Flesh and Blood Cannot Enter

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Flesh and Blood Cannot Enter

The Bible teaches that God’s kingdom will rule over the people and nations of the earth. The nations are not actually part of that kingdom, any more than the citizens of any country are part of the government that rules them. One must enter the kingdom to be in it. As distinct from those who are governed by it, who is actually in the kingdom?

Recall Paul’s statement: “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I show you a mystery” (I Cor. 15:50-51).

This is a mystery to almost everyone—that flesh-and-blood human beings cannot enter the kingdom of God. Only at the resurrection are people (true Christians) changed (born again) from flesh to spirit. Only then are those who were begotten of God born again. If we just believe the plain truth of the Bible, God’s kingdom cannot include flesh-and-blood people!

But exactly when does the change from physical to spirit composition occur?

I Cor 15:51 continues into I Cor 15:52 and holds the answer: “We shall not all sleep [remain dead], 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.” But changed to what?

In I Cor 15:47, Paul continues with this clear explanation: “The first man is of the earth, earthy [a physical human]: the second man is the Lord from heaven [a Spirit God Being].” I Cor 15:49 continues, “And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall [in the future—at the resurrection] also bear the image of the heavenly.” I Cor 15:53 states, “For this corruptible [flesh is certainly corruptible] must put on incorruption [those born of God are spirit], and this mortal must put on immortality.” It is at this point that flesh is changed into spirit!

Genesis 2:7 states, “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground.” Human beings are composed of flesh—of the dust. God will change their flesh to spirit at the resurrection. Those entering the kingdom must be composed of spirit.

Let’s examine this further. Matthew 22:30 states, “For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God.”

Hebrews 1:7 shows that angels are made of spirit. This is important to understand about our composition in the resurrection. But do not misunderstand and think that Christ was saying that the resurrected saints would actually be angels. He merely meant that they would be “as” the angels, in that neither angels nor resurrected saints marry.

This is what Nicodemus could not comprehend. It truly was a “mystery” to him. Christ had to explain it to him, as Paul had to explain it to the Corinthians—that we will all be changed at the resurrection. This is when we inherit the kingdom of God—when we are born again. No one can “see” or “enter into” the kingdom until Christ returns and establishes it.

Seeking Immortality—a Spirit Body

Before continuing, we need to examine immortality from a different perspective. Understand! The “immortal soul” doctrine states that everyone is already immortal. But what about the following verse referencing God and Jesus Christ? Notice: “Who only has immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man has seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power everlasting” (I Tim. 6:16).

If God and Christ are the “only” ones who have immortality, this leaves no room for people to possess immortal souls. People are not born with immortal souls (Gen. 2:7; Ezek. 18:4, 20; Matt. 10:28).

Romans 2:7 gives God’s perspective on immortality. Notice this instruction to would-be Christians: “seek for glory and honor and immortality, enternal life.” If people already have immortality, God would not tell them to seek it. Paul would not have told the Corinthians that their “mortal [bodies] must put on immortality” (I Cor. 15:53-54) at the resurrection.

Human beings do not have life inherent within them. Since you are not immortal, your life will span a certain allotted time, after which you will die. That is absolute (Heb. 9:27). Unless God intervenes, you have no future—no hope—beyond a limited time of 70 to 80 years.

Stop believing the fables of men about immortal souls. This fiction is not taught in the Bible!

Joint-heirs—Not Yet Inheritors—With Christ

Matthew 5:5 states that “the meek [true Christians]…inherit the earth”—and “rule with Christ.” But how does one become an “heir with Christ”?

A single verse exists that defines a Christian, but it is not the popular idea taught in the so-called “Christian” world. This verse also introduces being heirs.

God’s Holy Spirit within a mind makes one a Christian. Paul wrote, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Rom. 8:14). Christians have the Holy Spirit leading them. Having God’s Spirit is absolutely essential to being a Christian. Some verses earlier, Paul said, “But you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His” (Rom 8:9)!

It is that simple! One either has the Spirit of God, and is a Christian, or does not have it, and is not a Christian—is “none of His.” All who are truly converted must have the Holy Spirit in them.

This much is clear. What is not so clear—or even known—is this: “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together” (Rom 8:17).

The Bible reveals a connection between sons and heirs—and being “glorified together.” An heir has not yet inherited what is to come to him. I Corinthians 15:50 states that we will “inherit the kingdom of God.” But those called now, in this lifetime, are heirs—begotten (not yet born) sons. Paul explains, “And if you be Christ’s, then are you Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise…Wherefore you are no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ” (Gal. 3:29; 4:7).

A true follower of Christ and the Bible is an heir with Christ! Heirs are not yet inheritors. An heir is one who later inherits what has been promised to him. We have seen that Christians inherit the kingdom at the Return of Christ, when they are changed.

But what does this mean? It means you must receive God’s Spirit. But how?

Most believe that there are no requirements—conditions—to being saved. This is not true. The following verses prove that there are three pre-conditions that must be met just to receive the Holy Spirit.

On the day Christ established the New Testament Church, Peter gave a powerful sermon. It was so convicting that 3,000 were baptized. Before baptism, many asked Peter, “What shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). He instructed, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

This is God’s plain command to: (1) Repent and (2) be baptized—in this order—to receive the Holy Spirit! Mark 1:14-15 adds that Christ taught one must also (3) believe the gospel of the kingdom of God.

From baptism forward, the new convert is begotten and led by the Holy Spirit! What does “begotten” mean?