GOD
… Reconciling the world unto God …
The Scripture used throughout this study is quoted from the King James Version. Any explanatory insertions by the author within a Scripture verse are enclosed in brackets [ ]. |
© 1996 by Vincent C. Finnegan
P.O. Box 3098, Latham NY 12110, USA
| I Corinthians 15 |
| Christ’s Coming |
| Hope, the Anchor of the Soul |
| When Man has Hope |
I Corinthians 15
I Corinthians 15 is the most comprehensive teaching in the Church Epistles about the resurrections. Three major topics are handled in this chapter: the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the resurrection from the dead of the just, and that which happens to those who are alive at the time of the resurrection.
I Corinthians 15:1 and 2
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
Apparently the Corinthian Church was giving heed to wrong doctrine about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Some were saying there was no resurrection. This chapter logically and forcefully reproves this error. Later in the first century, the resurrection again is wrongly understood because in II Timothy 2:18 we are told that some were teaching the resurrection had passed already. This subject is under constant attack because the resurrection is the cornerstone of Christianity. Man’s salvation and the believer’s hope are based upon the resurrection.
I Corinthians 15:3 and 4
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures
According to the Scriptures, as Jonah was three days and three nights in the sea monster’s belly, Jesus Christ would also be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. He died at approximately three in the afternoon. After three nights and sometime after 3 p.m. on the third day, he arose. There were many eyewitnesses of the resurrected Christ. The following verses elaborate.
I Corinthians 15:5-8
And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
Here are recorded six post-resurrection appearances, some of which are also noted in the Gospels. Other post- resurrection appearances are recorded in the Gospels that are not stated here, such as Mary Magdalene, the two men on the road to Emmaeus, and the eleven when Thomas was not present. The point is that many people saw Jesus Christ after he was raised from the dead. Since these people were eyewitnesses of the resurrected Christ, how could anyone say that he was not raised? Paul makes a logical argument pertaining to the resurrection of Christ.
I Corinthians 15:12-20
Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?
But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:
And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.
For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:
And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.
If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
The word “resurrection” is the Greek word anástasis from the noun anístemi, meaning stand up. Therefore, the word “resurrection” means a standing up, a rising from the dead. This anástasis is used twice in Hebrews 11 which is speaking about a time before Jesus Christ was alive.
Hebrews 11:35
Women received their dead raised to life again [anástasis]: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection [anástasis]
As we can see from this verse, the words “raised to life again” and “resurrection” were both translated from the same word anástasis. A number of people in the Old Testament were resurrected from the dead before Jesus Christ. The great distinction between these people and Jesus Christ is that once he was resurrected, he never died again. Everyone else who had been raised from the dead died again. Jesus Christ is called the firstfruits for two reasons: he was the first one to get up from the dead and stay up, and he is the prototype of all those who will be resurrected from the dead at the resurrection of the just.
Colossians 1:18
And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
Jesus Christ was the firstborn from the dead or the first given up from the world of the dead, but he is not the last one. Although he was not the first raised from the dead, he was the first raised who never again died.
Everyone who has been raised from the dead, with the exception of Jesus Christ, has died again and remains in the grave until Christ returns.
The words “raise,” “risen,” “raised,” and “rise” are all one Greek word egeiro that is used nineteen times in I Corinthians 15. Egeiro and anástasis (resurrection) are used to describe the same thing: the eternal resurrection from the dead, first of Christ, then of those who are his at his coming. Note how egeiro and anástasis are used interchangeably in verse 12.
I Corinthians 15:12
Now if Christ be preached that he rose [egeiro] from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection [anástasis] of the dead?
Whether the scripture says Christ rose from the dead or was resurrected, the truth is the same. He got up and will stay up, forever.
In I Corinthians 15:20 the dead are referred to as “them that slept,” as is true in I Thessalonians.
I Thessalonians 4:13
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
Sleep is a natural, temporary, and periodic state of diminished activity of body and mind. In the state of sleep, rest results from the suspension of consciousness, sensation, and thought.
Death is referred to as sleep because it is also a temporary state. In this state all consciousness and activity are completely suspended. There is no remembrance (Psalms 6:5); all thoughts perish (Psalms 146:4); no work, device, knowledge, nor wisdom is in the grave (Ecclesiastes 9:10). The person also has no realization of time. Therefore, the last thought in his awareness before death is followed immediately by his first thought in the resurrection in the face of Jesus Christ. Thousands of years may have passed in actual time between a person’s last thought before death and his first thought after being made alive. But to that person it will seem as a moment in time because his consciousness was totally suspended in death.
Most Christians think that upon death those who had believed in Christ are immediately received up into heaven. However, this belief is not substantiated by Scripture and causes much wrong thinking and actions. The Bible clearly teaches the dead remain in the grave until the return of Christ. If the dead were alive now, why would Christ have to return to gather his people? What would be the reason for a resurrection if the dead were already alive? The dead remain in the grave which is one reason we long for the return of Christ. As we continue to study I Corinthians 15, we will learn exactly what happens to those who are dead when Christ returns. Now they sleep.
I Corinthians 15:21-23
For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
All mankind is associated with Adam because he is the head of the human race. As his descendants we all inherit sin and death. Those who are associated with Christ inherit righteousness and eternal life.1 Verse 21 tells us by Adam came death; by Jesus Christ came the resurrection of the dead. Verse 22 tells us in Adam all die; in Christ all shall be made alive. The parallelism of these two verses shows that the resurrection is how all are made alive. Verse 23 clarifies who will be made alive — “they that are Christ’s at his coming.”
When Jesus Christ returns, all the dead who are Christ’s will be resurrected.2 This event is called “the resurrection of the just” (Acts 24:15, Luke 14:14). Those who partake are called “the children of God, being the children of the resurrection” (Luke 20:36). This resurrection is also called “the first resurrection” (Revelation 20:5 and 6), “the better resurrection” (Hebrews 11:35), the resurrection “to everlasting life” (Daniel 12:2, John 5:29).
The Scriptures speak of another resurrection not mentioned in I Corinthians 15 called: “the resurrection of the unjust” (Acts 24:15), “the resurrection of damnation” (John 5:29), resurrection “to shame and everlasting contempt” (Daniel 12:2). This resurrection is for all who are not in the resurrection of the just. Revelation 20:5 refers to them as “the rest of the dead.”
Three resurrections to acknowledge are: the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the resurrection of the just (they that are Christ’s), and the final resurrection of the unjust (all those who do not participate in the resurrection of the just).
The books of Daniel and Revelation, among others, speak of many things that will come to pass shortly before and after Christ’s return.
I Corinthians 15 rushes right to the end without elaborating because the chapter’s discussion is the resurrection.
I Corinthians 15:24-28
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.
For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
For he [God] hath put all things under his [Jesus Christ’s] feet. But when he [God] saith all things are put under him [Jesus Christ], it is manifest that he [God] is excepted, which did put all things under him [Jesus Christ].
And when all things shall be subdued unto him [Jesus Christ], then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him [God] that put all things under him [Jesus Christ], that God may be all in all.
After stating what will happen at the end, the record comes back to the logical reasoning about the resurrections. If death ended it all, then living a Christian life makes no sense, and from Paul’s point of view, neither does continually risking his life. If, when we die, there is only death and no resurrection, let us pursue the Epicurean philosophy “eat and drink; for to morrow we die.” This fatalistic attitude is not ours for we absolutely know Christ is coming back!
I Corinthians 15:29-32
Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?
And why stand we in jeopardy every hour?
I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.
This wrong understanding and communication about the resurrection had deceived believers in Corinth, as they still do today. God tells us that evil communications will corrupt us.
I Corinthians 15:33
Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
The New English Bible has an interesting translation of this verse, “make no mistake: bad company is the ruin of a good character!” Keeping company with those who communicate evil about the resurrection will ruin our own good character. This disbelief in the resurrection is sharply reproved because the basis of Christianity rests upon the resurrection of Christ. The born-again one’s entire hope rests upon Christ’s resurrection and second coming.
I Corinthians 15:34
Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.
From this stern reproof, God then describes our resurrected bodies. Some may ask, “How will the dead be brought back to life? What kind of bodies will they have?” Apparently these questions are foolish!
I Corinthians 15:35 and 36
But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?
Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:
God provides two illustrations to help us understand the supernatural changes which will take place in our earthly bodies. The first analogy is regarding agriculture, the second celestial and terrestrial bodies.
When a grain of wheat is planted, it dies so the wheat plant may flourish, likewise with the dead at the resurrection.3
I Corinthians 15:37 and 38
And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:
But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.
Just as there are different kinds of seeds and plants, there are different kinds of flesh.
I Corinthians 15:39
All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.
The sun, moon, planets, and stars are celestial bodies. The beauty and glory of each celestial body differs from the others and also from the terrestrial. The terrestrial is of the earth. The sun has one kind of glory, the moon another, and each star has its own unique glory.
I Corinthians 15:40 and 41
There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.
There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.
God communicates all these differences to help us understand the great difference of the resurrected bodies from the dead bodies.
I Corinthians 15:42-44
So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:
It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
The one has such a tremendous contrast with the other. We should slow down and consider the great blessing which we are to have.
| Sown in | Raised in |
| corruption | incorruption |
| dishonour | glory |
| weakness | power |
| natural body | spiritual body |
Because all mankind are descendants of Adam, we have sinful defects in our natural bodies. Those of us who believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and that God raised him from the dead are born again and inherit the spiritual nature of Christ within. When he returns, we will receive spiritual bodies.
I Corinthians 15: 45-48
And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening [life-making] spirit.
Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
We were all born earthly and born again to be heavenly. God promises us that in the resurrection we shall bear the image of the heavenly. Praise God!
I Corinthians 15:49
And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
Our current earthly bodies of flesh and blood cannot live forever. We must have a major change like that which happened to Jesus Christ’s body when he was resurrected.
I Corinthians 15:50
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
When Christ returns, many believers will have already died, and some believers will be alive. Those who are dead will be resurrected. Those who are alive will not need to be resurrected because they are not dead, but they will still need to be changed. One of the great mysteries of God is how He will make these miraculous transformations.
I Corinthians 15:51 and 52
Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
The dead are referred to as corruptible. Those alive at his return are referred to as mortal. The corruptible must put on incorruption which will happen with the resurrection. Those alive, the mortals, must be changed to put on immortality.
I Corinthians 15:53
For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
Thessalonians tells us when these things will happen. God does not want us to be ignorant regarding these matters.
I Thessalonians 4:13-18
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
This is great comfort for us knowing Christ is coming back and at that time the corruptible will put on incorruption, and the mortal immortality. When a loved one falls asleep, we mourn the great loss of that person’s fellowship. With the Hope, we can find comfort in this most challenging time.
Death is our enemy and has a great sting to it. Hebrews 2:14 tells us the devil has the power of death and that Jesus Christ destroyed him. When Christ returns, the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.(4) Revelation 20:14 records this final victory, the elimination of death.
Revelation 20:14
And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire …
When the future things spoken of in I Corinthians 15 come to pass, death will be swallowed up in victory. What a glorious day that will be!
I Corinthians 15:54-57
So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ died for our sins. He was buried and stayed in the ground for three days and three nights after which God raised him from the dead. He was seen in his resurrected body by many eyewitnesses. Even if he had not been seen by anyone, the testimony of God Almighty alone should be enough to convince all.
Since we are certain Christ has been resurrected, we can also be certain he was the firstfruits. They that are Christ’s at his coming will join him when they are resurrected. Those who are alive at Christ’s return shall put on immortality to join the resurrected incorruptible ones. For the guaranteed victory that our Lord Jesus Christ accomplished, we should be abundantly thankful to God. This gratitude should be manifested in the following way:
I Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
Christ’s Coming
The resurrection was the Apostle Paul’s goal. He knew it meant perfect knowledge and unbroken fellowship with God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul’s defense to Felix regarding the accusation that he was “a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes” was very interesting in view of our study of the resurrections.
Acts 24:13-16, 21
Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.
But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow [expect or look for], that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.…
Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.
The hope for which Paul looked was the resurrection. He exercised himself to live a Christian life toward God and men in light of the resurrection.
Some believe that Jesus Christ’s second coming will begin with a gathering of all the Christian believers followed by a period of time and then the resurrection of the just and unjust which would be for all others except Christians.
However, our study of I Corinthians clearly shows the resurrection of the just is for all those who believe, the Old Testament believers and Christians. The “Gathering Together” is not a separate event, independent from the first resurrection, but rather one and the same.
The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed, while the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed. The Church Epistles constantly refer to the Old Testament because many of the truths revealed in the Epistles were prophesied previously, but veiled to the understanding of people.5 Although information is given about the resurrections, not one mention or any hint at all of a gathering of the Christian Church apart from the resurrection is given. The information of a separate gathering is absent because there will be no separate gathering.
Something is not a mystery because information is hidden, but because the understanding of information is hidden until revealed. After the conclusion of a mystery that is well done, one can look back at the clues and see how they relate and fit with the solution. Similarly in His Word, God reveals the solution to the mystery which had previously been seen only as hints and clues.
Jesus Christ taught many things preparing people for that which would come after his ascension. The truths pertaining to the mystery were clearly understood by him, and he often taught them (as is recorded in the Gospels). He frequently spoke prophetically concerning many things that were not applicable at the time he spoke and would not become available until Pentecost (things like the new birth, worshiping God in spirit and in truth, speaking in tongues, the new commandment of love, Christ in, holy spirit, direct access to God, etc.).
In one way or another he seemed to communicate all the truths written in the Church Epistles except the doctrine of the gathering of the Christians apart from the resurrection! This exclusion is not due to ignorance, but because it does not exist. When asked about the end times, he clearly communicated all that will happen and never mentioned this gathering!
His disciples asked specific questions we all want to know about the end.
Matthew 24:3
And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
We do not need to guess about these matters because Jesus Christ clearly communicated that which may be known.
Matthew 24:4 and 5
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
The word “Christ” in Greek is christos which literally means “anointed” and can be translated as such. Here, it would be more accurately translated “anointed” rather than Christ. Some have come since Jesus Christ ascended saying they are anointed and have deceived many.
Matthew 24:6-8
And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
All these are the beginning of sorrows.
“Nation” is the Greek word ethnos here referring to ethnic groups or races. Ethnic groups will rise against ethnic groups and kingdom or nation against nation. Everything we have just read has been happening since Christ left, a time which is referred to as “the beginning of sorrows.” After these things occur (we are not told how long) we will move closer to the end.
Matthew 24:9-13
Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.
And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
All these things have happened in the past and are currently happening. The word “saved” does not always refer to eternal salvation. Sometimes, as here, it refers simply to being rescued from danger.
Matthew 24:14
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Verse 14 should be compared to Romans 11:25.
Romans 11:25
… that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
“Nations” and “Gentiles” are used interchangeably in the Scriptures. When the gospel of the kingdom shall be preached to all nations, the fulness of the Gentiles will be come in.
Matthew 24:15
When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
The city of Jerusalem and the temple in Jerusalem are both referred to as the holy place. Daniel speaks about a week of years at the end times. In the middle of the week, after three and a half years, the abomination of desolation will be set up. Many interpretations and theories have been written regarding the prophecy in Daniel and the abomination of desolation. Jesus stated “whoso readeth, let him understand.” The way to understanding Daniel is reading with faith for God to bring understanding.
All these things happen before the resurrections. Verse 16 begins by describing time with the word “then.” This great tribulation is focused in Judea and is regarding Israel.
There is a difference between the great tribulation and God’s wrath. The great tribulation is organized by the devil against Israel in Judea. The wrath of God is organized by God against the devil and those who are his. We, as Christians, are promised that we have been saved from wrath.6
Matthew 24:16-30
Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:
Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.
And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!
But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:
For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
Behold, I have told you before.
Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
After all we have just read happens, Christ will come back, and the just will be resurrected.
Matthew24:31
And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
The disciples had asked when the end would come. Jesus Christ responded with all we have just read. So these signs will be seen before the end, but he also told us no man knows the specific day and hour.
Matthew 24:36
But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Christians are promised eternal life. We know we will be spared from wrath and will be gathered in the resurrection of the just. His return is not something we fear, but rejoice in, for then we will have uninterrupted, eternal, sinless, fellowship with God and our Lord Jesus Christ.
During the first century believers were apparently faced with people who were prophesying about the end times, just as we are today. Some were even saying Christ had already come back. II Thessalonians clears this up:
II Thessalonians 2:1-3
Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
God again reveals the sequence of events so we are not deceived. The Greek word apostasia occurs in Acts 21:21 translated “forsake” and here translated “a falling away.7 The forsaking or falling away is like that which Jesus foretold in Matthew 24. In the end times many will fall away from God, forsaking His ways.
Matthew 24:11 and 12
And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
First, this falling away will come, and the son of perdition must be set up. This individual is associated with the abomination of desolation set up in Jerusalem. He will present himself to be Christ, as Jesus stated in Matthew. These things must come to pass first before the resurrection.
Hope, the Anchor of the Soul
The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead made available the resurrection of the just. By his resurrection we have a lively hope which is incorruptible, undefiled, reserved in heaven for us.
I Peter 1:3 and 4
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
Jesus Christ is “the firstborn among many brethren” and “the firstfruits of them that slept.” He is the type or pattern of our sonship and eternal life. As born-again children of God, we have received the holy spirit placing us in a relationship with God as our father.
Romans 8:15
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
The spirit of bondage or slavery results in the attitude of fear toward God. The spirit of adoption results in the attitude of passionate love for the Father. In that we are the children of God, we are heirs of God.
Romans 8:16 and 17
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint- heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
God, Who cannot lie (Titus 1:2), has promised us eternal life. We are guaranteed that in the future we will be glorified. Glorification is the act of God which transforms our present bodies into perfect, sinless, deathless bodies. Today, we must endure suffering, but as we suffer with him, we shall also be glorified together. The suffering compared with the glory is nothing. A grain of sand to Mount Everest is not extreme enough to compare our suffering to eternity. We need to reason out today’s suffering with the glory to come if we want to stay put on God’s Word.
Romans 8:18
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
All of creation, not just humans, suffered when sin came into the world. All of creation “groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now” (Romans 8:22). The world is physically decaying and spiritually infected with sin, but we are not in utter despair because we are saved by hope. Jesus Christ, the hope of glory, is coming back!
Romans 8:23-25
And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
With patience we wait for that glorious day when our bodies shall be changed. The knowledge of his return is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, and we have troubles in the world, we reason them to be light in comparison to the eternal weight of glory that is ours.
II Corinthians 4:16-18
For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
God Almighty has promised us eternal life. He has already made provision for us to have our bodies changed so that we can live together in glory.
II Corinthians 5:1
For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle [earthly body] were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
The holy spirit within is our absolute guarantee that God has reserved brand-new everlasting bodies that He will give us at the resurrection. However, now we groan greatly, desiring to put on our new bodies.
II Corinthians 5:2-6
For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
Our desire is not to die but to be clothed with our new bodies. This great hope is what we are to look at and have faith in. If we look at the sinful, dying world around us, at the suffering and pain we endure and not the hope, we will faint. We do not walk by what we see but faith in the promise of eternal life.
II Corinthians 5:7
(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
When he comes back, he will take our dying, vile bodies and change them to be like his glorious body. We are going to have bodies like Christ’s resurrected body.
Philippians 3:20 and 21
For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
In light of this knowledge, we are to stand fast.
Philippians 4:1
Therefore, my brethren, dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
The great patriarchs of the Old Testament stayed on course in their lives because they were persuaded by the promises and embraced them. Moses, for example, deemed the reward of eternal life to be much greater than the power, prestige, and wealth he had as Pharaoh’s adopted grandson.
Hebrews 11:24-26
By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.
Today, as Christians, we are blessed by so much more than Moses and the Old Testament believers. We have the holy spirit with the nine manifestations and a complete knowledge of God’s Word available to us. We have Christ in us making us able to love just as he loved. Although we have so much more, we still have much, much more to come. The knowledge and power we now have shall vanish away because when we see him face to face we will know even as we are known.
I Corinthians 13:8-12
Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
The Church today is one body with Christ as the head. We have one body, one spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God. Yet with all the oneness we have, the Church still does not live in unity. Much contention and strife are within the Church. However, a time is coming when we will completely manifest the oneness. When we are gathered together, we will enjoy oneness and unity with God, our Lord Jesus Christ, the angels, and each other. This unity will be in love forever.
Ephesians 1:10
That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:Ephesians 4:13
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
We are going to be just like Jesus Christ. We do not understand the greatness of this reality, but when he comes, we will. In the meantime, we endeavor to live holy lives.
I John 3:2 and 3
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
Our hope is the anchor of the soul. When life becomes difficult, we pull closer to God because we know we have hope.
Hebrews 6:19
Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
We know God is faithful, so we hold fast.
Hebrews 10:23
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith [hope] without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
When we do the Word of God, we can be confident and patient knowing in a little while Christ will come.
Hebrews 10:35-39
Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.
For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
The world in which we live is evil because Satan is the god of this world. A new heaven and earth, and the destruction of Satan and all evil are part of our promised hope.
II Peter 3:12 and 13
Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
Isaiah 65:17
For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.
Revelation 20:10 - 21:5
And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
Jesus Christ was resurrected from the dead. He shall return to gather his beloved. We shall be together with him and God in uninterrupted, perfect fellowship for eternity. His resurrection is our guarantee of eternal life. Now we patiently wait, living each day to the praise of God’s glory.
When Man has Hope
When man has Hope,
he has an ocean of endurance to handle life’s tribulations.
When man has Hope,
he has a firm anchor to withstand all the storms.
When man has Hope,
he has a fountain of joy to drown his sorrows.
When man has Hope,
he has vision and purpose to journey through life.
When man has Hope,
he has a lighthouse to guide his life.
When man has Hope,
he has a map and compass to guide him with life’s decisions.
When man has Hope,
he has quiet seas to receive life’s greatest cargoes.
When man has Hope,
he is fully equipped with unlimited resources to love and believe.
When man has Hope,
he has Jesus Christ, the hope of glory.
Footnotes:
1 Romans 5:12-21 gives detail on that which is summarized in I Corinthians 15:21 and 22.
2 Christians are considered to be Christ’s. Those in the Old Testament who believed on the coming of Christ are also considered to be Christ’s and will be included in the resurrection.
3 Life Application Bible, 1988 Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Wheaton, IL 60189, - I Corinthians 15:36-38 What a foolish question! You will find the answer in your own garden! When you put a seed into the ground it doesn’t grow into a plant unless it “dies” first. And when the green shoot comes up out of the seed, it is very different from the seed you first planted. For all you put into the ground is a dry little seed of wheat, or whatever it is you are planting, then God gives it a beautiful new body — just the kind he wants it to have; a different kind of plant grows from each kind of seed.
4 I Corinthians 15:26
5 The great mystery, which was revealed in the seven Church Epistles, was spoken of in the Old Testament but not understood until God unveiled the mystery to Paul as he wrote in Romans through Thessalonians.
6 Romans 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we
shall be saved from wrath through him.
I Thessalonians 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain
salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
7 Acts 21:21 And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.
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