Memorials & What It Will Be Like to Be a Spirit Being

The dead in Christ shall be raised incorruptible
changed into a glorious body according to the inner working of God's own power!

Fred R. Coulter—November 26, 2022

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Greetings, everyone! Welcome to Sabbath services! This Sabbath we're going to have two special memorials and then we're going to find out what it will be like when we're spirit beings!

First of all I want to bring a special memorial for Pauline Short, who is the mother of Gloria Kuc I have the special all written out so Gloria can have it and share it with the rest of her family:

In Remembrance of Pauline Short
Born August 5, 1943
Died November 14, 2022

Pauline Short: wife, mother, grandmother, auntie, friend passed away peacefully in her Vallejo, California home on November 14, 2022.

Pauline was born in San Francisco, California. She is survived by Anthony Short and Gloria Kuc.

She was most passionate about people, always keeping in touch with friends and family and wanting to be a positive force in everyone's life.

This memorial is a unique occasion. Of all the creatures that God has created, only human beings assemble together to honor their dead and give a remembrance of a loved one who has died. We all know that just as there is life, death is also a reality of life. Because death is so final, grief fills our heart over the loss a loved one, regardless of the circumstances of its occurrence.

Death always brings us face-to-face with the reality that human life is only temporary, especially by an untimely sudden death such as Pauline's.

With death, we're always confronted with the ultimate weakness of human beings, the helplessness that a life has come to an end, and that no human being of him or herself has the power to escape death, or to overcome death!

Especially, we need to understand that it only comes through Christ Jesus. Therefore, our Creator and Lord has revealed in His Scriptures that this physical life—which we now possess in the flesh—is temporary.

As Moses wrote, "The days of our life are three score and ten, and if by reason of strength, they be four score."

However, it has been given to all human beings to die once. It is appointed unto men once to die; as in Adam we all die!

After Adam and Eve had sinned, thereby bringing death to all their progeny, to all mankind in all ages, God said to Adam, "For dust you are and unto dust shall you return."

So, we are all physical; we're all made of the dust of the earth. Moreover, at the time of death, one's breath goes forth, he returns to the earth and in that very day his thoughts perish. The Scriptures also reveal that there is "a time to be born, and time to die."

Unfortunately, some die at a younger age than others, as time and chance happens in everyone's life. Additionally, the Bible teaches that at death the spirit of man—which all human beings have—returns to God Who gave it.

The family and survivors grieve and are emotionally distraught over the tragic untimely death of a loved one, which is when one suddenly dies. This is especially true when during his/hers lifetime he/she knew little or nothing about life and death. Yet, was not a notorious sinner, but was considered an upright and good person, such as Pauline Short.

In such cases most people wonder that considering the particular circumstances is there any hope of eternal life for the one whose physical life was tragically cut short? So, they ask, "Why did it happen? What is God going to do?"

In the face of death we all wonder and ask the question: Is there life after death?" As recorded in the Bible, Job asked this same question: "If a man die, shall he live again?"

The Scriptures show that from God's perspective of death, that it is far different than man's fearful view of death. The Word of God teaches us that death is an enemy. Yes, the last enemy to be destroyed through the power of the resurrection, as has been revealed in God's great plan.

So, there is life after death! This life is in Jesus Christ; in Him and Him alone! Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. I am the Resurrection and the Life."

Job understood this profound Truth of God, because he answered his own question: "If a man die, shall he live again? All the days of my appointed time—that is in the grave—will I wait till my change come! You shall call, and I will answer you, You shall have the desire of the work of your hands!"

Just as we all die in Adam, even so in Christ Jesus shall all be made alive by the power of the resurrection, but everyone in his own order. From the creation of Adam and Eve no one, except Jesus Christ, has been raised from the dead to eternal life. That is why death is such a mystery.

Sixty-five years after His resurrection from the dead, Jesus again spoke in His final vision to the Apostle John, "Do not be afraid, I am the First and the Last, even the One Who is living, for I was dead, and behold, I'm alive into the ages of eternity. Amen. And I have the keys of the grave and of death."

Furthermore, God the Father has given to Jesus Christ the power and authority over life and death and the resurrection. Jesus said, "Truly, truly, I say to you that the hour is coming and now is when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God and they that hear shall live.

"For as the Father has life in Himself, so also has He given life to the Son to have life in Himself. And He—God the Father—has given Him—the Son—authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of God.

"Marvel not at this, for hour is coming in which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and they shall come forth. They that have done good unto a resurrection of life, and they have done evil unto a resurrection of judgment."

At this present time, the vast majority of people have not been called of God to receive the gift of eternal life. The Scriptures tell us, "Many are called, yet, few are chosen."

But God has a great plan; they will all be resurrected to a second physical life. At that time God will then grant them an opportunity—their first opportunity—for eternal life, which they did not have in their first life.

As we find in the Bible, God has made provision, a special one, for those who have not been called in this life, and for all those who died untimely deaths in infancy, in accidents and disaster, in war or disease. They will be resurrected to a new physical life in the flesh.

Although only understood by a few people, the book of Revelation tells us that there will be a second resurrection, which will take place after the thousand-year rule of Jesus Christ and the saints of the first resurrection.

 "Blessed and Holy is the one who has part in the first resurrection. Over these the second death has no power. But they shall be priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with Him for a thousand years."

Notice this next statement, because this is all important to answer the question: What is God going to do with all the people that have been, that have died and have not been called? Even in the Gospels Jesus said that they were not called! So, God has a special plan for them: the second physical life for their first opportunity for salvation. Notice:

"But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were completed." This is the second resurrection. In the second resurrection there will billions and billions raised by the power of God through Jesus Christ. This will be a fantastic thing to take place.

Everyone who died those untimely deaths, those who have been aborted, those who have been blow to smithereens in wars, those who have been beheaded with a guillotine, those who have died of plagues and things that have come upon the earth. God is going to raise them, billions raised by the power of God through Jesus Christ.

Then John saw this vision: "I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God and the books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the Book of Life," which is their opportunity for eternal life that they did not have in their first life.

In a special prophecy in Ezekiel, God describes in detail to him, the resurrection to a second life in the flesh.

"The hand of the Lord was upon me and brought me by the Spirit of the Lord and set me down in the midst of the valley and it was full of bones." Showing that those bones were people who had once lived and died!

"He made me walk among them all around and behold very many were in the open valley, and they were all very dry." To show that they had been dead for a long, long time!

"He said to me, 'Son of man, can these bones live?' And I answered, 'O Lord GOD, You know.' Again He said to me, 'Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, "O dry bones, hear the Word of the LORD. Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones…"'"

That shows the power of life, the power of the resurrection and revealing God's Plan for all of those who lived and died, but were not called; yet, had not committed the unpardonable sin.

"…'Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. I will lay sinews on you, and will bring up flesh on you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live. And you shall know that I am the LORD.'"

When that statement is made, that means that they're going to know God and have an opportunity for eternal life.

Here we find that a second physical life is fully described for those who died without an opportunity for salvation and eternal life.

Ezekiel continues, and just imagine Ezekiel looking at all those bones and wondering what's going to happen.

"So, I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a noise. And behold, a shaking! And the bones came together, a bone to its bone. And as I watched, behold the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them above. But there was no breath in them. And He said to me, 'Prophesy to the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, "Thus says the Lord GOD, 'Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain that they may live.'"'" Which is a second physical life!

"So, I prophesied as He commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army." Just as we read in Revelation!

There are billions and so many that there would be no place for them all.

Then God commanded Ezekiel, "Therefore, prophesy and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "Behold, O My people…"'"

The Bible says to the Israelites and Jew first, and then to the rest of the nations. What happens to Israel is going to happen to every nation on the earth.

"Thus says the Lord GOD, 'Behold, O My people, I will open your graves." Showing that they had once lived and died!

"I will cause you to come up out of your graves, and you shall know that I am the LORD when I have opened your graves, O My people, and have brought you up out of your graves. I shall put My Spirit in you."

This is the Spirit of God for eternal life! So, you see, God has not forgotten all those people. God has not forgotten Pauline Short, even though she was not called in this life. Yet, she was a good person, yet, she was wonderful mother. So, she will be in her grave and be in this resurrection for an opportunity for salvation.

These Scriptures describe a resurrection to a physical life for an opportunity for salvation and eternal life. Think about that!

You've heard this quoted how many times? "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever may believe on Him may have eternal life."

Here is how God is going to deal with all of those people that were not called at this time.

In His great love and wisdom, God has provided for a second resurrection in His awesome plan for mankind. Because God is love and He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Again, who will have all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the Truth. Therefore, at the set time God the Father will provide this second physical life in the flesh for all of those He did not call during this present age before the return of Christ.

So, there is hope, great hope! God will undo every evil, every sorrow, conquer every death through Jesus Christ our Lord. Therefore, we can take great comfort in the Lord and His love, and in His plan for all those who have died whom He did not call during this age.

In this second resurrection to a second physical life, God will grant them their first opportunity for salvation and eternal life, which they did not receive in their first life. All the billions of people down through history who have lived and died without the knowledge of Jesus Christ or did not have an opportunity for salvation and eternal life will be raised in this great resurrection, the great harvest of God.

Ultimately then, death will be destroyed. Death is the last enemy that will be conquered. The supreme love of God will be clearly manifested, for God the Father will give eternal life to all those who never had the opportunity in their first life. He will accomplish it through the power of the second resurrection and by His profound love and grace for each one He has created. No one will be forgotten!

As the Apostle Paul wrote, "For this cause I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He may grant you according to the riches of His glory. To be strengthened with the power by His Spirit in the inner man. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, and that being rooted and grounded in love, you may be able to fully comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height, and to know the love of God, which surpasses human knowledge so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

"To Him Who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that is working in us, to him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, even into that ages of eternity. Amen."

We can also say with the Apostle Paul, "Oh the depths of the riches of both the wisdom and knowledge of God, how unfathomable are His judgments. Unsearchable are His ways. For he who did know the mind of the Lord or who became His counselor, or gave to Him and it shall be recompensed to Him again. For from Him and through Him and unto Him are all things to Him be the glory into the ages of eternity. Amen."

Prayer: Father in heaven we thank you for your great plan and Your Truth, to be able to understand that You are going to bring salvation to all that have been born and died, and who have not committed the unpardonable sin. We thank You for that! We thank You for Pauline! We ask Your blessing upon Gloria, her brother and her husband and son, and those relatives who will come for the memorial at her home next week. We thank You for it, Father. We ask Your blessing and strength, Your knowledge and Truth, and Your goodness to all. We ask this in Jesus name, Amen!

The second memorial is for Judith Anderson, and she died this past week. She was one of the seven that began Christian Biblical Church of God 40 years ago. At that time we had: Robert and Esther Grisinger, Martha and Judy Anderson, Mavis Corin and Nancy and Manny and Teresa Pacheaco. That's how we started Christian Biblical Church of God in 1983.

So, she was special, and all of the others have since passed. Of her family, she is the last one to die. There are some cousins who are left and we will send this memorial to them, as well.

Remembrance of Judith Anderson
Born October 22, 1944
Died November 22, 2022

She is survived by Farrell and Marjorie McClintock. She was a faithful member of Christian Biblical Church of God for 40 years.

This service is in loving remembrance of Judith Anderson. Her spiritual goal in life was to love God the Father and Jesus Christ with all her heart, with all her mind, with all her strength and to serve. She loved and served her mother Martha Anderson for over twenty years after the death Martha's husband.

From creation throughout everyone's physical lifetime, it is God Who sustains everything on the earth and all mankind to have life, from our first breath to our last.

The Apostle John writes: "He is the God Who made the worlds and all things that are in it, being Lord of heaven and earth. He does not dwell in temples made by hands, nor is He served by the hands of men as though He needs anything.

For He gives to all life and breath and all things. He made one blood of all nations of men to dwell upon the face of the earth having determined before time their appointed times and boundaries of their dwellings in order that they might seek the Lord.

If perhaps they might feel after Him and find Him, though truly He is not far from each one of us. For in Him we live and move and have our being.

Yet, for all human life, the Scriptures tell us that there's a time to be born and a time to die. And at death, the spirit in man shall return to God Who gave it.

The Holy Bible reveals that God's perspective of death is far different than man's fearful view of death. The Lord declares that "precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints." The righteous has hope in his death. Again, "be faithful unto death and I will give you a crown of life." And again, "the righteous perishes and no man lays it to heart. Merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. He shall enter into his peace and they shall rest."

Because death is so final, grief fills our hearts over a loss of a loved one regardless of the circumstances of its occurrence. Death brings us face-to-face with the reality that human life is temporary. With death, we're confronted with the ultimate weakness of human beings. The helplessness that a life has come to an end, and that no human being of him or herself has the power to escape death or to overcome death except through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, our Creator the Lord God has revealed in His Scriptures that this physical life, which we now possess, is temporary, because it has been given to all human beings to die once. "It is appointed unto men once to die, for as in Adam all die."

After Adam and Eve had sinned, therefore bringing death to all their progeny, to all mankind in all ages, God said to Adam, "For dust you are and unto dust you shall return."

We are all physical, we are all made of the dust of the earth. Moreover, at the time of one's death, breath goes forth and he returns to the earth, and in that very day his thoughts perish.

In the face of death, and in the fear of death, all mankind has wondered and asked the question: Is there life after death? In the Scriptures we find that Job asked this question: "If a man shall die, shall he live again?" This is why death is such a mystery. No one except Jesus Christ has been raised from the dead to eternal life.

Jesus spoke in a vision to the Apostle Paul: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last, even the One Who is living, for I was dead, and behold, I'm alive into the ages of eternity. Amen. And I have the keys of the grave and death."

Furthermore, the Scriptures teach us that death is an enemy; yes, the last enemy that is to be destroyed through the power of the resurrection as revealed in God's Plan.

So then, the Scriptures reveal that there is life after death through the resurrection. This life is in Jesus Christ. In Him and Him alone! Jesus said, "I'm the Way, the Truth and the Life, and the Resurrection and the Life." Just all die in Adam, so also in Christ shall all be made alive, but each one in his own order: Christ the Firstfruit, then those who are Christ's at His coming.

God the Father has given power and authority of the resurrection to Jesus Christ. Jesus said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the hour is coming and now is when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear shall live. For even as the Father has life in Himself, so also has He given to the Son to have life in Himself."

He has also given Him authority to execute judgment because He is the Son of man. Do not wonder at this, for the hour is coming in which all who are in the grave shall hear His voice and shall come forth. Those who have practiced good unto a resurrection of life, and those who have practiced evil unto a resurrection of judgment.

At this time, during this age, only a few have been called to receive the gift of eternal life at the first resurrection, because they repent, love God, obey His Word and keep His commandments. These are the ones who are the called, chosen and faithful. They are the few.

We love God with all our hearts, with all our minds, and with all of our strength. But in God's great plan for all mankind, as revealed in His Scriptures, that in the coming age after Jesus returns to rule the world in love and righteousness, all who did not have an opportunity to receive salvation in this life will also be resurrected to also receive an opportunity for eternal life.

At this time, before the return of Jesus Christ, those who have been called during their lifetimes, and who have died in the faith—in Christ Jesus—as did Judith Anderson, will be raised to eternal life with all the saints in eternal glory at his second coming.

This is why Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, and the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in me, though he die, shall live again. And everyone who lives and believes in me shall not die forever.

While we have our sins forgiven through the death, shed blood of Jesus Christ and His resurrection, the faithful in Christ who die shall be saved by His life, because He Himself was raised from the dead by the power of God the Father; the Firstborn from the dead!

Now Christ has been raised from the dead and has become the Firstfruit of those who have fallen asleep; that is fallen asleep in Christ. For even by man came death, by man also came the resurrection of the dead, for as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the Firstfruit, then those who are Christ's at His coming.

Afterward the end comes when He shall have delivered up the Kingdom to Him Who is God and Father, when He shall have put an end to all rule and all authority and power, for it is ordained that He reign until He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

The very reason for the resurrection of the dead is to destroy death, the last enemy. As Paul wrote:

"So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body and there is a spiritual body. Accordingly, as it is written, the first man Adam became a living soul and the last Adam became an ever-living spirit. However the spirit was not first, but the natural, then the spiritual. The first man is of the earth made of dust. As we have born the image of the one made of dust, so shall we also bear the image of the heavenly One.

"Behold, I show you a mystery, we shall not all fall asleep, but we shall all be changed in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye at the last trumpet, For the trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be raised incorruptible and we shall be changed.

"Behold, what glorious love that the Father has given to us that we should be called the children of God. For this reason, the world does not know us because it did not know Him. Beloved, now are we the children of God and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is manifested, we shall be like Him, because we will see Him exactly as He is."

The Apostle Paul confirms this; he writes: "But for us the commonwealth of God exists in the heavens from where we are waiting for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ Who will transform our vial bodies that they may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the inner working of His own power whereby He is able to subdue all things to Himself."

Jesus Christ Himself declares these promises of God given through His prophets when He spoke of the glory that those in the resurrection to eternal life will have.

"They shall shine as the stars of heaven. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the Kingdom of their Father."

Jesus will return to the earth, establish the Kingdom of God on earth, and all the resurrected saints of the first resurrection will rule and reign with Him to bring a thousand years of love and peace to all mankind.

Because "the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout of command with the voice of an archangel, with the trumpet of God and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds for the meeting with the Lord in the air, and so shall we always be with the Lord. Therefore, encourage one another with these words."

As we started out, God views death differently than we do.

As the Scriptures reveal to us, death and the corruption of the flesh will be overcome.

"For this corruption must put on incorruptibility, and this mortal must put on immortality. When this corruptible shall have put on incorruptibility and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written, 'Death is swallowed up in victory!' O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory?

Quite a thing that's going to be that's going to take place! So, Paul continues to write:

"For this cause I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He may grant you according to the riches of His glory to be strengthened in power by His might in the inner man. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith. That being rooted and grounded in love, you may be able to fully comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height, and to know the love of Christ, which surpasses hum knowledge. So that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

"To him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that is working in us, top him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all generations, even into the ages of eternity. Amen."

The Apostle John was given the vision of this coming new heaven and new earth where the children of God will live forever with the Lord.

"Behold, the Tabernacle of God is with men and women made perfect, and He shall dwell with them, and they shall be His people. And God Himself shall be with them and be their God. And God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall not be no more death, or sorrow, or crying; neither shall there be any more pain, because the former things have passed away.

"And He Who sits on the Throne said, 'Behold, I make all things new.' Then He said to me, 'Write, for these words are true and faithful.' And He said to me, 'It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the one who thirsts, I will give freely of the fountain of the Water of Life. The one who overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son."

These Scriptures give us a greater understanding of these often quoted verses: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, so that every one who believe in Him may not perish, but may have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world that He might judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him."

Judith Anderson has fought the good fight! She has finished her course. She has kept the faith! Her mission is accomplished; she has passed her final exam being faithful unto death!

From this time forward a crown of righteousness is laid up for her, which the Lord the Righteous Judge shall give her in the day of her resurrection. Not to her only, but also to all who love His appearing. Amen.

Prayer: Father in heaven above, we know that we're coming to a time when there will be many of Your righteous saints who will die. Because You have promised You would keep them from the evil that is coming on the earth, which will be manifestly more evil than anytime in the history of mankind.

So, we thank You for Your precious calling. We thank You for Judith Anderson. We thank you for all the saints who are faithful. Bless them and watch over them, and see them, Father, safely into their grave. Because there are many of us who are approaching the end of this physical life, and we want to be faithful unto the end. So, guide us and bless us and help us, and be with everyone. We ask Your blessing now and commit her into Your hands in Jesus name. Amen.

(break@47:46)

What will it be like to be a spirit being? We will see the difference between and physical body and a spiritual body. Then we will see that with a spiritual body you can present yourself in different aspects as a spirit being.

1-Corinthians 15:42: "So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption…"

That is true! When a person dies and someone finds them, they have no temperature at all, and they're already deteriorating.

"…it is raised in incorruption" (v 42).

How is God going to do that? We know that when we die, the spirit of man that each one of us has goes back to God. He uses that as the means of giving us a spiritual body. What happens to the spirit of man when it goes to God? Let's look at it this way, the spirit of man has recorded on it everything:

• that we are
• that we have experienced
• that we have said
• that we have heard
• that we have seen

That's quite a thing!

It's a good thing that that spirit of man is not bringing up a lot of past thoughts all the time. It will occasionally.

Heb. 12 talks about coming before God and all of that sort of thing:

Hebrews 12:22: "But you have come to Mount Sion, and to the city of the living God, heavenly Jerusalem; and to an innumerable company of angels… [Rev. shows us that and what God is doing] …to the joyous festival gathering; and to the Church of the Firstborn…" (vs 22-23).

We know that Jesus was called—when He was born of Mary—the firstborn. When He was raised from the dead He was called the Firstborn from the dead, which tells us that Jesus was born again by the resurrection of the dead!

"…to the Church of the Firstborn registered in the Book of Life in heaven; and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the just who have been perfected" (v 23).

So, the spirit of man is much like what we would call a computer chip. How much can you put on a computer chip? They can put an awful lot on a thumb drive. You can take everything that we have on our website, if you get thumb drive that has enough space in it, you can put everything—audio, video, everything that on the website.

Consider this: When we were conceived, we were conceived from that which could not be seen. Yet, look at all of us now as grown adults. Look at how that has developed. So, when we die, that spirit of man goes back to God, and let's see where it is.

"…and to the spirits of the just who have been perfected" (v 23).

That has to be at the altar in heaven above. How much space is it going to take for God to store all of the spirit of man with the Spirit of God that everyone who has been called, chosen and faithful to be stored awaiting the resurrection? God is going to send that back to the earth so that we're resurrected.

Exactly how God is going to do that, that's a mystery! But we'll find out. We also know from the memorials that we covered that we who are alive will be changed in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye. That's what happens.

1-Corinthians 15:44[transcriber's correction]: "It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body."

The question remains: What can we do with a spiritual body? We know we're made in the image and likeness of God! We know that we're going to be the sons and daughters of God!

The quote goes clear back to Adam, because all human beings down through all time, through all races in all countries everywhere, it all started with Adam and Eve. It's quite amazing the process of creating human beings.

Verse 46: "However, the spiritual was not first, but the natural—then the spiritual. The first man is of the earth—made of dust. The second Man is the Lord from heaven" (vs 46-47).

Why does it talk about the two existing bodies?

• a physical body that comes from Adam
• a spiritual body referring to Christ.

Here's what's going to happen when God takes this spirit of man coupled with the spirit of God, and that is called perfected. It has no thought, no life or anything until it is put into a spiritual body. Let's see what it says about the spiritual body:

Philippians 3:20: "But for us, the commonwealth of God exists in the heavens, from where also we are waiting for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, Who will transform our vile bodies… [sown in corruption] …that they may be conformed to His glorious body…" (vs 20-21).

We will see that means we will have glory. The reason I'm bringing this up is because there are some who believe that in the first resurrection we will only be flesh and bone. Where did that come from? We'll look at that in just a bit! This says:

"…glorious body, according to the inner working of His own power… [this can only come about through the power of God] …whereby He is able to subdue all things to Himself" (v 21).

1-Corinthians 15:46: "However, the spiritual was not first…"

LDS (Mormons)[transcriber's correction] believe that all human beings existed in heaven and then God put them into a physical body on the earth.

That's not true, because that would put the spiritual first then the physical. You can't exist in heaven unless you're spiritual. So, that's a false doctrine.

"…the spiritual was not first, but the natural—then the spiritual. The first man is of the earth—made of dust. The second Man is the Lord from heaven. As is the one made of dust, so also are all those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly One, so also are all those who are heavenly" (vs 46-48).

That's when we become heavenly. We will see what that means in just a little bit.

Verse 49: "And as we have borne the image of the one made of dust… [look at yourself and here you are] …we shall also bear the image of the heavenly One. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God, nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I show you a mystery: we shall not all fall asleep, but we shall all be changed in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruptibility, and this mortal must put on immortality" (vs 49-53). Otherwise you can't be a son or daughter of God!

Verse 54: "Now, when this corruptible shall have put on incorruptibility, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: 'Death is swallowed up in victory.' O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory?" (vs 54-55). No, it won't be!

Let's talk about Adam and Eve. We're all made in the likeness and image of God, male and female in the flesh.

• How did God appear to Adam and Eve?
• Did He appear to them in His glory?
• Is it possible for a human being to see God in His glory?

Let's see something that God told Moses. This was after the children of Israel had sinned and made the golden calf and had their worship of the golden calf and their orgy and everything that took place with that.

Moses was pleading to God not to make 'me a great nation,' come with us. So, God said that He would. Then Moses said, "I want to see Your glory.' He had been able to see God when He wasn't in His glory. What was that like? Let's see what happened here:

Exodus 33:16: "For how shall it be known that I and Your people have found grace in Your sight? Is it not in that You go with us? So we shall be separated, I and Your people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.' And the LORD said to Moses, 'I will do this thing also that you have spoken, for you have found grace in My sight, and I know you by name.' And he said, 'I beseech You, show me Your glory'" (vs 16-18).

We are told right here in:

Verse 11: "And the LORD would speak to Moses face-to-face, as a man speaks to his friend."

How could that be when we read the rest of this?

Verse 19: "And He said, 'I will make all My goodness pass before you… [He didn't say glory] …and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before you. And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will have mercy on whom I will have mercy.' And He said, 'You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live'" (vs 19-20).

How did Moses talk to God face-to-face?

Verse 21: "And the LORD said, 'Behold, there is a place by Me, and you shall stand upon a rock. And it will be, while My glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by. And I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back parts. But My face shall not be seen'" (vs 21-23).

That sounds like a little contradiction, speak face-to-face, but 'My face you cannot see.'

• What are we dealing with?
• How does God Who is a glorified spirit being—namely Christ—come and talk face-to-face with human beings?

We will see that Luke 24 answers the question.

• How did God talk with Adam and Eve? He certainly didn't talk to them in His glory, because no man can see the glory of God and live! No man can look upon the face of God and live!
• How does God show Himself when He has to deal with people and does it directly?

This in Luke 24 takes place after Christ's resurrection. Who was the first one to see Jesus after His resurrection? Mary Magdalene (John 20)! When she first saw Him, she thought He was the gardener. Then when He spoke she understood it was Jesus. Jesus said:

Don't touch Me for I have not yet ascended to My Father and your Father. But go tell the disciples that I ascend to My Father and your Father, My God and your God!

Then He came and appeared! Remember that the disciples were afraid because the Jews would come and get them and accuse them of stealing the body of Jesus. They were afraid and in a room with the door closed and probably locked! What happened? Jesus appeared in their midst!

He wasn't in His glory, was He? Because they would have all been burned up!

Now there were two men who went down to Emmaus and Jesus went with them:

Luke 24:36: "Now, as they were telling these things, Jesus Himself stood in their midst and said to them, 'Peace be to you.'"

• How did He get there? They didn't open the door to let Him in! He just suddenly appeared!
• How does that happen? John 3!

Nicodemus didn't understand what Jesus was telling him about being born again, 'That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.' Jesus was the firstborn of Mary in the flesh, and He was born again in the spirit. Then He says of the Spirit:

John 3:7 "Do not be amazed that I said to you, 'It is necessary for you to be born again.' The wind blows where it wills…"

He's making a comparison here. Whenever the wind blows you can feel it. You can see the result of the wind, but have you ever seen wind? No, the only thing you can see is what the wind is carrying, but you can't see wind! Just like we breathe air. It's everywhere, but we can't see air.

"…and you hear its sound, but you do not know the place from which it comes and the place to which it goes; so also is everyone who has been born of the Spirit" (v 8).

When Jesus was raised from the dead, He was born of the Spirit called the Firstborn from the dead. This shows a power that spirit beings have. They can come and go as they please, and no one knows. We're told that we have guardian angels about us.

• How many have seen guardian angels? No!
• Have you been through experiences where you know that an angel had to have rescued you? Yes, indeed!

I know of one, because I rolled my car over at 75mph going north on Hwy. 5 and it rolled completely over and landed on it's wheels, and I didn't have my seatbelt on, and nothing happened to me. That had to be an angel to make that happen!

So, when Jesus came in and appeared to Him, He came in invisible, walked through the wall or the door. Then He manifested Himself so they could see Him! He didn't manifest Himself in glory and splendor, because His face shines like the sun when He's in full glory. But what did He have to prove to the disciples? That He was raised from the dead! So, let's see what happened:

Luke 24:36: "…Jesus Himself stood in their midst and said to them, 'Peace be to you.' But they were terrified and filled with fear, thinking that they beheld a spirit apparition…. [a demon] …Then He said to them, 'Why are you troubled? And why do doubts come up in your hearts? See My hands and My feet, that it is I. Touch Me and see for yourselves; for a spirit… [a demon] …does not have flesh and bones, as you see Me having'" (vs 36-39

Some read that and think that in the resurrection we're going to have flesh and bone. Stop and think about this: as human beings, what is the life of the flesh? The blood! He didn't say flesh and blood, He said "…flesh and bones…" Why is that?

This tells us that one who is spirit being with all the different powers that they have can manifest him or herself as a human being appears, but it appears to be flesh and bone and it is actually spirit, manifests in a way that it appears as flesh and bone.

We can understand that from this example, because Jesus came into the room and no one saw Him come in until He was standing in the midst! So, He said, "…flesh and bones…"

Verse 40: "And after saying this, He showed them His hands and His feet. But while they were still disbelieving and wondering for joy, He said to them, 'Do you have anything here to eat?' Then they gave Him part of a broiled fish and a piece of honeycomb" (vs 40-42).

Sidebar: Honey and fish tastes pretty good. Some people don't like it; I like it, tastes good.

Spirit beings can eat!

• What's going to happen with the resurrection and we're on the Sea of Glass?
• What are we all going to partake of?
• The marriage supper of the Lamb!

Remember what Jesus said concerning the wine on the Passover night? I won't drink of it again until I drink it anew with you in the Kingdom!

• What is it going to be like to be spirit beings?
• What kind of food are we going to have?
• What kind of wine are we going to have?
• The best ever!
• Who's going to wait the tables? The angels!

We will be spirit beings. Sprit beings don't always show off their glory. Spirit beings can reduce themselves down to be with human beings to appear as flesh and bone. But because they're spirit beings they don't need blood.

This is how God appeared to Adam and Eve. He didn't appear to them in His glory. So, when the serpent came along and said:

Listen, you're smart, you're good, you have a lot of understanding, you can eat of this tree to make you wise so you can decide for yourself good and evil.

So, at that time when God was walking in the garden, if He were a spirit being in His full glory what would have happened to the Garden of Eden with Him walking around. Everything around Him would be burned up to ashes. You have to go back to the Scripture where Jesus said to Moses, 'No man can look on My face and live,' which means no human flesh can be in the presence of a glorified God and live. So, this is why Jesus appeared as flesh and bone.

What kind of body will we have? Let's see what Daniel said:

Daniel 12:2: "And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake… [the resurrection, so God looks at dead as being asleep] …some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt."

This doesn't tell you a time frame when that's going to happen. That's saved for Rev. 20.

Verse 3: "And they who are wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they who turn many to righteousness shall shine as the stars forever and ever."

That means you have a glorified body! But will you have the control for dealing with people, as we will be dealing with during the Millennium. You're not going to appear to them in glory, because you'll burn them up! So, you appear as a human being, as they would view it: flesh and bone. We will have the ability to appear and disappear. We will have the ability to manifest ourselves as human beings while we're talking to them, or manifest ourselves with glory as we come to talk to God.

What is it like to be a spirit being means that you have the power to manifest for what the occasion calls for!

Matthew 13:43—Jesus said: "Then shall the righteous,,, [those in the first resurrection] …shine forth as the sun… [showing we will have glory] …in the Kingdom of their Father. The one who has ears to hear, let him hear."

It cannot be said that in the resurrection that the only thing we're going to have appears like flesh and bone. If we're going to shine like the sun… How long can you look at the sun, directly looking into it? Not very long, a couple seconds at most! If you stood there and stared at the sun you would soon lose your sight. How far away is the sun from the Earth? 93-million miles away! So, what is it going to be like to shine like the sun? We need to think about that!

1-John 3:1: "Behold! What glorious love the Father has given to us, that we should be called the children of God! … [that means we have to be resurrected as spirit beings] …For this very reason, the world does not know us because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are the children of God, and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be; but we know that when He is manifested, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him exactly as He is" (vs 1-2). How does He appear?

Revelation 1:12: "And I turned to see the voice that spoke with me; and when I turned, I saw seven golden lampstands; and in the midst of the seven lampstands…" (vs 12-13).

That means they were in a circle! What we see as a menorah that belongs in the tabernacle with seven candlesticks… They don't have wax candles as we look at them, they have a wick in them and they're just a little cup with olive oil. There's enough olive oil for it to burn all night. This is a lampstand and they are in a circle so Christ is standing in the midst of them. That means that Christ is in the midst of His Church wherever it is; that is spiritually speaking!

"…One like the Son of man, clothed in a garment reaching to the feet, and girded about the chest with a golden breastplate. And His head and hair were like white wool, white as snow; and His eyes were like a flame of fire; and His feet were like fine brass, as if they glowed in a furnace; and His voice was like the sound of many waters. And in His right hand He had seven stars, and a sharp two-edged sword went out of His mouth… [that's the Word of God] …and His countenance was as the sun shining in its full power" (vs 13-16).

It says that Jesus quoted first person that those who are in the Kingdom shall shine forth as the sun. what does it say of Jesus right here? As the sun in its full power! That's quite a thing to understand. This was so awesome, look at what John did when saw it:

Verse 17: "And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as if dead; but He laid His right hand upon me, saying to me, 'Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last, even the One Who is living; for I was dead, and behold, I am alive into the ages of eternity. Amen. And I have the keys of the grave and of death'" (vs 17-18).

So, there's only going to life through Christ! This is what it's going to be like as spirit beings.

John 17 is one of the most amazing parts of the Bible, because this is the intimate prayer just before Jesus was to be taken off and tried and crucified. We won't read the whole thing, but what we will do is read some of the prayer of Jesus as it relates to us.

John 17:11: "And I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I am coming to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, those whom You have given Me, so that they may be one, even as We are one."

That's the whole goal of everything! That means we have to be like Them in order to see Them as they are! We have to be like Christ! We can't be anything else. We can't be flesh and blood, because no one can see the glory of God and live. No one can look upon His face and live. Rev. 22 says that we see the Father directly!

Verse 12—Jesus says: "When I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. I protected those whom You have given Me, and not one of them has perished except the son of perdition, in order that the Scriptures might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to You…" (vs 12-13)—to the Father!

This prayer comes down to every one of us to know that this prayer is for each one of us!

"…and these things I am speaking while yet in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in them. I have given them Your words, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You would take them out of the world… [sometimes we wish that] …but that You would keep them from the evil one" (vs 13-15).

That's one of the main goals for us today, to be kept from the evil one. Remember, it says that Satan is deceiving the whole world.

Verse 16: "They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them… [make them Holy] …in Your Truth; Your Word is the Truth" (vs 16-17).

Now you know why it's so important to study the Word of God. Once we learn something, that doesn't mean we know everything about it. That's why we go back and study, restudy and all of these things come together. Through what we learn through our experiences and everything we go through, we understand more when we go back and read this.

I understand more of John 17 than I ever have up to this point. It is an amazing thing. This intimate prayer between Jesus and the Father for us is recorded and give to us!

Verse 18: "Even as You did send Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, so that they also may be sanctified in Your Truth. I do not pray for these only, but also for those who shall believe in Me through their word" (vs 18-20).

So, this prayer goes all the way down through time for all those whom God calls. That prayer will be fulfilled for all who are His. Notice the whole purpose of it; this is why we're going to be spirit beings as God is spirit. Yes, we can manifest ourselves as flesh and bone, but that doesn't mean we are restricted to that.

Verse 21: "That they all may be one, even as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us… [think about what that's going to mean; be one in Christ and the Father] …in order that the world may believe that You did send Me. And I have given them the glory that You gave to Me… [a prophetic perfect, as good as done, the glory that we will have] …in order that they may be one, in the same way that We are one: I in them, and You in Me, that they may be perfected into one; and that the world may know that You did send Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me" (vs 21-23).

Notice what Jesus desires and what He's working for with the people whom He calls.

Verse 24: "Father, I desire that those whom You have given Me may also be with Me where I am, so that they may behold My glory, which You have given Me; because You did love Me before the foundation of the world.… [then He finishes the prayer]: …Righteous Father, the world has not known You, but I have known You, and these have known that You did send Me. And I have made known Your name to them, and will make it known; so that the love with which You have loved Me may be in them, and I in them" (vs 24-26).

When we are spirit beings, we will have manifold ways of appearing to people, to God, to each other, and however God shows us we need and how we're going to do it.

We're not restricted to just being flesh and bone in the resurrection. But we are give glory to shine as the sun!

Scriptural References:

• 1-Corinthians 15:42
• Hebrews 12:22-23
• 1-Corinthians 15:44, 46-47
• Philippians 3:20-21
• 1-Corinthians 15:46-55
• Exodus 33:16-18, 11, 19-23
• Luke 34:36
• John 3:7-8
• Luke 24:36-42
• Daniel 12:2-3
• Matthew 13:43
• 1 John 3:1-2
• Revelation 1:12-18
• John 17:11-26

Scriptures referenced, not quoted:

• John 20
• Revelation 20; 22

FRC:bo
Transcribed: 12/1/22

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