Why is the restoration of the human corpse required on the course of restoration?
The restoration of the human corpse is required because the Fall of Man defiled both spirit and body, bringing the physical self under Satan's dominion. True salvation must encompass both spiritual and corporeal aspects to fulfill God's original ideal. Biblical examples like Jacob's embalming, Michael contending for Moses' body, and Jesus' resurrection demonstrate God's providence in reclaiming the physical body from fallen conditions, essential for establishing God's Kingdom on Earth.
The question of corporeal restoration is crucial for understanding God's plan of salvation. The Divine Principle reveals that the human fall impacted both spirit and body, necessitating a dual restoration. The Bible alludes to this, and the Principle clarifies why physical restoration is indispensable for achieving God's original ideal and establishing His Kingdom on Earth.
The Biblical Foundation
The Bible speaks extensively about resurrection and the future state of the body. Paul writes, "So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; 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" (1 Corinthians 15:42-44). This passage clearly indicates a transformation of the body, showing that the physical body is involved in the resurrection, not merely the soul. Jesus himself rose physically, demonstrating a resurrected body that could be touched and seen (Luke 24:39-43), setting the pattern for humanity's general restoration. The concept of God creating humanity in His "image" (Genesis 1:27) implies a physical as well as spiritual likeness. However, the Fall's full impact on this physical aspect and its subsequent restoration was not systematically explained in the past. This lack of a complete explanation has led to questions regarding the purpose of material existence and the importance of earthly life in God's eternal plan, questions that are now fully answered.
Divine Principle's Clarification
The Divine Principle resolves these ambiguities by unequivocally stating that the Fall of Man was not merely spiritual but also physical and corporeal. Due to the Fall, Satan defiled both human flesh and spirit, claiming them as his dominion, which resulted in humanity acquiring a fallen nature. This original sin also defiled the human corpse. Therefore, conditions of the flesh and spirit are required to remove this fallen nature. This is why corporeal restoration is necessary: the human body, having been claimed by Satan, must be restored, just as the spirit must be. The first human ancestors, Adam and Eve, were to have passed through a ten-stage course to maturity, fulfilling the number 40, to become perfect embodiments of God's love. Their failure led to a fallen nature affecting both their spirit self and physical body. Therefore, true salvation and restoration must encompass both aspects. The Principle teaches that the ideal human being, according to God's original creation, is composed of a spirit portion and a physical portion, working in perfect harmony, with the spirit guiding the body. For God's Kingdom to be established on Earth, humanity must be restored to this original perfection, both spiritually and physically. This restoration involves not only purifying the spirit but also purifying the body and its functions, such that the physical body can perfectly manifest God's love and truth. The absence of corporeal restoration would mean that humanity could not fully embody God's ideal, and the physical world would remain under the dominion of Satan.
The Completed Understanding
When the Divine Principle is understood alongside the Bible, the necessity of corporeal restoration becomes clear and coherent. The Bible's teachings on resurrection of the body (Job 19:26, Ezekiel 37:1-14) are not just about a spiritual awakening but directly imply the re-establishment of a purified physical form. As it is written, "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God" (Job 19:25-26). The Divine Principle explains that due to the Fall, Satan defiled even the human corpse, making its restoration essential. This is seen in biblical events such as Jacob's body requiring 40 days to embalm, the Archangel Michael contesting with the Devil to gain possession of Moses' body (Jude 1:9), and God claiming Jesus' body in the tomb. These historical examples illustrate a providential pattern where the human corpse, having been impacted by the Fall, must be reclaimed from Satan's dominion. Furthermore, original sin originated through a misuse of love, and thus redemption must also occur in the physical realm, rectifying the very mechanism through which the Fall occurred. This is why blessings of marriage and the establishment of God-centered families are crucial, as they are the means to purify the bloodline and restore humanity's physical embodiment of God's love. The physical body is not merely a transient vessel for the spirit, but an intrinsic and indispensable part of the human being, designed to experience God's love and manifest His creative purpose on Earth. Without the restoration of the body, humanity cannot fully live out "as it is in heaven, so on Earth" (Matthew 6:10), meaning God’s ideal of creation would remain incomplete and Earth would not become God's Kingdom of Heaven.
Living the Principle
1. Embrace our physical reality: Understand that our physical bodies are sacred and crucial to God's plan of restoration. Take active steps to care for our bodies, recognizing them as temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). For as it is said, "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's" (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). 2. Practice purity in relationships: Strive for purity in all relationships, especially sexual relations, understanding that the Fall originated from a misuse of love. Uphold the sacredness of marriage as the foundation for God-centered families and the purification of the bloodline. 3. Acknowledge the physical dimension of sin and restoration: Recognize that human brokenness is not only spiritual but also physical. Seek to align our physical actions, words, and expressions with God's ideal of truth and love, contributing to both individual and collective corporeal restoration. 4. Work for the Kingdom on Earth: Dedicate efforts towards building a heavenly environment and society on Earth, understanding that God's Kingdom involves the perfection of both individuals and the physical world through human effort and God's grace.
These answers explain the Bible in the light of the Divine Principle, the teachings of Reverend Sun Myung Moon. Read about the author, Sun Myung Moon.
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Sources and further reading
- The Holy Bible, King James Version — Scripture quoted and referenced throughout the answers.
- The Divine Principle (full text) — The complete text of the Divine Principle, the teaching of Reverend Sun Myung Moon that these answers explain.
- Unification texts library (tparents.org) — Large online library of Unification texts, sermons and collected speeches, including the Cheon Seong Gyeong.
- Short video lectures in English — Playlist of short English video lectures presenting these same principles.