I have a question. If it's going to happen that, in the twinkling of an eye we will be transformed into our new spiritual bodies and become immortal eternal beings... (1 Corinthians 15:52-53) ....
Edward, I realize that is the way those scriptures are traditionally interpreted and taught, that we receive our OWN glorified spiritual bodies; but I no longer follow that interpretation of those passages in 1 Cor 15. When I read through that chapter without all other presuppositions, I see a picture of a bride being clothed with Christ.
Galatians 3:27
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:54
So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
When this corruption of our flesh shall have put on incorruption, or in other word is clothed with the Spirit of Christ. then death is swallowed up in victory, and we have overcome.
Consider also the new garment; the same garment as putting the immortality of the Spirit of Christ onto this mortal body.
Revelation 3:5
He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
He that overcometh, the same is clothed in white raiment, clothed in incorruption, clothed in the Spirit of Christ. They have been clothed in a new garment, replacing the gospel armor that the corruptible wear for their warfare against death.
Then please tell me why a Tree of Life is needed in Heaven?
The Tree of Life and the River of Life which is described in Revelation 22 is in the New Jerusalem, that's what it's talking about. But if we have immortal bodies then why would we need to eat and drink ti have sternal life?
Revelation 2:17
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
Revelation 3:12
Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
Revelation 21:9-10
And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
New Jerusalem, that great city is the bride, the Lamb's wife. He who has overcome is said to be made a pillar in the temple of that city.
Revelation 2:7
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches;
To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
For those who have put on Christ, those you ask about in 1 Cor 15:52-53, they feed now from the fruit given from the tree of life in its season, and it feeds their spirit. They neither hunger nor thirst for the word of knowledge. But remember also described in 1 Cor 15, it is not just about those who are raised up with a celestial body, but others also who of a terrestrial body. They are those raised in Christ, but they haven't truly been born again, they haven't put on the spirit. They believe in Jesus, but they remain of the flesh feasting upon the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; they are never satisfied, they remain hungered, always feeding the flesh with knowledge to their own glory, cut off from the tree of life as was Adam and Eve.
As Paul describes these seeds being raised up with different body, both Jesus and the prophet Daniel describe these these two bodies, the celestial and the terrestrial.
1 Corinthians 15:40
There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.
1 Corinthians 15:42
So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
John 5:28
Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
All that are in the graves, these mortal bodies that are seeking to put on immortality.
John 5:29
And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the
resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the
resurrection of damnation.
Daniel 12:2
And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth
shall awake,
some to everlasting life, and
some to shame and everlasting contempt.
2 Corinthians 4:7
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
Not trying preach anything, just letting you know that I see the passage in 1 Corinthians 15 differently than what is often taught. I see that passage as a description of the marriage with the Spirit of Christ. He is the incorruptible that this corruptible mortal body must put on to overcome; a treasure we hold in this earthen vessel. I have posted other scriptures that come to mind when I consider these passages. As some would like to say these scripture are unrelated or that I'm taking things out of context, then maybe I should make a disclaimer that all scripture posted is given with the understanding that anyone reading these scripture references has the capacity to go and read them in full context for themselves. They are enough to convey the thought.
