September 24, 2021: ‘Mommy, Where’s Papaw?’

“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. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory’” (1 Cor. 15:51–54, NKJV).

For me, this is one of the greatest promises of the Bible. It breaks our hearts to see our family members pass away, our pets die and our children ask the question all parents dread: “Mommy, where is Papaw?”

As Paul helps us to understand that death is a sleep, he calls it a mystery. He announces that we will all be changed at the last trumpet. And when it sounds, those whom we have lost will live again—and forever.

God did not create humankind to eventually die. He created us to be immortal—life without an end. On that glorious day, it will be true what is written: “Death [will be] swallowed up in victory.” You can count on it, because the Bible tells me so.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that one day soon we will all be changed in the twinkling of an eye to live with You forever. Amen.

Larry Murphy is the director of Adventist Community Services for the Mountain View Conference.