The reason for resurrected bodies

Soul sleep proponents argue that the concept of a conscious soul that is able to exist apart from a physical body undermines the purpose of the resurrection. Their reasoning is that if you're already conscious and aware, then what would reuniting with a body serve? In this article, we will address that very question. First, let's define what we mean by "soul." A soul is our mind (consciousness), thoughts, emotions, and will. It is the inner man (or woman) that makes us who we are. It is intangible and subjective by nature. Thus, the soul needs some kind of body to interact with the world around it.

Here on earth, we have temporal physical bodies to interact within our three spatial dimensions. After our physical body dies, our soul (consciousness) departs from the body much the same way a hermit crab discards an old shell. Contrary to popular belief, we don't become disembodied spirits any more than angels are disembodied spirits. We will still have a body, just one made of a very different substance and capable of operating in higher dimensions. God told Moses that no one can see me and live (Exo 33:20). That's because our mortal physical bodies would not be able to withstand the full glory of God, but our heavenly/celestial/spiritual body, whatever name you want to call it, can. This heavenly body, however, is also temporal.

So, a physical moral body cannot operate in heaven, nor can a heavenly body operate on earth. One body is made for earth; the other is made for heaven. In order to operate in both realms, a different kind of body will be needed. Enter the resurrection. At some point in the future, we will be given resurrected bodies that will be far superior to both our physical and heavenly temporary bodies. The resurrected body of Jesus is the prototype for our own future resurrected body. He could be seen and touched; he could eat and drink. It was a body capable of operating in this physical realm, but it was also capable of ascending to the heavenly realm. Just as Jesus was last seen ascending to heaven in the clouds (Acts 1:9-12). Resurrected bodies are not restricted to either realms but are capable of traversing both. 

At the crux of the issue is that soul sleep proponents believe that humans were created for earth alone, not heaven. They believe humanity’s original design and purpose is to fill, rule, and steward the Earth. However, our ending point is not dictated by our starting point. Creation does not limit our final destiny. The late Dr. Michael S. Heiser would also agree that the original mandate was for humans to co-rule with God and spread Eden across the face of the earth, but it doesn't stop there. We would join His divine family in a unified heaven-and-earth kingdom. The two realms were never meant to be so segregated. That only happened because of sin and the fall. In actuality, angels and humans are both sons (and daughters) of God.

And that's exactly what the Scriptures say will happen. Ephesians 1:9–10 says all things will be united in heaven and on earth. Colossians 1:19–20 says all things will be reconciled on earth and in heaven. Revelation 11:15: The kingdom of the world and the kingdom of God will become one. In Revelation 21:1–3, Heaven comes down to Earth.

If Jesus is the firstfruits (1 Cor 15:20), and we will be like Him (1 John 3:2), then what is true of Him is destined for us. We are to reign on earth (Rev 5:9–10), but we will also be seated in heavenly places (Eph 2:6). Our future destination then is not restricted to earth alone, but we will have access to all of God's vast creation. Thus, a resurrected body is needed so that we can return to this earth but also for the day when both realms are fully united.