The last trumpet mystery!
Scripture reading for July 25: 1 Corinthians 15
“I tell you this, brothers; flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is you sting?” 1 Corinthians 15:50-55
There were those in the Corinthian church that were doubting the resurrection of Jesus Christ. To the natural mind, a dead person can not be revived. So if we only think rationally, we know that Jesus Christ died a horrible death through crucifixion and was certified dead by Roman soldiers who pierced His side and thrust the spear through His heart. He was placed in a tomb and it was secured by a large group of soldiers to guard against someone stealing the body. These men were bribed to say that Jesus’ body was stolen while they slept. But if the resurrection of Jesus was just a fake stealing of a dead body, those trusting in Jesus have believed in vain. Salvation is a hoax and believers are most to be pitied because their faith is worthless.
But Jesus did die. Jesus was buried and His body lay in a tomb for three days. Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to His disciples, the women, and over five hundred at one time! (1 Corinthians 15:5-7) He appeared to Paul, who was writing this letter. Paul explained the mystery that in Christ, we who believe now have eternal life. At the last trumpet, our bodies will be transformed in a twinkling of an eye! Mortal flesh will put on immortality! Perishable bodies will be transformed to glorious bodies like that of Jesus’ resurrected body! We will put on the image of the Man of Heaven forever and ever! Death will be swallowed up in victory!
Have you ever been tormented by a fear of death for yourself or a loved one? How does this passage of Scripture help you to have a new world view of life here now and after death? Have you shared this ‘mystery’ with someone close to you?
Prayer: Holy Father, thank You for revealing this great mystery of victory over death and the grave! My fear of death is gone and I love to share this Good News of eternal life with my family and friends. I rejoice in the victory over death won for me by my Savior and Lord Jesus Christ! Amen!
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