THE LAST ENEMY THAT SHALL BE DESTROYED

1 CORINTHIANS 15:22-26

Pastor Rick Jackson

 

The Bible says death is an enemy. We sometimes hear people say “For the Christian death is but the doorway to Heaven” but that is wrong. Christ is the door to Heaven, we give death too much credit when we say something like that. Let’s see what the Bible says.

 

I. DEATH IS AN ENEMY [1 Cor. 15:26]

1. Death is a Cause of Mourning [Gen. 49:33-50:11]

2. Death is a Consequence of Sin [Rm. 5:12, 6:23]

3. Death has a Continuance of its Reign [Rm. 5:14, 17, 21; 6:16]

 

II. DEATH, IN ITS 3 FORMS, IS SEPARATION

1. Physical Death- the Separation of the Soul/Spirit from the Body

[Lk. 16:22-23] And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

2. Spiritual Death- the Separation of the Soul from God [Is. 59:2]

Your iniquities have separated between you and your God

3. The “Second Death”- the Separation of the Soul from God Eternally in the Lake of Fire [2 Th. 1:9, Rev. 20:14]

- Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

- And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

 

III. CHRIST GAINED VICTORY OVER DEATH [Rm. 8:34-39]

1. Victory over Physical Death [Rm. 6:9, 1Cor. 15:54-55]

So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

2. Victory Over Spiritual Death [Eph. 2:1, 13]

-And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins

-But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

3. Victory over the Second Death [James 5:20, Rev. 20:6]

-Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

-Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power.

Jesus said in Jn. 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.