Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15 about Christ’s return and the changes that we will be ‘put on’ us. Living in God’s eternal kingdom will require new bodies and the process and timing are yet a mystery. Here are a few details presented in 15:50-54 “I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. ⁵¹ Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— ⁵² in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. ⁵³ For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. ⁵⁴ 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.”

Paul tells us that our bodies will be changed and that Jesus will exchange our mortal bodies for an immortal, imperishable bodies. It will happen suddenly, in the twinkling of an eye. The trumpet will sound when Christ returns and He will instantly transform us into eternal beings. If we are alive at that time, we will rise to meet Him in the air with a new body. If we have already passed into eternity, we will rise with new bodies to meet Him too. Truly death has lost its power or sting as we are all victorious in Christ.

Have you ever thought of what it will be like to have an imperishable body? No more worry about sickness or tears as described in Revelation 21:4 “‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Only God can provide this imperishable body for us when He returns. The only problem I see is if you do not know Christ as your Savior, then you won’t receive this new body for living in eternity with Him. Jesus is the pathway to this newness of life starting now and going into eternity. Jesus said in John 14:6 “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” The way to God and relationship with Him is through Jesus. Acts 4:12 “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Then you can proclaim the remainder of these verses in 1 Corinthians 15:55-58. ⁵⁵ “Where, O death, is your victory?    Where, O death, is your sting?” ⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.“

Let Paul’s final words hold you firmly until Christ returns or we go to be with Him and be clothed with our imperishable body for kingdom living. ⁵⁸ Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Victorious living found in Christ!

Linda