1 Corinthians 15:50-56
Now I say this, brothers: Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, and what is perishable is not going to inherit what is imperishable. Look, I tell you a mystery. We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the blink of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable body must put on imperishability, and this mortal body must put on immortality. But once this perishable body has put on imperishability, and this mortal body has put on immortality, then what is written will be fulfilled: Death is swallowed up in victory. Death, where is your sting? Grave, where is your victory? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for these verses that help us understand Your salvational plan for us. These words help us understand what happens when Jesus comes again. For those still alive, they will be transformed in an instant into glorified bodies that cannot die or be corrupted by sin. Because our bodies corrupted by sin cannot inherit Your kingdom, they are transformed to be indestructible—imperishable.
For those whose bodies have been resting in the grave, they are resurrected from their graves; they are reunited with their bodies, which are raised immortal and imperishable. By faith in Your Son, death has no power over us since Christ defeated sin; He also defeated death and the Devil.
We might taste the temporary death of our soul leaving this body, but we hear Jesus’ words to the criminal hanging next to him. That man confessed his sins and acknowledged Jesus as the innocent Savior suffering for the world’s sins. Jesus said to him, “Amen, I tell you: Today you will be with me in paradise.” Jesus spoke the words of forgiveness and life to that man, which are for all who trust in Him. Jesus grants complete pardon and eternal life.
With anticipation, we pray to hear the trumpet sound soon so we may be with you in heaven forever. Forgive us all our sins according to Your love and mercy. Give us the confidence to share Your love, grace, and mercy with those around us who do not know or trust You; allow us to share our hope with them. Amen.
Written through Pastor Roger Emmons
Come, Lord Jesus, come!