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. (1 Corinthians 15:51-57 KJV)
Our Final Victory
To confirm what he had said about this change, the apostle reveals a truth that had been hidden or unknown before—that not all the saints will die, but all will be changed. Those who are alive at our Lord’s coming will be caught up in the clouds without dying (1 Thessalonians 4:17). Yet this will not happen without their being changed from corruption to incorruption. Their living bodies will be transformed just like those who are raised from the dead, and this will happen in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye (1 Corinthians 15:52). The same almighty power that raises the dead can instantly change the living, for they must also be changed because flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.
This is the mystery the apostle makes known to the Corinthians: “Behold, I show you a mystery.” In the gospel, many such mysteries are revealed—truths once hidden now brought to light, though not all will be fully understood. The specific mystery here is that the saints living at Christ’s return will not die but will be changed in a moment, at the sound of the last trumpet. For, as he says elsewhere, “The Lord himself shall descend with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God” (1 Thessalonians 4:16). The trumpet is the great summons to all the living and the dead to appear before Christ’s judgment seat. At this call, the graves will open, the dead in Christ will rise incorruptible, and the living saints will be changed into the same incorruptible state (1 Corinthians 15:52).
He then gives the reason for this transformation: “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality” (1 Corinthians 15:53). How else could humans be fit for the incorruptible regions of heaven? What is corruptible and mortal must be changed to enjoy what is eternal and immortal. The same body that was once corruptible must be made incorruptible; what was sown must be raised. Saints will rise in their own bodies, not in other ones (1 Corinthians 15:38).
When this change has taken place, then shall be fulfilled the saying, “Death is swallowed up in victory” (Isaiah 25:8; 2 Corinthians 5:4). Death will be completely conquered, and the saints will be forever freed from its power. It will vanish from the heavenly realm to which Christ will bring his redeemed, and they will sing their song of triumph:
“O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:55).
Death’s power to harm will be destroyed. Believers will say, “We were dead, but now we live again and shall die no more. You, death, are vanquished and disarmed. We no longer fear your sting or your wrath. And you, grave—where are your trophies? Once we were your captives, but your prison doors are broken, your chains shattered, and we are free forever.”
In an instant, death’s dominion and the grave’s victories will vanish, and the saints will rejoice in the glory of their Redeemer.
The foundation of this triumph is clear. The sting of death is sin; this gives death its power to wound and destroy. And the strength of sin is the law, for the curse pronounced on the transgressor gives sin its power (Romans 5:12). Sin is the parent of death, and the law arms it with strength.
But Christ, by his death, has removed sin’s sting. He has atoned for sin and obtained forgiveness. The curse of the law is taken away because our Redeemer became a curse for us (Galatians 3:13). Therefore, sin has lost its strength, and death its sting. Death may seize a believer, but it cannot hold or harm him. When the dead rise incorruptible and immortal, it will be clear that death has lost all its power—through Christ’s atoning death and resurrection. By dying, he conquered death and triumphed over the grave, and through faith believers share in his victory. Even now they rejoice in the hope of it; and when they rise from the dead, they will triumph fully.
This victory leads to thanksgiving: “Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57). The saints’ joy will overflow in praise to God, who deserves all glory for their redemption. True joy is made holy when it results in gratitude to God. The resurrection victory will fill heaven with songs of praise. The saints, conscious of the mercy that raised and glorified them, will rejoice in the Lord, magnifying the God of their salvation.
When he works wonders for the dead, they will indeed rise and praise him (Psalm 88:10). Those once bound by death will lift their voices in thanksgiving for the great victory won through Christ. The victory is not earned by human power but given by the grace of God through Jesus Christ (Romans 3:24). How this will heighten their joy and deepen their gratitude! The death and resurrection of our Redeemer have opened endless fountains of thanksgiving. With what acclamations will the risen saints exalt him! Heaven itself will resound with, “Thanks be to God!”—and angels will join their chorus with a loud “Amen! Hallelujah!”