Paul was preparing the foundation for his point that bodies before the resurrection will be different from bodies after the resurrection.
Like a seed that is sown and then grows into a glorious new plant, it is the same way for the resurrection of the dead. Believers’ present physical bodies will be different from their resurrection bodies. First, earthly bodies die and decay, but resurrected bodies will never die. Death eventually takes everyone. Those raised with Christ, however, will have bodies that will live forever. Physical bodies disappoint us, but resurrection bodies will be full of glory. Physical bodies are weak but resurrection bodies will be full of power. Physical bodies are natural and human, but resurrected bodies will be spiritual.
The “natural” body is suited to life in the present world; however, such a body is not fit for the world to come. That future world, where Christ will reign in his Kingdom, will require a “spiritual” body. Paul did not mean that this will be “spiritual” as opposed to physical or material, for that would contradict all that Paul has just written about resurrected bodies. Believers will not become “spirits.” Instead, “spiritual” refers to a body that suits a new, spiritual life.
Paul is making the point that because all humanity is bound up with Adam, so every human being has an earthly body just like Adam’s. Earthly bodies are fitted for life on this earth, yet they have the characteristics of being limited by death, disease, and weakness. Believers can know with certainty, however, that their heavenly bodies will be just like Christ’s—imperishable, eternal, glorious, and filled with power. At this time, all are like Adam; one day, all believers will be like Christ.
The phrase "not all of us will die" means that some Christians will still be alive at the time of Christ’s return (the rapture, not the second coming). They will not have to die before they get their new resurrection bodies. Instead, they will all be transformed, immediately (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
A trumpet blast will usher in the new heaven and earth. Christ will return, the dead will be raised out of the graves with transformed bodies. Those still alive will be transformed, also receiving their new bodies. This change will happen instantly for all Christians, whether they are dead or alive. All will be made ready to go with Christ.
The ultimate enemy of every human body is death. For those who have no hope in Christ, death is the end of everything. Christians have been given an entirely different perspective. For believers, death is not the end; it is merely a bridge into eternal life.
Death was defeated at the resurrection of Christ, but total victory over death will not be accomplished until human beings—made from the dust of the earth, just like Adam—are given bodies that defy death. Paul quoted from Isaiah 25:8 and Hosea 13:14—God’s promises that one day death itself will no longer carry victory or sting because death will be no more.
Those who have come to Christ as Savior have been given victory over sin and death.
SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)
Many people have questions about the return of Christ. This passage today reminds me of a message I preached in the END OF DAYS Message Series. I said...
Jesus said in Acts 1:7 - “It is not for you to know the times or the dates that the Father has set by His own authority. It’s by God’s will that this is done.”
In Luke 17:26-27, Jesus said here’s the picture, “When the Son of Man comes again it will be as when Noah lived. People were eating, drinking, marrying and giving their children to be married until that day that Noah entered the boat. And then the flood came and killed them all.” It’s going to be just like the days of Noah. It’s going to be unexpected and devastatingly fast.
Then, Jesus taught this in Matthew 24:42-44 (NIV) - "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
In Luke 17:26-27, Jesus said here’s the picture, “When the Son of Man comes again it will be as when Noah lived. People were eating, drinking, marrying and giving their children to be married until that day that Noah entered the boat. And then the flood came and killed them all.” It’s going to be just like the days of Noah. It’s going to be unexpected and devastatingly fast.
Then, Jesus taught this in Matthew 24:42-44 (NIV) - "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
But folks, we won't get any advance warning like that when Christ returns for us. This is the only warning we get. Over and over again, we are told his second coming is going to come suddenly, unexpectedly. Anything that anybody teaches about the Second Coming of Christ and they tell you they know when it will take place – they are liars. Run from them.
HOW SHOULD I RESPOND?
2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 (NIV) says, “Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God.”
BE READY AND BE ALERT. What’s the opposite of ready and alert? Unprepared and asleep. Let me ask you what describes the condition of your life and heart right now? If Jesus came back today, would you be ready? Have you stepped across the line and received Him as your savior and Lord? Have you committed your life to Him? If you have, then you are ready. For those of you who haven’t made that decision, your are unprepared for what the Bible says is going to to happen.
For those of you who have committed your lives to Jesus Christ, which is most of you, are you alert? Are you tuned in spiritually? Are you dialed into God’s will for your life. Are you living out the purpose He has for your life? OR, have you fallen asleep, spiritually speaking? Have you wandered off the path – gone your own way? If so, WAKE UP!!
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