Philippians 3:9-12 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: {10} That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; {11} If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. {12} Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.First, Paul longed for the complete clothing of Christ's righteousness-something he did not completely have until Christ's
Philippians 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.The fullness of that righteousness and resurrection were not yet fully attained (vs.15,16).
Compare verse 12 with:
1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.The glass was the veil through which they were beholding the face of Christ glory progressively as the OC was passing away and the NC wasbeing established:
2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are being changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.Remember, in Philippians Paul said, "That I may apprehend that for which I am apprehened." In 1 Corinthians 13 Paul said "then shall I know even as also I am known." This is the marital apprehension and knowledge through the presence of Christ with His people, when He would come to make His mansion with them:
John 14:2-3 In my Father's house are many mansions (dwelling places): if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself (as the Husband); that where I am there ye may be also.The ultimate goal of redemption was so that the people of God would behold His glory-nothing less, nothing more. Paul said they were already beholding His glory and face through a glass. That was in the same context of the contrast between the glory of the OC and the glory of the NC. Therefore if we are believers in Christ Jesus, and the NC is fully established, then we are fully beholding His glory. Christ is with us where we are. We cannot get any closer, any more in His presence, any more redeemed, more glorified...why? Because Christ prayed in the same context:
John 14:22-23 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him,
and make our abode (dwelling place or mansion) with him.
John 17:24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
John 17:22-23 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: {23} I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.Notice that because of this glory they would become one, not the other way around. So then, if this is true, this NC glory was most certainly a process during the transformation period, for Paul said:
Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.The glory which was excelling was already poured upon them to some degree. This glory was the image, life, and light of Christ. At the
Ephesians 1:13-14 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, {14} Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.Redemption was complete in AD 70. Redemption is not and cannot be partioned by physical death as some suppose:
Romans 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves,Paul and the rest of the first century believers were apprehended for that which they were apprehended of Christ. They were given, with His presence, the completion of the fullness of His life and glory:
waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
Colossians 3:1-4 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. {2} Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. {3} For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. {4} When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.What are those riches? physical death? Compare emphases.
Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Ephesians 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;They were in the process of being filled:
Ephesians 3:16-19 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; {17} That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, {18} May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; {19} And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
Ephesians 1:23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that is filling all in all.Isn't it fascinating that Paul told the Romans:
Romans 15:29 And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.Maybe Paul really meant what he said:
1 Corinthians 15:49-51 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. {50} Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. {51} Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changedPaul said they were being changed into that image (2 Corinthians. 3:18). He did not have to physically die to receive that image and change, neither do we.