Bible Study Seattle

There are some seeming inconsistences regarding the resurrection.  On the one hand, we have promises of immortality:

“For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.”  1 Corinthians 15:53

On the other hand, we have overcomers promised food:

“To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.”  Revelation 2:7

Immortals do not require food.  We have similar issues in the beattitudes:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  Matthew 5:3

“Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.”  Matthew 5:5

Which is it?  Heaven or earth?  Or maybe the kingdom of heaven is on earth?  Yet Jesus ascended to the Father, who’s definitely not on earth.  Then there’s this:

“You are worthy to take the scroll
    and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
    and with your blood you purchased for God
    persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
    and they will reign on the earth.”  Revelation 5:9-10

Here we have believers reigning on earth.  Now Jesus appeared as a regular person on earth after his resurrection.  He apparently had the ability to walk through walls.

Could there be a middle step?  This author isn’t sure.  Might resurrection only refer to the change to heavenly condition?  Perhaps people return to their former state (life on earth) first?  Consider:

“Nevertheless, I will restore their captivity, the captivity of Sodom and her daughters, the captivity of Samaria and her daughters, and along with them your own captivity, in order that you may bear your humiliation and feel ashamed for all that you have done when you become a consolation to them.  Your sisters, Sodom with her daughters and Samaria with her daughters, will return to their former state, and you with your daughters will also return to your former state.  As the name of your sister Sodom was not heard from your lips in your day of pride, before your wickedness was uncovered, so now you have become the reproach of the daughters of Edom and of all who are around her, of the daughters of the Philistines—those surrounding you who despise you.  You have borne the penalty of your lewdness and abominations,” the Lord declares.  For thus says the Lord God, “I will also do with you as you have done, you who have despised the oath by breaking the covenant.  “Nevertheless, I will remember My covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you.  Then you will remember your ways and be ashamed when you receive your sisters, both your older and your younger; and I will give them to you as daughters, but not because of your covenant.  Thus I will establish My covenant with you, and you shall know that I am the Lord, so that you may remember and be ashamed and never open your mouth anymore because of your humiliation, when I have forgiven you for all that you have done,” the Lord God declares.  Ezekiel 16:53-63