“For our conversation (i.e. whole lifestyle!) is in Heaven from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ; who shall change our vile bodies that it may be fashioned like unto His GLORIOUS BODY according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself.” (Philippians 3:20-21)
Definition of the term: Glorification is the future STATE of perfect, sinless conformity of the true born again believer to the image of the Lord Jesus Christ – both as to body AND soul – as our text above clearly teaches, and Scripture confirms. (1 Corinthians 15:51-58) (Romans 8:30)
Glorification: Glorification is indeed the last state, or the perfection of the work of God’s Sanctification – of the believer’s body and soul – when these present bodies of humiliation will be conformed to be as Christ’s resurrected and exalted Body of glory, and sin no more.
We shall, thereafter, be like Christ (i.e. truly ‘Christian’!) in the proper sense of the description. We shall receive, at that time, new bodies for these old bodies of sin; immortal bodies, which shall endure throughout all Eternity without sickness, sin, or death! What a prospect! What an expectation! Hallelujah! What a Saviour! Saved to the uttermost!
(Romans 7:14-24) (Hebrews 7:25)
Glorification: Glorification is a future event of Biblical eschatology (i.e. the events of the ‘end times’); and shall take place when the Lord Jesus Christ RETURNS to take His Bride, the true Church, Home to be with Him always. “…Even so, come Lord Jesus!…” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) (Matthew 24:30-42) (Psalm 17:5)
Christ is even now preparing a place for His Bride, the Body of born again believers, to take us to live with Him in perfect splendor. (John 14:1-3)
May we be found faithful to our Bridegroom when He comes. Amen. (Psalm 27:14)
Glorification: Glorification, or what we can comprehend of such a Heavenly concept with these finite, earthly minds, should inspire the believer to PURIFY his/her lifestyle now; even while living in these mortal bodies of corruption and sin. (1 Corinthians 2:9)
We who are Spiritually REGENERATE should, as a consequence, have a God-given desire for the perfect holiness we shall one day be granted when Christ returns as the Lion of the tribe of Judah, to take us to Heaven. After all, this is only our, “…reasonable service…”! Then, we shall be GLORIFIED with Him. (Romans 12:1-2) (1 Thessalonians 4:1-8)
(1 Peter 1:13-16) (Psalm 42:1-2)
At that time, “…in the twinkling of an eye…”, these corrupted bodies will be changed into the Eternal glorified state of sinlessness and incorruption. These mere mortal bodies shall become immortal in a mere moment of time, and shall remain thus throughout all the timeless eons of Eternity. Praise the Lord! (1 Corinthians 15:51-58)
“‘Tis then, and only then we’ll sing;
Oh Death, where is thy sinful sting?”
Glorification: Glorified believers shall experience blessings with God forever, in bodies which neither hunger or decay; nor feel pain or grief. (Revelation 21:1-7)
They shall do so, I believe, at the resurrection of the just (i.e. justified by faith!), when Christ appears, “…in the air…” to receive us for His own. (John 5:29a) (1Thessalonians 4:17) (Luke 14:14) (Daniel 12:2) (Revelation 20:4-6)
Unbelievers (according to this school of thought on the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ) shall also be resurrected and receive immortal bodies, at the resurrection of the damned, following the Millennium period. However, they shall be banished from God’s Presence to be tormented by fire forever. (Revelation 20:5a)
This is, I believe, what God’s Word refers to as the Second Death – banishment from the Presence and compassion of God for Eternity. (Revelation 20:11-15) (John 5:29b)
Glorification: The Scriptural doctrine of Glorification brings much hope and inspiration, therefore, to all whom, by God’s grace, have been ‘born again’ of God through the Saviour, Jesus Christ. (Acts 4:12)
It also cries out the Gospel warning to those poor souls outside of Christ’s Kingdom to, “Seek ye the Lord, while He may be found…” Eternity will be forever – I wonder where the reader will spend Eternity? Heaven or Hell? Praise God for glorification! (Isaiah 55:6) (Matthew 11:28-30)
Note: Needless to say, there are many varied schools of thought on the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. My own fully persuaded beliefs favour the Pre-Millennialist view, yet also include a VISIBLE RAPTURE (translation) of the Church to meet the Lord, “…in the air…”. The above doctrinal studies are my own personal conclusions, arrived at after many years of personal study of God’s Word, the Bible, ALONE.
(2 Timothy 2:15)
However, whatever school of thought believers become “…fully persuaded…” in for themselves, we must always respect the other believer’s sincerely held view. (Romans 14:5)
Secondary doctrines like the Millennialist views of the Second Coming of the Lord are NOT separation issues!
Every believer must hold his/her views in a spirit of humility and grace, praising God that we ALL agree on the fundamental doctrine of the Lord’s return. Glory to the Living Lord God, in Christ Jesus.
(Revelation 22:20-21) (Revelation 22:12)
This, therefore, is the Scriptural and Reformed doctrine of Glorification – a future event for today’s living Church. Go forth in the true hope it brings to our Christian souls. Praise be to God for such a blessed truth.
Amen. And again we cry, ‘Amen! Come Lord Jesus, come!’ Amen.