| Christian Life and Doctrine | April 1969 |
The Resurrection of the Dead
“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.” —I Corinthians 15:13,14
THROUGHOUT the earth there is disintegration, decay, and death. True to the prophecies of the Bible concerning the end of the age, chaos and distress prevail among all nations—“a time of trouble,” indeed, “such as never was since there was a nation.” (Dan. 12:1) Only those who have complete confidence in the promises of God can enjoy peace of mind and heart amidst this confusion and contradiction in human experience.
Our foundation of faith was made secure nearly two thousand years ago when Jesus Christ was raised from the dead by the power of his Heavenly Father. Our faith pierces the dark clouds which hang so ominously over mankind, and beyond we can see the life-giving blessings of God’s tomorrow. We know that those now dying will be raised from the dead in that blessed tomorrow. We know this both because God has promised it, and because he has demonstrated his ability to fulfill his promises by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, for we can say with Paul, “Now IS Christ risen from the dead, and become the first-fruits of them that slept.”—I Cor. 15:20
There was high hope among the disciples of Jesus when he was with them in the flesh, teaching and performing miracles. They believed that at long last God’s promises respecting the Messiah were about to be fulfilled. They were Jews, and Jesus was their Messiah, of whom great things had been promised. Daily he demonstrated that divine authority and power were operating through him for the ultimate accomplishment of all God’s good purposes concerning the children of men. Yes, he who healed the sick, cleansed the lepers, cast out demons, and raised the dead could surely deliver their nation from the Roman yoke, and establish the long-promised kingdom of God on earth.
Hopes Dashed
But suddenly and unexpectedly, the Messiah was taken from his disciples and crucified. How their fond hopes and inspiring dreams must have been dashed to the ground! Their Master, their Lord, their Messiah, was dead. What mixed emotions of bewilderment, disappointment and sorrow must have racked the souls of those ardent disciples during the days of awful darkness between the time the Prince of Life hung dead on the cross and the morning that the angel standing guard at his tomb announced, “He is not here: for he is risen.”—Matt. 28:6
Quickly that soul-cheering and heart-gladdening news spread from one to another of the disciples. There was great joy and revival of hope on the part of most of them; but Thomas doubted. Finally he also was convinced that the power of God had intervened to restore their Master to them. Later the Apostle Paul lists the evidences by which the fact of Jesus’ resurrection had been established, saying:
“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 the 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.”—I Cor. 15:5-8
As Paul indicates, there were still many living in his day who had been personally acquainted with Jesus while in the flesh, and who had seen him after he had been raised from the dead. The testimony of these faithful witnesses was all-sufficient to convince new believers of the great miracle which God had wrought in raising the Master from the dead. But apparently there were some in the Early Church in Paul’s day who doubted that anyone could be resurrected, for he inquires, “How say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?”—I Cor. 15:12
The Jewish sect of the Sadducees did not believe in the resurrection, and possibly some from among this group had come among the early Christians, partially accepting Jesus as the Messiah but not willing to believe all that he taught. Nor did they believe all that the prophets had foretold concerning him. In combating this false viewpoint, Paul explains that it would destroy the whole foundation on which Christian faith and hope are based. It would mean, he effectively reasons, that even Jesus himself, their Leader and Messiah, would be dead, not alive. This in turn would mean that all who had borne testimony of his resurrection would have to be false witnesses.
If Christ be not risen, Paul further reminds us, then we are serving a lost cause; and our persecutions as his followers are meaningless. The members of the Early Church risked their lives in being Christians, but why thus “stand … in jeopardy” if Jesus is still dead, and there is no resurrection hope for any of the dead? Why are we then “baptized for the dead” if those for whom we are laying down our lives are not to be benefited thereby?
Paul insists that if there be no resurrection of the dead then those who are fallen asleep in Christ are “perished.” This would mean that God’s purpose in giving his Son to be man’s Redeemer has signally failed: for do we not read that “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”? (John 3:16) How clearly Paul discerned, and how clearly every true Christian should discern, that the hope of both the church and the world depends upon the exercise of divine power in raising the dead; and that our assurance of God’s ability to do this is in the fact that Jesus himself was raised from the dead.
A Similarity
When Jesus was taken from his disciples and crucified they were bewildered and discouraged, because they did not understand the divine program that was being worked out through him. They believed that Jesus would establish a worldwide kingdom, and that they would share with him in the glory of that kingdom. They did not then understand that he must first suffer and die as man’s Redeemer. This they learned later, and then they rejoiced in the cross of Christ, and what his shed blood meant to them, and what it would later mean to all mankind.
Shortly after the apostles fell asleep in death the church gradually developed the idea that the messianic kingdom should be established here and now, without waiting for the return of Christ Jesus, the King. This erroneous theory failed to take into account a very important phase of the divine plan; namely, the calling out, the suffering and death of the body members of The Christ—a work that had to be completed before the glorious kingdom reign of Christ and his church could begin.
Thus practically the whole professed Christian church stumbled over the same truth concerning the followers of Jesus that the early disciples stumbled over with respect to the Master himself. To the two disciples on the way to Emmaus Jesus explained that it was necessary first of all that Messiah should suffer, and then enter into his glory. (Luke 24:13-32) They grasped this thought and rejoiced in its implications. They learned later that the sufferings of The Christ were not completed at Calvary; hence that the glory of the kingdom must still wait. Later on, however, this vital truth was lost sight of; and there followed as a result the abortive efforts of ambitious, self-willed members of the professed church to bring in the glory of the kingdom ahead of time.
A Record of Failure
Kingdom efforts of nominal churchianity have not brought the promised blessings of universal and lasting peace to the nations of the earth. Now the full extent of this failure is being revealed. Meanwhile God’s power has not been manifested to the unbelieving world anywhere among the nations. He has kept silent, and restrained himself from interfering with the selfish course of humanity. (Isa. 42:14; Ps. 50:21) Hence, with the failure of what men thought was Christianity, and failure to discern the hand of God otherwise in the affairs of the nations, the outlook is indeed dark for those who do not know the real plan of God. However, the professed Christian world in 1969, as usual, will commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. All who participate will thereby tacitly acknowledge their belief in miracles, for the resurrection of Jesus was the greatest miracle of all time.
There was no evidence to the world of divine protection for Jesus during those dark days of his suffering and crucifixion. There has been no evidence to the world of divine protection for the true followers of Jesus since. God’s power in the case of Jesus was manifested, not in preventing his death, but in raising him from the dead. God’s power in the case of the true followers of Jesus will likewise be manifested in their resurrection from the dead, and in their exaltation to reign with Christ. True, the Heavenly Father provided strength of spirit which enabled Jesus to endure the contradiction of sinners. This is true also of his followers. But this is a favor from God of which the world is not aware, and which is beyond the understanding of those not fully consecrated to the divine cause. All the true followers of Jesus are miracles of divine grace.
Jesus, the Firstfruits
The resurrection of Jesus was but the beginning of a program of miracles which, when complete, will have brought peace, health, happiness, and everlasting life to all mankind, including those who are now dead. This is the heart-cheering assurance which the commemoration of Jesus’ resurrection should give to every Christian this year despite the sorrows of a dying world with which he is surrounded, for when Jesus was raised from the dead he became “the firstfruits of them that slept.”—I Cor. 15:20
Jesus died as the Redeemer of Adam and his race. Paul explains that “as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” (I Cor. 15:22) The weak in faith may think of this as a reasonable theory, but one which has not worked out in reality. These may reason that if God could use his power to raise Jesus from the dead nearly two thousand years ago, why has there been no demonstration of that power since on behalf of those for whom Christ died?
The answer to this question is that God has a due time for the outworking of every feature of his plan of salvation. After assuring us that life for the adamic race is provided through Christ, the Apostle Paul adds: “But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.” (I Cor. 15:23) When Paul explains that Christ in his resurrection became “the firstfruits of them that slept,” he evidently refers to Jesus alone. But when he explains the order of the resurrection and uses the same expression, his reference clearly is not only to Jesus, but also to his faithful followers who, in the divine plan, are brought forth in the “first resurrection” to live and reign with Christ.
An Offering to God
The “firstfruits” terminology is based upon God’s dealings with Israel during Old Testament times. It was a requirement of the Law that the “firstfruits” of the harvest should be used as an offering to the Lord. In this arrangement there were not only the “firstfruits” in general, but also what was referred to as “the first of the firstfruits.” (Exod. 23:19) In harmony with this we might think of Jesus as being the “first” of the firstfruits, and all his faithful followers as the remaining firstfruits in God’s great resurrection harvest.
Jesus offered himself in sacrifice to his Heavenly Father, and we are invited to follow in his sacrificial steps, offering ourselves to God. This is an important thought to keep in mind as we commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. We should remember that if we desire to participate in the “first resurrection” to live and reign with Christ we must lay down our earthly lives in sacrifice, faithfully even unto death.
The offering to God of the firstfruits class has continued throughout all the centuries from the first advent until now. Until that work of sacrifice is complete, and all the firstfruits raised from the dead and united with Jesus in the spiritual rulership phase of the messianic kingdom, the resurrection of the remainder of mankind cannot begin.
The After Resurrection
“Afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming,” Paul wrote; that is, after “Christ the firstfruits” are resurrected, then follows the resurrection of mankind in general. (I Cor. 15:23) The clarity of this thought is somewhat obscured by the translator’s use of the word “coming” to translate the Greek word parousia. This Greek word should always be translated “presence.” Here the reference is not to the moment of Christ’s arrival at his second advent, but to the period of his second visit to earth.
This thought is clearly shown in the second verse following, which reads, “For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” (I Cor. 15:25,26) Those who are Christ’s during his kingdom reign are not the same as those already mentioned as the firstfruits; they are those who, after the firstfruits class is complete, accept Jesus as their Redeemer and become obedient to the laws of his kingdom. These also will receive life through Christ.
The “after” resurrection will begin with an awakening from the sleep of death of those who have not qualified through faith and obedience in this life to share in the rulership work of the messianic kingdom. They will then have revealed to them the knowledge of God’s provision of everlasting life on earth through Christ. If they believe and endeavor to obey the laws of the millennial kingdom, they will be restored to perfection of human life, and live forever. This work will require the entire Millennial Age, and only when it is complete will it be true that the great enemy Death has been destroyed.
That there is to be this universal awakening of the dead is clearly indicated by many of the promises and prophecies. The Sodomites were destroyed because of their wickedness, but the prophet assures us that they will be restored to their “former estate”—an earthly one. (Ezek. 16:55) And Jesus tells us that it will be “more tolerable” for Sodom in the day of judgment that for the Jews who rejected him at the time of his first advent. (Mark 6:11) But it will be “tolerable” for the Jews also, for after the work of the present age is complete, then “all Israel shall be saved,” and this salvation is promised even to those unbelieving Jews who rejected Christ.—Rom. 11:26,31
Not in Vain
The Apostle Paul closes his lesson on the resurrection of the dead, saying, “Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (I Cor. 15:57,58) Since Jesus returned to heaven, and the apostles fell asleep in death, it has often looked as though there would be no genuine victory in the earth for the Christian cause. It has also often seemed as though the Christian’s labor in the Lord was in vain. But not so!
Throughout the age every faithful follower of the Master has experienced “victory” as he continued to lay down his life in sacrifice. When he was weak, God gave him strength. He has realized that the mighty power which raised Jesus from the dead has been enlisted on his behalf to encourage and strengthen him in all his efforts to know and to do the Heavenly Father’s will. He has not been able to overcome the weaknesses of his flesh as he would like to have done, but he has been assured that the merit of Christ’s blood has covered his imperfections, and thus through Christ his victory has been complete, and he has been able to rejoice in the Lord always.
Every faithful Christian, moreover, knows that when his life of sacrifice has been finished, and he has been faithful unto death, his victory through Christ will be completed by the intervention of divine power to raise him from the dead, so that, as Paul wrote, this mortal will “put on immortality.” (I Cor. 15:53) And when all the faithful ones of this age have thus finished their earthly course, and have been exalted in the resurrection, together they will be united with Christ, becoming his “bride” in glory. That will be the marriage of the Lamb. (Rev. 19:7) Then, and not until then, will there be a “bride” of Christ. And then, oh happy thought, will be fulfilled that wonderful promise of Revelation 22:17, which assures us of the time when “the Spirit and the bride” shall say, “Come, … and take the water of life freely.” What a glorious and victorious consummation of the divine plan of salvation that will be!
Steadfast and Unmovable
When again this year we contemplate all that is involved in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, what an incentive it should be to steadfastness in the Lord and in the truth of his Word. How it should strengthen our resolution to be faithful to the terms of our covenant of sacrifice, and to be loyal to one another as together we walk along in the narrow way which leads to life through death. May the resurrection doctrine of the divine plan, and all the other fundamentals associated with it, and especially the “ransom” which makes the resurrection possible, impress us more than ever with the importance of these precious and glorious truths of the Word.
To the extent that we are “steadfast” in the Lord and in the truth we will abound in the work of the Lord. Steadfast Christians cannot be otherwise than abounding Christians. We should abound in our love for the Lord and for our brethren. We should abound in laying down our lives for the brethren, and we should abound in proclaiming the glad tidings of the kingdom far and wide as we have and can make opportunities. Remembering the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead should mean all of these things to us. We do not properly commemorate Jesus’ resurrection by a display of fine clothes, but by a greater determination to follow his example of sacrifice resolutely even unto death.
Paul wrote that we know our “labor is not in vain in the Lord.” But it would be in vain if Christ had not been raised from the dead. Then our faith also would be vain, and our testimony concerning Jesus and his kingdom would be false. On the other hand, our labor might well seem in vain because of the meager response we receive to our efforts in making known the glad tidings. But this is not really true. One of the greatest and most important results of all our labors in the Lord is the work of grace that it accomplishes in our own hearts.
Laboring in the Lord should strengthen our faith and increase our love. As we make known the glad tidings to others, this glorious truth should become more effective in transforming our own lives into the likeness of Christ. If our hearts and motives are pure this will be one of the outstanding results of our ministry, and in view of this we can truly affirm that our labor is not in vain.
While as individuals we may not see any special results of our ministry, yet the work of the Lord’s people as a whole is reaching and developing those whom the Lord is calling to be joint-heirs with Christ; and this is a very important work indeed. It is thus that the “bride” is made ready for her union with Christ, and for joint-heirship with him in his kingdom. Just as Paul could say in his day that the labor of the Lord’s people is not in vain, so we can now also be assured of this, for the power of Christ’s resurrection continues with the Lord’s people, to give them the victory.