QT 30 Oct 19, Phil 3:11, Experiencing the rapture

Philippians 3:11 (RSV) — … that if possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

NOTE: The resurrection from the dead is a promise in scripture. All believers in Christ who have died are guaranteed a resurrection from the dead. Part of the difficulty with this passage is that the translation here is probably not the best. Paul creates a word "out-resurrection" which is not used in any other place. There are many explanations for "out-resurrection" and I think he refers to the resurrection while one lives, or the rapture. I don't think he feared death and maybe he wanted to die to experience everything the savior experienced. But I think he wanted to see Christ returning to rapture the saints. It is a resurrection out of the body, which is dead because of a sin, into a new glorified body. Only believers alive at Jesus' coming will experience a resurrection from their body into a new glorified body. Believers who have died, will be resurrected from the grave into a new glorified body. And technically, since their dead bodies are decayed, their spirits will be combined with new bodies at the rapture.

PRAYER: Father, it is so hard to imagine life in a glorified body. I am so used to dealing with my sinful nature on a daily basis. I look forward to that day when you will rescue me from this body. I hope to see it and to experience the rapture, because I wish to see justice finally come.