Glorification – The Hope of Every Christian
The letters in the word “Bible” stand for the following words:
“B”, for Basic,
“i” for instructions,
“b” for before,
“l” for leaving,
“e” for earth.
In short, the word “Bible” means “Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth”. The Bible is the story of redemption and salvation for the people who believe in and who obey God.
It starts out with the Fall of man in the Garden of Eden and the ensuing death that came upon all mankind as a result. Genesis 2:16-17 As we read through the Bible, we can see through time and events God choosing a particular people. These people were not chosen by race, creed, or ethnicity, but by covenant connection. Deuteronomy 7:6-9, 11, Exodus 19:1,5, 24:7-8
The Promise that God made with Abraham in Genesis 17:7 through the promised seed of Jesus Christ was that of Eternal Life. Galatians 3:16, 1 John 2:25, Romans 6:23 This Covenant that God made with the Nation of Israel at Mt. Sinai after their deliverance from Egypt was broken. Isaiah 24:5
After many years of backsliding and failures, the judgment of God was pronounced on the Nation of Israel. Jesus the Messiah was to be the enforcer of God’s Judgment on Israel for the broken Covenant. Daniel 9:24, John 9:39
Eschatology is the study of the Last Days Generation from AD 30 – AD 70.
At the culmination of the Old Covenant, Jesus established a New Everlasting Covenant with whosoever would believe and obey the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. Through belief and obedience, the born-again believer would receive Eternal Life.
It was on the Day of Pentecost in the Book of Acts, Chapter 2, that the first message of the Gospel of Jesus was preached in Jerusalem over 2,000 years ago. Acts. 2:37-39
From there, the Apostles went and preached this Gospel throughout the then known world. Jesus told the Apostles that some of them would still be alive when He returned in AD 70. Matthew 16:27-28, Luke 9:26-27 He told them they would not go over all the cities of Israel by the time He would return. Matthew 10:22-23
Everywhere the Apostles went, they told the people that Jesus was going to return in their lifetime, in their generation before their generation ended. Mark 13:28-31 What the Apostles preached and taught so impacted people’s lives that they sold their homes, lands, and possessions and brought the money to the Apostles for distribution to every man according to the need. Acts 4:33-35
Many churches were established in the first century by the Apostles Paul, Paul established churches in Rome, Corinth, Galatia, Ephesus, Philippi, Colossae, and in Thessalonica. The Apostles wrote epistles or letters to encourage and strengthen the believers and to prepare them for the soon glorious return of the Lord Jesus.
As they waited for their departure, we can read many Scriptures that describe their expectation of the soon return of Jesus. Paul said in Philippians 3:20 that they were waiting for the Lord’s return.
In 1 Corinthians 1:7-8, we read that they were waiting for the return of Jesus. We read in Hebrews 9:26-28 that they were looking for and waiting for His appearance in order to complete their salvation.
This means that their salvation was not complete until Jesus returned in AD 70 of the first century. The Apostle Peter also wrote in 2 Peter 3:13-15 to his audience of living, breathing people who were alive at the time of his writing 2,000 years ago.
He also wrote that the end of the Old Covenant was “at hand” and “the time had come” for judgment. 1 Peter 4:7,17, Hebrews 8:13
In reading the Scriptures, you can see the importance of understanding what audience relevance Isaiah the Scriptures were written to a first century audience about the things that were taking place and about the events getting ready to happen in their lifetime and in their generation. Matthew 24:33- 34, Mark 13:29-30, Luke 21:31-32
The early Church was living in the expectation that when the Lord Jesus returned, they would be changed and go to be with Him forever. 1 Corinthians 15:50-54, Philippians 3:20-21
All of the believers knew that when Jesus returned, they would receive their glorified immortal body. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Please remember, the “we” in these verses was “them” over 2,000 years ago not “us” today. For us, today who have been born again, it is at physical death that we receive our glorious body. 2 Corinthians 5:1
Peter said that he would be a partaker of the glory that would be revealed at the coming of Jesus. 1 Peter 5:1,4 Paul told the Church at Colossae that when Jesus appeared, they would appear with Him in glory. Colossians 3:4
Paul also states in Romans 8:17 as heirs, we would be glorified together with Christ. In 1 John 3:2, the Scripture said as sons of God, when Jesus appeared, they would be like him having a glorified body like his.
Conclusion
The hope of every Christian is their glorification. Glorification is the distinction extended to born again Christians through the obedience to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
It is at physical death that this corruptible becomes incorruptible and this mortal becomes a new immortal glorified body. 2 Timothy 1:10, 2 Corinthians 5:1-2 The Church in the first century looked for their glorification to occur when the Lord Jesus Christ returned in the year AD 70. 1 Corinthians 15:51-53
This is what today is commonly called “the rapture”. Now, it is at physical death that we as born-again believers will receive our glorification and an abundant entrance into Eternal Life. 2 Peter 1:11, 1 John 2:25
