Introduction
Glorification is a term used in Christian theology to describe the final stage of salvation. It refers to the complete and perfect transformation of believers into the image of Jesus Christ. Glorification is the ultimate goal of salvation, and it is the culmination of the process of sanctification.
According to the Bible, glorification involves the removal of sin from the life of the saints. In the eternal state, believers will stand faultless before God in glory. Glorification is a continuous process that begins at the moment of salvation and continues until the return of Jesus Christ. It is a work of God’s grace and power, and it is accomplished through the Holy Spirit who dwells in believers.
What is Glorification?
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Definition
Glorification is the final stage of the salvation process, where believers are transformed into the image of Christ and given a glorious body fit for eternity. It is the ultimate goal of the Christian faith, where believers are made perfect and no longer struggle with sin. Glorification is the complete removal of sin from the life of the believer, and the final step in the ordo salutis (order of salvation) after justification and sanctification.
Process
The process of glorification begins with justification, where believers are declared righteous before God by faith in Jesus Christ. This is followed by sanctification, where believers are progressively transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit into the image of Christ. Finally, glorification is the completion of this process, where believers are given a new, glorious body and are made perfect in every way.
The Bible describes the process of glorification in several places. In 1 Corinthians 15:42-44, Paul describes the transformation of the body from a natural body to a spiritual body. In Philippians 3:20-21, Paul describes how Christ will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body. In 1 John 3:2, John describes how we shall be like him when he appears.
Glorification is not something that believers can achieve on their own. It is a work of God’s grace and power, and believers must rely on the Holy Spirit to transform them. As believers grow in their faith and become more like Christ, they become more aware of their own sinfulness and their need for God’s grace. Glorification is the final removal of sin from the life of the believer, and the ultimate expression of God’s grace and love.
In conclusion, glorification is the final stage of the salvation process, where believers are transformed into the image of Christ and given a glorious body fit for eternity. It is a work of God’s grace and power, and believers must rely on the Holy Spirit to transform them. Glorification is the ultimate expression of God’s love and the fulfillment of his promises to his people.
Biblical Basis of Glorification
Glorification in the Old Testament
The concept of glorification is not explicitly mentioned in the Old Testament. However, there are several passages that allude to the glorification of believers in the future. For instance, Daniel 12:2-3 speaks of the resurrection of the dead, where some will rise to everlasting life and some to everlasting contempt. Those who rise to everlasting life will shine like the brightness of the firmament and like the stars forever and ever.
Another Old Testament passage that hints at glorification is Psalm 17:15, which says, “As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.” This verse suggests that believers will be transformed into the likeness of God and will see Him face to face.
Glorification in the New Testament
The New Testament provides more explicit teaching on glorification. Romans 8:30 states that those whom God predestined, He also called, justified, and glorified. This verse indicates that glorification is a part of the salvation process, and it is something that God has already accomplished for believers in a sense.
1 Corinthians 15:51-53 describes the transformation that will take place when believers are glorified. It says that at the last trumpet, the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. This mortal body will put on immortality, and this corruptible body will put on incorruption.
Philippians 3:20-21 also speaks of the transformation that will occur when believers are glorified. It says that our citizenship is in heaven, and from there we await the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
In summary, the Bible teaches that glorification is the final removal of sin from the lives of believers, and it is a part of the salvation process that God has accomplished for believers. It involves the transformation of believers into the likeness of God and the receiving of a glorious body. The concept of glorification is hinted at in the Old Testament and more explicitly taught in the New Testament.
Glorification and Christian Doctrine
Glorification is an essential aspect of the Christian doctrine. It is the final stage of the process of salvation that begins with justification and continues through sanctification. Glorification is the ultimate goal of every believer, and it is the moment when they are transformed into the image of Christ and given a glorious body that is imperishable and immortal.
Glorification and Sanctification
Sanctification is the process of becoming holy through the work of the Holy Spirit. Glorification is the culmination of this process, where believers are made perfect and completely free from sin. In 1 Thessalonians 5:23, the apostle Paul prays that God would sanctify the Thessalonians completely, and that their whole spirit, soul, and body would be preserved blameless until the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. This prayer encompasses the entire process of sanctification, culminating in glorification.
Glorification and Salvation
Salvation is the work of God in bringing sinners into a right relationship with Him. Glorification is the final stage of salvation, where believers are fully and finally saved from the presence of sin. In Romans 8:30, Paul writes that those whom God justified, He also glorified. This means that glorification is an inevitable part of the salvation process for every believer. It is the moment when they are fully and finally saved from sin, and they enter into the eternal state of communion with God.
Glorification is an event that will happen at the last trumpet, as Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 15:51-53. At that moment, the perishable will put on the imperishable, and the mortal will put on immortality. This is the moment when believers will be transformed into the image of Christ, and they will receive their glorified bodies.
Glorification and the Glory of God
Glorification is ultimately about the glory of God. In 2 Thessalonians 1:10, Paul writes that when Christ comes, He will be glorified in His saints and admired among all those who believe. This means that the glorification of believers is not just for their benefit but for the glory of God. It is the moment when God’s power, grace, and holiness are fully revealed in the lives of His people.
In conclusion, Glorification is the final stage of the process of salvation that begins with justification and continues through sanctification. It is the moment when believers are transformed into the image of Christ and given a glorious body that is imperishable and immortal. Glorification is an event that will happen at the last trumpet, and it is ultimately about the glory of God.
Conclusion
In summary, glorification is the final work of God upon Christians where He transforms their mortal physical bodies into eternal physical bodies in which they will dwell forever. This transformation is guaranteed to believers in Christ Jesus and is even spoken of in the past tense in Romans 8:30. Glorification is the future and final benefit of redemption in the ordo salutis and describes the order in which the saving benefits of Christ are received.
It is important to note that glorification is not the same as justification or sanctification. Justification is the act of God declaring a sinner righteous based on faith in Jesus Christ, while sanctification is the process of becoming more like Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit. Glorification is the final removal of sin from the lives of Christians at the end of time.
Scripture teaches that believers will receive glorified bodies similar to the body of the resurrected Christ. In Philippians 3:20-21, it says, “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.”
In conclusion, glorification is a future hope for believers in Christ Jesus, and it is a work of God that will transform their physical bodies into eternal ones. This transformation will be complete, final, and perfect, and it is guaranteed to all those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ.
