The Last Enemy

Welcome to Hope Mommies In the Word devotionals. Over the past several weeks, we have been narrowing in on specific truths of the gospel to learn how they direct and inform us in our grief. As we study these truths together, we’d love you to use the comments as a place to dialogue with us about what you are learning and share your answers to the questions below. We pray that you hearts will be encouraged as you dig into God’s Word each week with us! 

Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every 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.
1 Corinthians 15:24-26

READ:

Jesus disclosed to us the state of this world. He spoke that this world would not be right until He returns. He said that He would not immediately take those who believe out of the world; He has purpose left for His people here. Not the author of sin or the reason death is here, He is the reason we can expect with joy that the enemy of death will be defeated.

Jesus has overcome the system of this world, and He has a plan.

He arose, and ascended to the right hand of God. He will return for His people, and finally, He will put everything, every enemy, in right order underneath His reign—the last enemy being death, which will be destroyed.

None of this dismisses the reality of pain. Scripture clearly calls death an enemy, and being affected by this enemy inflicts pain beyond what we can express. Thankfully, Jesus does not lead His people astray or desert us. We have the Word of truth to keep us solid, the Helper who is near, and His assurance that—no matter what His people experience—we will never belong to the evil one.

Jesus said that He would be patient to return so that the full number might believe in Him (Romans 11:25). He is working His salvation in this world, raising people out of their sin to follow Him. And only God knows the moment this work that keeps Him presently in heaven will be done. Faith in the gospel implies having faith in Jesus’ timing.

All that He has told me in His Word gives me unfaltering peace. King Jesus—the same Jesus with indescribable peace facing His betrayal and with compassionate words of provision and instruction before being taken away to death—is on the throne. And I can trust in His plans in the Scriptures, that the Savior will return. I find joy today in enduring for the joy that is ahead.

REFLECT:

• How does knowing that the enemy of death will on day be defeated infuse your sorrow with hope and peace?
• Read Isaiah 25:8. What insight does this verse give us into the result of death’s defeat?

We would be honored to share your story as a Hope Mom on our blog. On Saturdays we feature Hope Moms’ stories in order to showcase God’s faithfulness even in the midst of such deep sorrow. If you would like to have your story shared on our blog for this purpose, learn more and submit here.