Yes, believers must undergo a complete transformation of their bodies from an earthly, corruptible state to a heavenly, incorruptible one.
According to Les Feldick, believers currently bear the image of the earthly man (Adam) and are made of flesh and blood, which cannot inherit the kingdom of God. Therefore, they must be changed into a spiritual body like Christ's glorious resurrection body, which is flesh and bone, not flesh and blood. This transformation is essential because corruption cannot inherit incorruption.
1 Corinthians 15:50 — This verse directly states that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, implying a transformation is necessary.
1 Corinthians 15:50 declares, "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption." This underscores the need for a change. The chapter also contrasts the earthly and heavenly: "As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly" (1 Corinthians 15:48-49).
Les Feldick teaches that believers, though already heavenly in citizenship, still live in earthly, physical bodies inherited from Adam. At the resurrection, they will be transformed to be like Christ's glorious resurrection body, which he demonstrated for 40 days after rising. This body is flesh and bone, not flesh and blood, and is not limited by time, space, or physical barriers. The transformation is from the corruptible to the incorruptible, enabling believers to inherit the kingdom.
Les Feldick explains that believers will have a body like Christ's resurrection body—flesh and bone, not flesh and blood. This body is not limited by walls or time, yet it can eat, as Christ did after resurrection. It is a glorious, supernatural body.
Flesh and blood are corruptible and prone to decay, disease, and death. The kingdom of God is incorruptible. Therefore, a change is necessary. The old body goes into the grave, but the new body is raised incorruptible.
Though believers are still on earth and function as physical beings, their citizenship is already in heaven. They bear the image of the earthly Adam now, but will bear the image of the heavenly Christ in the future.
Heavenly Citizenship
Les emphasizes that believers are now heavenly people with citizenship in heaven, unlike Israel who were earthly with earthly promises.
Corruption Cannot Inherit
Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom, so the corruptible body must be changed.
Bodies Like Christ's
Believers will be transformed into heavenly bodies like Christ's resurrection body.
Glorious, Supernatural Body
The resurrected body is not limited by time or space, and is supernatural.
Flesh and Bone, Not Blood
The eternal body is flesh and bone, not flesh and blood, and the source of life will be the Spirit.
Resurrected Body Devoid of Blood
Christ's resurrected body was flesh and bone, without blood, explaining why flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom.
Bearing Earthly Image Now
Believers now bear the image of the earthy Adam but will bear the image of the heavenly Christ.
Changed into His Likeness
Christ will change our vile body into His glorious body, like His resurrection body that ate fish and honeycomb.
1 Corinthians 15:50: Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
This is the key verse stating the need for transformation.
1 Corinthians 15:48-49: As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
This contrasts the earthly and heavenly bodies, indicating a change from one to the other.
Philippians 3:21: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
This verse promises that believers' bodies will be made like Christ's glorious body.
Yes, believers will have physical bodies, but they will be like Christ's resurrection body—flesh and bone, not flesh and blood, and not limited by time or space.
Because flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. Our current bodies are corruptible and prone to decay, while the kingdom is incorruptible. Thus, we must be changed.
Watch the Teaching: Why Adam's Sin Condemned You — Romans 5 Explained