There is yet a redemption to come, which is called the redemption of our body (Rom 8:23).

Of this redemption we have both the deposit and the seal, to wit, the Spirit of God (Eph 1:14, 4:30). And because the time to it is long, therefore we are to wait for it; and because it will be that upon which all our blessedness will be let out to us, and we also let into it, therefore we should be comforted at all the signs of the near approach thereof; “then,” says Christ, “look up and lift up your heads” (Luke21:28).

The bodies of saints are called the purchased possession

Possession, because the whole of all that shall be saved shall be for a temple or house for God to dwell in, in the heavens. A purchased possession, because the body; as well as the soul, is bought with the price of blood (1 Cor 6:14-20).

But what then does He mean by the redemption of this purchased possession? I answer, He means the raising it up from the dead: “I will ransom them from the power of the grave, I will redeem them from death” (Hos 13:14).

And then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory”

This saying and that in Isaiah speak both the selfsame thing (1 Cor 15; Isa 25:8). And this was signified by Moses, where he speaks of the year of jubilee, and of the redemption of the house that was sold in Israel, how of that year it should return to the owner (Lev 25).

Our bodies of right are God’s, but sin still dwells in them

We have also sold and forfeited them to death and the grave, and so they will abide; but at the judgment day; that blessed jubilee, God will take our body; which originally was His, and will deliver it from the bondage of corruption, unto which, by our souls, through sin, it has been subjected.

He will take it, I say, because it is His, both by creation and redemption, and will bring it to that perfect freedom that is only to be found in immortality and eternal life.

And for this should we hope!

—John Bunyan, 1628–1688

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