The ultimate surprise
It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:52-57
The highs and lows of our lives are usually caused by surprises. Within split seconds we are sobbing or laughing like crazy. Then there will come a time that we are staring puzzled and confused; wishing we would wake up from a dream. The Bible is full of them when you look at certain events through the eyes of people in that day. When Noah's neighbors first realized it that he was not kidding, for it was not just raining, it was flooding. When aged Sarah realized that the angel was not kidding when she gave birth to Isaac. When Moses's ears heard words from a bush and it would not stop burning. When manna first fell from the sky; when water first ran from the rock; when Jericho's walls came tumbling down; when a young lad named David whipped a rugged warrior named Goliath; when a Jewish stranger asked a woman from Samaria for water and tell her all her secrets; when the disciples discovered that Judas was guilty of betraying Jesus; when the only perfect One who ever lived was nailed to a criminal's cross; when Mary saw Him through the fog that memorable Sunday morning. And that's just some of the surprises told in the Scripture. And there is more to come. And the greatest of all those surprises will be the greatest shock of all. How about a thief in the night coming at the middle of a night in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye? Imagine all those open mouths, eyes wide open, spine-tingling chills high up in the sky. That is what Paul is describing from the text. When Jesus's return it will be the absolute greatest surprise. Well, the surprise is about how much we will be stunned and dumb with wonder because of that great miracle seeing the Lord Jesus Christ face to face. “Those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed.”
Blessings,
