To clear the doubt about the
resurrection of those who died, Paul set out to explain why there would be a
future resurrection. He pointed to the reality of Christ’s own resurrection, saying
that it is the pledge of the resurrection of believers who had died in Him. Paul
went on to show that the resurrection is a critical part of God’s plan to
reverse the outcome of Adam’s sin. It was
Adam’s rebellion and disobedience that brought the consequence of death. So
through the resurrection of Christ, God dealt with the consequence of sin. As the
head of humanity, Adam’s sin introduced death to all. Now Christ, the new Adam,
the head of all who believe, has made alive all believers.
Paul here used a term that
was referred to in Leviticus 23:10. The term first-fruits were the sheaf of the
harvest that was brought to the Temple and offered to God. The first-fruits of
any harvest is the indication that there would be more fruits on the way. When
the Israelites brought their first-fruits to the temple, they were consecrating
the whole harvest in anticipation of the promise of future fruits. In the same
way, Christ’s resurrection is an indication of the future resurrection of
believers when He comes again. In this, Paul was referring to Christ’s coming
in glory again, to judge the world at the end of the age. What Paul briefly
alluded here dovetails with what the book of Revelation teaches.
In Revelation 20, we see
that when Christ comes again, He will banish sin for a thousand years and establish
His Kingdom. This period is known as the Millennium. Believers will reign with
Him and share His glory. After this period, there will be one last rebellion against
God which Christ will put down by His power. At that time all unbelievers will be raised, judged, and thrown into the lake of
fire. Death, the final enemy will be cast into hell. It will be destroyed and
abolished. Christ will continue to reign until everything is placed under His
subjection. In 1 Corinthians 15:27, Paul explained that “everything” does not
include God. For God has placed everything under Christ’s subjection except Himself.
And when everything, (all power and authority) is brought under Christ’s feet,
He will then turn the kingdom over to the Father. Then the new heaven and new
earth, the eternal state described in Revelation 21-22, will be ushered in.
In verse 28, Paul pointed out that the resurrection of
the dead will demonstrate that everything is in God’s perfect order. It will
clearly show that everything has been put in its rightful place and order and
God will be all in all. When all these things have taken place, we will be able
to rightly appreciate God in the way that He has always intended it to be.
Our faith is not in an empty religion but one that rests solidly on the
certainty of Christ’s resurrection. Although death entered through Adam’s sin, life
is now restored to believers through Christ’s
resurrection. This historic event is part of God’s glorious plan. He rose from
the dead so that believers will be raised from death at His coming. Everything is
now placed under Christ’s Lordship including death which will be ultimately abolished.
Christ will then take the Kingdom and everything else and hand them all to our Father
God, setting everything in its rightful place just as God has intended.
Hallelujah! What a name!
For the Son of God who came.
Ruined sinners to reclaim.
Hallelujah! What a Savior!
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