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The physicality of Heaven

Discussion in '2003 Archive' started by peteyo69, Nov 2, 2003.

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  1. peteyo69

    peteyo69 New Member

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    Hey, I've been struggling with something recently about Heaven and what it will be like. I know it's beyond our comprehension and stuff, but I'm pondering a question of a more fundamental sort, I think.
    I know that our souls will receive glorified bodies at the resurrection of the dead. So we'll have bodies as well as souls in Heaven, right? And if one has a physical body, he must also be in a physical place. So that much is true, right?
    But...here's the part I'm not too sure about. It seems to me that bodies are a sort of dividing force. For instance, if 2 people are on different sides of the world then obviously they can't have the same sort of communion/fellowship as if they were next to each other. So doesn't the physical world, like, hold us captive? And if we're going to be perfectly happy in heaven, then...how will the physical/material thing work?
    I realize what I'm saying sounds sort of New Age or something, but I'm committed to orthodox Christianity. I just really have a hard time understanding this! The best "Christian" answer to this that I can come up with is that the physical world only seems limiting to us because of the Fall, and not because it's inherently limited. But I'm not sure... :confused:
     
    #1 peteyo69, Nov 2, 2003
  2. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

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    Wow, you're asking a lot of GOOD questions. I really don't know what heaving a ressurected body means, to be honest, ecause, you're right. Having a body as we know now is physically limiting. So perhaps the verse means something ebsides what we can comprehend by our currently "on earth" state.

    All I know is that, when I die, I'll leave my earthly body behind, and never have use for it again. It wil be an empty shell for my family to do with as they see fit. I'll never need it again. After I die, my soul will go to be in God's presence. We call this Heaven, but it's not a place we can point to, it's a state of being that our souls enter into.

    That's all I know, and all I can comprehend, because my mind is limited to THIS experience and THIS dimension at THIS time. I have no idea what it means or what it wil be like to spend eternity in God's presence. I only have the Bible's assurance that being there will be one of complete serenity, complete love, complete joy, and complete satisfaction, and that all my earthly cares will pass away.

    Since I can't comprehend Heaven fully, I don't concern myself with what it will be like. I know have the assurance that that is where I will want to be, and that is where I'm promised to be.
     
    #2 Johnv, Nov 2, 2003
  3. Artimaeus

    Artimaeus Active Member

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    That is so true, John. That concept is about the only thing I remember learning from my old college philosophy class.

    I John 3:2...and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
     
    #3 Artimaeus, Nov 2, 2003
  4. Paul of Eugene

    Paul of Eugene New Member

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    Go and talk to a child of five about what adult life is like, including relations between the sexes, responsibility for support of the family, why we volunteer to clean the house instead of being made to do so, and so forth.

    You will not succeed. In the same way, we are utterly unprepared for what God has in store for us and there is no way we can have it all figured out except to experience it when He comes!

    Maranatha!
     
    #4 Paul of Eugene, Nov 2, 2003
  5. peteyo69

    peteyo69 New Member

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    I know a lot of people say that. But isn't the orthodox Christian view that it IS a place? Because, remember we'll have BODIES as well as souls in heaven, after the resurrection of the dead. And phsical bodies must be in a physical place, right? Or else they'd just be floating in empty space [​IMG]
     
    #5 peteyo69, Nov 3, 2003
  6. Trotter

    Trotter <img src =/6412.jpg>

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    Some food for thought...

    To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. This we know to be true. But there is no mention of a physial body until the resurrection. So, no need to worry unntil then (so far, so good).

    As to our glorified bodies, remember when Jesus appeared to the disciples in the upper room after His resurrection? He appeared in the midst, even though the disciples were behind locked doors. The physical barrier of a locked door did not stop the Lord.

    He also appeared to the two on the road to Emmaus. When their eyes were opened to Who He was, He vanished from their midst. Again, physical restraints had no hold on Him.

    We are told that we shall be like Him. So, as far as I'm concerned, physical distance will not be a problem. Nor will walls, doors, mountains, or anything else for that matter. In Ezekiel, the angels described noved from one place to another as lightning. Would anyone expect any less for a joint-heir with Christ?

    Just a thought...

    In Christ,
    Trotter
     
    #6 Trotter, Nov 3, 2003
  7. peteyo69

    peteyo69 New Member

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    Thanks Trotter, that makes sense. Yeah, I forgot that our glorified bodies will have different properties. Well the same, but different. [​IMG] It's really hard to understand!
    And then there's the thing about Jesus sitting down at the right hand of the Father, which I don't get either since only the Son was incarnated. Oh well, I guess it's probably pretty much the same deal as the future glorified bodies thing. *sigh* So hard to comprehend!
     
    #7 peteyo69, Nov 3, 2003
  8. Trotter

    Trotter <img src =/6412.jpg>

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    Peteyo69,

    Hey. Don't sweat it. God reveals to us what He wants us to know at any given time. As to our bodies after the resurrection, we are told only a very little. We are told even less about exactly where we will be in the time between death and the resurrection. So don't let it bother you too much. God will color in the picture for you as He feels is proper.

    Ain't God awesome?

    In Christ,
    Trotter
     
    #8 Trotter, Nov 3, 2003
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