The Scriptures tell us that the Church and Christ shall "shine forth as the sun." (Matt. 13:43) This description by our Lord himself of the future glory is applied to all his Bride class. Yet the Apostle explains (verse 41) that individually there will be differences in the positions and honors of the church. All will be perfect, all will be supremely happy, but, as the Father is above all, and as he has exalted the Son to be next to himself, and as this indicates differences of glory, majesty and authority, so amongst the followers of the Lord, all of whom are acceptable. There will be differences of station.

"As star differeth from star"
In Magnitude and Brilliancy
– 1 Cor. 15:41

Our Lord, in two of his parables, intimates the same difference amongst his glorified followers. He who had been faithful with five talents was to have special commendation at the Lord’s return; while the other faithful ones who had a lesser number of talents, would be dealt with proportionately. He who had been faithful in the use of his pound, so as to gain ten pounds, was to receive rulership over ten cities; and he who was faithful over his pound to the gaining of five pounds would have proportionately increased talents, blessings, opportunities and authority. Matt. 25:14-30; Luke 19:11-27

Looking back we see that while the Lord chose twelve apostles and loved them all, there were three of them whom he specially loved. Peter, James and John were on various occasions nearer to him and in still more confidential relationship than the others. We may be sure, too, that when the "Book of Life" is opened, and when positions closest to the Master in the throne are to be apportioned, those on the right hand and those on the left hand (nearest to his person), will be recognized by all as worthy of the honor and distinction accorded them. (Matt. 10:41) It would not surprise us at all to find the Apostle Paul next to the Master, with possibly John on his other hand.

The thought is not that of location, or position, on a bench-like throne–but closeness of relationship in power and majesty of the Kingdom. We may be sure that all who will constitute the "little flock" will be so filled with the Lord’s Spirit as in honor to prefer one another. Certainly that there will be no jealousies. The divine judgment respecting worthiness will be fully approved by all the New Creation. This is so in the present time, and much more may we expect it in the future. In the present time we read that "God has set the various members in the body as it hath pleased him." All who are in accord with the Lord are continually seeking, not to change the divine arrangement, but to recognize it and to cooperate therewith. So also it will surely be in the future.

"It is sown in corruption:
It is raised in incorruption."
1 Cor. 15:42

Describing the differences between present conditions and those of the future, the Apostle says, "It is sown in corruption: It is raised in incorruption." "It" is the New Creature, whose existence began at the time of consecration and begetting of the Spirit. The New Creature has been developing and seeking to control the flesh and to make it its servant, in accord with the divine will. The New Creature is said to have lived in the flesh, as in the tabernacle, while waiting for the new body. "It" was sown in corruption, in a corruptible body: "It" went down into death; and yet "It" is not represented as being dead, but as merely sleeping, while its earthly tabernacle was dissolved. It is the same "It," the New Creature, that is to be clothed upon with the heavenly house, the spiritual body, in the First Resurrection.

This spiritual body in which "It" is raised, the Apostle declares, will be an incorruptible one–one which cannot corrupt, which cannot die. The word here rendered incorruption is aphtharsia, and signifies that which is death-proof, that which cannot corrupt or die or pass away. It is the same word rendered "incorruption" in verses 50,53 and 54, of this chapter, and the same word which is rendered "immortality" in Rom. 2:7, and again in 2 Tim. 1:10.

The declaration, that our spiritual bodies shall be incorruptible, immortal, is a most momentous one. We are distinctly informed that this quality of immortality belongs inherently to Jehovah alone. While it is declared of our Lord Jesus, that because of his faithfulness, his high exaltation consisted in part in his being granted life in himself, as the Father hath life in himself. The thought is the same here–that the glorious Head of the Church experienced just such a "change" to immortality, to incorruption, to participation in the divine nature. It does not amaze us that the plan of God should be thus liberal toward our dear Redeemer; but it surely does astonish us that this quality of the divine nature, given to none other than our Master, should be promised to the members of his body, who walk in his footsteps, and are seeking for glory, honor and immortality. 2 Pet. 1:4; Rom. 2:7

"It is sown in dishonor;
It is raised in glory."
1 Cor. 15:43

Here again the New Creature is referred to by the word "It." During the present life the world knoweth us not. It realizes not that we are begotten of the Father, to be his children on the spiritual plane. The world sees not that we are only temporarily sojourning in the flesh, for the purposes of our trial, for the testing of our faithfulness to our covenant of sacrifice.

"Now are we the sons of God." Unrecognized, we are disesteemed by the world. Because of our consecration to the Lord we may not occupy even as honorable positions amongst men as we might have the natural talents to occupy were they devoted to worldly pursuits. Both individually and collectively the Church in the flesh is now, as the Apostle declares, "in dishonor," in disesteem. Elsewhere he declares, our body is at present a body of humiliation. (Phil. 3:21) But what shall be the condition by and by? Will the dishonor all be past? Will the Church (Head and "body") be such as both angels and men will appreciate and honor? Will the New Creation thus be "in glory?" Oh yes! This is the assurance.

"It is sown in weakness;
It is raised in power."
1 Cor. 15:43

The New Creature is still referred to. The weakness mentioned is that of the present mortal bodies, their imperfections, which all New Creatures deplore. God graciously counts these as not being the weaknesses of the New Creature, whose purposes, or intentions toward the Lord are pure, perfect, loyal and strong. That these weaknesses will not attach to the new resurrection bodies of the "elect" is most specifically stated. "It is raised in power." The power of perfection, the power of the new nature, the power of God.

"It is sown a natural body;
It is raised a spiritual body."
1 Cor. 15:44

The same It, the same New Creature. It is a natural body now–the only tangible thing is the flesh. Only by the grace of God are we permitted to reckon the new mind a New Creature, and to await the time when this new mind will be granted a spirit body, suitable to it. The spirit body will then be It, in the same sense that the natural body is now It. What a glorious prospect this is! Truly, it is incomprehensible to us who have no experiences except such as are common to the natural man–except as our minds have grasped by faith the promises and revelations of the Lord, and have entered into the spirit of "things not seen as yet."

But if the very thought of the coming glories has lifted us up above the world and its cares, its trials, its follies and its pleasures, how much more will the realities mean to us when we shall be perfect and like our Lord and share his glory!

No wonder our Lord said to Nicodemus, "If I have told you of earthly things, and ye believe not, how can ye believe if I tell you of heavenly things?" No wonder it declares that we must first be begotten of the holy Spirit before we can even begin to comprehend heavenly things.