“But listen, I tell you this secret: We will not all die, but we will all be changed.”
In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul is addressing questions the church had on matters of faith and death as believers in Christ. Making historical and logical arguments, Paul speaks to the truths of Christ and the resurrection as evidenced by the transformed lives of believers; the truth in the scriptures; and eyewitness testimony to the resurrection. Paul concludes that—without Christ’s resurrection—there is no faith for the believer, as our hope is based on this truth.

Paul makes the case that our physical bodies are from the earth and are designed and designated for the earth. As such, flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. But our bodies will be fashioned in likeness to Christ’s resurrected glorified body (Philippians 3:21) for heaven. The Greek word for fashioned means “clothed from within.” As animals have fur, birds have feathers, fish have scales, so too will the beloved of Christ be clothed with our glorified bodies. These will be our heavenly bodies, transformed from being sustained by the power of the blood, into glorious bodies being sustained by the power of the Spirit.

Paul goes on to tell us that bodily change (transformation) will occur in a moment, a twinkling of an eye (Vs. 52). The word “changed” (egeiro) means to “rise up,” or “rise again.” Strong’s Concordance tells us it means to rise from sleep, sitting, or lying down. The meaning can be associated with “rising from disease, death, or taken ‘figuratively’ to rise from obscurity, inactivity, and even from ruins.” All of this points to the great hope we have in the resurrected Christ.

The corruptible earthly body will be clothed with incorruption. It is further stated by Paul that for those alive in Christ, the transformation will be preceded by a great sound of the trumpet (Vs. 52)—the rapture of the Church as Christ comes for His people. I believe we are on the precipice of this moment, perhaps sooner than later. The question to all is: ARE YOU READY? Are you ready for a glorious party in heaven when those in Christ will be eternal testimonies proclaiming: “‘O death, where is your victory? Where is your power to hurt?’ Death’s power to hurt is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But we thank God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” (1 Corinthians 15:55-57).

We all sin and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). But Christ took our sin and nailed it to the cross so we could be forgiven (Romans 5:8). He then was resurrected assuring us we have been forgiven. The punishment was paid by Him. Now, we are alive in Christ who claimed victory over the eternal grave—which was the sentence on all for sin (John 3:16-17). Receive Him today, beloved. Repent and turn from sin. Salvation is in Christ and Christ alone. Live in His victory. Know the things of this world will pass, and the glory of a heavenly world is your future.

Thank you, Jesus, for the hope we have in and through you.

By Pastor David Massie, Bible League International staff, California, U.S.Old Testament Reading
Exodus 27, 28

Exodus 27 -- Instructions for the Altar and Courtyard, Oil for the Lampstand

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Exodus 28 -- Priestly Garments, Ephod, Breastpiece

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New Testament Reading
Matthew 21:23-46

Matthew 21 -- The Triumphal Entry; Moneychangers; Withered Fig Tree; Jesus' Authority; Parables of the Two Sons, Landowner

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Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library.