Death Swallowed Up in Victory
“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 sting?”
On Thursday we looked at the great feast that God will lavish on his people after Jesus returns(link). In that passage, there is a very interesting promise: He (God) will swallow up death forever (Is. 25:8). Death entered the world when Adam chose to rebel against God and brought the consequences of that rebellion down on the whole human race(link). But God has been working ever since to rescue us from that terrible end.
So what does it mean that God will swallow up death forever?
Paul explains in Romans chapter 5:
When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. Romans 5:12 (NLT)
What is the death that spread to everyone?
It is very important to understand when the Bible talks about death, it is not just talking about our bodies ceasing to function. More than that it means being separated from God who is the source of life. When Adam and Eve sinned they were separated from God spiritually as they were banished from the Garden, and eventually their bodies also died. Being separated from God is spiritual death. That’s why Paul said that we “were dead” because of our disobedience and many sins. Even though we were alive physically, we were spiritually dead:
Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. Ephesians 2:1–3 (NLT)
Notice that Paul includes himself as one who once was spiritually dead when he says “All of us” lived that way.
God’s remedy for our death is Jesus dying in our place
Paul continues in Romans 5:
But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. 16 And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins. 17 For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ. 18 Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. 19 Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous. Romans 5:15–19 (NLT)
The remedy for our awful predicament of spiritual death - being separated from God - is the death of Jesus in our place and his rising from the dead. By this work on our behalf Jesus changed everything for those who trust in him.
In his first letter to the Corinthians Paul explained it this way:
But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died. 21 So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man. 22 Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life. 23 But there is an order to this resurrection: Christ was raised as the first of the harvest; then all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back. 24 After that the end will come, when he will turn the Kingdom over to God the Father, having destroyed every ruler and authority and power. 25 For Christ must reign until he humbles all his enemies beneath his feet. 26 And the last enemy to be destroyed is death.
. . .
54 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.
55 O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
56 For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. 57 But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:20–26 & 54–57 (NLT)
Back in Romans 5 Paul has this wonderful truth:
So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 5:21 (NLT)
“right standing with God and resulting in eternal life” - and eternal life with Jesus in his kingdom doesn’t begin after you die. It starts right now for those who are trusting in him.
Death of Death in the Death of Christ, John Owen. This 1684 edition is somewhat challenging for modern readers but if you like reading the original, this is really good.
Known as the "theologian's theologian," JOHN OWEN (1616–1683) was vice chancellor of Oxford University and served as advisor and chaplain to Oliver Cromwell. Among the most learned and active of the Puritans in seventeenth-century Europe, he was an erudite and accomplished theologian both in doctrine and practical theology.
If you want an updated English version, check this one out:
Death of Death in the Death of Christ, a Modern English Version, Bob Beasley, editor.