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28. Why does Paul say to Timothy that Jesus has destroyed death (2 Timothy 1:10), whereas he says to the Corinthians that the last enemy that will be destroyed is death (1 Corinthians 15:26)?

 

 

 

Because when Jesus Christ rose from the dead, He destroyed the physical death in His life, but He did not destroy the physical death tasted by the saints. Is it not true that both the saints who died in ancient times and the saints who die now have not yet been raised from the dead? Is it not true that most of their bodies are already ashes, and that some of their bodies are in an advanced state of decomposition, and all of them are waiting for the resurrection? Therefore, whereas on the one hand it is true that Jesus destroyed death, on the other hand it is true that He has not yet destroyed it, because He has not yet raised the saints from the dead. Only when all the saints are raised from the dead (and the living are changed) will we be able to say that death has been swallowed up in victory, as it is written: “We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed – in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will 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 has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:51-55 – NKJV). We won’t be able to say this till that day has come, for death will continue to strike the saints till that day; however, we believe that in that day death (as well as the other enemies which now we do not yet see subjected to the Lord) will be put under the Lord’s feet. Therefore we must admit that even though it is written that God has put all things in subjection under the feet of Jesus Christ, “now we do not yet see all things put under him” (Hebrews 2:8 – NKJV).

God is faithful and will complete the work He has begun, He will not leave it unfinished. His counsel will stand, He will do all His pleasure and nobody will reverse His work.

To Him be the glory now and forevermore. Amen.

 

 

 

 

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