Many systematic theology textbooks to not dedicate a section to glorification. However, the common salvific framework of justification/sanctification/glorification seems to warrant its inclusion. Furthermore, glorification is to be understood as the completion of a Christian’s spiritual journey. Paul writes, “[A]nd these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified” (Rom 8:30). In simple terms, justification delivers a believer from the punishment of sin, sanctification delivers a believer from the power of sin, and glorification delivers a believer from the presence of sin.
The primary theological basis for glorification is the promise that believers will be resurrected in glorified bodies like Christ was resurrected in a glorified body. Paul writes, “But the fact is, Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man death came, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead” (1 Cor 15:20-12). Firstfruit is translated from the Greek word aparché (ἀπαρχή), which literally refers to the earliest crop in the year. Christ is therefore the first to be glorified and will be followed by the glorification of all believers.
Paul emphasizes that our perishable bodies cannot inherit the kingdom of God. Instead, deceased Christians will be resurrected in glorified bodies and living Christians will have their bodies changed. Paul writes:
“Now I say this, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold, I am telling you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality.” (1 Cor 15:50-53)
“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our lowly condition into conformity with His glorious body, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.” (Phil 3:20-12; see also 1 Jn 3:2)
And so the final glorified state with be where the soul is reunited with a glorified body akin to Christ. This body will be imperishable, glorious, powerful, and bear the image of the heavenly (see 1 Cor 15:42-49).
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