Question from a reader:

On page 118 of Heaven you comment on “flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom” and state that we will have bodies like Christ’s resurrected body. But you fail to point out that prior to the crucifixion Christ referred to himself as “flesh and blood” (John 6:51-54) and after his resurrection he referred to himself as being “flesh and bone.”

Answer from Randy Alcorn:

When Jesus says “flesh and bone” he does not say “flesh and bone but not blood.” Some believe the resurrection body will have no blood, some believe it will have blood. It’s really an argument of science.

When Jesus says “flesh and blood” cannot inherit the kingdom he doesn’t say “flesh and blood and bones” cannot inherit the kingdom. Likewise, when he says the resurrection body is “flesh and bone” he does not say “flesh and bone and blood.”

In the same way that bones aren’t included in flesh and blood explicitly, likewise blood isn’t included specifically with flesh and bones, but may be implied.