Pam Padgett ... teacher
When Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, he addressed those who did not
believe in the resurrection of the dead reminding them Jesus has been
raised from the dead and that the salvation God has provided for us
through Jesus is not for this world only, but also for that which is to come
...
1 Corinthians 15:12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from
the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the
dead? 13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not
risen: 14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and
your faith is also vain. 15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God;
because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he
raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. 16 For if the dead rise
not, then is not Christ raised: 17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and
become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21 For since by man came
death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam
all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in
his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's
at his coming.
Not only is Jesus alive, but He reigns, subduing all things to Him, and will deliver all things to the Father ...
1 Corinthians 15:24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have
delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put
down all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign, till
he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be
destroyed is death. 27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But
when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is
excepted, which did put all things under him. 28 And when all things
shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject
unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.
Paul also explains that we will have not bodies we have
on this earth, for flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.
Instead, when Christ returns, the dead will be raised incorruptible and those who have not yet died will be changed, that which is
corruptible will put on incorruption (that which does not decay) and that which is mortal will put on immortality (that which does not die) ...
1 Corinthians 15:35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised
up? and with what body do they come? 36 Thou fool, that which thou
sowest is not quickened, except it die: 37 And that which thou sowest,
thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance
of wheat, or of some other grain: 38 But God giveth it a body as it hath
pleased him, and to every seed his own body. ....
42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption;
it is raised in incorruption: 43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised
in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 44 It is sown a
natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body,
and there is a spiritual body. 45 And so it is written, The first man
Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is
natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 47 The first man is of
the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. 48 As is the
earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such
are they also that are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of
the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
1 Corinthians 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh
and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption
inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all
sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 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. 53 For this
corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on
immortality. 54 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. 55 O
death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting
of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to
God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Our hope is not only for our lives on this earth, but also that we
will be found in Christ Jesus at His coming and live forever in the
kingdom of God incorruptible. While we remain on this earth, we believe in and seek those things which are to come as we serve God.
1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved
brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of
the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the
Lord.