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Most notably, the assertion that Christ has defeated death pertains to His resurrection. He who was once deceased is now alive (see Revelation 1:18). The phrase “Christ conquered death” distinguishes Christianity from all other faiths. No other religious figure foretold their own death and resurrection. As stated in Matthew 16:21, Jesus began to reveal to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem, suffer at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and rise on the third day. He substantiated his teachings and claims based on this prophecy (John 2:18-22; Matthew 27:40) and fulfilled it as promised (Luke 24:6).
The resurrection of Jesus signifies the first instance in history of someone being raised from the dead never to face death again. In contrast, others who were resurrected eventually died a second time (see 1 Kings 17:17-24; 2 Kings 4:32-37; Mark 5:39-42; John 11:38-44). Jesus’ resurrection symbolized a definitive and complete victory over death. As the Holy Son of God, Jesus conquered death permanently, as Peter articulated: “It was impossible for death to keep its hold on him” (Acts 2:24). The triumphant risen Christ declared, “I am the Living One; I was dDead, and now look, I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades” «I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive forevermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. », (Revelation 1:18). Keys symbolize authority. Jesus is sovereign over death. Christ’s victory over death was permanent and eternal.
Christ conquered death because He was sinless. The curse upon mankind in the Garden of Eden, brought about by their sin, was clearly stated: “You will certainly die” «but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. », (Genesis 2:17). Ever since, we have seen the truth of Romans 6:23, “The wages of sin is death.” But Jesus Christ committed no sin «who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: », (1 Peter 2:22); therefore, death had no power over Him. Jesus’ death was a voluntary sacrifice for our sin, and, given His sinless perfection, His resurrection logically followed. “I lay down my life,” Jesus said, “only to take it up again” «Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. », (John 10:17).
The fact that Christ has conquered death has eternal consequences for us. The good news—the gospel—is rooted in Christ’s triumph over death. Without the resurrection, there is no gospel; indeed, there is no hope for us at all: “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins” «and if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. », (1 Corinthians 15:17). However, Christ has risen, and as fellow conquerors with Him, Christians have transitioned from death to life. «We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. », (1 John 3:14). Christ “has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” «but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: », (2 Timothy 1:10).
The victory of Christ over death implies that believers have also achieved triumph over death. We are “more than conquerors through him who loved us” «Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. », (Romans 8:37). Christ is “the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” «But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. », (1 Corinthians 15:20), indicating that Jesus’ resurrection is the initial of many: believers who have “fallen asleep” (died) will also be resurrected. Jesus assured His followers, “Because I live, you also will live” «Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. », (John 14:19).
The triumph of Christ over death fulfills prophecy. The psalmist foretold that the Messiah would conquer death: “You will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay” «For thou wilt not leave me in the grave, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. », (Psalms 16:10).
My soul in hell; Neither will you allow your Holy One to see corruption. », (Psalm 16:10). Other prophets instilled hope in God’s people that one day the Lord would eliminate death: “He will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces” «He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD has spoken it. », (Isaiah 25:8), and “I will deliver this people from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. Where, O death, are your plagues? Where, O grave, is your destruction?” (Hosea 13:14;cf: 1 Corinthians 15:54-55).
Death is the devil’s most potent, fearsome weapon against us. At the cross, Christ defeated Satan on behalf of us helpless sinners: “Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out” (John 12:31;cf: Colossians 2:15). Through the empty tomb, Christ nullified the devil’s most potent weapon, death. Satan, our accuser, is now powerless to condemn Christians. We will not share his fate (Revelation 12:9-11;20:10,14).
When Christ conquered death for us, He eliminated the “sting of death,” sin «The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. », (1 Corinthians 15:56)—meaning we will not be judged by God based on our sins; instead, we will stand before God clothed in Christ’s perfect righteousness.
Believers in Christ will not be harmed by the second death «He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. », (Revelation 2:11), and the second death has no authority over them «Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. », (Revelation 20:6). Christ has taken on our death penalty for sin and, through His death, has defeated death «And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. », (Revelation 20:14).
Believers are more than conquerors through Him who loved us «Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. », (Romans 8:37). What can separate us from the love of God in Christ? “Neither death nor life” (verse 38). Christ has conquered death, and believers hold fast to Jesus’ words: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies. And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die” (John 11:25-26;BSB).
