First Corinthians 15 Part 8 Resurrection Glory Comes From Christ The Second Adam

We will see much variety in the future resurrection of those in Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:37-39  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: 38)  But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. 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. 

We have learned much about the Christian's future resurrection through the apostle Paul. 

When we die and are buried, this is like a seed of grain being planted in the ground. 

A seed planted in the ground needs time, heat and moisture before it germinates, producing roots, stalks and ears of corn or sheaves of wheat. 

The seed does not look like the amazing plant that it produces.

Our body also will lie in repose in the grave needing only time and the return of Christ before we are raised from the dead. 

When our body is planted in the grave it will not look like the glorified body God is going to give us. 

The Spirit of God guided Paul to use very practical examples for teaching us about the resurrection.

We all know experientially that human flesh is different from the flesh of various animals. So is the resurrection. 

As there is great diversity in our physical characteristics in this life, so it will be in the resurrection. 

Just as there is great variation in the sun, moon and stars, so it will be with our resurrection bodies. 

1 Corinthians 15:40:41  There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 41)  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.

Some commentators say that the "celestial bodies" refers to angels and seraphim, but the following verse speaks of the sun and moon. 

Yet, Paul is using very practical comparisons to teach us truth about the believer's future resurrection. 

It is not sensible that he would suddenly refer to celestial bodies in any other sense than to speak of the sun, moon and stars and their functions as given by God (See Genesis 1:14-18).  

Therefore, it is clear that Paul refers to celestial bodies like the sun, moon, planets and constellations as we normally think of them.

Just as everyone is familiar with the farming metaphor of a seed planted in the ground and our bodies buried in the ground, so we are all familiar with the sun, moon and stars that we observe.  

Paul was guided by the Holy Spirit to emphasize the incredible beauty and diversity that we shall experience at the resurrection. 

Just as one plant and one tree differs from all other plants or trees, so our glorified bodies shall display great diversity according to the will of God and for His glory.

Just as the sun has one function and the moon another, so we will discover many functions and purposes God has for us in His kingdom.

Just as one star or planet varies greatly from another, so too the resurrection.

We cannot presently comprehend the incredible glory, diversity and beauty that God has prepared for us, but we know His promises regarding the resurrection are true. 

Our resurrected body will be the opposite of our natural body. 

1 Corinthians 15:42-44  So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43)  It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 44)  It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 

When we die, our body is subject to corruption and decay because the wages of sin is death. We are made from dust and one day we will return to dust (See Genesis 3:19).

Our body contains the corruption of the sin nature we inherit from Adam. Thus, when we die, our body is planted in the grave in its corruption. 

The glory of the resurrection is that our body will be raised incorruptible, with no sin nature and no contamination of human depravity.

Because this is true, Paul used stark contrasts to illustrate the glory and beauty of our future resurrection.

Our body is sown in dishonor because of sin but it will be raised in glory with no sin. Our body is sown in weakness due to sin but raised by God's power with no more fleshly infirmity.

We die in our natural body but will be raised with a spiritual body. Currently, we are born spiritually dead but can receive spiritual life through the new birth. 

Yet, our old man and sin nature remain and we struggle with this until we die. 

When we are raised from the dead, we will be spiritually alive unto God. 

Jesus' resurrection shows us that it will be a body of flesh and bone but it will function quite differently than it does in this life. 

Just as we bear the image of Adam, so we shall bear the image of Jesus Christ. 

1 Corinthians 15:45-49  And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 46)  Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 47)  The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. 48)  As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. 49)  And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. 

Paul reminds us again that there are two Adams. The first Adam was created without a sin nature, and placed in a perfect new creation. 

He was given certain responsibilities to tend the garden of Eden and one moral imperative See Genesis 1:26-30; 2:16-17). 

Adam and Eve could eat anything with one exception. The fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was forbidden to them.

Adam failed this test and his action plunged all humanity into sin and death.

Both Adam's are contrasted for our understanding or resurrection truth. 

Romans 5:12-19  Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 13)  (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14)  Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. 15)  But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. 16)  And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. 17)  For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 18)  Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19)  For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. 

Christ is the second Adam. He perfectly fulfilled every moral test and His action opens the door to salvation to all who repent and turn to Him as Lord and Savior. 

By the first Adam, sin entered the world and death became part of the human experience. 

Though the first Adam's offense brought death and depravity to all, Christ, the sinless second Adam brings the free gift of salvation and the grace of God toward us. 

One Adam sinned and condemned us all, but the second Adam had no sin and brings justification from God to all who believe. 

The first Adam brought eternal condemnation but the second Adam brings eternal life.

Paul teaches us a most important truth about resurrection. In this life we bear the image of the first Adam who sinned and died.

In the resurrection we will bear the image of Jesus Christ, the second Adam, who did not sin.

Future resurrection will fully conform us to Christ's image and likeness.

Romans 8:28-29  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29)  For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 

The goal of God working all things out for our good and His glory, is conforming us to the image of Jesus Christ, His Son.

Ongoing work to conform us to Christ is the vital ministry of God's Spirit in us. When we rise from the grave, we will then be perfectly conformed to His image and made perfectly fitted for eternal life in heaven. 

Think about God's resurrection promises to us through faith in Christ.

1 John 3:1-3  Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2)  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. 3) And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. 

The apostle John tells us to think about the wonderful love of God that the Father has poured out on His children.

We are His adopted sons and daughters. We do not yet know what we will be like when the resurrection of life occurs, but we do know this one truth.

We shall be like our Lord Jesus Christ. having no sin in us, and having the blessing of a new, glorified body that is not subject to disease or death. 

Because this is glorious, unalterable truth  from God, John tells us we must live a pure life now, until we die or until Christ returns. 

Resurrection hope is an anchor for the Christian's life. 

I pray that each of you reading this blog share that resurrection hope with me.

Bob