December 22 - Victory

December 22 – Victory

1 Corinthians 15:1-58

This is one of those passages that, at first glance, doesn’t seem like it talks about Christ’s return, but Paul speaks to the Corinthians about resurrection – first Christ’s, then ours. There were several heretical teachings that were being espoused by false teachers during His time and these same teachings seem to crop up on a regular basis throughout history.

One of these is Christ did not rise from the dead. In 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Paul makes it very clear that not only did this happen, but there were several people who were well-known throughout the region that saw the risen Christ, of whom he was the last.

He then launches into a teaching that confronts those who say that there is no resurrection of the dead. His logic is wonderful to read in 1 Corinthians 15:12-19. If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, not only is his preaching useless, but so is our faith. On top of that, we are false witnesses about God. And if God did not raise Christ from the dead, we have no hope and are to be pitied.

But, that’s not the end of the story.

Christ has indeed been raised from the dead. Not only that, but he is the first fruits of those od after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For Christ must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. ( 1 Corinthians 15:20-26)

In 1 Corinthians 15:35-58, Paul addresses the question of what our bodies will look like when we enter heaven. He is very clear about the fact that these perishable bodies are not going to be following us. We will trade the perishable for the imperishable. What is weak will be raised in power. What is a natural body will be raised as a spiritual body. (1 Cor. 15:42-44)

At the last trumpet, we will be changed in the twinkly of an eye.

“The perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: Death has been swallowed up in victory.” (1 Cor. 15:53-54)

We will see victory over death because Christ Jesus has destroyed it.