In my younger days, we used to debate the question, “Which is better, anticipation or realization?” It was a stupid question, I suppose, and debating it was useless, but we did it anyway.
Anticipation holds the future in view, always exciting for its uncertainty. Realization takes the edge off excitement. The look is either now or then, backwards I mean. Of course, the subject lends to the idea of the experience, “Which is better, anticipation or realization?”
The apostle Paul examines how hope functions in Romans 8:20-25. Here is what He said:
For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope. Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
Anticipation then is the essence of hope. When realization comes, hope is no longer needed.
Thus far in I Corinthians 15 Paul has led us through the philosophical maze to faith in the resurrection of Christ. He was well able to do that, having been raised in the city of Tarsus, an independent Roman town, with a Greek university. He led us through the maze and then to the resurrection of all human beings, they that are Christ’s at His coming, and the rest at the end.
From I Corinthians 15:50 we learned that the present order of flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. The two are incompatible; that is, flesh and blood and the kingdom of God are incompatible. To inherit the kingdom of God, a radical change must take place. I’ve called it the climax. All leads up to that great event, the climax of human history.
So let’s consider I Corinthians 15:51-58 for my message REJOICING IN THE CLIMAX.
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal [must] put on immortality.
54 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.
55 O death, where [is] thy sting? O grave, where [is] thy victory?
56 The sting of death [is] sin; and the strength of sin [is] the law.
57 But thanks [be] to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord victory?
Now follow me as I bring to you the powerful INCENTIVES Paul uses to call us to Rejoice in the Climax.
The first incentive is:
51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for...
