A Building of God

2 Corinthians 5:1-8 For we know that if our temporary, earthly dwelling is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal dwelling in the heavens, not made with hands. (2) Indeed, we groan in this body, desiring to put on our dwelling from heaven, (3) since, when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. (4) Indeed, we groan while we are in this tent, burdened as we are, because we do not want to be unclothed but clothed, so that mortality may be swallowed up by life. (5) And the One who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment. (6) So, we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. (7) For we walk by faith, not by sight, (8) and we are confident and satisfied to be out of the body and at home with the Lord.

We must address this “building of God.” This is not the believer’s heavenly home, promised in John 14:1-6.

Nor is it a temporary body between death and resurrection (no support in Scripture).  It is his glorified body at the resurrection.

Tabernacle speaks of a tent. Paul was a tentmaker (Acts 18:1-3) and here he used a tent as a picture of our present earthly bodies.

A tent is a weak, temporary structure, without much beauty; but the glorified body we shall receive will be eternal, beautiful, and never show signs of weakness or decay.

Paul saw the human body as an earthen vessel (4:7) and a temporary tent; but he knew that believers would one day receive a wonderful glorified body, suited to the glorious environment of heaven.

If our tent is “dissolved or taken down,” speaks of death which we need not fear. Earthly speaks of a terrestrial body. When a believer dies, the body goes to the grave, but the spirit goes to be with Christ (Phil. 1:20-25).

When Jesus Christ returns for His own, He will raise the dead bodies in glory, and body and spirit shall be joined together for a glorious eternity in heaven (1 Cor.15:35-58; 1Thess. 4:13-18).