Dr. Couch, what is meant in I Corinthians 15:50, "that flesh and blood cannot
inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the
imperishable"?
First of all it must be understood that in every case, “the kingdom of
God” is a reference to the coming millennial earthly reign of Christ as
Israel’s King! In my interpretation textbook “Classical Evangelical
Hermeneutics” (Kregel), I show by scriptural proof this fact. Paul’s
context in 1 Corinthians 15 has to do with the resurrection,
specifically the resurrection of church saints in which we will come
back with Him from heaven for this kingdom rule on earth.
Whether by the miracle of the resurrection
(vv. 42-45), or by the miracle of the rapture of the church, whereby
believers now living will be changed (vv. 51-52), we end up on earth
ultimately with Him in the Davidic kingdom, the kingdom of God!
To see what is going on more clearly in the
verse, it is important for me to translate it from the Greek text. It
reads:
But now I am bringing to light (phami, pres. act. ind. ), brothers, that flesh and blood is not able to “specifically inherit” the kingdom of God; neither the perishable the imperishable is able to be inheriting” [it].
The key word here is inherit which is used
twice and means: “To legally be designated, appointed, assigned.” Thus:
“flesh and blood cannot be assigned the kingdom of God” and “neither
can that which is perishable be assigned what is imperishable.” Since
there will be people who are spared in the tribulation and enter the
kingdom in their natural bodies, Paul must have something specific in
mind here. That which is simply natural or sinful cannot “inherit” (a
key word) the kingdom. One enters into the kingdom because he
spiritually belongs to Christ, though that believer is existing
physically in a natural body. To enter this coming future kingdom of
God, one must be born again by faith; one cannot simply enter by being
“naturally” born (John 3:1-5).
While Paul is addressing the issue of church
believers, we know from OT passages that the OT saints will also be
resurrected for this coming kingdom reign of Christ, but they are not
resurrected as “the body of Christ” but as the saints of Israel who in
their life trusted everything that God had said to them. By Christ’s
victory at the cross (v. 57) the OT saying “Death is swallowed up in
victory” (v. 54; Isa. 25:8; Hosea. 13:14) is applicable to all who will
someday be resurrected, both OT and NT saints. Christ’s death has
covered the sins of all of humanity, past, present, and future!
Thanks for asking,
Dr. Mal Couch
