Glorification
"And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified" (Romans 8:30).
Glorification is the third step in the justification-sanctification-glorification chain. Glorification has not yet occurred; it occurs at Christ's return. Paul describes it this way: "For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality" (1 Corinthians 15:52-53).
Our own physical bodies will experience glorification. We will not be changed into some sort of spirit-entity as many of the cults teach. Jesus Himself demonstrated this when He appeared to the disciples after the resurrection: "Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, 'Peace be with you!' Then He said to Thomas, 'Put your finger here; see My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe'" (John 20:26-27). Luke 24:29 also affirms that the glorified body is not a mere spirit-body; if it were, Christ would be a deceiver since He claimed that it was His own body: "They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, 'Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at My hand and My feet. It is I Myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.'"
It is at the time of glorification that the sanctification process is fully complete -- our bodies will be changed, the old sin nature will be eliminated, and we will see the risen Christ in all his glory: "Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known" (1 Corinthians 13:12).
"Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life" (2 Corinthians 5:2-4).
Glorification is the third step in the justification-sanctification-glorification chain. Glorification has not yet occurred; it occurs at Christ's return. Paul describes it this way: "For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality" (1 Corinthians 15:52-53).
Our own physical bodies will experience glorification. We will not be changed into some sort of spirit-entity as many of the cults teach. Jesus Himself demonstrated this when He appeared to the disciples after the resurrection: "Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, 'Peace be with you!' Then He said to Thomas, 'Put your finger here; see My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe'" (John 20:26-27). Luke 24:29 also affirms that the glorified body is not a mere spirit-body; if it were, Christ would be a deceiver since He claimed that it was His own body: "They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, 'Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at My hand and My feet. It is I Myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.'"
It is at the time of glorification that the sanctification process is fully complete -- our bodies will be changed, the old sin nature will be eliminated, and we will see the risen Christ in all his glory: "Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known" (1 Corinthians 13:12).
"Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life" (2 Corinthians 5:2-4).