1 Corinthians 15:23 is a great doctrinal scripture concerning the resurrection. Of course, chapter 15 is the central chapter in all of scripture concerning this doctrine. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the basis of all hope we have in our own resurrection. Without the resurrection we are the most miserable people in the world.
1 Corinthians 15:20-24: But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.
Today, we were able to get started looking at the 3 phases of the first resurrection, all declared by the command “Come up hither!”, looking at the firstfruits harvest of the Old Testament saints, resurrected with Christ. Matthew 27:50-53 states that buried saints resurrected and proclaimed the resurrection — And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
V.20, above, sheds great light, declaring that those in paradise, no longer “sleep”, but slept, which means that they are no longer dead, but resurrected with the Lord. Ephesians 4:8-10, declares that Christ led captivity captive when he descended into the lower parts of the earth — paradise. The captive saints in paradise, were waiting for the moment when the redeemer would come and take them out with him. He resurrected physically, and they, too, resurrected physically, and were taken to heaven when he ascended. Luke 16:19-31 describe paradise or Abraham’s bosom, and the conditions of hell across the great gulf. Jesus closed paradise for the Dispensation of Grace, but it will reopen after the main harvest or Phase Two, the rapture of the body of Christ, of the 1st resurrection is completed.
We will look at Daniel 12:1-2 and Job 19:25-27 next Sunday, as we finish Phase One of the first resurrection, the firstfruits, that fruit which ripens early. I am already looking forward to next Sunday, and studying this incredible doctrine of the resurrection! Be faithful in Bible study, as we bring our study in 1 Corinthians to an end, this spring!