"WHAT SHALL WE BE LIKE?"

In Genesis 1:26, God created man in His own image. He gave man a body composed of the "dust of the earth" (Genesis 2:7), but the "spirit" of man came from God (Ecclesiastes 12:7). At death, the physical body goes back to the earth (Genesis 2:19), but the "spirit" that was within that body, returns to God (Ecclesiastes 3:21).

The devil climbed to the top of God's creation and took away the crown. Because of sin, man was sentenced to death (I Corinthians 15:21, 22). Therefore, death is upon us all because of the violation in the garden of Eden. We are born into the arena of death; all die physically (Hebrews 9:27). Also, because of our sins (Romans 3:23), we become in spirit children of the evil one. However, God did not give upon on his creature man (Genesis 3:15). God promised redemption through Christ. The Bible says: "He bore our sins in His own body" (I Peter 2:24). Christ was manifested to take "away our sin" (I John 3:5).

We are "washed from our sins in His own blood" (Revelation 1:5). His blood was shed in His death (John 19:34). And, through obedience (Romans 6:17, 18), we contact his death (where His blood was shed), when we are baptized (Romans 6:3, 4). We were "buried with Him by baptism and raised to walk a new life" (Colossians 2:12). This process is also called "the new birth" (John 3:3-5).

A question often pondered by Christians is in reference to the hereafter. What will we be like? Will we have the same kind of body? If not, what kind of body will it be?

Since this event is yet to happen, all we can know is revealed to us in scripture. Therefore, it is a matter of faith, not of sight ( 2 Corinthians 5:7). Faith comes from "hearing the word of God" (Romans 10:17). Thus, all I can know about this matter is contained in the Bible.
Scripture makes it clear that there will be a "bodily resurrection" (Daniel 12:2, 3; John 5:28, 29). This body of flesh cannot enter heaven (I Corinthians 15:50). The body (physical) is placed in the earth, but will be raised incorruptible (I Corinthians 15:42-43).

Some may say: "Why will this old body be raised?" Because God desires to show His power over death. What the devil took, God will reclaim; "God will have a desire to the work of His hands" (Job 14:15). Those righteous ones who are alive when Christ returns, will "be changed" from this earthly body to a heavenly body (I Corinthians 15: 51, 52).
But, here is the question: What shall we be like?

"And two men(angels) stood by them in shining clothing" (Luke 24:4).
Thus, we conclude that we will have a heavenly body. It will be a body that shall never die. We will "shine as the stars in heaven" (Daniel 12:3)!

- Dan Carter