If We’re Perfect, Why The Scars?

I think you wrote somewhere on your website, that when the rapture occurs, our mortal bodies will transformed to new immortal bodies, from destructible to indestructible and will be perfected, free from imperfection. I wonder then, if we have perfected bodies, why the scars of the crucifixion were still evident in Christ’s body, the nail holes and his side wound?

Q. I can’t find the quote, but I think you wrote somewhere on your website, that when the rapture occurs, our mortal bodies will transformed to new immortal bodies, from destructible to indestructible and will be perfected, free from imperfection.

I also was under the impression that the risen Christ, visible to the Apostles and others in Jerusalem, is a model for us of what our new risen bodies will be like.

I wonder then, if we have perfected bodies, why the scars of the crucifixion were still evident in Christ’s body, the nail holes and his side wound? Was this specific to Christ, or are there certain “scars” that we will also maintain for eternity?

So nice to have someone with a biblical understanding to run these kind of questions by. Thanks again for all you do to educate all of us.

A. The passage you’re looking for is 1 Corinthians 15:51-53, and it does state that in the twinkling of an eye our mortal bodies will be changed into perfect, immortal ones.

We’re told in John 20:27 and in Rev. 5:6 that in the resurrection body of Jesus the scars remain. Why this is so is not explained, but scholars have taken the view that they’ve become emblems of honor, visible reminders of His greatest work and worn with distinction, like a medal or insignia of exalted rank.

They’re unique to Him, identifying Him alone as the Savior of mankind. It’s been rightly said that the only man made things in heaven are the scars on the body of our Lord.