Last Sunday at the sunrise service I mentioned that the resurrection of Christ is the grounds of our hope for a future resurrection.  One of the things that I have found over the years in ministry is how the hope of heaven is seen as our spirits going to be with the Lord after we die, rather than the resurrection of our bodies in the New Creation. 

Scripture speaks very little about our spirits being in heaven with the Lord.  While I am not suggesting that this is not true, nor that we should not be comforted with such a reality, I am suggesting that the overwhelming hope, according to the New Testament, for believers in Christ is a future day of resurrection and a restored physical creation (Romans 8, 1 Cor 15, Phil 3, Rev 21-22).

Paul does speak of being with the Lord upon the death of the body.  In Philippians 1:22, Paul says that “if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful work for me; and I don’t know which one I should choose…I have a desire to depart to be with Christ, which is far better…”  Again in 2 Corinthians 5:8 Paul points to the reality of being absent from the body and at home with the Lord. 

One needs to keep in mind that the “preference” Paul speaks of in these verses is in comparison to life here in a fallen world.  Remaining here on earth (in its fallen condition) verses going to be with the Lord, well who wouldn't prefer being with the Lord?  But in saying this, Paul does not mean that this is the ultimate hope and reality for the believer.

Hope for the Christian is not some mystical, heavenly presence with Christ where everything is white, surrounded by clouds, harps playing in the background, eating grapes, while everyone eternally gazes into a bright light singing “Hallelujah” over and over again.  This is hardly our “glorification.” 

The hope for the Christian is that just as Jesus’ body came walking out of a grave…so will yours if you are in Christ.  Paul proclaims that the dead will be raised “imperishable” (1 Cor 15:52), and that God will raise us up in power (1 Cor 6:14).  Even Jesus emphasizes the future hope of the resurrection (Matthew 22:30-31, Luke 14:14, John 5:28-29, 11:25).

This is why the funeral of a believer is an occasion of joy (he or she is with the Lord in spirit) but is also an occasion of great sorrow (the body is separated from the Spirit awaiting the final day).  Paul makes this clear in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.

The comfort for these believers was the future resurrection, not spirits in heaven.  Paul does not write to these confused, grieving Christians and say “take comfort that their spirits are in heaven with Jesus.” [Though I’m not denying there is comfort in this]. 

Rather, Paul tells them to encourage one another in the reality that the same body that walked out of a Palestinian tomb will one day split the sky and those who have “fallen asleep” will be resurrected.  That is our ultimate hope!  And that will be quite the “son rise” service!

Pastor Wes