We
derive our English word metamorphosis from the Greek metamorphoo which is a key
word in understanding God’s plan for mankind. Metamorphoo means to transform,
to form or fashion, to change or cause to change completely in form or nature.
Metamorphoo can be physical or spiritual, and carries the sense of transformation into
something elevated... better... more beautiful. The butterfly is transformed
from a caterpillar via the cocoon by changing its outward form to reflect its
inner DNA. As applied to saints metamorphoo means to change the outward
expression of our nature to an expression that represents... reflects, our regenerated
inner nature: Literally, to conform to
our divine inner nature... the implanted DNA of our Savior.
Metamorphoo
is translated “transfigured” and “transformed” in scriptures, which are synonymous
terms, and is used four times: In Matt. 17:2 and Mark 9:2 Jesus is transfigured...
transformed: The Lord allowed the glory of His internal supernatural nature to
change His outward physical expression -- radiating glory through His human
body -- and His form became resplendent, shinning like the sun, affirming His
essential glory as Jesus the Messiah. In Rom. 12:2 and 2 Cor. 3:18 saints are transformed
with a renewed nature, the nature of Christ, by a lifelong spiritual process of
change into Christlikeness. Metamorphosis in the natural realm is a predetermined
process that follows the implanted DNA plan of living organisms. Metamorphoo in
the supernatural realm is a predetermined process following the plan of the
Holy Spirit in whosoever will. These three verses capture the essence of the
saint’s transformation process:
“For
those whom He foreknew (of whom He was aware and loved beforehand) He also predestined
from the beginning, foreordaining them to be molded into the image of His Son
and share inwardly His likeness, that He might become the firstborn among many
brethren.” (Rom. 8:29, Amp. Bible)
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and
where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (emancipation from bondage,
freedom). And all of us, as with unveiled face, because we continued to behold
in the Word of God as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being
transfigured (changed) into His very
own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the
Lord Who is the Spirit.” (2 Cor. 3:18, Amp. Bible)
“Do
not be conformed to this world (this age), fashioned after and adapted to its
external, superficial customs, but be transformed (changed) by the entire
renewal of your mind (by its new ideals and its new attitude), so that you may
prove for yourselves what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and
acceptable and perfect in His sight for you.” (Rom. 12:2, Amp.
Bible)
God’s plan from the get-go has been the
complete metamorphosis of man, in both spiritual nature and physical form, into
one befitting His Kingdom -- into the nature and form of His Beloved Son. Transformation
frees us from bondage to the desires of Self, our fleshly carnal nature, and
liberates us from the limitations of our physical bodies. God predestined this
for all His children, that His Son might “become the firstborn
among many brethren.” As we continue to behold in the Word of God the glory of our Lord -- setting our mind on His Kingdom --
we will be, progressively, renewed... transformed
in nature... literally
made new again... and qualitatively better, becoming a new creation. Paul told us a
mystery in 1 Cor. 15 50-54: “We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be
changed.” Our renewed spiritual nature, the nature of Christ, will need a
renewed physical body, a glorified spiritual body, to walk the streets of gold
with. The
transformation of our physical body into a glorified spiritual body... our
Glorification, will occur when our Lord comes to fetch us home. The Master
Potter is at work, His hands are upon us, ever molding and shaping us into
vessels of honor fit for Kingdom life. These
are a few of the many passages that attest to our spiritual metamorphosis. You
see... we are just caterpillars, but God... He wants to transform us into
beautiful butterflies...
WE SHALL ALL BE CHANGED
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