Fourth Sunday after Easter – Thursday

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. – 1 Corinthians 15:50.

Surely, this now is plain to you, O Christian, that our present flesh and blood, our body, which has become so miserable through sin, and which from the beginning was made and fashioned for this natural and earthly life, cannot in this condition and disposition inherit and enjoy the heavenly, eternal kingdom of God; our body, which now is subject to corruption, cannot dwell where incorruption dwelleth.  Hence on the day of resurrection it will be changed, altered, made new and glorious, spiritual and incorruptible.  But let us show you a divine mystery.

We Christians will not all be sleeping in death, but a number of us will be living on earth when Christ comes on the last day of this world, “but we shall all be changed” (v. 51), all without exception.  The bodies of the Christians living on the last day will be changed to be like the bodies of those who are sleeping in their graves and will then be awakened.  And all this change and alteration shall take place “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump” (v. 52a). For the trumpet of God will sound, and the dead will rise incorruptible, and those of us who are then yet alive will be changed unto the same likeness.  Indeed, “this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality” (vv. 52b-53), and will “be with Christ” (Philippians 1:23) forever and ever!

PRAYER – Oh Almighty Creator, Thou wilt make all things new!  Oh Lord and Savior, plenteous in mercy, Thou wilt glorify all Thy believing sheep and lambs!  Oh Spirit of the Father and of the Son, who has given me such hope and comfort in Thy Word, and who brings about a great and mighty yearning in me, help me each day to keep on hearing Thy voice in Thy Word and to keep on following Thee until I am with Thee in paradise.  Amen.

They who sorrow here and moan,

there in gladness shall be reigning;

earthly here the seed is sown,

there immortal life attaining;

here our sinful bodies die,

glorified to dwell on high.

(Hymn 206, st. 7; TLH)