Book Description

Some misthologists (experts in rewards) postulate that all believers will have glorified bodies. Other misthologists insist that only faithful believers will have glorified bodies. Until this study, problematic passages led the author to take a mediating position, basically suggesting that unfaithful believers will have glorified bodies that fail to radiate glory. Posing unglorified glorified bodies is not the most satisfying solution, however. As a result of the research in this book, the author modified his position to concur with the latter group of misthologists: Only faithful believers will have glorified bodies; unfaithful believers will simply have glorified bodies. The primary problematic passage preventing him from adopting this position earlier was 1Cor 15:43. Consequently, this passage, in its context, is the focus of this study. As a corollary, a detailed defense of the subjunctive in 1Cor 15:49 is provided. Paul is exhorting believers to bear the image of Christ morally in the way they live currently so that they can display this image eternally by shining like the stars in heaven. Paul cryptically conveyed this conclusion in his earlier analogy in 1Cor 15:41 when he said: "Star differs from star in glory." Stellar believers will display this heavenly glory via their resurrected bodies. Unfaithful believers will not. They will not have the glorified bodies associated with this stellar glory.