1 Corinthians 15:20-28 (2)

If the question is, will I be resurrected, the answer in 15:20-22 is: in Christ all shall be made alive!  If the question is, when will I be resurrected, there is more to say (15:23-28).  The resurrection involves the destruction of the last enemy of Christ (15:24).  The Father promised to put all His enemies under His feet (15:25).  This promise was made in eternity past, recorded in Psalm 2:6-9, and repeated often throughout Scripture.  This exaltation of God’s Son is the point of history involving where we are now and where we are headed.  Thus “the resurrection” is a prophetic (eschatological) event, or better, series of events.  As Paul says, each one in his own order (15:23).

Revelation 20:5 speaks of the first resurrection as well as another resurrection of the rest of the dead after Jesus’ thousand year reign on earth.  The two resurrections are not simply two events; they are two categories, if you will (theologians speak of the first general resurrection since the resurrection of the righteous takes place in a succession of events).  The two categories are indicated in Scripture.  In Dan. 12:2 some (are raised) to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt.  Jesus in John 5:28-29 called them the resurrection of life and the resurrection of condemnation.  Paul said there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust (Acts 24:15).  

Today’s passage reveals the order of the resurrection.

1.     15:23: Christ the firstfruits.

2.     15:23: Those who are Christ’s at His coming.  This includes believers who are resurrected when Christ comes in the air (the rapture).  At that time the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them (1 Thess. 4:15-17).  In addition, after the tribulation period when many will give their lives for Christ, these righteous ones will be resurrected (Rev. 20:4-5).  This is the first resurrection.  (While the Bible does not specifically address it, we believe there will be righteous ones who will die during Jesus’ Millennial Reign and that they will immediately receive their resurrection or glorified body.)

3.     15:24: After Jesus’ earthly reign He will then subject all things to His Father (15:27-28) and at that time the rest of mankind will be resurrected.  This is spoken of in Rev. 20:11-15 when Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them.  This is the second or last resurrection.

Note the end of all this.  First Christ is exalted over all His enemies.  And then note that God will be all in all; He will be glorified in all things.  May it be so today in our lives.  Be assured, after we die, we will live!  Will it be to everlasting life or to shame and everlasting contempt?