"Death is destroyed; victory is complete" - 1 Corinthians 15:53-55 (GNT)

When we consider the possibilities regarding life, the reality is our bodies end up dying at some time or another; it is more a part of life than anything else. 

But as a Christ-follower, our goal is to put on the immortal body, a body that never gets sick and dies. Paul uses this type of language, which is unique and graphic. In some translations, it reads this way: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

I remember when I was in seminary, this topic came up, and it was discussed intently. There are three aspects to salvation, saving our spirit, our soul, and our body.

  

“Now may God himself, the God of peace, make you pure, belonging only to him. May your whole self—spirit, soul, and body—be kept safe and without fault when our Lord Jesus Christ comes.” 

1 Thessalonians 5:23 (NCV)

When we received the gift that Jesus offered us by dying on the cross, our spirit was woken up or pinched alive (much like a Doctor used to do by pinching a newborn baby when they are first delivered to get them to cry).  When Jesus is revealed to us, our spirit becomes alive, and we are “born again” by the faith of Jesus.

“But the light makes all things easy to see, and everything that is made easy to see can become light. This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper! Rise from death, and Christ will shine on you.” 

Ephesians 5:13-14 (NCV)

We are progressively growing in Christ, and as we grow, our souls (or minds) are being transformed daily by the revelations from the spirit of God. These revelations are light (illumination), which floods us with an awareness of God’s presence. No longer are we being controlled by the desires of the flesh, we are awakened to the leading of the Holy Spirit of God. Our soul (or mind) is progressively being saved.  As we grow in Christ the love of God is revealed in us more completely as we come to know Him.

“Do not allow this world to mold you in its own image. Instead, be transformed from the inside out by renewing your mind. As a result, you will be able to discern what God will is and whatever God finds good, pleasing, and complete.” 

Romans 12:2 (VOICE)

The final aspect of salvation is immortality, which hasn’t been fully revealed yet but will be revealed soon. We presently experience immortality by experiencing physical death, which is a victory, as Paul spoke about in the verse for today. But there is a time coming (at the last trump) when our physical bodies are changed into incorruptible bodies, and we will not experience physical death. Either way, our bodies are transformed into glorified beings.

We have hope; the Father has promised that He will redeem (or exchange) our mortal bodies for immortal bodies at the appropriate time.

“Now listen to this: brothers and sisters, this present body is not able to inherit the kingdom of God any more than decay can inherit that which lasts forever. Stay close because I am going to tell you a mystery—something you may have trouble understanding: we will not all fall asleep in death, but we will all be transformed. It will all happen so fast, in a blink, a mere flutter of the eye. The last trumpet will call, and the dead will be raised from their graves with a body that does not, cannot decay. All of us will be changed! We’ll step out of our mortal clothes and slide into immortal bodies, replacing everything that is subject to death with eternal life.” 

1 Corinthians 15:50-53 (VOICE)

We live in an exciting time in the world’s existence; God wants His sons and daughters to be revealed, and all of God’s creation eagerly anticipates it. Satan and the principalities of darkness resist it, for they want to rule over the earth and its people. Death no longer has the power to hurt us, for we have the faith of Jesus Christ that abides in us, it is He who has bought and paid for our redemption.

In Christ, we have the fullness of salvation, now, and at the last trump. 

So it makes no difference what the timing is, we will be changed none the less. Our role here and now isn’t just to passively wait for our salvation, but it is to close the door on all activities associated with the enemy’s efforts so that we make a difference in the Kingdom of God. 

The Lord reminded me this morning that for everything we deem a spiritual attack, there is always a natural counterpart, and it works in the reverse sense also. If we believe that a spiritual principality from China has orchestrated this Coronavirus outbreak, wreaking havoc and bringing devastation upon the world, then we must also realize that there are human counterparts to this attack also. The proper way to pray and intercede is to close the door on this attack from both fronts natural and physical at the same time because one energizes the other. This is not to affix blame or to point the finger at a person or group, but as I said, it is to stop the attack and close the door on both fronts at the same time.

We are not a match for Satan or the principalities and powers that exist on this earth.  Our role is to close the door on their efforts and render them powerless to act.  This is how the kingdom of God advances from a defensive posture, not an offensive one.

God’s kingdom will prevail here, and it will be a mighty victory. But always remember that victory comes at a price; many lives have been lost to the Coronavirus. Rest assured that the victory is at the door, literally at the closed door that stops its progression. God’s angel armies are at the ready to fight on our behalf if we speak the word to stop this attack in its tracks.

“Surely the angels are no more than spirits in the service of God, commissioned to serve the heirs of God’s salvation.” 

Hebrews 1:14 (PHILLIPS)

We will overcome this pandemic and become much stronger than before because we will be battle-tested, and also because Jesus lives within us, He will not be defeated.

Be Blessed;

Stephen Barnett