While Jesus lived on earth, someone asked a question concerning life in the next realm. He answered: "You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven." {Matthew 22:29,30} Marriage will not be part of heaven, because we will not have bodies of flesh and blood.

As time passes, our earthly, fleshly tabernacles weaken. "Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." {2 Corinthians 4:16-18} Won't it be wonderful not to have all the aches and pains that accompany the aging process of this old body. There will be no need for wheelchairs, canes, or pain medicine -- we will have new bodies!

How will our bodies look? "For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself." {Philippians 3:20,21} The body will be raised in glory. It must also be changed. "So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body." {1 Corinthians 15:42-44} Our bodies will be fit for the new realm where we will live forever with our Father and the Son.

Why must the body be changed? "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption." {1 Corinthians 15:50} John gives one more point to remember: "Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." {1 John 3:2} This will be our victory over death, made possible by God's redemptive scheme. Has God answered all our questions concerning the change that will occur? Probably not. But we know enough to enable us to focus our minds on the time when we receive this new body. I can't wait!