The First Resurrection | July 7th, 2026

1 Corinthians 15:20-28
20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. 24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. 27 For “He has put all things under His feet.” But when He says “all things are put under Him,” it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. 28 Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.

1 Corinthians 15:51-57
 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

    55 “O  Death, where is your sting?
    O Hades, where is your victory?”

56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Christ is the firstfruits of resurrection, guaranteeing our own bodily resurrection. This magnificent truth means death has lost its sting for believers. The "first resurrection" encompasses Christ's resurrection, the rapture of the church, and the tribulation martyrs—all who die in faith will receive glorified bodies like Christ's. This isn't wishful thinking; it's God's promise.

An amazing truth for us to grasp is this: God made us to have a body, it glorifies God. The Body is not "bad" but is the vehicle which we express ourselves in creation. The fact that Jesus was raised bodily and will raise us bodily tells us that what we do with our bodies and how we live in our bodies matter. God has made us Body, Soul and Spirit. And one day we will be FULLY redeemed through he resurrection of the saints.

Challenge: "Born twice, die once; born once, die twice." Your natural birth brought you into this world, but have you experienced the second birth—being born again in Christ? Only those born again escape the second death. Accept the Lord Jesus if you have not yet! And if you have, glorify God in your body looking forward to having this glorified body like Christ! The way your carry yourself through your body, will give opportunities to share the with others to glorious truth of being Born Again!