The Victory of the Resurrection

The Truth (20-22)

“But now Christ is alive from the dead!”

His resurrection was not just some apparition or the hallucinations of some grief-stricken followers. It was real, physical, evidential, repeated, even to His adversaries.

Matthew 28:1–6 NASB95

1 Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. 2 And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it. 3 And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4 The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men. 5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. 6 “He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.

The Transformation (50-53)

The triumph of Jesus over the grave has revealed a mystery (something unknown until now). Not the mystery of eternal life, but the mystery of the resurrection of the saints! We call it the rapture!

We will all be changed! When Christ returns in a moment (atomos), the smallest fraction of time, we will be transformed.

We receive a body that cannot perish or be corrupted! We receive a glorified body. Just as Christ has a glorified body!

When? at the last trump! 1 Thessalonians 4:15–17 “15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.”

How? By the supernatural power of God. Just as seed goes into the ground and dies to bring forth new life, so this dead body will be raised. This body is physical, but what is spiritual endures. This body perishes, but our soul will receive a new glorious body

The Triumph (54-58)

Christ’s resurrection has forever defeated death! Sin has lost its power!!!

The sting of death has been drained by the Lord Jesus Christ. The power of sin has been broken, by His perfect sacrifice!

Christ is VICTOR! We stand in His Victory!!

1 Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary F. Victory over Death (15:50–58)

Death is a malignant adversary, torturing people. But Christ has drawn its sting, and it is harmless to those who are in him.

Living He loved me! Dying He Saved me! Buried he carried my sins far away! Rising he justified freely forever! One day He’s coming, Oh glorious day!