1 Corinthians 15:53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.

God has perfect timing! Yesterday I was writing about my lack of interest in resurrection, but later in the day I was continuing reading Jesus a Theography and read the section on the Second Coming, and now we have this passage! It makes perfectly good sense that my body as it is now cannot and could not do the things that Jesus’ body obviously could after His resurrection, and if I’m to live with Him, I need to be able to keep up. Elsewhere Paul refers to these bodies as “tents,” (2 Corinthians 5) and tents wear out. What Paul is talking about here is that, in a sense, we don’t have to die to be resurrected. When Christ returns, those believers who are still around at that point will be transformed on the spot, to be in the same status as those who had previously died in faith. There’s an old Southern Gospel song that talks about this, in a sense, singing about “a meeting in the air.” Our current bodies certainly couldn’t do something like that! Many people have dreams about being able to levitate and fly at will. I think that may be something to “whet our appetites” for what comes later! It’s all very nebulous and uncertain to us at this point, and letting our imaginations run wild isn’t likely to produce profitable results, (unless you write fantasy books!) so the point is to trust that God has it all worked out, and we don’t have to be anxious about anything. It’s certainly something to look forward to!

At 76, I am very aware of my physical limitations, and my wife has quite a list of medical issues. We spent yesterday morning getting her a PET scan, and I’m in the middle of treatment for a kidney stone. We are quite aware that our current bodies are definitely perishable, and are actually quite past our “best by” date! That said, this verse should be a major encouragement to us. As I said yesterday, my biggest anticipation about the next life is unhindered fellowship with my Lord, but this verse gives me a little more clarity about how that can happen. I’m still not worried about it, though. God’s plans are perfect, not to mention gracious and loving. Whatever He has in store for me, I’m all for it!

Father, thank You for this further assurance. I see so many people around me who don’t have this assurance, even Christians, and they fear letting go of their current bodies. Help me speak Your truth to them in love so that they may receive the faith that You offer them, for their current peace and joy and eternal salvation. Thank You. Praise God!