Grace in Focus

Episode: What Will a Resurrected and Glorified Body Be Like?

Date: December 5, 2025
Host: Bob Wilkin
Guest: Phillipe Sterling

Overview

This episode dives into an often-overlooked topic within Christian eschatology: What will resurrected and glorified bodies be like? Host Bob Wilkin and guest Phillipe Sterling explore scriptural insights and theological theories about the nature, abilities, and purpose of glorified bodies for believers, referencing both traditional and more speculative views. The discussion also branches into how procreation, nations, and the potential expansion of humanity might look in the new creation, all while emphasizing Free Grace theological perspectives.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Scriptural Basis for Glorified Bodies (01:01–03:47)

• Bob Wilkin sets the stage: The resurrection and glorified bodies are central to biblical eschatology but rarely discussed in detail in sermons or literature.
  • “We’re told that Jesus at his resurrection, he's the first fruit of the resurrection. So that being the case, we're told that when we see him, we shall be like him.” – Bob Wilkin (01:28)
• Nature of Jesus' Resurrected Body:
  • Physicality: Jesus demonstrated his tangible, physical body post-resurrection—inviting Thomas to touch his wounds and eating fish (01:56–02:09).
    • “He ate fish … he asked them to give him some fish in John 21 and he ingested fish. But at the same time ... he is there in their midst” (02:09) – Bob Wilkin
  • Extraordinary Abilities: Appeared in locked rooms, instantaneous movement reminiscent of teleportation (02:09–02:31).
• Reference to other miraculous transport: Philip the Evangelist being moved by the Spirit as a biblical precedent (02:23–02:38).

2. Properties of Glorified Bodies (03:03–03:47)

• Senses and Abilities:
  • Glorified bodies are physical (touch, taste, sensation) but augmented, possibly including abilities like instantaneous movement, travel across the new creation—even to other galaxies.
    • “So we'll be, there'll be touch and sensations and taste. And yet at the same time, perhaps some unusual properties like instantaneous movement throughout the new Jerusalem … into the different galaxies” (03:21) – Bob Wilkin
• Rewards and Roles: Discussion of Frank Carmichael's view (journal articles cited):
  • Special abilities (e.g., teleportation, rulership, possibly “flight”) may be reserved for “overcoming” believers (03:47).

3. Marriage, Procreation, and the Angelic Analogy (04:13–05:10)

• No Marriage or Procreation for the Glorified:
  • “Isn't it true that Jesus says in the resurrection men won't be given into marriage, but they'll be like the angels? … There's no need of procreation for them. So there's a static number” (04:32) – Bob Wilkin
• Some minority interpretations suggest the possibility of continued procreation, but both hosts lean toward the traditional view—glorified believers will not procreate.

4. Growth of Nations in the Millennium and New Earth (05:10–07:18)

• Static Number for the Church; Growth for Nations:
  • “The number of people in the church will not change ... but in the millennium, according to the traditional dispensational view, the number of people in Israel is going to skyrocket. And ... the nations ... they're going to skyrocket.” (05:10–05:33) – Phillipe Sterling
• Massive Expansion:
  • “By the end of the millennium there will be hundreds of billions or trillions of people.” (05:39)
• Transformation of Humanity:
  • Some suggest a transition to a “sinless nature” for those entering the new earth (07:02).

5. The Mystery of the Nations and Healing in Revelation 21–22 (07:18–08:28)

• Who Are “the Nations” in Revelation?
  • Puzzling for interpreters: If everyone is glorified, why do "nations" need healing by the tree of life?
  • “If we're on the new earth and everybody has glorified bodies, why would the nations need any healing?” (07:34) – Phillipe Sterling
• Physicality Continues:
  • One theory is that “the nations” refers to natural-bodied, immortal people still needing the tree of life (08:28).

6. Theological Speculation: Eternal Procreation and the Expansion of Humanity (08:28–10:38)

• Endless Children?
  • Phillipe proposes eternity with ongoing births—preserving the delight of children, puppies, kittens, and so forth.
    • “Wouldn't it be kind of boring if for all of eternity, there were no puppies? … no babies?” (08:54) – Phillipe Sterling
  • “If there was an eternity with no procreation going on, then God's original purpose in the Garden of Eden was thwarted.” (09:11)
• Infinite Expansion and "Filling the Earth":
  • “The new Earth will eventually be full ... Regardless, at some point the Earth is going to be full.” (09:39) – Phillipe Sterling

7. Populating the Universe: A "Contrarian" View (10:10–11:51)

• Cosmic Mandate:
  • The vastness and “redundancy” of the universe may be for future human expansion across other planets, seeing Genesis’ command as an eternal, cosmic mandate.
    • “What if in eternity, God plans for us to populate those planets?” (10:38) – Phillipe Sterling
    • “It seems to me that God has given us this marvelous universe for us to explore it and develop it.” (11:05)
• Comparison to Mormonism and Mainline Thought:
  • Phillipe clarifies: while this is similar to a Mormon idea, the theological justification is different, and he maintains a Free Grace point of view (11:12).

8. Humanity’s Past, Genius, and Future Purpose (11:51–12:39)

• Adam and Eve as Pinnacle:
  • Adam and Eve were created with full capacity—“geniuses minute one” (11:51).
    • “I think Adam and Eve get a bad rap because in my view they were probably the pinnacle of creation. They were geniuses minute one. Adam has a complete vocabulary, fully developed.” – Phillipe Sterling (11:51)
• Human Innovation Before the Flood:
  • Society may have been highly developed, reflected in ancient achievements (12:04).
• Eternal Service:
  • Whatever the details, “his servants shall serve him. Revelation 22:forever.” (12:34) – Bob Wilkin

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “He ate fish … but at the same time ... he is there in their midst.” – Bob Wilkin (02:09)
• “So we'll be, there'll be touch and sensations and taste. And yet at the same time, perhaps some unusual properties like instantaneous movement throughout the new Jerusalem … into the different galaxies.” – Bob Wilkin (03:21)
• “I love children. I have two grandchildren.” – Bob Wilkin (08:54)
• “Wouldn't it be kind of boring if for all of eternity, there were no puppies? … no babies? Remember, Jesus said, permit the little children to come to me, for such is the kingdom of heaven.” – Phillipe Sterling (08:54)
• “If there was an eternity with no procreation going on, then God's original purpose in the Garden of Eden was thwarted.” – Phillipe Sterling (09:11)
• “It seems to me that God has given us this marvelous universe for us to explore it and develop it.” – Phillipe Sterling (11:05)
• “His servants shall serve him. Revelation 22: forever.” – Bob Wilkin (12:34)

Important Timestamps

• 01:01 – What will glorified bodies be like?
• 02:09 – Evidence for physicality and supernatural abilities in Jesus' resurrection
• 03:47 – Special abilities for “overcomers”; speculation on roles and rewards
• 04:32 – No marriage or procreation among the glorified
• 05:10 – Church vs Nations: static church, explosive growth of nations in the millennium
• 07:34 – The puzzle of “healing of the nations” in Revelation
• 08:54 – The case for ongoing procreation and delight in children in eternity
• 10:38 – A theory: populating the universe in eternity
• 11:51 – Adam and Eve’s intelligence; human innovation before the Flood
• 12:34 – The eternal service of the redeemed

Conclusion

Bob Wilkin and Phillipe Sterling offer an in-depth, lively exploration of the biblical and theological possibilities surrounding glorified bodies, the destiny of humanity, and the nature of eternity. Their discussion is grounded in Free Grace theology but ventures into stimulating questions about the ultimate purpose of creation, the continuation of human culture, and the joy of discovery and service in God’s eternal plan. In their words:

• “I hope we've given you something to think about. And in the meantime, let's keep grace in focus.” – Phillipe Sterling (12:39)