Introduction
In this life, our physical bodies are like temporary shelters, much like tents we inhabit for a brief period. As the Bible says, “Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.” (2 Corinthians 5:1).
No matter how long we live—75, 80, or even 100 years—this earthly tent will eventually wear out. We all face physical death, whether it’s due to old age, illness, or an accident. It’s a natural part of life, and for many, it can be a source of fear.
However, for those who believe in Jesus, physical death is not an ending but a transition. When we die, our soul and spirit depart from our earthly bodies and go to be with God. It might seem like we’re “gone,” but in reality, our true selves continue to live on. As the passage continues, “For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.” (2 Corinthians 5:4).
This “heavenly dwelling” is an immortal body that God promises us. When Jesus returns, He will bring the souls and spirits of believers with Him from heaven, reunite them with resurrected, glorified bodies, and we will live with Him forever, body, soul, and spirit.
This understanding offers a profound hope. It means that even though our earthly bodies are temporary, our existence is eternal. We live by faith, not by sight, confident in the promise of a life beyond this one. While we are currently “at home in the body,” we are “away from the Lord.” The ultimate desire is to be “away from the body and at home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8).
Ultimately, our goal in this life is to please God, whether we are in our earthly bodies or have departed from them. Regardless of how we leave this world, we will all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. For those who belong to Him, this means the assurance of having “made the cut” and entering into eternal life.