Our Last Enemy is Death

Our Last Enemy Is Death
1 Corinthians 15:20 - 26

The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 1 Corinthians 15:26 NIV

I. Our Final Enemy is Death

Death is on your trail, but to realize it takes a while.

Most have difficulty coping with this realization, so they put it out of their minds and just don't think about it.

Death is a relentless, inevitable enemy that comes closer and closer, until finally it wins.

The enemy of death came as part of the punishment for Adam’s sin.

II. The Destruction of Death

For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive." I Corinthians 15:21-22 NIV

Every person who ever lived and died will be made alive again - death is destroyed for the entire human race.

The issue is what will happen after the resurrection.

But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power." I Cor. 15:23-24 NIV

The sequence of the resurrection:

>Easter - Christ is risen

>Rapture - Christ will return to earth.

>Unbelievers are brought back to life - final judgment begins.

Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority, and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. I Cor 15:24-26 NIV

After the final end-events death will be destroyed.

III. The Significance of Death's Destruction

Every believer and unbeliever is going to be raised back to life, never to die again.

When this happens, of which resurrection will you be a part?

Blessed are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death holds no fear for them." Revelations 20:6

I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. John 11:25-56 NIV

This, my friends, is why we celebrate Easter.