The Resurrection of Christians
August 16, 2022
Commentary
In the first half of this chapter Paul dealt with the resurrection of Christ. Now, in the last half of the chapter, he deals with the resurrection of Christians. Christ arose and so shall we who know Him. Paul had explored the logical happenings which followed the denial of the bodily resurrection of Christ (vv. 12-19). The big question is – When are the dead raised? Paul used three images to answer that question:
1. First Fruits (vv. 20, 23) – The term “first fruits” refers to the Jesus Himself (v. 20). When Jesus was raised from the dead, it was God’s sign to us that we shall also be raised one day (at the rapture) to be with Him (v. 21).
2. Adam (vv. 21-22) – Paul saw in Adam a type of Jesus Christ by the way of contrast. The first Adam disobeyed God and brought sin and death into the world (Romans 5:12-21). But Jesus Christ, the last Adam, obeyed the Father and brought life and hope to the world (v. 22).
3. The Kingdom (vv. 24-28) – When Jesus comes to this earth to judge, He will banish sin for a thousand years (“the millennium”) and establish His kingdom (Rev. 20:1-6). But after this period there will be one final rebellion against God which will end with one final judgment (Rev. 20:7-10). The lost will be cast into the lake of fire.
It is evident that God has a sequence of events that He follows in the resurrection. There is no such thing as a “general resurrection” taught in the Scriptures. Revelation 20 makes it clear that the dead are raised in two groups, with the millennium coming between. Jesus will put down all hostile powers and authority finally and completely. Even death will be destroyed at last.
Application
World events may seem out of control and justice may seem scarce, but I can be sure that God is in control and things will come to pass according to His timetable.
1 Corinthians 15:20– 28 (NET)
20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also came through a man. 22 For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ, the firstfruits; then when Christ comes, those who belong to him. 24 Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, when he has brought to an end all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be eliminated is death. 27 For he has put everything in subjection under his feet. But when it says “everything” has been put in subjection, it is clear that this does not include the one who put everything in subjection to him. 28 And when all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will be subjected to the one who subjected everything to him, so that God may be all in all.