The Firstfruits of the Resurrection

I CORINTHIANS 15:1-8, 20, 21, 57, 58

LUKE informs us that Jesus, after his resurrection, showed himself “by many infallible proofs” and witnesses, and Paul lists these for us in today’s lesson. (Acts 1:3) “Last of all,” writes the apostle, “he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.” When Jesus showed himself to the other witnesses he materialized in a body of flesh to enable them to see him and commune with him, but a miracle of a different character was performed in the case of Paul.

The Apostle John wrote, “It doth not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he [Christ] shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” (I John 3:2) The entire church, including Paul, was promised exaltation to the divine nature, and association with Jesus, sharing his heavenly glory. It is this that is involved in being “born” of the Spirit, Spirit birth being preceded by Spirit begetting. It will then be possible to see “Jesus as he is.”

But Paul explains that he saw Jesus as one “born out of [or, before the] due time.” In other words, Paul caught a glimpse of the divine Jesus even though he had not himself attained to Spirit birth. It was only a momentary view of the Master in his glory, and this was possible only by a miracle. Even so, the brightness of the divine Being blinded Paul. It was a convincing testimony to him that Jesus had been raised from the dead, a testimony which, by supplementing that of the other “infallible” witnesses, served to substantiate this fundamental truth in the minds of all who had “ears to hear.”

Thus, with no uncertain sound, Paul’s assurance has reached down through the centuries even to our day that “now is Christ risen from the dead.” (I Cor. 15:20) This is a blessed truth and belief in it is fundamental to being a Christian. Strange though it may seem, however, there have been some professed followers of Christ associated with the church who have not believed in the resurrection of Jesus.

There were some of these in the church at Corinth, the group to which this wonderful chapter on the resurrection was written. By implication they denied that Christ had been raised from the dead. Paul indicates that these did not believe in the resurrection at all, and while possibly they had not applied their unbelief to Jesus, he shows that it would mean just this, for if in the plan of God no provision is made for the resurrection of the dead, “then is Christ not risen.” (I Cor. 15:13) This is a good example of how the entire plan of God stands together. We cannot reject a part of it without doing violence to the whole.

The fact that Jesus was raised from the dead is in itself a marvelous truth, but its fullness of meaning is emphasized by Paul in the statement that he has “become the firstfruits of them that slept.” Simply stated, this means that because Jesus was raised from the dead, all others who are asleep in death will be awakened—both the church and the world. When discussing the hope of a future judgment day which necessitates an awakening of the dead—Paul declared, “He [God] hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him [Christ] from the dead.”—Acts 17:31

Paul says that Jesus became the “firstfruits” of them that slept. This is a very significant term—one that is borrowed from the Old Testament. It is a harvest expression, and by its use in this connection the loving plan of God to restore the dead to life is likened to a great work of harvest, and truly it will be a wonderful and joyous harvest.

In the use of this symbolism we have a further important truth of the divine plan brought to our attention, for in God’s arrangements with typical Israel, the firstfruits of every harvest were given to the Lord—offered as a sacrifice. So in the antitype, Jesus the “firstfruits” was also offered to the Lord. It was, in his case, the offering of himself, and in connection with this offering it was the divine will that he should die as the Redeemer of both the church and the world.

Jesus was “planted” in death. As a grain of wheat he fell into the ground. Jesus explained that unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone. (John 12:24) Jesus, because of being planted in death, did not remain alone. He was raised from the dead and became the “firstfruits” of them that slept. Because he was planted in death there is to be a glorious harvest of all who are in their graves, for in due time they shall hear his voice and shall come forth.

In some Old Testament pictures reference is made to the “first of the firstfruits.” (Exod. 23:19) This also has a parallel in the antitype. Antitypically Jesus is the first of the firstfruits, for his true church is spoken of as also being of the firstfruits class. (James 1:18) And, like Jesus, these offer themselves to God, and are “planted together in the likeness of his [Christ’s] death.” (Rom. 6:5) The entire firstfruits class is exalted to immortality in the resurrection—the “glory of the celestial.”—I Cor. 15:40

As we have noted, the term firstfruits implies afterfruits, so the apostle makes it plain that Jesus and his church are not the only ones raised from the dead. “As in Adam all die,” he writes, “so in Christ shall all be made alive.” However, there is a divine order in the resurrection. Naturally, the firstfruits are the first, and “afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.” (Verse 23) In this text the word “coming” is a translation of the Greek word parousia, meaning presence—the entire thousand years of Christ’s second presence, not the moment of his arrival.

The expression, “They that are Christ’s at his coming” does not mean those who have been converted before he returns. As noted, the statement refers to the entire period of Christ’s second presence—the time of his kingdom. (Verse 25) And the full thought of the text is that during that period all who do not compose the “firstfruits” of the resurrection will be given an opportunity to accept Christ and to obey the laws of his kingdom and live forever.

But in order for this to be so, it will be necessary for mankind to be awakened from the sleep of death. Paul writes that God “will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” (I Tim. 2:4) The salvation here referred to is simply an awakening from the sleep of death which resulted from Adam’s transgression. They will be awakened for the purpose of being enlightened. This will take place during Christ’s second presence. Those who become his during that time, through belief and obedience, will be restored to perfection of life and live forever.

Thus the “victory” over death for both the church and the world is possible only through Christ, and because he gave himself in death as a ransom for all. This victory is manifested in the resurrection, and it is by the sacrifice of the “Man Christ Jesus” that the resurrection of the dead is made possible; just as it was by disobedience of the man Adam that death was brought into the world.

How wonderfully inspiring are these simple truths of the divine plan! And how important it is that we continue steadfast in them. And not only should we remain “unmovable” in the doctrines of Christ, but we should also “abound in the work of the Lord”—that glorious work of reconciliation in which we have the privilege of being “co-laborers together with God.”—I Cor. 3:9; II Cor. 6:1

True, there are not many today who will give heed to this beautiful and simple message. But this was true in Paul’s day also. It has always been true, and will continue thus until Satan is bound and the blessings of the kingdom begin to flow out to the people. But even so, we know that our “labor is not in vain in the Lord.” His designs are being accomplished, the chief of which is our own preparation to be associated with Jesus in the work of the kingdom by proving worthy to become a part of the “firstfruits unto God” of his creatures.—Jas. 1:18; Rev. 14:4

QUESTIONS

In what way did Paul see Jesus differently from the other “infallible” witnesses?

Are there professed Christians today who do not believe in the resurrection of the dead?

What is meant by the term “firstfruits” as applied to Jesus?

Is Jesus the only “firstfruits unto God”?

Who are the afterfruits?

How important are these fundamental doctrines of the truth?

What is the work of the Lord in which we are to “abound”?

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