*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*
*ETERNITY, NOT IMMORTALITY. (2)*
*Scripture Treasure.*
1 Cor 15: 52-55
*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?*
*Insight and Highlight.*
1 John 3:2 *Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.*
*Scripture Treasure.*
For us to be like Jesus when He appears, our bodies must change, whether we are alive or dead at His coming.
This body must be changed in order for it to be like Jesus'.
Our image is the *......image of the earthy....* but we must *....also bear the image of the heavenly,* 1 Cor 15:49.
The body that was buried at death is of flesh and blood. It is corruptible. *"......but that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.*, 1 Cor 15:50.
This must go through a spiritual change. *For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.* 1 Cor 15:51-53.
When the body is raised from the grave and it has changed to immortality and incorruption, it is free from the captivity of the grave. The body is in the grave because of its corruption in flesh and blood, 1 Cor 15:55
It is now raised in immortality in order to qualify for eternity with Christ.
While God does not promise us immortality in flesh and blood, for those who have died and those who are alive at His coming, God promises a change of their state.
Paull says ,*"...we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,*, 1 Cor 15:52
We will have to change to immortality to receive the promise of eternity.
This state of change for all believers will compensate for all the tears and sorrow we have gone through. This is because in eternal life in Heaven, there shall be no more weeping, and no more death, Rev 21:4.
Though death brings sorrow to us, we should be glad that as much sting as it has, it was better to die in order to end human sorrow and endless labor, Rev 14:13.
So, our mortality is a gift from God. It is a way to a rest. God gives His beloved sleep, Ps 127:3. Pleasant in His sight is their death, Ps 116:15.
Imagine if evil people live forever. Imagine the undeserved pain the righteous suffer in the hands of evil people and just because they live in an evil world, Ps 73: 3-17.
These are some of the reasons why God takes the righteous *"....away from the evil to come."* Is 58:1.
Let us remember that God did not promise us immortality because death must come to all mankind, after which is judgement, Heb 9:27.
Judgement will determine eternal destination: the promise of destination of either Heaven or Hell.
Which will be your eternal destination?
*Remorse corner.*
God did not promise us immortality because sin and the body of flesh must die.
*Call to Word action.*
What is important is that you live to the Lord and die to the Lord.
Romans 14:8 *If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.*
*The Christian clarion duty.*
Though death is painful. Its sting will be removed. Though mortality is painful but it is a gift because we can not live endlessly to suffer endlessly.
Mortality is temporary. Immortality is eternal!
*Prayer.*
Lord, help me to live for the Lord, both in life and death, in Jesus name.
Good morning all, and have a blessed day today.
God bless you.
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