OBC-LAD-3

LIFE AFTER DEATH – Lesson 3 – What Body Will We Have – Part II

At the transfiguration of Jesus Christ according to the account of Matthew, there was a

noticeable change in the physical appearance of our Savior. On this occasion Jesus had taken three of his disciples upon a high mountain. Peter, James, and John saw a physical

change take place that allowed them to know that Jesus was still present. In His change He was given a spiritual body, which they still recognized as the Savior. They were also able to identify visually two other well known Bible characters. They recognized Moses and Elijah and were able to hear them speak, though they no longer were a part of this physical life. These disciples were able to see a little glimpse of the life to come and more importantly the glory of the Savior that God the Father had bestowed upon His Son.

(Matthew 17:1-7; Mark 9:2-10; Luke 9:28-36)

We have been studying from the Apostle Paul’s account of the life to come in the context of I Corinthians chapter fifteen. The previous lesson along with this one centers around the necessary change that must take place for us to enter into eternal life. We have noticed that there is not only a difference in the types of bodies that mankind, animals, plants, and planets have in this physical existence, but also that for you and me there will

be a new body given to us after death. Let us explore then this idea of our new body.

Looking back to verses 51 and 52 of I Corinthians 15 note this use of the word “change”. In the original Greek it means, “to make other, alter”. It is used 6 times in the New Testament. (Young’s Analytical Concordance To The New Testament – P. 154) One of those passages is found in Philippians 3:21 where the New King James Version

reads, “who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.” This passage from Philippians is important to our study. The word is used here to mean, “to make another form”. It is from the word “metaschematizo” (Greek). Think of our change being something like a caterpillar escaping from its cocoon and becoming a beautiful butterfly. Just as it has to struggle to be free, so we must struggle in this life to prepare for the life to come. We must in fact struggle to be free from this temporary house or tent, so that we might show the full beauty that God will allow us to display.

We will be like God’s Son in our appearance. This transformation will allow you and me to be “fashioned anew”. (Revised Version – reference only) We have begun the process of our change in becoming a New Testament Christian when we were buried with Him in baptism for the remission of our past sins. As we live for Him now we are given the opportunity to become like Him in His character. The final and permanent change will come when he returns to bring His saints home. If we die before His return we will be changed and yet we will still be recognizable for who we were in this life. Paul has painted for us a picture of the change that will come. But, as to that exact and final finished product or what we will be, we will just have to wait and see!

Keep studying.

Monday September 3^rd., 2007

In His Service,

Larry R. Scott, minister

LIFE AFTER DEATH – Lesson 3 – What Body Will We Have? – Part II

(All scriptures taken from King James Version unless noted)

1. In Philippians 3:21 Paul speaks of our vile body being changed into what kind of

body? __________________

2. Was Jesus transformed in the sight of Peter, James, and John? _________

(Matthew 17:2)

3. “His face did shine as the _______, and his raiment was white as ________.”

(Matthew 17:2)

4. “And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow, so as no __________

on earth can white them.” (Mark 9:3)

5. What does the word “fuller” mean? _______________________________________

______________________________________________________ Consult a Bible

Dictionary

6. What were Moses and Elijah talking to Jesus about? __________________________

____________________________ (Luke 9:31)

7. Are death and the Judgment a certainty? ______________ (Hebrews 9:27)

8. Do you have other questions about something we have studied up to this point?

_____________________________________________________________________

Student’s name _________________________ Date ___________________________

Instructor: Larry R. Scott

Notes: ________________________________________________________________

Grade _________