Is “Physical” death the last enemy of God?
Paul wrote to the 1st century Christian church in Corinth to tell them in 1 Cor. 15:26, “The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.” (Destroyed: Greek word is Katargeo –> stripped of its power. Made impotent –> powerless, inoperative)
Let me ask you this question: when a Christian dies physically – where do they go? We know from Paul himself that from right there in the 1st century that they go to be present with Christ (2 Cor. 5:8).
Paul also said in Phil. 1:21, 23 “…to die is gain…having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.”
- A believer before Christ’s resurrection could not have said, nor had this hope/truth. Their soul had to go and wait in Hades/Sheol in the place called Abraham’s Bosom, or Paradise (Luke 16:22, 23:43)
As Christians, our sins are washed away by the blood Christ’s body shed on the cross. We have the righteousness and purification of His shed blood applied to us and we are redeemed and without blemish before Him, and when I take my last breath I am instantly before Him in glory à how would physical death be my enemy? My biological death ushers me away from the trials and tribulations of this life to be with Christ forever – how could this possibly be my enemy? Where is the power and judgment of sin?
Col. 2:14-15, “…wiped out…nailed to the cross…” by the literal shed blood and physical body substitutionary death of Christ on the cross on my behalf.
Physical death is no longer a threat or enemy to the Christian. It no longer has any power to harm us in the afterlife. It is now our friend, since it ushers us into the spiritual realm where Christ has conquered and removed the power and condemnation of sin-death and eternal death for us. Physical death is no longer the gateway into Hades/Sheol or eternal death, but rather the gateway into eternal life in the heavenly realm in the presence of God for the believer, Amen!
For a more in-depth study see the related full “Study Series” (available upon request if not hyperlinked):
“Study Series 3 What Happened in the Garden”
“Study Series 16 Lesson 2 Rev. Chapters 5 thru 9”
“Study Series 16 Lesson 3 Rev. Chapters 10 thru 12”
“Study Series 16 Lesson 4 Rev. Chapters 13 thru 20 on The Beast”
“Study Series 16 Lesson 7 Rev. Chapters 19 and 20 (sub study on The Wedding)”