: to speak, sing, and play musical instruments, etc. Our communication skills will be deep and clear without
mistakes, as we fully comprehend one’s intent.
F. Our history with people will be cherished (2 Cor. 4:14; 1 Thes. 2:19; Phil. 2:16; Lk. 16:9).
19 What is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? (1 Thes. 2:19)
G. There is continuity between our life choices in this age and the measure of glory that we each experience in the age to come. Jesus
taught that there are those called least and greatest in the kingdom (Mt. 5:19; 18:4; 20:26; 23:11; 25:21-23; Lk. 6:35; 18:22; 19:17-19;
Rev. 22:12). To understand the rewards and life of the resurrected believers, we must understand Jesus’ earthly reign over all the nations
in the Millennium (1000-year period seen in Rev. 20:4-6). FREE resources: on the resurrected body, see mikebickle.org for Mike Bickle’s
12-part teaching series with notes titled “Studies in the Millennial Kingdom: Heaven on Earth”
H. Our communion with Jesus will vary according to the degree that we have the spiritual capacity to receive from Him as the
Morningstar (Rev. 2:28; 22:16; Gen. 15:1). Our position when gathering before the Lord in the New Jerusalem is affected by our obedience
now (Lk. 14:7-24). We will receive varying praise from God (Jn. 12:26; 1 Pet. 1:7; Mt. 25:21, 1 Cor. 4:5).
I. Our work assignment and authority (over nations, tribes, and cities, etc.) will bring us in closer proximity to Jesus (Mt. 19:28, 30; 20:
16, 27; 25:23; Lk. 19:17-19; 22:29-30; Rev. 2:26-27; 3:21). Our garments have varying dimensions of God’s glory (Rev. 3:4-5, 18; 16:15;
19:7-8). We will receive crowns (1 Cor 9:25; 1 Thes. 2:19; 2 Tim. 2:5; 4:8; Heb. 2:7, 9; Jas. 1:12; 1 Pet. 5:4; Rev. 2:10; 3:11). Riches
include the location and design of our heavenly dwelling place (Mt. 5:12; 6:4, 6, 18, 20; 10:42; 16:27; 19:21; Lk. 6:23, 35; 12:21, 33; 16:11;
18:22; Rev. 2:9; 3:18; 22:12).
J. Our practical response to the revelation of the resurrection is to live steadfast and immovable
58 Therefore…be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (1
Cor. 15:58)