Tag: 1 Corinthians 15

The Rapture (Part 4) – How It Will Happen

On By TimIn 1 Thessalonians 04, Rapture1 Comment

The previous post helped us to understand the myriad of ideas people attempt to use to debunk the rapture. Though it was not exhaustive, hopefully, it provided enough of an impetus for your own study. We also discussed some parts of the Olivet Discourse and Jesus’ teaching.

Let’s now explore how it will happen.

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we shall be forever with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.

1 Thessalonians 4:16–18 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I find that verse self-explanatory. It serves to stand by itself. There are other references that may bring some light to what is here.

The first point is the use of familiar military practices. Paul uses these as they would be familiar to Romans who understood the chain of command.

The Lord Himself Will Descend.

First, Jesus leaves His current place. Where is His current place?

To answer that, we are going to use the book of Hebrews. This book speaks to Jesus as being better than the rudiments of the law given to Israel in every way.

God, who at various times and in diverse ways spoke long ago to the fathers through the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the world. He is the brightness of His glory, the express image of Himself, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had by Himself purged our sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. He was made so much better than the angels as He has inherited a more excellent name than they.

Hebrews 1:1–4 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Did you catch the location there?

Let’s move forward.

Previously when He said, “You did not desire sacrifices and offerings. You have had no pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin,” which are offered in accordance with the law, then He said, “See, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second. By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Hebrews 10:8–10 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

In speaking about Jesus as High Priest and performing all of His work. The law served as a teacher, instructing in types and shadows yet pointing right to Jesus. It is the old covenant with its sacrifices and offerings that is complete in Jesus. It served its purpose by instruction. Jesus removes it to establish the better way.

But every priest stands daily ministering and repetitively offering the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God. Since that time He has been waiting for His enemies to be made His footstool. For by one offering He has forever perfected those who are sanctified.

Hebrews 10:11–14 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

He offered one sacrifice for sins forever. Then the Bible says something profound… He sat down. The significance of that is important on its own. The work of the High Priest was never finished until then. For our purposes, the location of where Jesus sat down is important. It is at the right hand of the Father. That is where He is.

Jesus announced the fact to those who tried Him.

From now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.

Luke 22:69 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This is exactly how Mark closes his Gospel.

After the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven and sat at the right hand of God.

Mark 16:19 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Paul also provides a witness to attest to His ministry now.

Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, yes, who is risen, who is also at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.

Romans 8:34 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

There are some other references. I will leave those for you to discover.

It is an important idea to grasp. Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father. There is also a significance to Him leaving that place that is revealed earlier. Look at the account of Stephen right before he is stoned. What is the significance of Jesus standing?

When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed their teeth at him. But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

Acts 7:54–56 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Jesus is no longer seated. It is thought that Stephen seeing Jesus standing is the precursor to His return.

Personally, it is my belief that Jesus is fulfilling His promise to every believer to come and receive them to Himself. I understand that may be conjecture, but it is the promise with which we began this journey, as discussed earlier.

Jesus is going to leave His current place at the right hand of the Father.

With a Shout.

The Greek word used here is keleuma. It is a summons to carry out a procedure sort of like a battle cry. It is a military term. Paul is using the very familiar practices of the Roman army as a pictorial lesson in the sequence. Jesus, the Lord of Hosts leaves His abode and gives a command. This is much like the commander leaving his tent and shouting a command to a subcommander.

With the Voice of the Archangel.

The sub-commander repeats the command.

The Greek word used here archaggelos (archangel) is used twice in the New Testament. Both times it is preceded by a definitive article denoting the presence of a title. The second occurrence is here, and we are given a name to identify the archangel.

Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil in a dispute about the body of Moses, did not dare to pronounce upon him a railing judgment. But he said, “The Lord rebuke you!”

Jude 9 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Some of Michael’s duties are given to us in Scripture. One of those is as the guardian of Israelis.

“And at that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who shall be found written in the book.

Daniel 12:1 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It is Michael who serves as the subcommander here.

With the Trumpet Call of God.

This is the Greek salpinx, or trumpet call of God. As continuing the military theme, this word is also used as war trumpet. It is the bugler that transmits the command to the troops with the trumpet.

If the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for the battle?

1 Corinthians 14:8 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Paul referenced that word elsewhere. This shows the clear sounds a bugler must make to ensure the command is transmitted clearly to be understood. In the context of that verse, Paul is speaking about the use of tongues and the clarity, the idea is the distinction in the sounds made. This trumpet will be clear.

I also want to provide some other references as to what this may be. The first is in Hebrews. It is important and lends itself to our discussion. Hebrews 12 will reference first-born, a term that has significance in the rapture.

You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that burned with fire, and to blackness and darkness and storm, and to the sound of a trumpet and to a voice speaking words, such that those who heard them begged that the word not be spoken to them anymore.

Hebrews 12:18–19 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This references the giving of the law to Israel at Mount Sinai in the Exodus (Exodus 18.) The account tells of how the trumpet sounds became louder and louder. The people feared approaching God. The writer of Hebrews uses this as an antitype to another mountain, Mount Zion. He calls it the city of the Living God, New Jerusalem. Specific language references the innumerable company of angels, and to the church of the firstborn. That is us, Spirit-baptized believers.

In part 2, we discussed the end of the earthly ministry of the church. Revelation 4 was briefly discussed. After Jesus finishes His letters to the seven churches, John is caught up to heaven and the word church is absent from the rest of the book until the very end.

After this I looked. And there was an open door in heaven. The first voice I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.” Immediately I was in the Spirit. And there was a throne set in heaven with One sitting on the throne!

Revelation 4:1–2 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

John heard a voice like a trumpet. That is the same Greek word salpinx. Though this was a voice like a trumpet and not just a trumpet call.

The important thing is John heard the command, come up here. Immediately John was in the sprit and in the presence of God. John’s experience serves as a type of Rapture. He is called up and immediately in the presence of the Lord.

The Dead in Christ Will Rise First

This is the concern of the Thessalonians. They knew of the rapture but had questions of those who preceded them in death not benefiting from the rapture.

But I would not have you ignorant, brothers, concerning those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and arose again, so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will not precede those who are asleep.

1 Thessalonians 4:13–15 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Those who are asleep in Jesus, rise first. These church saints benefit before the alive believers can benefit.

We Who Are Alive and Remain Shall be Caught up Together with Them in the Clouds to Meet the Lord in the Air.

The Spirit-baptized church saints are caught up together with the previously asleep church saints that are resurrected. We meet the Lord in the air together. Jesus never sets foot on the earth. He comes in the clouds; we meet Him in the clouds.

All of this happens very fast. Just as John was caught up and immediately in the presence of God, so shall the rapture be.

In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet, for the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

1 Corinthians 15:52 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

As Paul wrote of the rapture in a later epistle, he shows some of the same sequential order. There is a trumpet sound, the dead are resurrected first, then those alive are raised.

Just as previously stated, this event will be as the angels described in Acts 1.

They said, “Men of Galilee, why stand looking toward heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you to heaven, will come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

Acts 1:11 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Acts 1 gives a description of exactly how Jesus left the saints and would be the model for Him to come in like manner to the saints.

When He had spoken these things, while they looked, He was taken up. And a cloud received Him from their sight.

Acts 1:9 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

We Shall be Forever with the Lord.

But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels; to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, who are enrolled in heaven; to God, the Judge of all; and to the spirits of the righteous ones made perfect; and to Jesus, the Mediator of a new covenant; and to the sprinkled blood that speaks better than that of Abel.

Hebrews 12:22–24 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I love that description of who we are in Jesus. It is immovable and forever.

Comfort One Another with These Words.

The Thessalonians were told to comfort one another. They were assured. None of the church saints who preceded them in death would miss out on the rapture. They would all benefit. And the sequence would occur in the blink of an eye.

Concluding Thoughts.

There is a sequential order of the rapture that is revealed. Those alive are changed immediately. But not before those who are dead in Christ. All of these happen because Jesus rose as Firstfruits. Firstfruits that benefit His body, the church.

There is also a sequence of end-times events that are revealed here and elsewhere. It is fitting that we understand the church had a beginning and it will have an end. The rapture fits in as one of the pieces to understanding. The coming Kingdom is a Jewish kingdom that we fit in because of the Messiah Jesus Christ.

But now is Christ risen from the dead and become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came by man, 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 first fruits; afterward, those who are Christ’s at His coming. Then comes the end when He will deliver up the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He will reign until He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. For He “has put all things under His feet.” But when He says, “all things are put under Him,” it is revealed that He, who has put all things under Him, is the exception. When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.

1 Corinthians 15:20–28 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This serves as a witness to another greater sequence of events. The end of the ministry of the church at the rapture. Yet that is not the end but the seeming beginning of it. The end is yet in the future when He will deliver the Kingdom to God. That doesn’t occur until He reigns. And He reigns until all enemies are under His feet.

Next, we will explore the idea of the mystery of the rapture.

The Two-Fold Atonement

On By TimIn 1 Corinthians 15, Atonement, Jesus, SalvationLeave a comment

If Christ is not raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins.

1 Corinthians 15:17 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Paul makes a surprising claim. If Jesus Christ is not risen and alive, we Christians are still in our sins.

Wait, what about that hymn, “What can wash away my sins?”

We sing in answer, “Nothing but the blood of Jesus.”

If the blood of Jesus washes away sins, where does the resurrection fit in?

Paul is well-acquainted with the Old Testament. He participated in the annual ritual that is Yom Kippur or the Day of Atonement. The types and foreshadowings of Jesus Christ would be plainly evident. The law is called a schoolmaster intent on bringing folks to Jesus.

On the Day of Atonement, two goats were chosen. (The ceremony for the Day of Atonement is in Leviticus 16.) Lots were cast and one of those goats was slaughtered and burned, with its blood sprinkled in the Holy Place. The Holy Place in the sanctuary is where the presence of God dwells. That blood of the goat was sprinkled in the presence of God. We also know that the priests of Israel couldn’t enter the presence of God without blood.

Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests would regularly go into the first part, conducting the services of God. But only the high priest went into the second part once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins of the people, committed in ignorance. The Holy Spirit was signifying through this that the way into the Most Holy Place was not yet revealed, because the first part of the tabernacle was still standing. This is an illustration for the present time, showing that the gifts and sacrifices offered could not perfect the conscience of those who worshipped, since they are concerned only with foods and drinks, ceremonial cleansings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation.

Hebrews 9:6–10 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

At Jesus’ death, the veil of separation was torn in two. It opened the Holy Place to all. It signified that anyone could enter the presence of God.

The book of Hebrews also shows the reason for that.

But Christ, when He came as a High Priest of the good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation, neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood, He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.

Hebrews 9:11–12 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This is saying that Jesus Himself entered the presence of God as a Priest with His own blood on behalf of the people. It was for eternal redemption.

The blood did wash away sin, but not in the manner immediately thought. It was the first part of removing the enmity between God and the sins of humans. Since the presence of God was redeemed with blood, it was open for humans to boldly enter in.

It’s that two-fold idea in the atonement. There were two goats. One was offered for God to make atonement in His presence. The second was led away into the wilderness and let go, to make atonement for itself.

But he must present alive ⌊before⌋ Yahweh the goat on which the lot for Azazel fell to make atonement for himself, to send it away into the desert to Azazel.

Leviticus 16:10 — The Lexham English Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012)

I used a different translation for clarity. Note the phrase make atonement for himself. This goat was used differently.

The first goat did a one-way atonement for God. It reconciled Him to us humans, opening up His presence whereby we may enter.

That live goat was led away, but not before the sins of the people were confessed in it by the priest pressing into the head of the goat. That offering took away those sins forever.

That is what Paul is saying. Without a living offering… There is nothing to confess our sins upon and have them remitted. We would still be in our sins. That’s how the statement reads: make atonement for himself.

The two-way work is that God has done His part to be reconciled to each of us. We must do our part to be reconciled to Him. We do that by confessing our sin on the living offering. Jesus lives today!

Sins confessed to Him are removed forever. Just as Paul said, if there is no resurrection, we are still in our sins. Because there is no live offering to remove them.

Live Like Jesus

On By TimIn 1 Peter 03, Daily Walk, Encouragement, Jesus, SanctificationLeave a comment

Who is he who will harm you if you follow that which is good?

1 Peter 3:13 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This is a rhetorical question. One that Peter asks, knowing the obvious answer. For us believers, as the previous citation of Psalms 34 teaches—the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and He’s set His face against those who do evil. Considering that, there is nobody that can really harm us if we’re doing good.

It’s About Perspective.

In other words, we are to set our minds ahead, just as Jesus did. It is easy to see a simple explanation. Suffer here to live there, which is far better than living here to suffer there.

But even if you suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. “Do not be afraid of their terror, do not be troubled.”

1 Peter 3:14 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

When we do good and suffer for it, there is a blessing in that. Peter cites Isaiah 8:12 to bolster the truth that for the believer, eternity is secure. It is our real home. Remember, earlier he says we are aliens and refugees in this world. We should not partake of its lusts.

There is nothing in this world from which we ought to be afraid. It’s the next world where we reside already. This is inherent as Peter discusses this. He uses the dichotomy of flesh and spirit. We would die in the flesh. But live in the spirit. We ought not to live in the flesh and die in the spirit.

Be Ready.

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts. Always be ready to give an answer to every man who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you, with gentleness and fear.

1 Peter 3:15 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The expectation here is to be ready. Whether we are a newfound believer or not, we all ought to be able to give an answer to anyone who asks.

Given this era and the tendencies of the culture, suffering is right here in these sorts of discussions. Often the God-deniers would attempt to easily twist us up with all sorts of controversies. Their hope is that we will lose our cool. But we are encouraged to learn to give an answer with gentleness. That is, to suffer under their needling.

We are to set aside the Lord in our hearts. This is to know that we have a ready-made sanctuary from where we can rest. It’s always in us as the Spirit of God dwells in us. Understand that. Rest in that. Even when being asked the most daunting of questions or confronting the most difficult of challenges—it is our conduct that brings shame to those who would accuse. Not the eloquent and erudite answers we might give.

Have a good conscience so that evildoers who speak evil of you and falsely accuse your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, that you suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

1 Peter 3:16–17 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Peter has circled back to this juxtaposition of living it up here while in the flesh only to suffer in the next life. That is as opposed to suffering here to live in the next life. The latter is far better than the first.

In other words, there is no amount of suffering that can happen to you in this fleshly body that can even begin to compare to the suffering coming to those who do evil.

Live like Jesus

For Christ also has once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but made alive by the Spirit, by whom He also went and preached to the spirits in prison, who in times past were disobedient, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.

1 Peter 3:18–20 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This is a long sentence to digest. Jesus once suffered for sins. Being just, He died for the unjust. He put Himself in the flesh and made Himself subservient to even death. By His death, that suffering once for sins, He satisfied the wages of sin. (The wages of sin being death, not an eternity in Hell.) This provides a respite from judgment due for sin. That is, sudden and sure death, which is often alluded to as being cut off.

That He Might Bring Us to God.

It is not an automatic thing. There is a tacit understanding in that statement that each of us has a responsibility to come to God. This is the long-suffering of God.

He has put up with all sorts of evil and wickedness from the foundation of the world. It surely grieves Him. Yet He subjected Himself to that same evil, and even died. For what cause may be a question on the mind. It’s for us humans… You, me… All of us.

He suffers through the grief we all give Him, waiting patiently for the maximum number of folks to be saved. He gently asks us to do the same, and even gives us provision to do just that.

He Was Made Alive by the Spirit.

And that is how we are made alive. It’s by the Spirit. Of course, as believers, He indwells us; that’s the provision I spoke of previously. But it is by the same power in Jesus’ resurrection that we are made alive. Remember how Paul said it.

If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
But now is Christ risen from the dead and become the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.

1 Corinthians 15:19–20 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It’s the resurrection. It’s the Spirit life that’s important.

He Went and Preached.

Jesus went and preached to the spirits in prison. Most scholars agree that Jesus descended into Sheol, the abode of the dead. There is some disagreement on who the spirits are. Some say it is the dead people, good and evil. Others say it was to preach to those real fallen angels who are locked in chains until judgment that their plan to overthrow God didn’t work.

Let me explain succinctly. Since the fall, when God promised to destroy the enemy by the seed of the woman, Satan has sought to prevent that from happening. Before the flood, Satan ensured evil was rampant, knowing God would have to judge that generation. The goal was to destroy humanity. Thus destroying the advent of the Savior. Yet evil was so bad, God did have to judge.

So God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh is come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence because of them.

Genesis 6:13 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

When the promise of the seed was given to Abram, Satan had a people to destroy. He set in motion all sorts of ways to waylay Abraham’s lineage to prevent the Anointed One from being born.

When the Messiah came, Satan knew it. He persuaded Herod to put babies to death in order to stop God’s plan. When Jesus began ministry as John baptized Him, Satan met with Jesus. He (Satan) knew immediately Who Jesus is, the very God Who made him. In his mind, Jesus had come into his domain. Satan had the power there; he could kill God and cement his dominion over creation.

How that plan backfired with the resurrection! For all those minions of the evil one in prison and held for judgment, Jesus did go and preach. He assured them by showing them Himself alive in the Spirit that they had made a grave error.

When you read the Scriptures, note how we never here another word ascribed to Satan after the resurrection of Jesus.

A Way of Rescue.

Just as God had planned to destroy the evildoers, He had a way of rescue in mind for Noah and his family. They were saved through water.

It is with this imagery that Peter continues.

Figuratively this is like baptism, which also saves us now. It is not washing off the dirt from the body, but a response to God from a good conscience through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels and authorities and powers being made subject to Him.

1 Peter 3:21–22 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Figuratively… Peter is not going to say that the water saves. Think of the dichotomy that has been presented before, the difference between living in flesh and living in spirit.

It’s not that water baptism saves us. Water can only wash dirt off of the body. It is the same Spirit that made Jesus alive that makes us alive. It is the one baptism, that immersion in the Spirit, that rescues us.

Figuratively, it’s a picture given to us by baptism: being buried in the grave and rising in newness of life. It’s a proclamation of the good triumphing over evil. It’s a reminder to everyone looking on that God surely saves. Yet as He did with Noah in times before, He saves us now.

It’s by pledge of a good conscience that we do water baptism. It’s symbolic. It’s a reminder of reality. In a way, it’s spiritual warfare. Every single time someone is baptized in water, it’s a visual reminder of the promises of God to both the believer and the scoffer. Even to the fallen angels that are of the principalities and powers that are now subjected to Jesus.

Time is short for those who do evil, and the coming incarceration is inevitable. There is a time of escape for humans. And just as God called Noah and his family into the ark and left the door open for seven days, He is still waiting for you to believe; to cease living in the flesh, and to live in the Spirit, for Him.

You are the only one responsible for how you will spend eternity.

The Last Man

On By TimIn 1 Corinthians 15, Death, ResurrectionLeave a comment

For since death came by man, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

1 Corinthians 15:21 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

I love nuggets of truth hidden in plain sight. For that reason, this is one of my favorite portions of Scripture.

Death came by man. It came by one man, and it spread to all men because of their own sin.

Therefore as sin came into the world through one man and death through sin, so death has spread to all men, because all have sinned.

Romans 5:12 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It is also by man that came the resurrection of the dead. That is, by One Man came resurrection. He is called Firstfruits. His name is Jesus.

If you read a bit further in 1 Corinthians, you will see Paul call Jesus the Last Adam. And I want you to think of that when you encounter the word man in our text above.

In other words, since death came by Adam, by Adam came also the resurrection of the dead. What Paul is saying is that Jesus Christ, being the Last Adam (or the Last Man,) is the One Who fixes all that has been broken by the first man’s sin.

Jesus really is the Last Man.

There is an End

On By TimIn 1 Corinthians 15, Last DaysLeave a comment

Then comes the end when He will deliver up the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.

1 Corinthians 15:24 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The time will come when all rule, authority, and power will end. This is a reference to the demonic kingdom that works behind the scenes of the governments and authorities in this world. Those powers are used to subdue and enslave people.

When Jesus delivers up the kingdom to God, it is freely done. Those who are of the kingdom have freely chosen to be a part of it.

Yet those who oppose Him and the kingdom, they will be subdued.

For He will reign until He has put all enemies under His feet.

1 Corinthians 15:25 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

There is also an end to death. Death was introduced into this world by interference from those demonic powers.

The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. For He “has put all things under His feet.” But when He says, “all things are put under Him,” it is revealed that He, who has put all things under Him, is the exception.

1 Corinthians 15:26–27 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Paul changes the focus slightly. Jesus is portrayed as the conquering hero and the One Who put an end to the enemies of God. Yet here Paul is pointing out His position still as a Servant doing the bidding of God. It’s not that Jesus is a lower or lesser part of God. He has placed Himself in the role of Servant. As such, the One He serves has placed all things under Jesus.

When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.

1 Corinthians 15:28 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

There we have it. That God may be all in all. That is, the Godhead is above all things… The kingdom is given to God; enemies are the footstool of Jesus. There will be no other power or authority but God Himself.

Firstfruits of the First Resurrection

On By TimIn 1 Corinthians 15, Justification, Last Days, Rapture, ResurrectionLeave a comment

But now is Christ risen from the dead and become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came by man, 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 first fruits; afterward, those who are Christ’s at His coming. Then comes the end when He will deliver up the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.

1 Corinthians 15:20–24 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Jesus is the Firstfruits of the resurrection of the dead. As Paul continues to explain the resurrection, we’ve understood from that context before that it is bodily. It is to a new type of body that isn’t subject to sin. (This idea is elaborated upon later in the text.) In his continuing instruction, there is something more for us to understand. Rightly, it points to Jesus. He is the Firstfruits, but of what?

The term firstfruits is significant. But first, let’s explore the significance of this term from one perspective: the feasts established in the Torah. The law is called a schoolmaster.

But before faith came, we were imprisoned under the law, kept for the faith which was later to be revealed. So the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

Galatians 3:23–24 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It was to bring us to Christ. Therefore, the feasts established for Israel in the law would also be a tutor. These feasts are patterns to help us identify the Messiah. There were seven established, some of which have been fulfilled by Jesus on Earth.

The first is Passover. In the first Passover, we learn that the blood of an unblemished lamb protected the household where it was applied to the doorposts from the death of the firstborn. In the same way, Jesus fulfilled this by shedding His own blood. That is, when properly applied by the believer, metaphorically on the doorposts of the heart. It protects the firstborn of that house, the believer himself, from sudden death. This isn’t protection from any death, but the death that comes as a judgment from God.

The second is the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Biblically, leaven is a typification of sin. The idea conveyed is the haste to escape Egypt. They had no time to leaven their bread. It is also at this time that leaven is removed from houses. In the same way, Jesus takes away the leaven in our lives. In a sense… We also ought to hurry to believe when we are confronted with the truth.

The third is the Feast of Firstfruits. This is a celebration of the firstfruits and is done at the beginning of the spring harvest. It was signified by waving a sheaf of the first grain harvested to the priest. He would then wave this before the Lord in an offering. In like manner, Jesus also had to be presented before God.

Jesus said to her, “Stop holding on to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father. But go to My brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.’ ”

John 20:17 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

These are the spring feasts, the first three of seven ordained for Israel. All three have been fulfilled by Jesus just as the Old Testament patterns indicate. The fourth feast, Pentecost, is also one said to be fulfilled, but I will leave it for another time.

I want to talk about firstfruits. Just as the pattern is established in the feasts, this was the first of the entire harvest. What then is the significance?

Paul shows the order of the harvest. “Christ the firstfruits; afterward, those who are Christ’s at His coming. Then comes the end when He will deliver up the kingdom to God the Father.” I think that’s inclusive of the harvest. What I mean is, we have the beginning of the harvest given and the end when Christ comes, which is not the rapture. This is clearly explained to us in another place.

I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and the authority to judge was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness of Jesus and for the word of God. They had not worshipped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection.

Revelation 20:4–5 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

Jesus has to come again to reign on Earth. At His coming, those who died justified (Acts 24:15) will be raised up to reign with Him. “Then comes the end.”

The harvest that Jesus is the Firstfruits of began with His resurrection. It will end with the beginning of His Millennial reign. The harvest will continue, meaning there will be multiple resurrections in between. All of which is part of the First Resurrection of the just (Luke 14:14) to life (John 5:29.)

It’s the Resurrection

On By TimIn 1 Corinthians 15, Atonement, Resurrection, Salvation1 Comment

Now if Christ is preached that He rose from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?

1 Corinthians 15:12–19 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

This is a perfect subject to discuss given this time of year. Just as Paul transitions from demonstrating his own credentials as an apostle born at the wrong time and his preaching of the authentic Gospel, he points to the main thing in that Gospel.

Now, I am going to say something that may seem controversial yet nevertheless important. I do not intend to offend. We Christians (I include myself chiefly) love the cross. We sing if it. It adorns our churches. I am wearing one around my neck right now. The cross is great! By what happened there is bloody and gruesome. It was a transaction involving death. One where our death burden was laid on Another. It was satisfied completely, giving all of us a respite from certain death. In a sense, the cross saves all of us.

It’s the resurrection!

That will be made very plain. Pay close attention to how Paul explains it to the Gentiles in Corinth. They were Greeks. Grecian ideas of the afterlife didn’t include bodily resurrection and only spoke of the immortality of the soul. That idea came from Gnosticism, which held that all of the human weakness, sin, and death were in the body. Death was freedom from that bondage. Therefore, the idea of a resurrected body meant a return to the bondage of weakness and death.

Paul is correcting the error and explains the reality of a bodily resurrection and, most importantly, the real hope that comes with it.

If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not risen.

1 Corinthians 15:13 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It’s simple… No resurrection… No risen Jesus. The risen and living Savior is essential to the Gospel. It is as essential as the cross, but more important.

If Christ has not risen, then our preaching is vain, and your faith is also vain.

1 Corinthians 15:14 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

The resurrection is of utmost necessity to the Gospel. If it weren’t real, the Gospel Paul preached would be in vain. It could offer no real hope.

It’s a simple progression of logic:

No bodily resurrection, no resurrected Jesus.

No resurrected Jesus, no hope for anyone.

No hope, the Gospel Paul taught would really be a false witness. It quickly progresses to the real problem at the end of denying the resurrection.

Yes, and we would then be found false witnesses of God, because we have testified that God raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up, if in fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ has not been raised. If Christ is not raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins.

1 Corinthians 15:15–17 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

That is where the canker gnaws. (If I may borrow the line.) Paul is teaching that our sins are not washed away in the resurrection!

If Christ is not raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins.

There is a clear difference between what happened with the Savior’s death… And what happens after His resurrection. It is necessary to have an alive and resurrected Savior to take away our sins.

Don’t get me wrong. The cross is necessary for every human. We need the time it gives and the rest from execution to seek the living offering and confess our sins. Only then are our sins removed.

It’s the cross, yes. But it’s the resurrection. It’s a living Savior Who can remove sin.

For Such a Time as This

On By TimIn Daily Walk, Esther 41 Comment

For if you remain silent at this time, protection and deliverance for the Jews will be ordained from some other place, but you and your father’s house shall be destroyed. And who knows if you may have attained royal position for such a time as this?

Esther 4:14 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

If there is anyone who can understand what it is to be awkward in every facet of life, it’s me. I don’t know if I really fit in anywhere. Perhaps it’s part of my experiences that have made me who I am.

One thing I know is there are those things that I don’t quite get. I am lying in bed; it’s late, in fact, early into the next day. The cares of the day weigh heavily. What would it be like to not care?

I don’t know. I don’t know if I will ever really know.

But here is Esther. She was a misfit in the King’s court, in that she was Jewish. Granted, what I think I am pondering is nothing as monumental as what she was thinking. But it does bear some similarities, on a vastly smaller scale. Nevertheless, they are everything for the other souls involved.

Like Esther, the easy choice is self-preservation; to stay with what I know is safe. Yet, it is selfish.

In that time before Esther entered the king’s presence, she would ponder many things. When she purposed to pursue what was right, she set about doing it. In that moment, she is a perfect representation of Jesus Christ. She had set aside self-preservation to look beyond the what-ifs and lay down her own life for the lives of her people. She found favor from her king.

It’s not unlike another person.

Consider the apostle Paul. He was on his way to Damascus to persecute saints when he was stopped by his Lord. Paul knew Who it was Who stopped him on that road. Asking Jesus, “What will you have me do?” (Acts 9:1–6)

Think about it. It’s rather unsettling to be struck blind by a bright light and brought to your knees. Jesus told Paul to go into Damascus and await instructions. Ananias was then called by Jesus to visit Paul. Even amidst the disorientation, Paul chose to do the right thing.

Ananias had his Esther moment, too. He set aside his own concerns to do what appeared to be an awkward encounter. Setting aside concerns for his own safety, he went to Paul with the instructions Jesus gave him.

Paul assented to the instructions of his Lord and was waiting in Damascus. Ananias came; we know what happened. Paul was shown he was called to serve the Lord by ministering to the Gentiles. By taking up the call, he was also shown what he must suffer for Jesus’ name.

For such a time as this, Paul had obtained much favor from God. It is only in one of his first epistles that he gives a hint of his mindset at his appointment with Jesus and the days that followed.

After giving a list of those who were eyewitnesses to the resurrected Jesus… He spoke of his own testimony.

Last of all, He was seen by me also, as by one born at the wrong time.

1 Corinthians 15:8 — Modern English Version (Thinline Edition.; Lake Mary, FL: Passio, 2014)

It was an awkward way to become an apostle, and an eyewitness to Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Yet like one born at the wrong time.

I can imagine the self-doubt coupled with the instinctual self-preservation, and maybe the idea that someone else will do it instead.

Yet there are those people, real heroes like Esther, Ananias, and Paul, who considered their own personal well-being to be of inconsequential value compared to the panorama of others whose lives would be impacted for the good.

I don’t care who you are or where you are in life. If you’re placed in an awkward position as a misfit, that’s perfect! When faced with a really gut-wrenching decision, choose rightly. I know it may be potentially detrimental to you personally; forgo that. Look beyond your own self and into the people who will be impacted for the good by your selflessness.

And who knows if you may have attained your awkward position for such a time as this?