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NASB | Romans 8:23 And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 8:23 And not only this, but we too, who have the first fruits of the Spirit [a joyful indication of the blessings to come], even we groan inwardly, as we wait eagerly for [the sign of] our adoption as sons--the redemption and transformation of our body [at the resurrection]. [2 Cor 5:2, 4; Eph 4:30] |
Bible Question:
Hello, I really need clarification on this, I have read in the bible that it says to be absent from the body is to be present with the lord and on the other hand it says if when Jesus returns the dead in christ will rise first. If we are already there with the lord when we died then how come the died in christ will rise first? Please help |
Bible Answer: Hi Towanda, 2Co 5:6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) 8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Paul implies by his statements that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, however, what he actually says is that it's his preference to be absent from the body and present with the Lord. I believe that what he means is that we will be present with the Lord when we die. Then, as you cited, the dead in Christ will rise after the the Lord descends: 1 Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. To add to the mix, Paul also writes that he does not want to be a disembodied spirit: 2 Co 5:4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. Some teach that when we die, our spirits go to heaven, to be rejoined with our bodies at the resurrection. They will quote 1 Th 4:14 "For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.", to say that when the believer dies, their spirit goes to heaven, and returns with Jesus at this time, to be rejoined to their resurrected body. This would mean that Paul is right now a disembodied spirit awaiting his resurrection. I think this "bringing with Him" is in the same sense as in Ephesians 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) - He has made us alive with Christ, and will resurrect us with Christ. (Does anyone have a comment on this?) What I have come to think is that when the believer dies, their spirit is no longer bound by this space/time continuum, and enters into the eternal. Since "time" in heaven is not connected to time on earth, simply put, I think the church will all enter eternity at the same time, at the rapture. This is the only way I can think of that fits all the requirements: We are with Christ immediately. We are not disembodied. We are resurrected after Jesus descends. I hope this helps. Love in Christ, Mark |
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Questions and/or Subjects for Rom 8:23 | Author | ||
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Lyn13 | ||
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Towanda | ||
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Emmaus | ||
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terrib | ||
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mark d seyler | ||
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pboyd424@ameritech.net |