Transformed by the Second: Living in Victory

48 As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the man from heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. 49 And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven. 50 I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” 55 “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

1. The Promise of Transformation

Sub Point 1: From perishable to Imperishable Bodies

1 Corinthians 15:48–49 “48 As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the man from heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. 49 And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven.”

Sub Point 2: The Image of the Heavenly

1 Corinthians 15:49 “49 And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven.”

That is why Jesus said, “You must be born again” or Born from Heaven

Sub Point 3: Promised Victory over Death

1 Corinthians 15:54–57 “54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” 55 “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

2. The Power of the Second Birth

Sub Point 1: The resurrection of those who died in faith in Christ

1 Thessalonians 4:13–14 “13 Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.”

Sub Point 2: We will be caught up in the clouds with Christ

1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 “16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”

Sub Point 3: We will not suffer in the tribulation

Pre-trib - Those who believe the Rapture will take place right before the tribulation and the Second Coming (Parousia) after the tribulation

Mid-trib - Those who believe the Rapture will take place 3 1/2 years after the tribulation and the Second Coming after another 3 1/2 years.

Post-trib - Those who believe the Rapture and Second Coming (Parousia) will take place after the tribulation

1 Thessalonians 5:8–10 “8 But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.”

3. The Assurance of Eternal Life

Sub Point 1: The Certainty of Victory

1 Corinthians 15:57 “57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Sub Point 2: The Hope of Immortality

1 Corinthians 15:53–54 “53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.””

Sub Point 3: The Promise of Eternal Reward

1 Corinthians 15:58 “58 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

4. The Call to Victorious Living

Sub Point 1: Stand firm in the Faith

Sub Point 2: Give yourself fully to Kingdom Work

Sub Point 3: Confidence in God's Promises

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