Articles
In The Blink of an Eye
“Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.” – 1 Corinthians 15:51-52
The Greek word rhipé (ree-pay') is found only once in scripture – 1Cor 15:52 – and is used in an idiom familiar to us today. It refers to any rapid movement or action. We might say something happened “in a flash” or “in the blink of an eye.”
Paul states emphatically and unequivocally that if his teaching about the resurrection – which he received from the Holy Spirit sent by Jesus – is not true, then our “faith is in vain.” Worse than that, “we are found to be misrepresenting God.” And the icing on the cake: “we are of all people to be most pitied.” That is a drastic consequence, indeed.
Resurrection tells us that our earthly lives are momentary compared to the entirety of our existence. Therefore, there are also equally drastic consequences for us if the revolutionary concept of resurrection is true.
First, resurrection empowers patience. Knowing that soon this mortal, corrupted existence will be changed into an immortal, glorified existence helps us cope with frustrating trials. We groan for a better life; resurrection says the wait is worth it. “We hope for what we do not see [ie, the redemption of our bodies], we wait for it with patience.” (Romans 8:18-25)
Second, resurrection empowers purity. John ends a paragraph about the day of resurrection with this: “Everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.” (1John 3:1-3) Resurrection reminds us we are in, of and for Jesus and will be made like him on that day, prompting us to imitate his pure example.
Third, resurrection empowers boldness. The early disciples were so bold in their sharing of the gospel under intense, direct persecution because they had a deep assurance of resurrection. Paul declared the end of his ministry was glory, concluding “Since we have such a hope, we are very bold.” (2Corinthians 3:12)
God, through hope in our resurrection, guaranteed by the resurrection of Jesus, has empowered us to be patient amid corruption, pure amid temptation, and bold amid opposition. The power God supplies us is the same power he wielded when he resurrected and glorified Jesus. (Eph 1:18-20)
There is also a figurative usage of in the blink of an eye, meaning something occurred quicker than we anticipated. For example, our kids were grown in the blink of an eye. So, be patient, be pure and be bold, brethren. It will all change…in the blink of an eye.
