In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye

Today has been a gorgeous Easter Sunday here in the Appalachian foothills. Spring is in the air. The sun is warm, the sky is clear and — with an occasional cool breeze — the setting is perfect for deep contemplation of the beauty around me.  At the moment, my mind and spirit reverberate to the heavenly strains of Johannes Brahms’ resurrection oratorio, Eine Deutsches Requiem.

My heart overflows with gratitude to a God who so loved me that he would send his Only Begotten Son to come down to Earth, atone for my sins, die on the cross and then break the bands of death so that one day I may return to live eternally with Him and my wonderful wife, children and other family members. At the same time, I thank parents and grandparents who cared enough to teach me of the Savior and to live their lives as faithful Christians to set a pattern for me, my brothers, sisters and now children.

This is no mere metaphysical meditation. The Spirit speaks to my soul with firm conviction that God the Father, his Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost are indeed three physically separate beings unified in purpose as the Godhead and that God and Christ each has a body of flesh and bone, glorified, perfected and immortal. The same Spirit speaks powerfully that one day, thanks to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, I too will have a resurrected, glorified body.

Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. . .
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. . .
then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
O death, where is they sting? O grave, where is they victory?

1 Corinthians 15:51,52,54,55