Believer, You'll Get a Glorified Body.
Your physical resurrection is soon -- we are in our last days
We Christians will rise up out of graves—hes, bodily rise. Jesus, in His perfect wisdom, totally, permanently triumphed over death, and in doing so, He secured for us the future resurrection of our own physical bodies too.
We continue in our study of 1 Corinthians 15, a theologically rich chapter where Paul delves into the profound reality of resurrection.
Believers will not simply exist as disembodied spirits floating around up there, but we will be resurrected in glorified, physical bodies to serve with—what he calls "heavenly bodies." They will be distinct from our current weaker earthly ones.
The Apostle Paul teaches that, at the appointed time, both those who have died and those who are alive in Christ will be transformed, receiving bodies of unparalleled holiness and splendor.
The Rapture Is where the righteous dead and those righteous living go up and are changed in the air. While the full nature of this transformation is beyond human comprehension, Paul provides an analogy to help us grasp its essence.
He compares our earthly bodies to seeds and our resurrected bodies to the full-grown plants they become. Just as a seed must be buried and undergo a kind of "death" to give rise to new life, so too must our mortal bodies perish in order to be raised into their glorified state.
Importantly, the identity of the original seed remains connected to its final form—a mustard seed grows into a mustard plant, and a wheat seed into wheat.
Likewise, while our heavenly bodies will far surpass our earthly ones in glory and perfection, they will still reflect our true selves, fully realized as God intended. You will be recognizable in heaven.
A seed as we know a seed, in its initial form, is simple and yet limited, but once it matures, it can flourish with roots, stems, leaves, blossoms, and fruit.
God expects faithfulness and fruitfulness from each one of us as we trust Him, pray, obey and are planted in the House of Lord.
Our resurrected bodies will be infinitely more complete than our earthly bodies here, though we cannot yet fathom their exact nature. What we do know is that they will be perfected versions of ourselves, fully glorified, unmarred by sin, and radiant with the splendor of God's presence.
Paul speaks of the "glory" of our heavenly bodies using the Greek word *doxa*, the root of "doxology," which signifies divine glory or splendor. This same term is used in Scripture to describe Christ’s transfiguration, when “the appearance of his face was altered
The Apostle Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 15 do paint a picture of this hope for us all.
He tells us that the body we sow in death is perishable, dishonorable, and weak. And you've grasped the brevity of life in these weak bodies. But for the believer their body is raised up imperishable, glorious, and stronger via Christ's Resurrection power working within.
This is no mere return to a same type of life; it is a transformation into a much better life. Our mortal, decaying bodies will be made immortal, free from the corruption that Adam's sin brought into the world. We, like the martyrs, will rise out of our graves. The blood of those who die in Christ is indeed the seed of the Church, but their bodies, too, will be raised—honored and glorified by the power of God.
For fruit - a seed must die the death, fall to the ground.
"But Jesus replied, 'The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Truly, truly, I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a seed; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life will lose it, but whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life..'" John 12:24-25
Sown in Corruption, Raised in Glory
When we consider the resurrection of the body, we must remember the analogy Paul gives us in 1 Corinthians 15.
A seed must die before it brings forth new life. In the same way, our earthly bodies, subject to decay, must be laid to rest before they are resurrected. But when they are raised, they will bear the likeness Not only of our earthly outward persons, but of Christ’s glorified body—a body that knows no more pain, no more decay, and no more death. This is the ultimate redemption of mankind, body and soul, the fulfillment of God’s scriptural promise to restore all things. Later we'll get a new heaven and a new Earth.
The Glorification of the Believer Will be Exciting
What does this glorified body look like? The Scriptures don’t leave us in the dark. In 1 John 3:2, we are assured that we will be like Christ, for we will see Him as He is. I look forward to that day when we can see him face to face, and chat.
This doesn’t mean we will all look the same or be clones of Christ; rather, it speaks of a deep, eternal transformation—you'll be more you than you've ever been before. Sure, with a glorious likeness to the Savior too. Just as Jesus was recognizable after His resurrection, so too will we be recognizable by our friends and loved ones, yet gloriously different. In this new state. The flaws and imperfections of the flesh will give way to the physical perfection of the eternal.
Jesus is the Life -- The Hope of the Resurrection
I want to stay in union and communion every step of the way, don't you? The resurrection is not just a future event; it is a present hope that shapes how we live today. The body of the believer, though subject to weakness, pains, decay, and death, is destined for glory. This calls for us to live with an eternal perspective and purpose in mind, to work, to pray, and to labor and bringing closure to the Great Commission by Christ's power.
We had some seeds planted when someone witnessed to us. We had seeds of Truth planted when somebody discipled us in a kind tactful way. We sowed seeds into our own hearts as we daily read the Bible and prayed, and grew in the word. We Christians become seeds that God has scattered around for fruitfulness as we live the life and share the gospel. Some of us plant churches like seeds that'll grow up and bear fruit. Some of us are called to stay home and support that effort.
We know that death for the believer is not the end. The promise of resurrection should inspire us to keep our eyes fixed on the eternal, to live with the knowledge that in Christ, we are more than conquerors. Our resurrection is secured not by our strength, but by the same power that raised Jesus from the dead.
As the martyr’s blood has been the seed of the church, so too is the body of the martyr (I think about Abraham Lincoln who was martyred) and all who die in Christ. They, like us, will rise again, glorified, in bodies fit for eternity. This is our hope. This is our confidence. And this is the truth that sustains us as we journey through this world—our bodies may fade, but our resurrection is certain. Let this truth encourage our hearts and propel us to live for Christ, knowing that the final victory is His, and it is ours through Him.
The Call to Christ is Really a Call to our Living Hope
So let us not shrink back from the truth of resurrection. Let us live with joy, with the certainty that our Savior will one day return to raise us up, in bodies like His. We will rise, and when we do, we will be more like Christ than we ever imagined. The seed planted in the ground will bear much fruit. That is the promise of resurrection, and it is a promise we can cling to with hope, knowing that the best is yet to come.
The Seed Must Die: A Picture
The analogy of a seed is a powerful and vivid picture of the Christian journey—one that begins with the quiet, unseen work of God, then grows, matures, and eventually bears fruit. But for a seed to fulfill its potential, it must first die. This is true not only in the natural world but also in the spiritual lives of believers. Just as Jesus used the imagery of a seed to illustrate the necessity of death before life, so too does the apostle Paul teach us about the transformation that follows death—the death of self, of sin, and of the old nature.
Planting the Seed: The Word in the Heart
The moment a person hears the Gospel, it is as if the seed of faith is being planted in their heart. Jesus spoke of the sowing of seeds in the parable of the sower, where the seed represents the Word of God (Luke 8:11). When someone accepts Christ as their Savior, that seed—planted in the soil of their heart—begins a mysterious process, one that only God can see. The seed of faith, once planted, begins its hidden, silent journey through the darkness of the soul.
This phase is much like the germination process in nature. You cannot see the seed's growth initially, but God is at work beneath the surface. The seed is alive, responding to the water of His Word, to prayer, and to the nurturing power of the Holy Spirit. The roots grow deep, and the foundation is being laid for future spiritual fruit.
Germination: Growth Through God's Word and Prayer
In the early stages of spiritual growth, a believer’s faith begins to sprout. As the seed takes root in the heart, it begins to grow through the study of Scripture, prayer, and fellowship with other believers. This is the time when a Christian learns to rely on God’s Word for wisdom and understanding. Like a new plant reaching toward the sun, a new believer seeks the light of truth to guide their life.
During this stage, the mysterious work of God continues. It’s a process that often feels slow and unseen, but just as a sprouting seed is gradually developing into something greater, so too is the believer’s faith maturing. This is where the work of the Holy Spirit becomes vital. He nurtures the believer, encouraging growth, strengthening resolve, and guiding through the seasons of life.
Growth: Spiritual Maturation and Transformation
As time passes, the plant continues to grow, and so does the believer’s character. With each day, the believer reflects more and more the image of Christ—beginning to embody qualities like kindness, patience, and forgiveness. This is the natural outcome of a faith that is being actively lived out, fed by daily prayer and devotion to the Word of God. The seed, now fully sprouted, begins to show signs of life—traits that bear witness to the transformational power of Christ.
Spiritual growth is not an instantaneous event. It is a process, one that requires commitment, discipline, and a reliance on God’s grace. Just as a plant requires time to bear fruit, so too does a believer’s life take time to produce lasting fruit. This growth is not about perfection, but progress—moving day by day toward the likeness of Christ.
Bearing Fruit: The Evidence of Transformation
The purpose of growth, whether in nature or in the spiritual life, is to bear fruit. Jesus spoke often about fruit-bearing in His ministry, reminding His followers that a tree is known by its fruit (Matthew 12:33). For the believer, this fruit is the evidence of Christ at work in them—good deeds, love for others, and a life that glorifies God. Just as a tree produces apples, so too should the life of the Christian produce acts of compassion, kindness, and truth. The fruit is not the believer’s own work, but the work of God through them.
In John 15:8, Jesus reminds us, “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” The fruit of a believer’s life brings glory to God. It is the outward expression of an inward transformation, and it serves as a witness to the world of the power of the Gospel.
Death and Rebirth: A Seed Must Die
A seed must die before it can sprout new life. Jesus, in His own life, gave us this profound example. He died to His own will and took on the form of a servant, laying down His life for us. This death was not just a physical death on the cross, but the death of the old self—an act of surrender and submission to the will of God.
For Christians, this principle applies to our own lives. We must "die" to our old selves, to our sin, and to the desires that once governed us. Jesus said in Matthew 16:24, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” This is the death that leads to life—the death of self, sin, and selfish ambition. When we surrender to Christ, the seed of our old nature dies, and a new nature in Him begins to grow.
The Role of the Holy Spirit
Just as the seed’s growth is dependent on the soil and the nutrients it receives, so too is a Christian’s spiritual growth dependent on the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God works within the believer, cultivating the heart, nourishing the soul, and ensuring that the seed of faith grows into a mature, fruitful life. Without the Holy Spirit, spiritual growth would be impossible. He is the One who enables us to die to our old selves, to surrender to God, and to produce fruit that honors Him.
Not Instantaneous, But Totally Guaranteed
Like the plant that takes time to grow, spiritual maturity is a slow, ongoing process. There are no shortcuts in the Christian life. Just as the seed must go through seasons of dormancy, growth, and maturation before it bears fruit, so too must the believer endure trials, struggles, and seasons of waiting. But the promise is sure: if we remain in Christ, we will bear fruit, and we will ultimately experience the fullness of the resurrection—our bodies transformed, glorified, and raised to eternal life.
None of us seek or long for death..
But Jesus Who Loves Fruitfulness Said A Seed Must Die
We love to live the life in Jesus, even here on earth.
In the end, the analogy of the seed provides a profound understanding of the Christian life. I'm willing to die, don't want to, but I pray I can remain faithful to God all the way home.
The analogy reminds us that for true life to begin, something must first die. The seed dies, but from that death comes new life—life that bears fruit, life that grows, and life that glorifies God.
Just as Jesus laid down His life for us, we, too, must die to ourselves and follow Him. And as we do, we are transformed, from glory to glory, until we see the fullness of our resurrection in Christ. As a seed must die, so must we, that we might live.
The new glorified body will be able to move, walk, run, jump, eat what's tasty, see clearly, feel inside and out, be understood, and speak.
Pattern of resurrection
Christians believe that Jesus's resurrection is a pattern for their own resurrection.
Central to the gospel
Christians believe that the resurrection of Jesus is central to the gospel message and the power of God for salvation.
Your body will retain your personal identity
Christians believe that the resurrected body retains the same genetic identity as the body that died.
Romans 8:21-23: Speaks of waiting for "the redemption of our bodies".
See John 5:28-29: Jesus speaks of the the first part of the believer's resurrection as involving the coming forth of those individuals out of their tombs at the time of the rapture.
See Daniel 12: Speaks of the resurrection as being physical.
See 1 Corinthians 15:36-49: Paul uses the seed analogy to describe the glory of the resurrected body.
It's impossible to really know everything about what our glorified bodies will be like in heaven, but we can trust the Lord. We can know that they will be perfected, fuller, stronger, and glorified versions of who we are here in this life. They won't be so different from who we are now that.people won't recognize them, but they will indeed be as different as a seed is from a full-grown plant.
