3:21Philippians 3:21

At His soon return and appearing Christ will change His people, raising the dead and changing the living in a moment in the twinkling of an eye to meet Him.Lt 107, 1904, par. 15–16+4 The mortal, vile, corruptible body will be exchanged for an immortal, incorruptible, glorified body fashioned like His own glorious body, made perfect, beautiful, healthy and free from all disease and deformity, yet with individual identity perfectly preserved so the risen are recognizable.EW 24.6+4 That change is not a moral change and will not make a vile character holy, but is the second stage of redemption for those already redeemed from transgression, whose character has been fitted, perfected and purified during probation.CTBH 209.2+3 The promise belongs to those whose citizenship is in heaven, who look and wait for the Saviour as pilgrims and strangers seeking a heavenly country.Ms 108, 1899, par. 27+3 It is accomplished by His power by which He is able to subdue all things unto Himself, which even now enables those who trust Him to overcome sinful tendencies and transforms the soul into His likeness, calling them to set mind and conduct on heaven in holiness.EW 24.6+4

The lowly body spoken of is the body of humiliation, and Christ Himself took such a humble human form.17MR 30.1–2 In doing so His divinity was veiled in humanity and His glory was subdued, so that finite people could behold Him without being destroyed.17MR 30.1–2 This followed the established pattern of God revealing Himself through humble forms that people could endure.17MR 30.1–2

The promise belongs to those whose life and citizenship is in heaven, who look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, to transform their lowly bodies to be like His glorious body by His power to put all things under Himself.Ms 108, 1899, par. 27+1 It belongs to those in the churches who love God supremely and their neighbor as themselves, whose prayers and alms rise as a memorial before God.Ms 108, 1899, par. 27 It belongs to those who walk in the light as fast as they receive it and live under His special care, carrying out the law of Christ's kingdom in this world as fellow-citizens with the saints in the household of God.Ms 108, 1899, par. 27 This same hope belongs to those who wait for Christ and seek a heavenly country as pilgrims and strangers on earth.Ms 2, 1869, par. 8–9 A life devoted to earthly wealth and interests contradicts that profession and weakens the testimony that Christ is coming.Ms 2, 1869, par. 8–9

The change will take place at Christ's second coming, at His soon return and appearing, when He transforms the present mortal body into a form like His glorious body by the power by which He subdues all things to Himself.Lt 107, 1904, par. 15–16+2 Those looking for this change must live and work on a higher plane, showing faith and readiness for His appearing, otherwise they will not be among those who receive immortality.RH Feb 17, 1853+1 At that coming the dead will be raised and the living changed, passing from mortality to immortality and from the corruptible to the incorruptible in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.3SP 40.2–41.1+4 This change can be endured even by those alive when He comes, so those who long for His appearing need not fear it, and whatever pain is involved is willingly accepted for the sake of salvation.SG2 21.1–22.1+2 His coming ends sin and temptation, and the redeemed will enjoy sanctification forever, so the nearer a person lives to the Lord the more earnestly he longs for and welcomes that appearing.SG2 21.1–22.1+3

At His coming the resurrected saints and the living saints will be gathered and caught up together to meet Him, each already fitted for the change and taking a place in God's temple, receiving a higher nature fitted for life in heaven.3SP 40.2–41.1+1 At the future resurrection Christ will change the bodies of His people and of the redeemed and make them like His glorious body.GC88 398.4–400.1+1 The resurrected just are the immortal harvest of the redeemed to be gathered at His coming, with Christ's own resurrection as the firstfruits and sample of that harvest.GC88 398.4–400.1+1 At the resurrection the very body laid in the grave will be called forth from the grave and changed into an immortal, glorious body like His own.Lt 42, 1875, par. 2 For this reason believers can look forward in hope to meeting their loved ones again.Lt 42, 1875, par. 2

The vile, mortal, corruptible body will be exchanged for a holy, immortal, incorruptible, glorified body fashioned like Christ's own glorious body.EW 24.6+4 This is redemption from the grave by resurrection to immortal life, given to all who in this life are redeemed from the condemnation and practice of transgression, and it is not itself a moral change but simply the exchange of the corruptible for the incorruptible.CTBH 209.2+2 Forgiveness now does not yet wholly remove all the results of sin, for holy flesh comes only when Christ comes and raises the dead, when mortality gives way to immortality and corruption to incorruption.Ms 76a, 1901, par. 10–12+1 That body is fitted through His love and sacrifice for life in heaven.EW 24.6+1

The mortal, corruptible, sin-marred and sin-marked body will become perfect, beautiful, healthy, symmetrical and immortal.ST Feb 12, 1885+2 Every blemish, deformity, disease, disfigurement and everything of sin and sickness will be left in the grave, and in the new earth there will be no sin or disease.ST Feb 12, 1885+2 Through Christ's suffering and death everything lost through Adam's transgression will be regained, as part of the resurrection and restoration of what sin has marred.ST Feb 12, 1885+1

Individual identity will be perfectly preserved, so the risen will be recognizable by those who love them and will recognize one another.ST Oct 28, 1886+4 Even those who were deformed, diseased or disfigured in mortal life will rise in perfect health and symmetry, with glorified faces shining with light from Jesus.6RED 37.2+2 As the disciples recognized the risen Jesus by His familiar appearance, manner and voice, so the risen saints will retain their own identity and be known by those who love them.ST Oct 28, 1886+3

The change restores what sin marred, for in the beginning man was created in the likeness of God not only in character but in form and feature, and sin defaced and almost obliterated that divine image, but Christ came to restore what was lost.4SP 463.1–464.1+2 The saints first come forth the same in stature as when they entered the tomb, then all blemishes and deformities are left in the grave and the form becomes perfect, beautiful and immortal, arising with the freshness and vigor of eternal youth.GC 644.2–3 Restored to the tree of life in the long-lost Eden, the redeemed grow up to the full stature of the race in its primeval glory until every lingering trace of the curse of sin is removed, appearing in the beauty of the Lord and reflecting the perfect image of their Lord in mind and soul and body.GC88 644.2–3+1

The change belongs to the bright world to come in the holy city, where those redeemed by Jesus who gave His life for them will behold Him face to face and be changed into His glorious image.CET 97.2+2 That glory is to be longed and thirsted for now, together with the living streams that make glad the city of God.CET 97.2+1

In the great day of God all who are faithful and true will receive the healing touch of Christ as the divine Restorer and Life-giver, who will remove every deformity and give them eternal life.3MR 276.4+2 Physical disability, deformity, hair color or bodily form does not bar salvation, prevent receiving God's seal, or need to be healed in this life to be saved.7MR 391.3–392.3+1 What gives admittance into the presence of the heavenly angels and opens the gates of the holy city is a pure, clean soul washed white in the blood of the Lamb, clothed in Christ's righteousness through perfect obedience to all God's commandments, with the heart purified, made white and tried.Lt 207, 1899, par. 23–25

Philippians 3:21 describes the second stage of redemption, the redemption from the grave by resurrection to immortal life of all who in this life are redeemed from the condemnation and practice of transgression.CTBH 209.2 Moral fitness for the next life must be obtained in this life, for the change to immortality is not a moral change but simply the exchange of the corruptible body for an incorruptible one fashioned like Christ's glorious body.CTBH 209.2 Forgiveness in this life does not yet wholly remove all the results of sin.Ms 76a, 1901, par. 10–12+1 The saints receive holy flesh, with mortality giving way to immortality and corruption to incorruption, only when Christ comes and raises the dead.Ms 76a, 1901, par. 10–12+1

That bodily change will not make a vile character holy, and does not purify or refine character.3SP 40.2–41.1+2 Character must be fitted, perfected and refined during probation before Christ comes, and believers must become pure and holy and have the mind of Christ.3SP 40.2–41.1+2 Only a symmetrical and perfect character, already complete, will receive immortality as the finishing touch.3SP 40.2–41.1+1 Enoch's life shows that a person may walk with God and develop a holy character even amid corrupting influences.ST Oct 30, 1879

Preparation for that bodily change therefore requires a moral change now, turning from false habits to Christian temperance and purity of soul, body and spirit.CTBH 209.2+1 Those looking for the change must live and work on a higher moral and spiritual plane, having purified their souls by obeying the truth.2T 410.1–2+2 Otherwise they will not be among those who receive immortality, when mortal bodies subject to disease are changed from mortal and corruptible to immortal and glorified, the dead raised and the living changed to receive a higher nature fitted for life in heaven.2T 410.1–2+2

Physical deformity, disability, hair color or bodily form does not bar salvation, prevent receiving God's seal, or need to be healed in this life to be saved.7MR 391.3–392.3+1 Healing belongs to the final restoration, when the faithful and true receive in the great day of God the healing touch of Christ as the divine Restorer and Life-giver, who will remove every deformity and give them eternal life.7MR 391.3–392.3+1 What gives admittance into the presence of the heavenly angels and opens the gates of the holy city is a pure, clean soul washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb, clothed in Christ's righteousness through perfect obedience to all God's commandments, with the heart purified, made white and tried.Lt 207, 1899, par. 23–25

The coming change will be accomplished by His own working, by the power through which He is able to bring all things under His control and put all things under Himself.EW 24.6+4 At His appearing and soon return He will transform the present mortal and lowly body and fashion it like His glorious body.EW 24.6+3 This belongs to those whose life and citizenship is in heaven, who look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, from heaven as pilgrims and strangers on earth seeking a heavenly country.Ms 108, 1899, par. 27+2 It belongs to those in the churches who love God supremely and their neighbor as themselves, whose prayers and alms rise as a memorial, who walk in the light as fast as they receive it and live under His special care, carrying out the law of Christ's kingdom as fellow-citizens with the saints in the household of God, while a life devoted to earthly wealth and interests contradicts that profession and weakens the testimony that Christ is coming.Ms 108, 1899, par. 27+1

That same power to subdue all things to Himself is not reserved for the future alone but is available now to those who trust in Him.Lt 107, 1904, par. 15–16+1 By it they are enabled to overcome inherited or acquired sinful tendencies and to rule their appetites and passions rather than remain enslaved to them.MH 174.6–175.1 Christ works within the believer to bring every part of life under His rule, and through faith the Spirit creates new life and renews the heart and mind in Christ's image.DA 175.3–176.1 In that renewal thoughts and desires are brought into obedience to Christ's will.DA 175.3–176.1+1

Believers are sanctified through the truth unto transformation into the divine Pattern.Lt 23, 1885, par. 30–34 The Holy Spirit's power transforms the soul and brings every thought into subjection to Jesus Christ.Lt 23, 1885, par. 30–34 That work softens and ennobles the character, removes rebelliousness, and brings believers into harmony with heaven and with one another.Lt 23, 1885, par. 30–34 Heavenly-mindedness belongs to the same hope, for those who look for the Saviour from heaven are transformed into Christ's likeness by converse with God and contemplation of heavenly things.MYP 84.2

The promised change of the frail, mortal, vile body to be like Christ's glorious body at His soon return is a reason to live now in a way that shows faith and readiness for His appearing.RH Feb 17, 1853+2 Expecting that transformation and His appearing should shape present conduct and conversation, with minds set on heaven.RH Feb 17, 1853+2 Those awaiting the Saviour are to live in holiness and keep mind and conversation focused on heaven.EW 90.2–3+1

The change from mortality to immortality will happen in a moment, and it can be endured even by those alive when He comes.SG2 21.1–22.1+3 The pain involved is willingly accepted for the sake of salvation, and those who long for His appearing need not fear the change.SG2 21.1–22.1+1 His coming ends sin and temptation, and the redeemed will enjoy sanctification forever.SG2 21.1–22.1+2 Longing for this hope grows stronger the nearer a person lives to the Lord, so that the hope of the change and of sin ending makes His appearing welcome to those who live near to Him.SG2 21.1–22.1+2 Looking for His appearing as the blessed hope leads people to regard earthly things as empty and worthless.6T 406.1–2

Professing to expect Christ to change the vile body and fashion it like His glorious body is contradicted by manifesting pride through fashionable dress.Ms 6, 1859, par. 44 The bodily change will not make a vile character holy, so character must be transformed before Christ comes.ST Oct 30, 1879 Believers must become pure and holy and have the mind of Christ before He comes.ST Oct 30, 1879 Enoch's life shows that a person may walk with God and develop a holy character even amid corrupting influences.ST Oct 30, 1879