“ For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” – 1 Corinthians 15:26
Death is commonly seen as an unavoidable fact of life that humanity has accepted. Yet, 1 Corinthians 15:26 says, “The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” This statement turns the tables, presenting death not as a natural order but as an enemy that is to be vanquished. But what does this mean to our view of life, death, and eternity?
Here are 12 reasons this profound verse challenges the notion of death being natural, offering insights that will shift your perspective.
Death Is Called an Enemy, Not a Friend
Paul doesn’t mince his words as he labels death an enemy. Unlike cultural philosophies or beliefs that accept death as a harmonious part of life’s cycle, Scripture portrays a picture of conflict. Death is not an ally we embrace but a foe to be conquered. Think of the grief and pain it brings; would a true friend leave such scars? This language presses us to view death in the context of warfare, with life being the ultimate victor.
The Bible Begins Without Death
The first chapters of Genesis reveal a creation untouched by death. Adam and Eve walked in unbroken fellowship with God in the Garden of Eden, a place of life and abundance. It was only after man rebelled against God’s design that death entered. This striking contrast between the creation story and the eventual appearance of death makes it foreign to God’s original design.
Imagine life if we could return to that Eden-like state; this is precisely what the Bible promises through redemption.
Jesus’ Mission Was to Overcome Death
Jesus didn’t come solely to teach or to perform mighty works; His ultimate mission dealt with conquering death. His resurrection is the proof.
When He rose on the third day, He broke the chains of death not only for Himself but for all Who believe in Him. The cross wasn’t the end; it was a turning point in a battle against death that He mightily and decisively won. Why would Christ go to any of those lengths to overcome death if death was natural?
Death Evokes Fear and Sorrow
Think about the feelings associated with dying. The loss of a loved one or the thought of our death stirs emotions of fear, sadness, and an overall sense of wrongness. If death were natural, wouldn’t it feel more acceptable or even comforting?
The grief we go through is a hint that death is a disruption to the life we were meant to have led, a reminder that something better awaits us in God’s plan.
Death Is a Result of Sin, Not Creation
“Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.“ – Romans 5:12
Death was not part of God’s original creation until the very moment Adam sinned. This is a clear cause-and-effect pairing, demonstrating that death was not the original plan but rather the result of man’s rebellion. Harmony in life was violated by sin, and death is its most painful result.
Comprehension of this relationship makes us realize that death is not a natural phenomenon but a brokenness that Christ came to heal.
The Promise of Resurrection Reinforces Life’s Superiority
Paul’s discourse in 1 Corinthians 15 emphasizes the hope of resurrection; it is not an escape from death but rather the reversal of death.
Resurrection is more than life after death; it is life that annuls death completely. For the believer, the promise of a glorified body and eternal life with Christ turns death into a temporary inconvenience rather than a permanent reality.
God Will Ultimately Destroy Death
“Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death.” – Revelation 20:14
The Bible doesn’t just deal with coping with death but promises its destruction. Revelation 20:14 graphically portrays death being cast into the lake of fire, speaking to its utter destruction. This future event is consistent with 1 Corinthians 15:26, where death is called “the last enemy to be destroyed.” God’s plan doesn’t leave room for death – it’s headed for extinction.
Death Interrupts God’s Design for Fellowship
God created humanity for eternal fellowship with Himself. A relationship that is unbroken by time or decay. Death, however, breaks this relationship and limits the duration to which a man can be permitted to worship and grow.
Every funeral and every goodbye testifies to how unnatural it is to be separated from those we love. But God’s promise of eternal life will restore all that death had disrupted, clarifying that death is a detour, not the end.
The Resurrection of Christ as Proof Against the Finality of Death
When Jesus rose from the dead, He proved that death does not have the final say. His resurrection was not some sort of symbolic gesture but a declaration of victory over death. We can share in this victory, knowing full well that death is not the end but the beginning of life as believers. If Christ has conquered death, then it is no longer natural or inevitable; it is a defeated enemy.
Death’s Defeat Constitutes the Center of the Gospel
The gospel is the good news of salvation, and victory over death is right at its very heart. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible points to a Savior who would crush death’s power. The cross and the empty tomb are God’s proof that He planned all along to restore life where death had reigned. This central theme repeatedly affirms how unnatural, temporary, and powerless death has been in the face of God’s love.
Eternity in Heaven Reflects God’s Original Plan
The biblical vision of heaven is a place of unending life with no pain, no tears, or even death. This is the return of the original plan – a world free from the influence of death upon it. Revelation 21:4 says, “There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” If heaven is our ultimate reality, then it is an assurance that death was never intended to be part of our lives.
Death is a Temporary Experience, Not an Eternal Reality
For Christians, death is not the end; it’s a transition. It’s “falling asleep,” as Paul describes the temporary state preceding resurrection. This perspective somehow reorders how we view death. Instead of viewing it as a natural conclusion, but rather a short pause before eternal life. It is this hope that turns grief into anticipation and reminds us how transient the sting of death really is.
Living in the Light of Life’s Victory
1 Corinthians 15:26 isn’t a statement of hope; it’s a redefinition of reality. Instead of death being an inevitable end, it is revealed to be what it truly is: a foreign interloper that God has already defeated through Christ.
As believers, we are called to the assurance that death’s days are numbered and life in Christ is forever. Let this truth teach you how to face mortality with courage, hope, and the surety of victory.
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Susan is a mother of four beautiful babies and a born-again Christian. She took over Hope No Matter What in 2024 and enjoys sharing her knowledge of the goodness and faithfulness of God. Her passion is to bring hope and encouragement to others, and she prays that by sharing her knowledge and personal story, she can inspire others to find enlightenment in God's word.