The Insur-Resurrection, Part 3

Shawn McCraney explores Paul's writings in 1 Corinthians 15:50-58, emphasizing the idea that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God and explaining the mystery of transformation for believers who are alive at Christ's return. He highlights the concept that, regardless of whether believers die or are alive when Jesus returns, they will all be changed from mortal to immortal, with the victory over death achieved through Jesus Christ.

Paul's message to the Corinthians assures that not all will die but all will be transformed instantly at the coming of Christ, illustrating this change with the term “atomos,” meaning an indivisible moment of time. This perspective invites believers to perceive God's capabilities as beyond human comprehension, emphasizing His power to materialize reality merely by speaking, which necessitates humility and reverence as our response.

Shawn highlights the importance of the "last trumpet" in Jewish tradition and its significance in Christian eschatology, where it signals the resurrection of the dead and the transformation of the living into immortality. He references biblical passages, particularly from Paul and Jesus, emphasizing that at the sound of the trumpet, death will be overcome and the faithful will be united with God in victory, as prophesied in both Isaiah and the New Testament writings.

Shawn teaches that Jesus' victory over death is fundamentally spiritual, not material, emphasizing a spiritual resurrection rather than a physical one. This implies that while material decay and death persist, the ultimate victory lies in overcoming spiritual death, sin, and their consequences, pointing towards a spiritual kingdom realized in believers and fully realized in heaven.

Death and Hades are depicted as entities with "sting" and "victory" respectively, and according to Paul, the sting of death is sin, empowered by the law. Jesus Christ, by perfectly fulfilling the law and overcoming sin, enables freedom from the death and grave's power, offering grace and liberty instead.

Shawn teaches that while Christians are freed from the law through Jesus, they bear personal responsibility for living according to the Spirit and the laws inscribed on their hearts, as failing to do good when it is known is considered sinful. He emphasizes that although our mortal bodies, inherited from Adam, are inevitably sinful and will perish, believers are encouraged to remain steadfast and dedicate themselves to God’s work, with the assurance of a new spiritual body and eternal reward through Christ’s resurrection.

There is a purpose and a reward in life, and these rewards are reflected in the resurrected bodies that God grants to every human being. Shawn emphasizes the significance of this transformation as a part of God's larger plan.