In 1 Corinthians 15:51-57, Paul shared with the Corinthians one of the “mysteries” in the gospels. A “mystery” is a truth that had been concealed by the apostles from Christians until a certain point in time. The mystery that Paul revealed was that after the second coming of Jesus, in a split second (“in the twinkling of an eye”), those Christians who had died would be brought back to life, and those Christians that are still alive will go up into heaven without dying. The bodies of these Christians will not be of flesh and blood as we are now, but will be in a much different spiritual body suitable to living in the celestial world (1 Corinthians 15:40-50). Then, death will be abolished (1 Corinthians 15:54).
Let’s face it. Death “stings.” It seems a paltry term for something that can devastate our lives the way death does. But the pain is still “stinging.” No one is safe from it. But in this passage, Paul triumphantly declares victory over death in this passage. He says “Oh, Death. Where is your victory?” He declares the sting of death to be gone. He gives hope in these words. He looks past the temporary moment here on this Earth when death stings us, and focuses on the ultimate plan for death: defeat. Christ will be victorious over death and the children of God will never have to fear its sting again.
And we with joy pray:
Lord, You are the Victor! You have taken away the pain of Death. You have eliminated its sting. Death is defeated because of You. Praise Your holy name! Amen.