Devotion: 1 Corinthians 15:51

1 Corinthians 15:51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed.

Today’s verse may be familiar to you if you have studied the end times any. It is often used to explain what happens to us when Jesus returns. Take a few minutes to read the passage from which this verse is taken, including a few verses before AND after, to be sure you get a full understanding of the bigger picture.

In the Bible, anytime a writer speaks of a “mystery” it is in reference to a truth that was once hidden but has now been made known by God to His people. Paul used that same process here when he explained what would happen to us in the future. It was a mystery, but now it is revealed and everyone is able to know it. That is why he spoke of it in this letter to the church in Corinth. He wanted to encourage and inspire them with this once hidden knowledge.

He told them that all would not sleep. Sleep was a common metaphor used that indicated the physical death of someone. He was telling them that not every believer would die a physical death. Some would still be alive when the next part occurred. And what would happen?

All would be changed. Transformed. Even though some had already died and others remained alive, ALL would be changed, transformed and given an eternal, imperishable body that was perfect and holy. In 1 Corinthians 15:52, the verse after today’s focus verse, Paul told them that every believer would be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. The change from the old earthly body to the new heavenly one would happen instantaneously, at the sound of the last trumpet. (This is often used to describe what happens when Jesus returns, often called the Rapture).

Can you imagine what it will be like? Our bodies now are flesh and bone, prone to aging, sickness, and breaking down. They are perishable. But this verse tells us that God will replace our imperfect, perishable bodies with an eternal, glorified body that is imperishable and immortal. We would have a perfect body just like Jesus does!

This is an amazing promise and should serve as a reminder of the hope we have as believers. We may be aging, breaking down, falling apart in the current bodies, but we have a perfect, glorified, imperishable body just waiting to be given to us. And in an instant, we will be transformed. This truly does mean death is swallowed up in victory! (1 Corinthians 15:54)

What are you looking forward to in your imperishable, perfect new body?

Prayer: Lord, I long for the day I will be transformed and given a glorified body. But until that day, let me remember you have given me this current body and I need to care for it and respect it til the day you return. Amen 

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