Lesson 4825

 (Lesson 4825) (04-18-25) 1st Corinthians 15:51-58 

   “Behold, I shew 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 trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 

 

   In today’s quote, Paul revealed a profound truth about the transformation that awaits believers. He explained that not all will experience death ("sleep"), but all will undergo a change. This transformation will occur instantaneously, "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye," at the sound of the last trumpet. At that moment, the dead will be raised incorruptible, and the living will be changed. This change is necessary because our current mortal and corruptible bodies cannot inherit the imperishable kingdom of God. Paul emphasized that this event will fulfill the prophecy: "Death is swallowed up in victory." He taunts death, asking, "O Death, where is your sting? O Hell, where is your victory?" He explained that the sting of death is caused by sin, and the strength of sin came by the restrictions of the law. However, through Jesus Christ, God grants victory over both sin and death. Concluding, Paul exhorted all believers to remain steadfast and immovable, always striving in the work of the Lord, being assured by the Holy Spirit that our labor is not in vain. ~