Author: Charlie Garrett

Sunday, 19 April 2015

The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 1 Corinthians 15:56

In the previous verse, Paul cited Scripture which said, “O Death, where is your sting?” He now takes time to explain what this is telling us. “The sting of death is sin.” Again, Death is personified, as if he was a serpent or a scorpion with a powerful sting; a sting called sin. When sin is found in man, then Death has prevailed. This is seen explicitly in Romans 6:23 –

“For the wages of sin is death…”

But Paul also provided another truth in Romans. Adam sinned and that sin became an infection in him which spread to all of his descendants. In Romans 5:12, he explained this –

“Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.” Romans 5:12

But Paul, being thorough and methodical goes further in his explanation by saying that “the strength of sin is the law.” Adam had a law, albeit one commandment, but a law nonetheless. When he broke that law, even though it was done in innocence, wrath ensued. Paul explains the reason for this as well in Romans 4:15 –

“…because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression.

If there were no command given to Adam, there would have been no transgression. But there was a command and it was violated. Thus wrath, resulting in death, was the consequence. However, there was even a reason for this. In God’s wisdom, He gave a law that He knew Adam would break. But in order to show man his utter dependence on the Lord, this took place. If not, then Adam would never have truly understood his relationship to his Creator. Paul shows us this in Romans 7 and in particular Romans 7:7 –

“What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law.”

Adam realized what sin was because a law was given which he then broke. By that, sin entered the world and along with that came Death. This is what Paul is showing us in 1 Corinthians 15. But it must be remembered that he is doing it in relation to the work of Christ, work which is greater than the failing of Adam. Thus in Adam all die, but in Christ all will be made alive! Every person who trusts that God’s provision in Christ is sufficient will be rewarded with eternal life.

Life application: In Christ sin is dead because the law is nailed to the cross. We have prevailed over the law, not by our own actions, but through the work of Jesus. Our faith in this act is what brings us reconciliation with God. Have faith that even your present failings can never separate you again from the love of God in Him.

O God, there are many religious expressions on earth and some of them have parallel thoughts to the work of Christ, but only one of them reveals Christ in His fullness. Help me to be able to express to others clearly the truth that there is one path and one door to reconciliation with You. There is partial truth and there is ultimate truth, and I know that only in Jesus is there ultimate truth. Thank You for Jesus who has lighted the path and opened the door for all who will but believe! Amen.

Saturday, 18 April 2015

“O Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?”1 Corinthians 15:55

Paul, in a sense of jubilation over what he is considering, now adapts the words of Hosea 13:14 to his comments on the work of the Lord. Cited from the Hebrew, that passage reads –

“I will ransom them from the power of the grave;
I will redeem them from death.
O Death, I will be your plagues!
O Grave, I will be your destruction!
Pity is hidden from My eyes.” Hosea 13:14

The work of the Lord is the destroyer of Death and Hades (the grave) and so in his exuberance at the thought of Christ fulfilling that passage, he adapts the words for his audience to consider with him. We have all experienced the effects of Death, and we all know the seeming finality of it. What Death claims is beyond our power to restore and so all we are left with is hopelessness at the eternal separation he has brought to us. Paul likens that to a “sting.” The word in Greek is kentron and means a sting or goad. In this it specifically indicates one which ends in death.

The word is used in Revelation 9:10 in the sense of a tormentor from scorpions –

“They had tails like scorpions, and there were stings in their tails. Their power was to hurt men five months.”

This “sting” is removed through the work of Jesus and so Paul poetically asks Death, “Where is your sting.” In Christ it is no longer the great destroyer it once was. His sting is gone and Death has been rendered impotent. And as the sting of Death once filled the abyss of Hades, it appeared that its consuming pit was the final victor. But Christ Himself unlocked the gates of Hades and paved the way for the souls of men to be revived to eternal life.

Because of this Paul asks, “O Hades, where is your victory?” Hell stood open, welcoming all who came its way. It reveled in its ability to hold more and more souls as the ages passed. It felt smug, as if its power was unstoppable, but Christ prevailed over it and purchased release for the captive souls. This is why Revelation 20 says that someday these two foes will be forever banished from their once exalted position. They will be cast into the Lake of Fire, never to consume another. The victory belongs to the Lord!

“Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” Revelation 20:14

Life application: Nothing is impossible for the Lord. What we feel is the most hopeless of all situations is completely under His control. Stand fast in your faith in Him and in His ability to handle every detail of every promise His word provides.

Heavenly Father, by Your great hand you have vanquished Death. You have sent Your Son to defeat this great enemy of man. Now there is no power in his sting and there are no gates on hell which can hold the souls of those who die in Christ Jesus. We can mock this once great enemy and we can scorn the place where he resides. Death is ended; the Grave is opened; the dead shall rise. Hallelujah to our great God! Amen.

Friday, 17 April 2015

So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 1 Corinthians 15:54

The thought of the previous verse is repeated by beginning it with “So when…” At the time that these things occur, what was written by Isaiah the prophet will come to pass. In chapter 28 of his book, he writes about the work of the Lord which Paul cites –

“He will swallow up death forever,
And the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces;
The rebuke of His people
He will take away from all the earth;
For the Lord has spoken.” Isaiah 25:8

Paul’s citation is not a direct quote, but the intent remains. In the Old Testament, the word “forever” in Hebrew is elsewhere translated as “in victory” in Greek because the intent of the words is ultimately the same. That which is rendered forever has been accomplished by a victor.

The word for “swallowed” is katapinó which means to drink down, swallow, devour, destroy, consume. Paul uses the same word in the same way in 2 Corinthians 5 when speaking about our resurrection bodies –

“For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life.” 2 Corinthians 5:4

As there is a definite article in front of “Death” in both Isaiah’s and Paul’s words, there is in this the idea that “Death the swallower is swallowed up.” The final realization of this is found in Revelation 20:14 –

“Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire.”

However, for the believer, we don’t have to wait until the final destruction of death, but only for that time when we receive our eternal, glorified bodies. Therefore, Paul’s words are directed at individuals who make up the collective whole. When each person who is glorified receives their body, for them it is the start of an eternal walk. For some, it will be at the rapture, at others it will be at the first resurrection which follows the tribulation period. And for others, it will be at the end of the millennium. For all, it will be glorious!

Life application: Because of the resurrection of Christ, we have the absolute sure proof of the fulfillment of the words of the Bible. God’s word cannot fail. What He has promised will be realized. Be of good cheer, Christ has overcome!

Oh Lord, it is a hard thing to lose a loved one. We are left with emptiness in our hearts that is beyond our ability to overcome. But for those who are in Christ, the separation and pain is temporary. He has prevailed over death and promises the same to all who will simply trust Him by faith – “I have done it all, trust that it is sufficient.” I do trust; I do believe. Thank You for the comfort of this surest of all hopes! Amen.

Thursday, 16 April 2015

For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 1 Corinthians 15:53

Paul continues with his explanation of the words of verse 50. In this verse now, he states two truths concerning our resurrection body –

1) It must be suited to the spiritual nature of heaven, and
2) It must be suited to the eternal nature of heaven

Both of these are requirements concerning the body we will be given. The word for “put on” here concerning both the incorrupt and the immortal aspects of this body is enduo. According to Strong’s, this comes from two words, “en and duno (in the sense of sinking into a garment); to invest with clothing (literally or figuratively) — array, clothe (with), endue, have (put) on.”

This is elsewhere explained in greater detail by Paul –

“For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, ³ if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. ⁴ For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life.” 2 Corinthians 5:1-4

In this, we can see the use of two separate metaphors for what our heavenly bodies will be like. The first is a garment, and the second is a tent. These will be garments that never wear out and a home which is from everlasting to everlasting, given by God for the glories which lie ahead.

Life application: What discomfort do you feel right now? You won’t be feeling it ever again when you get your resurrection body.

Precious Lord, stars are beautiful at night, lighting up the sky like diamonds. The sun is wonderful, bathing us with its heat and light for our daily work and enjoyment. The moon is soft and kind on our eyes as we sit under it and ponder Your goodness. But these… these are nothing compared to Your radiant beauty. I long for eternity in Your house and in Your presence. May that day be soon! Come Lord Jesus. Amen.

Wednesday, 15 April 2015

…in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 1 Corinthians 15:52

In the previous verse, Paul explained that, “We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.” Now to provide detailed insight into this marvelous event, he says that it will come about “in a moment.” The word he uses is atomos, which is where we get our word “atom” from. It is only used this one time in the New Testament and it comes from the prefix a which means “not,” and temno which means “to cut.” Thus it indicates a moment of time which is indivisible; instant. In explanation of that, he further defines what he means by saying, “in the twinkling of an eye.”

The word used to describe this is also used only once in the New Testament. It is rhipé. It means “a glance, twinkle or flash of the eye; a rush of wind or flame; any rapid movement.” It comes from another word, rhiptó, which indicates “to throw, cast, toss, set down; pass.” It thus is an event which occurs in one combined action, without any delay and nothing to hinder it.

A person can blink their eye five times in a single second. So fast is this that the brain doesn’t always register events which occur so quickly as they flash by. This is the rapidity of the event which is coming. It will be as if a door is opened, we are taken, and then the door is closed before those around us can even perceive what occurred. And the timing of the event is given for us. Nobody can say that “we can’t know when the rapture will occur.” The fact is that we have been told in advance that it will be “at the last trumpet.”

Far too often, this is used by students of prophecy to indicate that this sudden event will occur at the seventh trumpet judgment of Revelation. There is no substantiation for this at all, and it doesn’t fit with a host of other verses in the Bible which indicate that we will be gone before, not during or after, the events of the seven-year tribulation period.

Rather, the word “last” here is described well by Albert Barnes. He says it “does not imply that any trumpet shall have been before sounded at the resurrection, but is a word denoting that this is the consummation or close of things; it will end the economy of this world; it will be connected with the last state of things.”

Understanding this then shows us that even though we know exactly when the rapture will occur – which is at the last trumpet, we will not know when the last trumpet will occur. Instead, all we need to know is that when the trumpet sounds, we are out of here. So keep your ears always ready for that wondrous blast.

When the trump sounds, the blessed hope of the believer in Christ will be realized. “For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” The many words Paul has used so far in this chapter to describe our resurrection bodies will be realized in each believer at that moment. All who have called on Christ, from the dead of thousands of years ago all the way to the final sinner who says, “I’m sorry Lord Jesus, I receive you as my Savior” at that last moment before the trump will be caught away together. We shall be changed, never again to see corruption or death.

Life application: We can send an entire movie through the internet in a moment; something that wasn’t even conceived of a short time ago. We can send all of the information of the internet around the world with tinker toys we call computers. If we can do these things, then why should we believe it is impossible that God can do what His word states, just as His word states it? Have faith in God and in His word.

O God, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, there is going to be a change in those who have received Jesus; and we understand the reason why – it’s because He has done all of the work for us. We shall be raised to eternal life, never again to see corruption of any kind. Then will end the burdensome strife; then will come peace and joy to the believer’s mind. Thank You, O God for the comfort Your word provides to us! Thank You for the hope that is found in the Lord Jesus. Hallelujah and Amen.