Monday's Message: Going Home

In this parenthetical statement from verses twenty through twenty-eight, Paul is clarifying the truth about Christ’s resurrection, but briefly pauses that thought to clear up these false beliefs about eternal life or death of all people before completing his lesson.  Christ is the “first fruits” in that He led the way out of the grave.  His resurrection is what makes it possible for those who have died physically to rise spiritually. Adam brought death by sin, but Christ brought life through His death and resurrection. There are some who teach that when a person dies he simply rests in the grave until the second coming of Christ, but this passage clearly teaches that every Saint will rise in his own order.  In other words, when you die you go up.  Those who will be last to go to Heaven are those who are still living at the time of the Rapture. Christ will declare an eternal peace at the end, when all the Saints are in Glory and all of the condemned are reaping that which they sowed.  There will be no more need for war; because, our enemies will be no more!  In eternity we will not have a flesh which constantly desires sinful pleasures and excitement; we will also be free of any evil spirits that will bring harsh tragedy into our lives to force us to share in their suffering.  Death will be destroyed! Psalm 8:6 teaches us that all things are under the feet of Jesus, or that He is over all.  To avoid being misunderstood, this passage clarifies that the Father is not under the feet of Jesus.  Some believe that Jesus alone is supreme, but the Scriptures clearly teach that there is an equal, multi-functioning God head who rules over all. Until the complete victory we have studied is accomplished, we will have need of Jesus as our mediator representing us to the Father.  After eternal peace is declared we will no longer be bound by carnal desires, but we will be robed in righteousness. And, because of the blood, we will be acceptable in God’s sight!  At that time it seems that Jesus’ function as mediator will be complete.  Also, I believe that Jesus’ throne from Jerusalem will be made subject to the Father where there will be one eternal supreme throne from which They will reign in Heaven.  (Revelations 22:5 They shall reign for ever and ever.)

I Corinthians 15:20-28:

1Co 15:20  But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
1Co 15:21  For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
1Co 15:22  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
1Co 15:23  But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
1Co 15:24  Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
1Co 15:25  For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
1Co 15:26  The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
1Co 15:27  For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.
1Co 15:28  And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.