15:51-58 What is Paul describing here?
15:51-58 What is Paul describing here?
Paul is describing here both the resurrection of dead saints and the "catching away", or rapture, of those still living at the time (CP V19-23 with Php3:20-21 and 1Th 4:13-18).
We learn from 1Th 4:14 that when Jesus comes back for the saints who have died He will bring with Him their spirits and souls to be united to their resurrected bodies.
The corruptible bodies of all the dead saints will rise up from their graves and be made incorruptible - they will no longer be subject to decay and degeneration and death - while the mortal bodies of those still living will be made immortal - they too will no longer be subject to death.
Everyone will be changed in the twinkling of an eye. Php 3:21 tells us that our new resurrection bodies will be like Christ's, after His resurrection.
That does not mean that they will look the same, but that they will be changed from mortal to immortal; from a natural body to a spiritual body; from corruptible to incorruptible; and from weakness and humiliation to glory and power (CP 1Cor 15:53-54 with Lu 24:36-43; 1Jn 3:2).
See also comments on Jn 5:28-29, Jn 14:1-3; Php 3:20-21; 1Th 4:13-18, 5:1-11; 2Th 2:1-3, 2:6-8; Rev 1:19, 3:7-13 and author's study The Rapture in his book Foundational Truths of the Christian Faith.
The dead in Christ in 1Th 4:16 refers to all the righteous dead - Old Testament saints and New Testament alike.
Christ died for all the saints of God from Abel onward. It was the death of Christ as full payment for all men's sins that made it possible for God to justify sinners and vindicate His righteousness, regardless of the biblical era (CP Mt 1:21; 26:27-28;Lu 1:68-79; Jn 1:29; Ac 17:30-31; Ro 3:23-25; 5:12-19; 2 Cor 5:17-19, 21; Ga 3:22; He 9:15; 1 Jn 2:2), see also comments on Ac 17:30, Ro 3:24-26 (B) and Ro 4:1-5.
When our corruptible bodies have been made incorruptible, and our mortal bodies have been made immortal in resurrection power, then death will have lost its sting and the grave will have been defeated (CP 1Cor 15:54-56 with Isaiah 25:8 and Hos 13:14).
The hope of resurrection from death for believers makes all their efforts and sacrifices in the work of the Lord worthwhile. Nothing done in Christ's name is wasted in light of the future resurrection and eternal glory for believers. (See also comments on Ro 10:9).