Mortal Swallowed up in Life
by Hugh DeLong
Text: II Corinthians 5
The resurrection of Jesus is the pattern for us, for we will be raised in immortal or changed form if alive at His coming. (Romans 8:11; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; II Corinthians 4:14)
Thus, the first part of this chapter. In this mortal body, we long for it to be different. We live in bodies that are appointed (because of sin) to die (Hebrews 9:27). It is always the body that dies, that is mortal. (Again Romans 8:11; James 2:26)
Notice the parallel with II Peter 1 and the putting off of this tent. While the Greeks longed to be free of the body, the purpose of God was that we are one – we were complete Spirit and body. Yet, the curse of death brought all manner of weakness and problems. So, unlike the Greek concept, we do not just long to be rid of the body – to be ‘unclothed’.
There has been now for 2000+ years, and the problem of death continues. The situation is that as long as we are in this body (before the second coming), we are absent from the Lord. That is, we are here in this realm, and He is present in that Spiritual realm. While He is with us (Matthew 28:18-20), He and the Father make their abode with us (John 14:23). In this sense, He is with us, in us, and we in Him, but the body will yet die. It is so appointed (Hebrews 9:27).
At that point, we are ‘absent from the body’, but present with the Lord. But that is not our final destined situation, for there is yet to be the resurrection of the body (or the changing of the body if we are alive at His coming).
What was it like for Adam and Eve before they sinned? In this earthly tent, they lived in the very presence of God. He ‘walked with them’, ‘talked with them’. Death entered because of sin. Note the repetitious ‘and he died’ in Genesis 5!
The current danger is trying to understand what the eternal will be. Not ‘unclothed’ (without bodies) spirits on a cloud playing harps – but a new heaven and new earth wherein dwells righteousness (II Peter 3). Our eternal city where there is no sickness or death (Revelation 21:4).
There is so much that we don’t know that hasn’t been revealed. Yet, we know that the death of our mortal bodies is not the end. We will be raised (the body will be raised – or changed). It will be fit for eternal life in the presence of God. Don’t miss it!
