Lesson 485

(Lesson 485)(12-13-12) 1 Corinthians 15:45-58, "And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 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 lesson, Paul further explains how the saved must undergo a physical change and be reformed into a heavenly, spiritual body. This change must be done because the sinful earthly body cannot enter into the presence of God.

We are advised that until the day of redemption, we are to continue diligently working to further the gospel of Christ, living our lives as beacons toward the saving grace of God.
To those of us whom have accepted Jesus Christ as savior and allowed Him to intercede on our behalf before the Father, the latter portion of this lesson contains the most precious questions to be asked in the entirety of the bible, "Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?"

What a glorious and comforting feeling it is to know that the spiritual death has no authority over us and that the power of God through Jesus Christ cleanses our souls and delivers us to a blessed eternity, in heaven, with God our eternal Father.~