After being resurrected, Jesus appeared among the disciples. And when they saw him, they were surprised and “thought they were seeing a spirit” (verse 37).
When Jesus returns (John 14:1-3; Revelation 22:20) we will be transformed and will be with Him “in our own body”. This can be learned from Luke 24:36 to 43. After being resurrected, Jesus appeared among the disciples. And when they saw him, they were surprised and “thought they were seeing a spirit” (verse 37). But Jesus said, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your heart? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: feel me and check, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see that I have” (verses 38 and 39).
As the Lord said this, he showed them his hands and feet, so they could see that the Savior was made of flesh and bones (verse 40). And, because they still didn’t believe it, he asked for something to eat. The disciples presented him with a piece of fish and a honeycomb and he ate in their presence! (verses 41 to 43).
Since Christ is the “firstborn from the dead” (Revelation 1:5), that is, the first in importance, His resurrection serves as a model for the resurrection of all the righteous. Just as Christ ascended to Heaven with a glorified body, we will also have a glorified body (Philippians 3:20, 21) so that we can have a normal life in paradise, where we can touch the people we love and even feed ourselves. In Matthew 26:29 Christ tells the disciples that “he would no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when he would drink again with them in the kingdom of God.” We clearly see that in heaven we will be “real” people, not “disembodied spirits”. We will have bodies transformed into the image of the glorious body of Jesus (Philippians 3:20 and 21; 1 Corinthians 15:51 to 53).
Have you ever thought how bad it would be if, when you went there, you hugged a loved one and your arms “crossed” the “spirit” of the person you love so much? Life would be very sad! Let us give thanks to Jesus that His plans for us are much better than those presented by spiritualism. Let’s look at another verse:
“I tell you that many will come from East and West and will sit at table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 8:11).
If we are going to meet Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in Heaven, it is more than obvious that we will recognize our loved ones! These facts (drinking grape juice and sitting at the table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) teach that in Heaven we will be fed – clear evidence that we will be real beings and not “spirits”. Furthermore, the Bible says we will eat from the tree of life (Revelation 22:2).
Another fact that leads us to conclude that in Heaven we will be known is that Jesus, after His resurrection, was known. We will be transformed by God (our mortal bodies will be clothed with immortality – see 1 Corinthians 15:51-53), but our individuality and personality will be preserved. For God there would be no grace if we were not ourselves. He loves us the way we are.
Although our individuality will be preserved, our character will be transformed into a pure character. But this will not make us forget who we are and who our loved ones are. We will not suffer any kind of “brainwashing”. The day will soon come when the dead will be resurrected (John 5:28-29) and caught up to heaven (1 Corinthians 15:51-53; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18), where we can live in a way as wonderful as we never dreamed.
So don’t miss this chance. Accept Jesus as your personal savior, believe in His death and resurrection and give your heart to God: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to his house and dine with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20). By doing this you will be preparing yourself for eternity.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
Biblia.com.br Team