~ Three Great Changes for all
Believers ~
Translated
~ Past—at the time of conversion.
All believers were translated at the
time of their conversion. “Who hath delivered us from
the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians
1:13-14 KJV).
Transformed ~ Present, through contemplation. Believers are to be in the process of being transformed during their remaining time
on earth. “But we all, with
unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from
glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2
Corinthians 3:18). “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,
that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which
is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your
mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of
God” (Romans 12:1-2).
Transfigured
~ Future, at the time of glorification.
All believers will be transfigured at the time of their glorification. “And
as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man. Now
this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God;
nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell 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 trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will
be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put
on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality” (1 Corinthians
15:49-53).
“And
if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we
suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified
together” (Romans 8:17).
“For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the
image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover
whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also
justified; and whom He justified, these
He also glorified” (Romans 8:29-30).
Have you been
translated? Are you being transformed? Will you be transfigured?
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW
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