1 Corinthians 15:50-58

                                                         1 Corinthians 15:50-58

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 your sting?”                                                                                        The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Transformation is a vital part of salvation.  When we are saved, everything changes.  The way we live, our eternal destiny, source of hope, view of death, understanding of Christ, purpose, motivation, relationships, and many other things are all transformed.  This transformation begins at salvation through Jesus Christ and completed when we are called into the presence of God.  There are two methods by which God calls people into His presence but there is only one means by which salvation can happen.  This passage describes the methods and the means.

 

RAPTURE IS A METHOD OF TRANSFORMATION: Our eternal dwelling in the presence of God requires transformation.  We cannot inherit the kingdom in our current bodies of flesh and blood.  Since our bodies are perishable, there is no way for them to take possession of the imperishable.  So, how will this transformation take place?  There will be many who will not have to face death for this transformation to take place.  The second coming of Christ is preceded by what we call the rapture.  Those who are believers in Christ will be gathered up into heaven without having to face death.  It will be a quick snatching away of all living believers whenever God decides to put an end to the pain, sorrow, sin and rebellion on this earth.  Paul expected to be raptured, and every believer should live with that expectant hope of being ready for the rapture.

 

RESURRECTION IS A METHOD OF TRANSFORMATION: For most people, the method of transformation into the imperishable will be the resurrection from the dead.  We were created by God and in His image.  Since He is eternal, we have an aspect of eternality.  Unlike God, we have not always existed.  Our life began when we were conceived by our parents.  However, our life does not end at our death.  Like God, we will live forever in the future.  Our current bodies cannot last that long or reside in the presence of God.  However, our future bodies that will be imperishable, will be transformed into bodies that will be forever in the presence of God.  This is the hope that we can share with the nations.  All who trust Christ will be resurrected to live forever in God’s presence.  All who do not respond to Christ and reject His offer of salvation will be resurrected to an eternity of suffering completely separated from God.

 

REDEMPTION IS THE MEANS OF TRANSFORMATION: Whether we are transformed through the Rapture or the Resurrection, the only means by which this glorious promise is available to sinful people is through the redemption that we have in Jesus Christ our Lord.  It is only because of His victory over sin and death that we can be saved.  This truth gives us hope for tomorrow and a reason to live today.  We are called to be abounding and abundant in the work of Lord because we have a hope that is worth spreading to the nations.  The mission of the Lord is to call people from every people, nation, tribe and tongue to worship Him and exalt the name of Jesus.  We have been redeemed to benefit from and participate in that mission.

 

APPLICATION: Always be ready for the return of Christ and His meeting us in the clouds at the rapture of His church.  Take great hope in the face of death because of the coming resurrection.  Work with joy to spread the Gospel to all nations so that others can experience the hope we have in Christ.

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