Beloved, I am glad to share with you today the above theme from 2 Co 5. 1 and following. Indeed, an artist who has finished restoring a deteriorated portrait highlights his work by juxtaposing the photo of the initial painting. Because, being often insensitive to sin, we also measure too little the grace that forgives and supports us. And the tribunal of Christ will finally make us realize its immensity.
In order to carry out this mission and persuade men, two great motives pressed the apostle: the solemnity of judgment: he knew how much the Lord must be feared; and Christ’s love for souls, a love without which the most eloquent preacher is but a bronze that resonates (1 Co 13:1-3). What is the message of reconciliation still? Christ, the only sinless man, was identified on the cross to atone for him, with sin itself. Thus God graced away the sin that separated us from Him. Because “Old things have passed”. God does not mend them, it is not worthy of Him. He likes to make “all things new”. For “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation”
Here we learn that, despite all the wonderful things that the previous chapters have kept us talking about, such as contemplating the Lord, being transformed into His image, communicating His life outside, enjoying His glories in our souls, we still lack one: it is to be conformed to Him. For being conforming is not the same as being transformed. Indeed, our transformation is very slow, like that of the chrysalises that seem to remain for months in the same state, although the transformation from which the complete butterfly will one day emerge, takes place in secret. To conform to it, we must see it with our own eyes. This is why the apostle addresses here the question of our body. The soul can enjoy the Lord, but what will happen to the body? “We know that if our earthly house, which is only a tent, is destroyed, we have a building by God, a house that is not handmade, eternal, in heaven.”
The apostle presents the body as a tent that is destroyed, and one might believe, according to the “we have”, that the edifice our glorious body, is already prepared for us in advance in heaven. This cannot be, for we will enter heaven with the body we possessed here on earth, but transformed into the conformity of the body of its glory (Phil 3:21). So, we have understood since then that this passage alludes, on one side to the tabernacle, on the other to the temple. For the people of Israel had for a long time, even after their entry into Canaan, as their “home,” the tent erected by Moses in the wilderness. However, this tent was not to last forever. So when Solomon built the temple, he carried all the utensils of the tabernacle, which himself then disappeared. Everything it contained was now part of the temple. It was the same house, and yet one was temporary and the other remained glorious.
Despite this, Solomon’s temple was meant for the earth; he was only an image of heavenly things; it was “of this creation,” it was “handmade” (He 9:11). Today we have a tabernacle where God dwells, for our body is His temple; but, like the tabernacle, this body can be destroyed. Only “we know”, we are absolutely certain by faith that, if it is destroyed, it will be replaced by an eternal house in heaven. It will be the same house, but it will not be of this creation. The Spirit of God will dwell there in glory, as he dwells today in weakness in our earthly house. The Apostle rejoices at the thought that if his tent is destroyed, his future home will last forever in heaven.
As he looked at Jesus, the apostle saw what had happened to the Lord and what, therefore, was to happen to all of us. “Destroy this temple,” Jesus said, “and in three days I will raise it up.” He had come into this world to leave his life and, therefore, man could take it away from him. For the temple of his body could be destroyed, but he took in resurrection a glorious body. This body he inhabited here on earth, without any trace of sin, was a holy body, but was not a glorious body: it became so through the resurrection. The apostle looks to heaven, sees Jesus in his glorified body and can say: I have a house, it belongs to me, it is in heaven. Another man has already put it on; so, I will put it on too, and it fills his heart with joy.
He said, “For also in this tent we groan.” This earthly house is indeed a place where we hear many sighs, where many tears flow, but he adds: “desiring with ardor to have put on our home which is from heaven”. He is dealing with the destruction of the tent, he groans about it, but death is not at all what he expects. His desire is not to be stripped, but to be clothed, so that what is mortal may be absorbed into life. Then he awaits the Lord Jesus whose coming, while resurrecting the sleeping saints, will transform our mortal bodies, to us who live, without us having to go through death.
The apostle is therefore faced here with three possibilities: first, to see his tent destroyed and to be resurrected immediately to obtain a house that is not handmade, eternal in heaven; then, at the coming of the Lord, put on his home, which is heaven, without passing through death; and finally, to leave this tent and be absent from the body, in a state that is not perfection, but to be present with the Lord. Even this third solution is enough for him (to us too), and he can say: “This is much better”.
If, looking back on ourselves, we ask ourselves how our soul behaves towards these three eventualities, what will we answer? Let us say, before the possibility of death: I am perfectly happy to be able to exchange this poor house for a glorious house that I know well, since my Savior has put it on? Perhaps we say: I am waiting for the Lord from moment to moment? God did not train me to die, but He “trained me to that very thing,” that is, to be clothed, so that what is mortal may be absorbed into life, and I already have His Spirit as the deposit of my hope.
Do we tremble with joy at the thought that, from one moment to the next, the Lord may come, but also that He may call us to lay down our tent, to go and wait with Him for the perfection into which He himself has entered and in which we will be His companions, eternally? In what we have seen today we find a second truth that concerns both believers and non-believers: Indeed, “We must all be manifested before the tribunal of Christ, so that everyone may receive the things accomplished in the body, according to what he has done, either good or bad”. And since there are two resurrections, there are also two appearances before the tribunal of Christ. If it is the resurrection of the wicked, called the dead, we learn that they will be clothed in a resurrected body, in order to appear before the “white throne”, erected when there is no place left, neither for earth nor for heaven (Rev 20:11-15).
This throne is for them the court of Christ. This is where the Lord Jesus sits to judge, for it is said of Him that God has established Him as the judge, not only of the living, but also of the dead. Now, however resurrected they may be, these men are dead. For before this court the books are opened, the book of life on the one hand, the book of responsibilities on the other. Not a single word comes out of the mouths of those standing in front of this court. They are judged according to their works, if they are not found written in the book of life.
There is a second side of the court that deals exclusively with the children of God. “We must all be manifested before the tribunal of Christ.” There will come a time for us Christians when all that we have been or done will be brought into full light before the tribunal of Christ, in the presence of God, and nothing absolutely will be hidden. My whole story, from the beginning, to the moment when it pleases God to remind me of Him, will be brought to light.
We have seen what the attitude of the world is on the one hand, of Christians on the other, towards these three things: sin, death, and judgment. When the sinner is faced with these three questions, his condition is absolutely desperate and he has nothing to expect but eternal misery. It is quite different from the Christian: Where are his sins? Missing! For the question of sin was settled for him at the cross, where Christ was made sin in our place. Is it death, it is for us the antechamber of the resurrection, or better yet! Death is like an accident on our way, for it is the resurrection that is the reality.
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and grouped together for your better understanding.
- Heavenly abode or final abode of the righteous Col 1:5 because of the hope reserved for you in heaven, and which the word of truth, the word of the gospel, has previously made known to you.
-a deposit on for treasures Mt 6:20 but collect treasures in the sky, where moth and rust do not destroy, and thieves do not pierce or steal.
-contains a record of the righteous Lek 10:20, however, do not rejoice that the spirits are submitted to you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.
-a place for all believers Jn 14:2 There are several dwellings in my Father’s house. If it were not, I would have told you. I will prepare a place for you.
The glorified Christ entered the heavenly abode Acts 7:55-56 But Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit, and staring at heaven, saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 he said: Behold, I see the open heavens, and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God.
-built by the hand of God 2 Co 5:1 We know, in fact, that if this tent where we dwell on earth is destroyed, we have in heaven a edifice that is the work of God, an eternal dwelling place that was not made by man. Heb 11:10 For he was waiting for the city that has solid foundations, the one of which God is the architect and builder.
-the redeemed of all the nations gathered in the heavenly abode Rev 7:9 After that, I looked, and behold, there was a great crowd, which no one could count, of any nation, of any tribe, of any people, and of any language. They stood before the throne and the lamb, dressed in white robes, and palms in their hands. Rev 21:1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had disappeared, and the sea was no more.
Obedience, the condition for entering the heavenly abode Rev 22:14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, in order to be entitled to the tree of life, and to enter through the gates into the city!
- The Seven Certainties That Encourage the Believer
-Promises some 1 Kings 8:56 Blessed be the Lord, who gave rest to his people of Israel, according to all his promises! Of all the good words he had spoken by Moses, his servant, none went without effect.
-the Foundations certain Isaiah 28:16 This is why the Lord speaks, the Lord: Behold, I have laid as a foundation in Zion a stone, A tried stone, a cornerstone of price, firmly laid; Whoever takes it as support will not be eager to flee.
-the Rewards some Mt 10:42 And whoever gives only a glass of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you in truth, he will not lose his reward.
-Assured Acceptance Jn 6:37 All those whom the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not set out the one who comes to me;
Divine Love Rom 8:39 neither the powers, nor the height, nor the depth, nor any other creature can separate us from the love of God manifested in Jesus Christ our Lord.
-Immortality assured 2 Co 5:1 We know, in fact, that if this tent where we dwell on earth is destroyed, we have in heaven a edifice that is the work of God, an eternal dwelling place that was not made by man.’ hand.
-the Eternal Anchor He 6:19 We possess this hope as an anchor of the soul, sure and solid; it penetrates beyond the veil,
- Immortality
Lk 20:36 For they will no longer be able to die, because they will be like angels, and they will be sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. Jn 8:51 Truthfully, in truth, I tell you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death. Jn 11. 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe that? Rom 2:7 reserving eternal life for those who, by perseverance in doing well, seek honor, glory, and immortality; 1 Cor 15:53 For this corruptible body must be incorruptible, and this mortal body must be immortal. 2 Co 5:1 We know, in fact, that if this tent where we dwell on earth is destroyed, we have in heaven a edifice that is the work of God, an eternal dwelling place that was not made by man.’ hand. 1 Thess 4:17 Then we the living, who will have remained, will all be taken up together with them on clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 2 Tim 1:10 and which has been manifested now by the appearance of our Savior Jesus Christ, who destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
- Divine Pleadings
Pr 1:24 Since I call and you resist, Since I extend my hand and no one is careful; Isa 1:18 Come and plead!” said the Lord. If your sins are like crimson, they will become white as snow; If they are red like purple, they will become like wool. Isa 55:1 All of you who are thirsty, come to the waters, even he who has no money! Come, buy and eat, Come, buy wine and milk, without money, without paying anything! Ez 18:31 Throw away from you all transgressions by which you have sinned; make yourself a new heart and a new mind. Why would you die, house of Israel? Mi 6.3 My people, what have I done to you? How did I get tired of you? Answer me! Mt 23:37 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which kills the prophets and lays down those who are sent to you, how many times have I wanted to gather your children, like a hen gathers its chicks under its wings, and you have not wanted to! Rom 10:21 But about Israel, he says: I have stretched out my hands all day to a rebellious and contradicting people. 2 Co 5:20 So we act as ambassadors for Christ, as if God were exhorting us; we beseech you in the name of Christ: Be reconciled to God!
From all the above, we note that we have also seen that the question of death is like the very foundation of the Gospel. One cannot proclaim a complete salvation in all its strength and power without presenting what serves as its starting point, the moral death of the lost sinner, and this is why the present evangelization is so seriously lacking. That is why he joined together these two great truths of the Gospel: death and love: “If one died for all, therefore all died”. The proof was given that there is no spark of God’s life in the soul of any sinner, but that His love has found a way to replace us all with one man, who has come to place himself in the position where we were and bear all the consequences. So he died. For whom? For everyone. His love brought him down there and replaced us under the death penalty. But God could not leave in death his beloved Son, to whom this work had cost everything, even his own life. Then, as God had given it for us, He resurrects it for us: “He who for you died and was resurrected.” For Paul ardently desired heavenly glory (2 Cob 5:1-10), but in the meantime he applied himself with the same zeal to be pleasing to the Lord. Having nothing to hide either from God or from men, he no longer lived for himself; body and soul, he was the slave of Christ who died and rose for him (2 Co 5:15). Now the Lord had called him (like every redeemed one) to a very high office: that of ambassador of the sovereign God to offer reconciliation on His part to the world. Our prayers are with you all.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite every person who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me the following prayer:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I admit to having sinned against you and ask your forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as Lord and personal Savior. I recognize that you died on the cross of Calvary and rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me every day to the eternal life that you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal yourself to me and strengthen my heart and faith, so that your light may be shining in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus for accepting me into your divine family, so that I may also contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby watering point to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All adoration, power and glory are yours, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be happy to respond to any questions and comments you may have, before sharing with youtomorrow: “Paul’s sufferings in his ministry.”
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you abundantly.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.