Wednesday, April 26
23 But each in his own order: Christ, the firstfruits; afterward, at his coming, those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, when he abolishes all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he puts all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be abolished is death.
1 Corinthians 15:23-26
Death: Abolished
1 Corinthians 15:23-26 discusses the order of the last things. It has been believed always, everywhere, and by all that Jesus Christ will return to the Earth in due time to complete His restoration project.We see in verse 23 that this restoration project has begun:
- Christ, the firstfruits has been resurrected
- When he returns, those who belong to Christ will be resurrected
- Jesus will hand over the Kingdom (which will be established on Earth)
The primary object that will take place is that Jesus will abolish (katargeo) all that stands in opposition to God and His Kingdom. Jesus will cause all rule, authority, and power to be made to nothing. He will wipe it away, he will cause it to cease. And lastly, he will abolish death. Death is the ultimate enemy of Christians. Death is not extinction, but rather it is separation. Death is separation from the way things are meant to be, it is separation of the soul from the body, it is the separation of relationships, it is the separation from God's original design.So when Jesus comes again to redeem all things, he will abolish death and bring unity back to God's intended order. He will abolish death and thus bring life.
