In Class 4 of the "Heaven" series, minister Garrett Bookout continues exploring **what we will be** in eternity, with a strong emphasis on the bodily, physical nature of the resurrection. He shares his personal shift from viewing heaven as an ethereal, ghostly existence to understanding it as a fully physical, resurrected life modeled after Jesus’ resurrection. The lesson examines key passages (1 Thessalonians 5:23 and especially 2 Corinthians 4:16–5:10) to show that believers will receive new, strong, immortal bodies rather than existing as disembodied spirits. The class also includes thoughtful discussion on practical questions such as whether we will know loved ones who are lost and how God will remove all sorrow in eternity.

In this fourth class of the "Heaven" series, Garrett Bookout dives deeper into the biblical teaching on the resurrection of the body. Moving beyond vague or ghostly ideas of the afterlife, this lesson highlights the clear scriptural emphasis on a physical, material resurrection — just like Jesus experienced. Through 1 Thessalonians 5 and a detailed walk-through of 2 Corinthians 4–5, Garrett explains the contrast between our current “tent” (frail, temporary body) and the permanent “building from God” (immortal resurrection body) we will receive. The class features honest Q&A about grief, knowing the lost in eternity, and the role of the Holy Spirit, offering great hope and encouragement for believers looking forward to eternity with Christ in glorified bodies.

1. Opening Prayer & Recap (0:00 – ~7:00)
- Prayer for open hearts and encouragement regarding eternity
- Review of the series structure (what we will be vs. where we will be)
- Garrett’s personal testimony: moving from an “ethereal/ghostly” view of heaven to a bodily resurrection view
- Key influences: Old Testament resurrection passages (bodily), Jesus’ physical resurrection (eating, being touched, etc.), and passages linking our resurrection to His

2. Audience Questions & Discussion (~7:30 – ~24:00)
- Will we know loved ones who are lost? How can there be no tears if we remember them?
- Garrett’s thoughtful response: God will remove sorrow; our focus and understanding will be transformed in God’s presence; we may not “remember” in the same painful way
- The overwhelming joy and glory of being with God will reframe everything
- Discussion on the Holy Spirit’s role in our current life and in the resurrected state (fullness of the fruit of the Spirit)

3. Key Passage: 1 Thessalonians 5:23 (~24:00 – ~32:00)
- Context: The entire book focuses on the Second Coming of Christ
- “May your whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ”
- Paul wants the **whole person** (including the body) sanctified and preserved, not just the spirit/soul

4. Key Passage: 2 Corinthians 4:16 – 5:10 (Main Teaching Section, ~32:00 – ~47:00)
- **Outer self vs. Inner self**: Outer (body) wasting away; inner being renewed day by day
- **Tent vs. Building**:
- Current body = temporary tent (fragile, burdensome)
- Resurrection body = permanent building from God, eternal in the heavens
- We groan in this tent but do **not** want to be “naked” (disembodied)
- We long to be “further clothed” so that mortality is swallowed up by life
- Three states contrasted:
1. Now: Weak mortal body + away from the Lord (walk by faith)
2. After death: With the Lord but “naked” (no body)
3. At the Resurrection: Strong immortal body + with the Lord forever (best of both)
- Judgment seat of Christ — accountability for what was done in the body

5. Closing Prayer (~47:30 – end)
- Thanksgiving for the hope of resurrection and eternal life with Christ

Main Theme: Our future is not a disembodied spiritual existence but a glorious, physical resurrection in immortal bodies, perfectly suited for eternal life with God — just as Jesus was raised.