Christ the First-fruits 1 Corinthians 15:23

Paul the apostle told the church members in Corinth, “since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead” and he added, “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive”. In chapter fifteen and verse twenty-three of First Corinthians, Paul shared with the church members in Corinth concerning, “Christ the first-fruits”, where we read:

But every man in his own order: Christ the first-fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

The verse begins, “But every man in his own order: Christ the first-fruits;” Paul began with the word, “but” which is a disassociation conjunction that means what is about to be written takes precedence over what was just stated “every man” “or “each, all, the whole and everyone of the human beings whether male or female” “in his own order” or “in each person's arrangement”. “Christ” or “the anointed One, the Messiah and the Son of God” “the first-fruits” which refers to “the first portion of the dough from which sacred loaves were to be prepared and hence the term used of persons consecrated to God for all time”. Paul declared that each person will have their appointed time to die, however those who believe in Jesus Christ as their “Savior and Lord” have Jesus as the “first” one to rise from the dead with His own power.

The verse goes on to say, “afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.” Paul continued with the word, “afterward” which means “thereafter, thereupon and then” “they that are Christ” which means “the people who have received the anointed One, the Messiah and the Son of God” “at his coming” which means “at Jesus' arrival, advent and future visible return from heaven of Jesus, to raise the dead, hold the last judgment and set up formally and gloriously the kingdom of God”. Those who “die” have the promise of being “resurrected” when Jesus Christ returns.

When we consider these words from Paul, we see how he recognized the “personal arrangement” for each person's “death”. Hebrews chapter nine and verse twenty-seven says it this way, “it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:”, and Paul added how those who belong to Jesus Christ have the promise of being “raised from the dead” “afterwards”. Jesus Christ came to save people from their sins, and when they put their faith and trust in Him, they receive the promise of “eternal life”. He was our example both in “death” and the “resurrection”, and let all glory be given to Him for His wonderful “everlasting” plan.

Next time Paul tells the church members, “then comes the end”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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