DOES JESUS HAVE A BODY OF FLESH?

DEFINITION OF SPIRIT

pneuma ^4151^ primarily denotes “the wind” (akin to pneo, “to breathe, blow”); also “breath”; then, especially “the spirit,” which, like the wind, is invisible, immaterial and powerful.  (from Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words) (Copyright (C) 1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers)

HEAVEN AND IT’S OCCUPANTS ARE INVISIBLE

Col 1:16: For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.  (NKJ)

2 Cor 4:18: while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (NKJ)

CHRISTIANS GET A SPIRIT BODY IN THE RESURRECTION

John 3:6-8, 13   “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’  The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit…  No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.  (NKJ)

1 Cor 15:40:  There are also celestial [heavenly] bodies, and bodies terrestrial [earthly]: but the glory of the celestial [heavenly] is one, and the glory of the terrestrial [earthly] is another. (KJV)

1 Cor 15:44:  It is sown [we are born in] a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.  (NKJ)

I Jn 3:2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. (NKJ) [If Jesus has a body of flesh, then don’t we know what we shall be?]

ANGLES ARE INVISIBLE SPIRITS

Heb 1:7, 14 And of the angels He says: “Who makes His angels spirits and His ministers a flame of fire.”  Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation? (NKJ)

Mark 12:25 “For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. [in heaven everything is invisible]  (NKJ)

II Ki 6:15-17 And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my masTer! What shall we do?”  So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”  And Elisha prayed, and said, “LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.  (NKJ)

Acts 8:6-7 And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.  For unclean spirits [fallen angels], crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed.  (NKJ)   [No one could see these fallen angels.  They were invisible.]

Mark 1:23-27 Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit [fallen angel]. And he cried out,  saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are– the Holy One of God!”  But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!”  And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him.  Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.”  (NKJ)

GOD IS AN INVISIBLE SPIRIT (BEING)

John 4:24 God is Spirit…(NKJ)

Col 1:15 He [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God…  (NKJ)

1 Tim 1:17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.   (NKJ)

Exod 33:20 But He said, “You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live.”  (NKJ)

John 1:18; 1 Jn 4:12: No one has seen God at any time. (NKJ)

JESUS IS AN INVISIBLE SPIRIT (BEING)

1 Pet 3:18 being put to death in deed in flesh, But made alive in spirit Rotherham

2 Cor 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; (NKJ) (2 Cor 1:3 – “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” KJV)

1 Cor 15:42-45 So also is the resurrection of the dead… It is sown a natural body [death]; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.  And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam [Jesus] was made a quickening spirit. (KJV)

Col 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.  (NKJ) [compare “image” with 1 Cor 15:49]

1 Cor 15:47-49 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man [Jesus] is the Lord from heaven.   As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.  And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.  (KJV)

Acts 9:1-9 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest  and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.  And as he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”  And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”  So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” And the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”  And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one.  Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.  And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.  (NKJ)

SPIRIT BEINGS IN HEAVEN DO NOT HAVE BODIES OF FLESH

1 Cor 15:49-50 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.   Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.   (KJV)

Luke 24:39 “Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.”  [When Jesus or an angel materializes, they temporarily leave their spirit state, and occupy a body of flesh.  That’s how angels ate a meal with Abraham, how the fallen angels conceived children through woman, and how Thomas was able to touch and feel Jesus after his resurrection.] (NKJ)

HOW DID JESUS DISCIPLES RECOGNIZE HIM AFTER HIS RESURRECTION?

Luke 24:35 [The two disciples on the road to Emmaus]  And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of bread.  (NKJ)

Mark 16:12 After that, He appeared in another form to two of them as they walked and went into the country.  (NKJ)

John 20:14-17 Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus.   Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.”   Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!” (which is to say, Teacher).   (NKJ)

John 21:1-13 After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself:   Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together.   Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing.   But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.   Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?” They answered Him, “No.”  [They didn’t recognize his voice.]   And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.  Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea.   But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish.   Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread.   Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.”   Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken.   Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?”– knowing that it was the Lord.  [If he looked like Jesus, why would they even consider asking?]   Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish.   (NKJ)

HOW DO WE EXPLAIN REV 1:7?

Rev 1:7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.  (NKJ)  [They will see him through the evidences of his return, beginning at the time of Israel’s deliverance (Eze 38:22,23; 39:6,7,27)]

Heb 11:24-27 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,  choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.  By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.  (NKJ)

Rom 1:20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,  (NKJ)

THE WORLD WON”T SEE JESUS WHEN HE RETURNS

John 14:19 A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also.   (NKJ)

Heb 12:14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: (NKJ)

I Jn 3:2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.  (NKJ)  [This promise is made to the Christians, not the world.]

John 6:51 “I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.”  (NKJ)  [Since he gave his flesh as the ransom (corresponding) price in place of Adam, he cannot take it back.]

ARE THESE SCRIPTURES LITERAL OR SYMBOLIC?

1Thes 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  (KJV)

II Th 1:7-8 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,  In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:  (KJV)

Rev 14:14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.  (KJV)

Rev 19:11-16 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.  His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself.  He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.  And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses.  Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.   And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.  (NKJ)

The only way to harmonize these four scriptures is to take them symbolically.  Otherwise they contradict each other.  These scriptures are explained in detail in the Studies in the Scriptures series.