“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew 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 trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 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. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
–1Corinthians 15:50-57
The apostle Paul, while writing to the church at Corinth, used the 15th chapter of his Second Epistle to relay some very important information about the gathering together (popularly known in the churches as the “rapture“) of the saints immediately before Jesus Christ returns to earth.
Among the important information which Paul gave the Corinthians in only eight verses was the following.
- Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God;
- We shall not all sleep [physically die], but we shall all be changed;
- This takes place in an instant;
- This takes place “at the last trump;”
- The dead shall be raised incorruptible;
- Believers still living “will be changed;”
- The resulting immortality of believers shall “swallow up” death;
- The sting of death is sin;
- God gives victory to believers through Jesus Christ.
That’s a LOT of important information about an event which is much talked about in the churches–though the talk is mostly hearsay, gossip and tall tales passed down from the wolves in the pulpit and the wolves known as TV preachers.
One of the points Paul emphasized to the Corinthians was the idea that believers, both living and dead would be “changed.” This change involves the corruption that is inherent in a body of flesh and blood. The corruptible must be changed to incorruption before a believer can enter into the kingdom of God.
“For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 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.”
It is obvious from the context of what Paul has written that the apostle was referring to immortality and the fragile condition of a body made of flesh and blood (dirt) when he was writing of “corruptible.”
To reinforce his point, Paul then refers to “this mortal shall have to put on immortality.”
Believers MUST be changed–otherwise they could not see God.
As God told Moses in Exodus 33:20: “And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.”
So this body of dirt; this mortal body of flesh and blood HAS TO be changed into an incorruptible immortal body before believers can inherit the kingdom of God.
But “corruptible” has another meaning also.
Besides its obvious meaning of physical decay, it also can mean a spiritual condition.
So while Paul was telling the Corinthians their bodies would be PHYSICALLY upgraded before they entered God’s kingdom, he was also telling them the corruptible would be changed to incorruption spiritually.
This is necessary because no corruption (sin) will enter into God’s presence once he dwells with man.
Referring to the New Jerusalem (the home of both God and believers after the return of Jesus Christ), the apostle John wrote:
“And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”
–Revelation 21:27
SO, though Paul was referring to PHYSICAL corruption in his Second Letter to the Corinthians (and he makes this perfectly clear), he also was referring to believers changing their SPIRITUAL corruption as well.
DOES the reader believe he will be changed in one way or another at the end?
DOES the reader believe he has already undergone the new birth?
It is not YET too late: there is still time to change direction (repent), place your faith for the future entirely on Jesus Christ and enter the kingdom of heaven.
DOES the reader believe he is saved?
Make Your Calling and Election Sure: End Times Survival
DOES the reader believe he is NOT saved?
Time is Running Out: Today is the Day of Salvation
- Gospel of Jesus Christ: Making a Choice
- The Gospel of Jesus Christ
- Gospel of Jesus Christ: The Power of God Unto Salvation
- Gospel of Jesus Christ: The End Times Power of God Unleashed
THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. ”
–1 Corinthians 15:1-8
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
-–Romans 1:16
MORE
- The Great End Times Revolt and Rebellion Against God and Jesus Christ
- The Nature of Spiritual Deception
[Portions of this piece appeared originally in End Times Prophecy Headlines: August 8, 2018.]
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by Jeremiah Jameson
–with Mondo Frazier
image: chaiwat, FreeDigitalPhotos.net
© Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report, 2012-18. © Mondo Frazier and End Times Prophecy Report, DBKP 2007-2018. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
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