Death Swallowed Up

We are familiar with the phrase in 1 Cor 15, that at the Resurrection death will be swallowed up in victory (quoted from Is 25:8).

It's meant to be noticed, I think, that death is not just canceled, negated or ignored by victory, though of course that's true.  The authorial intention is something different.  The entire state of death, including all the living tribulations that are so often tied in with the consummation in physical death are included in the concept.  What is being said is that all the death, all the tribulations, all the tears, all sweat and blood, all the terrors and horrors, all the persecutions -- all of it, for the believers, is swallowed up and incorporated into the eternal victory that is given us in Christ.  All that tribulation and death is turned to joy, not simply replaced by joy.  All the rewards of perseverance result in crowns of eternal glory!  God's work in us is not done in spite of tribulations but through them!  Even the tribulations resulting from our own sins are turned by the Lord's kindly discipline to more closely conform us to Christ's image.

Therefore, brethren, we ought to "count it all joy" when tribulations of flesh or spirit come our way.  It may be tears now, and joy only in faith, but it will end in eternal glory.