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Read Introduction to 1 Corinthians

 

39 “All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of animals, another of fish, and another of birds. 40 There are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 41There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory.”

 

Paul now answers the second question of verse 35 – “With what body do they come?” Assuming there is a resurrection, what is the nature of the resurrection body? Paul answers this question in verses 39-49.

15:39

All flesh is not the same flesh,

Now Paul argues from biology or zoology. There is an amazing variety of earthly bodies, but not all flesh is of the same kind. No flesh mutates into another form of life. Each species has its own identity and suitability for each entity.

but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of animals, another of fish, and another of birds.

Paul now turns to animal life to distinguish different substances of flesh: men, animals, fish, and birds. Since there are different organizations among bodies and different kinds of bodies among animals, there can be different types of human bodies – a natural body and a glorified body.

15:40

There are also celestial bodies and terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.

The illustration now changes from biology and zoology to astronomy. The same is true with celestial bodies (heavenly bodies) – they differ in brightness. Terrestrial bodies are earthly bodies. There is a marked difference between heavenly and earthly bodies. Heavenly bodies shine, but earthly bodies do not. The glory of mortal human bodies is different from that of immortal human bodies.

15:41

There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory.

There is a difference in the luster of celestial bodies. The sun shines with much greater brightness than the moon. Sun glory originates its brightness; moon glory is a reflected light. There are billions of stars, and none of them identical. There is glory, but there is individuality. In heaven, each of us will have his own personality. No two people are alike, and God likes it that way. Man wants uniformity, but God wants diversity. Every snowflake is different.

PRINCIPLE:

Our glorified body is perfectly suited for heaven.

APPLICATION:

Not all bodies are alike. Human bodies are not like bird bodies. Since there is a vast array of bodily forms suited for many kinds of existence, God created the resurrection body for an eternal existence.

Oh, we have a wonderful future. What marvelous things are ahead for the child of God! Death, sickness, and disease will all be gone. We groan in this body (Ro 8:23), but the glorified body awaits us – no more artificial limbs, no more false teeth, no more glasses, and no more toupees! We do not yet possess everything Jesus bought for us on the cross. Each of us will retain our identity in our resurrection body. We will maintain our personality, albeit minus the sin capacity. I will know you, and you will know me.

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