When Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:24, “then comes the end,” the “end” is the same consistent end spoken of throughout the New Testament – the end of the Jewish era. We have nothing in the scriptures that use this language to refer to the end of time or the end of the world (kosmos). It is very common to hear preachers speak of the “end of time” when the term is not even used in Scripture. If you can find it, please, let me know about it.
Furthermore, contrary to what I had been taught, there is nothing in the text that supports the view that Jesus quits reigning and hands the kingdom over to the Father. Before drawing your conclusions, and acting on the first impulse, compare Revelation 20 that speaks of the 1,000 years of saints reigning with Christ. This text shows that this long period of time is commensurate with the binding of Satan so that it describes a long and wonderful time of a peaceful reign with Christ. Returning to the description given in 1 Corinthians 15, we learn that He reigns until he has put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that Paul mentions in 1 Corinthians 15 is death. Paul also writes that when “this mortal will have put on immortality, then what is written will happen: “Death is swallowed up in victory” (1Cor. 15:54). 2 Timothy 1:10 explains that Jesus “abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” 2 Timothy 1:10 and 1 Corinthians 15:26 may appear to be conflicting statements. Someone may conclude that if Jesus reigns till death is put under his feet and Paul’s last letter admits that Christ had abolished death by that time, then how could he have reigned for “1,000 years”? One explanation may be that Paul refers to spiritual death in Timothy, and to physical death in Corinthian letter. The gospel mentioned in the text did not prevent physical death, did it?
Furthermore, Jesus’ resurrection had already occurred, thus arresting the keys of death and hades from the power of Satan and yet, the Corinthian letter sounds as if it were a future accomplishment. He writes, “The last enemy that will be abolished is death.” This statement seems to refer to the same finality as mentioned in Revelation 20, where death and Hades are cast into the pit along with Satan. This text does allow for the “1,000-year reign to take place because the casting of death and hades into the pit takes place after the thousand-year reign of Christ, after the loosing of Satan, the pursuit of the saints and the final binding of Satan (Rev. 20: ). It is true that the fear of death was removed prior to that time and after Jesus’ resurrection. Hebrews 2:14-15 reads,
Since then the children have shared in flesh and blood, he also himself, in the same way, partook of the same, that through death he might bring to nothing him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might deliver all of them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
It is also true that Jesus has arrested from Satan the keys of death and hades. However, having the keys to something suggests that it is still present. Having the keys would not mean that humanity would not have to face death (Hebrews 9:27). However, the day will come, according to Revelation 20, when death and hades will be no more. It seems that this would have been the future act of “abolishing” to which Paul has reference in 1 Corinthians 15. For, when death and hades are cast into the bottomless pit, the last enemy will have been destroyed. Until then, humans continue to die and Christ continues to reign.