3. The variety in God’s creation indicates the infinite range of God’s power.
Verse 39-41. When we see the differences that exist in God’s creation it ought to be easy for us to believe that out of His eternal resources He may bring forth that which presently is beyond our imagining.
4. In the cycle of life there is to be seen an upward tendency.
Verse 42-44. The dying and corrupting seed is transformed into the fresh and lively new growth. So shall it be with death and the resurrection. Corruption will give way to incorruption, dishonour will give way to glory, weakness will give way to power and natural will give way to spiritual.
In verses 45-49, Paul draws the same truth out of the comparison between Adam and Christ. Adam, the federal head of the human race gave us physical life. Christ, the federal head of His elect Who gave them spiritual life. Because we are they who are of the earth, we have borne the image of Adam. But also because we are, through the new birth, of Christ also, we shall bear the image of the heavenly.Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself, Philippians 3:21.
Verse 50 reminds us of the change that is required before we can enter our eternal inheritance. The spiritual change of the new birth will be accompanied by a change in our bodies and thus we shall be fitted for glory.
It is the privilege of New Testament believers to be given an understanding of many matters that were mysteries to believers in former times. Matt 13:11, Rom 16:25, I Cor 2:7-10, Eph 6:19-20.
Much that is commonly known to believers in this age was hidden from the eyes of God's people in ages past. The ministry of the gospel is one of opening these mysteries. That is what the apostle Paul is doing here.
Just how the dead would rise again was a truth largely hidden from from believers in the Old Testament. That they would live again they believed (Job 19:25-27, Psalm 71:20, Hosea 13:14) but how that would happen was a mystery.
That is fully explained to us here.
I. A CHANGE THAT ALL BELIEVERS WILL EXPERIENCE
The word change is the same on that appears in Hebs 1:12. And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail, Hebrews 1:12. That which the material creation shall experience so shall we.
1. Not all believers shall die.
There is a generation who shall pass immediately to the glorified state. Paul did not mean that he Christ to return to that generation. Simply that there would be some who would not die. He uses the word we collectively of all believers. He was not merely referring to himself and the Corinthians.
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord, I Thessalonians 4:17.
2. All believers shall be changed.
Please learn sinner that you have no part in this change. He who remains unchanged in soul will not be changed on this great day.
3. Like all changes experienced by the Christian, this one shall also be wrought by God.
We can do nothing to change ourselves. Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ, Philippians 1:6.
II. THE SUBSTANCE OF THE CHANGE
1. It shall be swift.
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, V. 52.Is this not the fashion in which God works all His miracles? Creation, regeneration, justification etc. The immediate works of Christ, Matthew 8:3, 14:31, 20:34, Mark 1:31, 2:12, Luke 8:44, 13:13. Never before will so many be changed at one time.
2. It shall be triumphant.
At the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised . . . V. 52. It is the first event of the new era. Christ comes in glory and His people will share in that glory. First mention of trumpet, Exodus 19:13 — a divine summons to the mount of God. We shall leave the wilderness wanderings of this world and go to be with the Lord.
3. It shall be extensive.
For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality, V. 53. The word put on literally means to sink into a garment. Only the most luxurious of garments proffer this experience. What a change this entails! There can hardly be a greater alteration.