20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. 28 When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.
(ESV)
STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?
- What is the writer saying?
- How do I apply this to my life?
Christ has been raised from the dead! As the firstfruits of those who have died, Jesus is like the firstfruits offering of the Old Testament where the early part of the harvest was brought into the temple in praise to God and an indication of the harvest still to come. Jesus’ resurrection anticipates and promises the resurrection of every believer which is still to come. Because Jesus was raised, we will be raised. The first man, Adam, brought death (both physical and spiritual) through his disobedience. Christ brought the resurrection of the dead for all those who believe in Him. The resurrection has an order: first Christ, then when he returns those who belong to Him will rise, and then He will reign in the kingdom age and destroy every rule and every authority and power until all His enemies are in subjection to Him. The final enemy to be destroyed will be death itself. God has put all things under His feet. Jesus will be over everything except God the Father. Everything Christ does is done to the glory of God the Father so that God may be all in all.
Sometimes we live as if this life is all there is—but it isn’t. Jesus will come again. He will raise us and give us glorious bodies like His. And then He will create a new heavens and a new earth where we will live with Him and God will be all in all. What can you do to be more eternity minded?