Studies in 1 Corinthians (54)

Christ, the Firstfruits from the Dead

1 Corinthians 15:20-28

Now Christ is Risen (20-23)• Christ, the firstfruits• Firstfruits, “the first in a set”• Found 8 times in NT, Rom.

8:23, 11:16, Jas. 1:18

Now Christ is Risen (20-23)• Was Jesus first to be

raised? NO!• He WAS first to be raised,

never to die again. He demonstrated what is in store for us.

Now Christ is Risen (20-23)• In Christ all shall be made

alive • Adam contrasted with Christ

Now Christ is Risen (20-23)Adam contrasted with Christ

•By man (Adam) death came – (Gen. 3:19) physical death•By Man (Christ) resurrection (physical) will come•There IS a spiritual resurrection (but not in our text) cf. Rom. 5:12-21

Now Christ is Risen (20-23)• Jesus conquered death and

gives man hope. • ALL shall be made alive

John 5:28

Now Christ is Risen (20-23)Order of the resurrection

•Christ First •Afterwards, those who are Christ’s at His coming - John 5:28, Matt. 25:31-46, 2 Thess. 1:6-10•Then comes the end – no 1000 year reign, separate resurrections, etc.

Then comes the end (24-28)There WILL be an end!

•Τέλος (telos) Final event, conclusion •2 Pet. 3:10-12, 1 Thess. 4:15-18NO events in between!

Then comes the end (24-28)WHEN He delivers the Kingdom to the Father

•WHEN – in comparison to what? “The end”•It must be in existence

Then comes the end (24-28)WHEN He puts an end to all

rule, authority and power•WHEN ? Consider Matt. 28:18•Does Jesus have “all authority” now? Acts 2:36, Eph. 1:20-22

Then comes the end (24-28)For He must reign until ALL

enemies under His feet•He must reign – βασιλεύω (basileuo) one ruling as a king •A present tense verb – NOW! Consider Col. 1:13, Matt. 16:19, 28, Mark 9:1 etc.

Then comes the end (24-28)For He must reign

•How long? Until ALL enemies put under His feet! Psa. 110:1 (Acts 2:34, Heb. 1:13). Also Psa. 8:6 – while dealing with all men it demonstrates dominion!

Then comes the end (24-28)ONE enemy remains

•Death! The “last enemy”•Friends, people are still dying! John 5:28-29 •To deny the resurrection was to deny His power over all things.

Then comes the end (24-28)The Father exempted

•God obviously NOT under Him•Implies that ALL other things are! (cf. Phil. 2:9-11)•But God is STILL God! Supreme, sovereign, etc.

Then comes the end (24-28)Our text…

•NOTE: This does not deny the deity of Jesus!•This text defeats premillenialism•This text defeats realized eschatology!

Do you believe in the resurrection?

Are you ready for that day?