eschatology, Resurrection Order (1 Cor.15)

Before Paul spoke about the order of resurrections, he first established that Jesus Christ actually WAS ABLE to rise from the dead.  If God was not able to do that, then it would stand to reason that no one else could ever rise from the dead, and therefore there would be no afterlife of any sort for anybody...

(1 Corinthians 15:12-19)  Now if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; 14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. 15 Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; 17 and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.

The first resurrection - was Jesus'.  Christ's resurrection is a prototype of the other resurrections to come.  Without His resurrection, none of the others would be possible, since Jesus provided the power and victory over death leading to eternal life...

(1 Corinthians 15:20-21)  But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. 21 For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. 

The second resurrection - will be believers (at the rapture).  First all Christians who have passed away (fallen asleep in Christ) will be resurrected and "caught up", and then the Christians who are still alive will be caught up to meet Jesus in the air (this is not Jesus' second coming, because He does not come down to earth at the rapture.  He comes to meet us in the air.)...

(1 Corinthians 15:22-23)  For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming, 

The third resurrection - will be at the end of the Millennium, when Jesus has fulfilled all covenants and prophecies.  At that point, all things will be under the administration of the triune God (three in one)...

(1 Corinthians 15:23-28)  then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished 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 that will be abolished is death. 27 For He has put all things in subjection under His feet. But when He says, “All things are put in subjection,” it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him. 28 When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all.

Today's takeaway:  I'm thinking about what Paul said in verse 19 - that if our hope in Jesus is for this life only, we should be pitied.  On the one hand I can understand that statement, since we are to deny ourselves and give up everything to follow Jesus;  since we are to focus on storing up our treasures in heaven...

Then on the other hand, I cannot imagine how empty my life would be right now without Jesus!  God helps me in life - right now!!!  But how awesome is God that He rewards us - for all eternity!  Knowing this fact - certainly does help get us through many hardships!...

(Hebrews 10:19-22)  Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

(1 Timothy 6: 17-19)  Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. 18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.