WE WILL BE CHANGED FROM MORTAL TO IMMORTAL

PROCLAMATION

“Behold, I show 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 shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed … 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.’ ”  1 Corinthians 15:51-54 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by the Apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers in the church at Corinth.  Paul begins this chapter discussing the resurrection of Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:1-11)  Then he discusses the resurrection of the believers who had died. (1 Corinthians 15:12-34)  Afterwards he transitions to a discussion on our resurrected bodies. (1 Corinthians 15:35-58)  It is during this discourse that he states that believers will be changed.  When Christ returns, we will change from being perishable to imperishable, and from being mortal to immortal.  This will all be done, instantly, in the twinkling of an eye.  This will happen to fulfill the prophecy written in The Holy Word: “He will swallow up death in victory ...” (Isaiah 25:8)

 

APPLICATION

Some of us will still be alive when Christ returns, but dead or alive we will all be changed.  Our earthly bodies are not fit to be in His holy presence, or in the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 15:50)  Our human bodies are frail, corrupt, and perishable.  Aging, diseases, injuries, and death cause our bodies to deteriorate.  All believers will be changed from what we are now, that which is perishable, into that which is imperishable.  When Christ returns, those who died believing in Him will rise from the dead first.  Afterwards, we who are alive at that time will join them in the clouds, “the rapture”.  (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)  Our earthly bodies will be transformed into immortal heavenly bodies, they will be different, like the angels. (Matthew 22:30)  We will be recognizable to those who knew us on earth, (Luke 16:22-24) but our earthly relationships will not exist in heaven. (Mark 12:18-25)  So, let us all keep the faith and keep on working for The Lord knowing that He will remember our good works. (Hebrews 6:10)  Our labor for Him will not be in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58)  In the end, when all is said and done, we will have the victory over death through our Lord Jesus, The Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57)  And wherever He is, we will be there with Him. (John 14:3)  To God be the glory!!!