The saved have understood God's plan, created to spare them from the horrors of the lake of fire and brimstone (Revelation 21:8). It troubles us to know that many do not understand this truth: those who are not born again will not be with Christ in His Kingdom of love and peace. Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5).

In this verse, Paul explains the transformation that the saved will experience when Jesus comes to take up His Church, to take it out of this wicked world (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). At that event, in the twinkling of an eye, the saved who are dead will be resurrected and receive a glorified body, and the bodies of those who are alive will be clothed with incorruptibility. Without this, they will not be able to enjoy the privilege of knowing the Lord in His glory.

What a special covering awaits the saved! However, this will not happen before the rapture of the Church, even though we wish to enjoy this blessing soon. Now, God will not act differently from what He has revealed in the Scriptures. Therefore, it is best to study the Bible and understand the will of the Lord. Those who serve God wholeheartedly would never ask for something that He has not spoken of in His holy Word.

It is good to remember what Moses said in Deuteronomy 29:29: “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” If something is not said in the Bible, do not complain or lament. Hidden things will remain so until the right time for them to be revealed.

The apostle spoke about the groaning of those who are in this tent, in the natural body, since the beginning and mentioned their desire to have a glorified body. They did not want to be stripped of this body now, but rather to be clothed with what would bring about that desired transformation. However, the time has not yet come for mortality to be swallowed up by life which is Christ. When that happens, it will be permanent.

Wanting what has not been promised to us is not forbidden, but why be carried away desiring things about which nothing is said in Scripture? We must seek the Lord in order to obtain knowledge and power to do His work. So let us occupy ourselves with the guidance found in the Word and use the spiritual weapons given to us. May your heart be strengthened in God's grace!

Finally, meditate on this message from the author of the letter to the Hebrews: “Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.” (Hebrews 13:9).

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares