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There is a consistent testimony in scripture that there will be a resurrection, and that there is to be a resurrection body. The resurrection body is not merely the continuation of the soul and spirit, but a "clothing" of the soul and spirit, as the current body is, but far greater (1 Cor. 15:53-53, 2 Cor. 5:1-5. The body that is to come when Christ returns is not like the present body, it is not sexual but like the angels (Luke 20:34-38), it is not flesh and blood (1 Cor. 15:50, Heb. 2:14, 9) but is spiritual (1 Cor. 15:44) and immortal (1 Cor. 15:53). Clearly the glorified resurrection body that is to come is not merely like the body of Jesus prior to his ascension (he was glorified when he ascended, Eph. 4:8-10, 1 Tim. 3:16), else there would be no "mystery" (1 Cor. 15:51, 35-44). Jesus took up his body, and then was transformed, glorified. For those who die in the Lord the same process will occur, they will take up their body again at the Lord's return (John 5:28-29) and then be transformed, glorified. For the Lord there was a forty day interval between taking up his body and being glorified, for the sake of his disciples and the church to come, but for the saints the process will be momentary, instantaneous (1 Thess. 4:16-17, 1 Cor. 15:51-52). Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2 NIV
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