Q: What Will Our Resurrected Bodies Be Like?

Every human being will receive a resurrected body prepared for eternity. The redeemed will go to heaven, and the unredeemed will be tormented in the Lake of Fire forever (Dan. 12:2; Jn. 5:24, 29; Rev. 20:11–15).

The believer’s resurrected body will be like Christ’s. The apostle John said, “When He [Christ] is revealed, we shall be like Him” (1 Jn. 3:2). The apostle Paul said Christ “will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body” (Phil. 3:21).

How will our bodies be like Christ’s? In His post-resurrection body on Earth, Jesus was recognizable. He could appear and disappear (Lk. 24:31). He could walk, talk, and eat. He possessed scars, maintained His appearance, and rose into heaven. He was not bound by gravity, time, or space; and He could travel at will. He could pass through closed doors and walls (Jn. 20:19–30; 21:25; Acts 1:3, 11). We will be able to do likewise.

In 1 Corinthians 15:42–49, Paul described four ways the resurrected bodies of true believers in Jesus Christ will differ from mortal bodies:

(1) Mortal bodies deteriorate, die, and turn to dust. Our resurrected bodies will never tire, deteriorate, or die (1 Pet. 1:3–4). Mortal bodies are corruptible (perishable); resurrected bodies will be incorruptible (imperishable, 1 Cor. 15:42).

(2) Mortal bodies are “sown in dishonor” and “raised in glory” (v. 43). They are imperfect, possessing a sin nature. But the resurrected bodies will be raised perfect, without a sin nature.

(3) Mortal bodies are weak. Our resurrected bodies will be “raised in power” (v. 43) and will be physically, mentally, and spiritually powerful and perfect. They will not need rest, food, sleep, oxygen, or medical care. A mortal body cannot be eternal or enter heaven.

(4) Our human bodies are “sown” as natural bodies and “raised” as spiritual ones (v. 44). The natural body bears the image of sinful Adam; the spiritual body bears the image of Christ, the “heavenly Man” (vv. 48–49).

Our natural bodies are subject to natural laws and will one day die. Our spiritual bodies will not have flesh or blood or be bound by the laws of nature and death. They will be suited for eternity and animated by God’s divine Spirit and power.

All true believers in Jesus Christ will receive their resurrected bodies at the Rapture of the church (1 Cor. 15:51–52; 1 Th. 4:13–18). Old Testament believers will be resurrected immediately before Christ’s Second Coming (Dan. 12:1–3).

Scripture is silent on certain details, such as what age, appearance, height, and weight individuals will possess in their resurrected, glorified bodies.