For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home isdestroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal inthe heavens. (2 Cor 5:1 ESV)

I've pondered this before and I will probably ponder itagain. When we get to heaven, before the resurrection of the dead, are we goingto have bodies? I've heard preachers say different things and most of the Reformedsay that we will be in an intermediate state. That is probably because theyquote the Westminster Catechism (32:1). But verse 3 clearly says that we willnot be found naked. The NLT goes even further by saying, “For we will put on heavenly bodies;we will not be spirits without bodies.” The clear implication of the verse isthat we will have some kind of body in heaven. The NLT clearly conveys thisidea but it is not what the Greek says.

If this were the only verse in the Bible that helpsunderstand this, it would be puzzling because it isn't crystal clear. However,I can look at one other passage in the Bible that doesn’t speak directly to thisbut provides information. This comes from the transfiguration (Matt 17:2-4, Mark9:2-5). On the mount, Jesus talks with Moses and Elijah. They both appear inbodily form without any mention of being transfigured like Jesus. OK, Elijahdidn't die so sure, he could have a body. Moses died and it says God buried him(Deut 34:6). Yet the disciples were able to identify both. They appeared to bepeople. They weren't spirits and they had some kind of body.

My conclusion is that in heaven before we are united withour resurrected body, we will have some kind of body. What it is and what itcan do is beyond me, but we will be recognized and recognize others.

Thank you, Lord, that this body will not be the one I livein forever.

Copyright by Ray Ruppert