Salvation comes in three parts; justification (Rom. 4:25), sanctification (1 Thess. 4:3), and glorification (Rom. 8:30).  The purpose here is to discuss the third part of salvation called glorification.  The word glorification (doxazō), literally means "to honor" or "to magnify" or "to exalt to dignity" (Strong's Concordance G1392).  It is translated fifty-one times as "glory/glorious/glorified", two times as "honour", and one time as "magnify."  Where justification is a one time act of God pardoning a sinner, and sanctification is a lifetime of working with God to become the person He wants us to be, glorification is the final product.  It is the person we become in eternity.  

Our New Body:

           When the Messiah returns He will give us a new body.  This old body will be gone, and God will give us a new one.  In 1 Cor. 15:42-44 the Apostle Paul stated; "So also is the resurrection of the dead.  It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:  It is sown in dishonour; 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."  The Messiah is the first fruits of creation.  He is the first to be resurrected from the dead (1 Cor. 15:20-22).  All those who practice faith in the Messiah (Justification), will be molded into the person God desires (Sanctification), and will ultimately be raised by him and given a new body when He returns (Glorification).

           The idea of a resurrection is not new.  The ancient Hebrews believed in a resurrection and wrote about it.  Job mentioned in Job 19:25-26, "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God."  Daniel mentioned in Dan. 12:2, "And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt."  In Psalm 49:15 the psalmist states, "But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me."  This concept is throughout the Old Testament and was alive and well during the Messiah's life.  The Pharisees were constantly at odds with the Sadducees over the doctrine of a resurrection.  The Sadducees did not believe in a resurrection and the Messiah corrected them saying, "But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living" (Matt. 22:31-32).  This idea is further supported by the Apostle Paul in his first epistle to the Corinthians in chapter fifteen.  

What our New Bodies Will be Like:

           The fact that we will be resurrected and given a new body is clear, the question then might be asked, what will our new bodies be like?  Although our new bodies are referred to as spiritual bodies, this does not mean they are not physical.  One way to tell is to take a look at what the scriptures say about the Messiah's resurrection body.  First, it can be noted that He had a physical body.  When Thomas doubted the Messiah, he was told to touch the Messiah's hands and side (John 20:27).  Though this body is physical, it was also spiritual and could still apparently move through physical objects such as closed doors (John 20:19).  This resurrection body is quite special.  Along with being physical it is also "incorruptible," "glorious," and "powerful" (1 Cor. 15:42-44).  This is God's ultimate conclusion, to rebuild what our sin has destroyed.  Along with a new body God is also going to give us a new heaven and new earth (Is. 65:17).  What amazing things God has in store for us.  As the Apostle Paul said, "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him" (1 Cor. 2:9).  

Conclusion:

           What a great salvation we have in the Messiah of Israel.  God has done it all for us through the death, burial, and resurrection of the Messiah for our justification.  He works with us for our sanctification to mold us into the person He wants us to be.  And the final end for those who practice faith in the Messiah will be our glorification into a new heaven and new earth.  Let us strive to not "neglect so great [a] salvation" (Heb. 2:3).

By Steve Siefken

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth

not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV