Glorification is
the final stage of salvation
in which believers are
made perfectly holy,
receive resurrected
and glorified bodies,
and are fully conformed to
the image of Jesus Christ.
It is the completion of
God’s work of salvation.
¶ Biblical Understanding of Glorification
While justification happens in an instant (we are declared righteous) and sanctification is a lifelong process (we grow in holiness), glorification is the future event when we are made perfect. It will occur at the resurrection of the dead when Jesus returns.
At glorification, sin will be completely removed from our lives, and we will no longer struggle with the flesh, the world, or the devil. We will be like Jesus in character and will receive new, immortal bodies that are no longer subject to decay, sickness, or death.
Glorification is the great hope of every believer. It is the moment when God’s redemptive work in us will be fully completed.
- Perfect Holiness — We will be completely free from sin and made perfectly righteous.
- Glorified Bodies — We will receive new, immortal, resurrection bodies like Jesus’ glorified body.
- Conformed to Christ — We will be fully like Jesus in character and appearance.
- No More Suffering — Pain, sorrow, tears, and death will be gone forever.
- Eternal Fellowship with God — We will see God face to face and dwell with Him forever.
- Romans 8:30 — Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
- 1 John 3:2 — Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
- Philippians 3:20-21 — For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.
- 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 — So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.
- Revelation 21:4 — And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.
Understanding glorification has powerful effects on the believer:
- It gives us strong hope for the future — our current struggles are temporary.
- It motivates holy living now — we look forward to being like Jesus.
- It provides comfort in suffering — one day all pain and sorrow will end.
- It encourages perseverance — we press on because we know the end is glorious.
- It reminds us that God finishes what He starts — He who began a good work in us will complete it.
- It helps us live with an eternal perspective rather than being consumed by temporary things.
Glorification is the wonderful future that awaits every child of God. It is the moment when we will finally be everything God created us to be — perfect in holiness and fully like Jesus Christ.