1st Epistle to the Corinthians: Chapter 15: A Bible Commentary by Charles R. Sabo

?1 Corinthians: Chapter 15

A Bible Commentary

1 Corinthians 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also you have received, and wherein you stand; The division between Chapter 14 and 15 are appropriately set here, by Paul’s use of the Greek conjunction “de,” which is translated as “Moreover” very appropriately. He refers this declaration to his brethren (brothers and sisters in Christ). The complexities of this chapter is led appropriately with Paul reciting the actual gospel message within verses 15:3-4. The address is specific to be to actual regenerated Christians (Ezek. 36:26, Jn. 6:37, 44, 2 Cor. 5:17). These regenerated Christians received the gospel message, were called by the Father to HIS Son (Jn. 6:37, 44), and stand for Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:2 By which also you are saved, if you keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless you have believed in vain. Here, Paul separated the believers from the nonbelievers (unless you have believed in vain). Paul comforted the believers, by confirming that they are saved from the eternal wrath of God, by believing in the gospel which he preached to them. He then recited the actual gospel message to them within verses 15:3-4, which confirmed to them that which they had believed.

1 Corinthians 15:3 Because I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; Paul indicated that he preached (delivered) to them first of all that he had also received directly from Jesus Christ.

We should understand that Paul went on a Sabbatical from the public’s eyes for three years in Damascus, after coming from the Nabatean Arabian Desert (modern-day Turkey).

15?But when it pleased GOD, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by HIS grace,

16?To reveal HIS Son in me, that I might preach Him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:

17?Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were Apostles before me, but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.

18?Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. (Gal. 1:15-18

Paul recited the gospel as He was taught from those three years away from people (immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood), which means that he was schooled by Christ Himself for that three years. Many believe that, because Paul was not discipled by Jesus with the rest of His disciples, he received three years of discipleship from Christ to bring him to speed on what had already been taught during Christ’s three-year ministry. Paul quoted the gospel as he was taught, which begins here in verse 15:3 with: “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures.” Christ told His other disciples:

27?And He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying: “Drink all of it;

28?Because this is My blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” (Matt. 26:27-28)

Paul indicated in this verse (1 Cor. 15:3), that Christ having died, was according to the Scriptures. This epistle was written before at least three of the four Gospel accounts, and should not be associated with the canonization of the New Testament, which occurred in 397 A.D. In Isaiah 53:10, we can read of the suffering Servant, who was to die as an offering for sin (according to the scriptures):

10?Yet it pleased the?LORD?to bruise Him; HE has put Him to grief: when YOU shall make His soul an offering for sin, HE shall see His posterity (zera?), HE shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the?LORD?shall prosper in His hand.

11?HE shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied: by His knowledge shall MY righteous Servant justify many, because He shall bear their iniquities. (Is. 53:10-11)

In spite of all that had been declared in the past eight verses, Isaiah proclaimed that it was GOD’s will that this happen to His Servant. This did not mean GOD the Father was sadistic and pleased to see Messiah (His Son) suffer, but was pleased to see HIS plan come to pass. God’s Eternal Kingdom was contingent on this sacrificial, atonement death of His Servant to be successful. Though HE used evil people, through the Sanhedrin and Roman government to accomplish a false arrest, an invalid trial, and an unjust death, GOD’s plan came to pass to HIS full glory (Yet it pleased the?LORD?to bruise Him).[1]

The Father’s plan all along was to put His Son’s heart to grief, while He willingly took the punishment from Him. “My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaves to my jaws; and you have brought me into the dust of death.” (Ps. 22:15) (He has put Him to grief)

An additional issue is raised by non-believing Jewish commentators, who only support Isaiah 53 to be corporate Israel. They point out in verse 53:10 that there is an additional problem with this passage being about Jesus Christ. The passage continues to say: “HE shall see?His?seed.” This definitely is a troubling clause, due to the fact Jesus had no offspring.[2] These commentators also point out that His days were not prolonged (HE shall prolong?His?days), because He died. Their disbelief in the resurrection causes their misunderstanding of the entire passage.

The expression “HE shall see?His?seed” has been mistranslated. There are two different persons being spoken of within this text. The first person “HE” is the Father who was initially addressed as LORD in the first part of the verse: “Yet it pleased the?LORD?to bruise Him.” The Hebrew verb “ra'ah” is defined as: “to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider.”[3] “HE shall consider” would be a more accurate translation to the first Hebrew verb of the clause. The second half of the Hebrew clause uses the noun “zera`,” which has several definitions. The translators chose the most common definition, which is “seed.”?Jesus did not produce offspring, so this would be a wrong choice of a word in this context. Two other definitions for this Hebrew noun are of a figurative context as “posterity” and “sowing time.”[4]?The term “sowing time” does not fit the passage, but “posterity” does. The noun “posterity” is defined as either: “all future generations of people,” or “the descendants of a person.” Posterity can be an appropriate description of Jesus Christ’s future generations of disciples. Rather than what the translators have chosen to translate as “he shall see?his?seed,” the most logical translation of these two Hebrew words written by Isaiah would be “HE (God the Father) shall consider His (Jesus’) posterity.”[5]

10?Yet it pleased the?LORD?to bruise Him; HE has put Him to grief: when you shall make His soul an offering for sin, HE shall consider His posterity: HE shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the?LORD?shall prosper in His hand. (Is. 53:10)

The fact, which nonbelieving-Jewish scholars and rabbis do not believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, is because they do not understand the context of the phrase “HE shall prolong His days.” Because GOD the Father shall consider the posterity of His Son, HE shall resurrect Him in order to confirm that it was HIS will that Messiah Jesus died for the sin offering. Messiah Jesus was to promote the Eternal Kingdom to His disciples and they were to promote it to the world. “Go therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit:” (Matt. 28:19) (and the pleasure of the?LORD?shall prosper in His hand)[6]

1 Corinthians 15:4 And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures: Paul finished the gospel message here, then elaborated on the witnesses account in the following verses. The believing Corinthians had already heard this message, yet Paul wrote it here, so that those still not believing may here it and believe.

Paul indicated in this verse (1 Cor. 15:4), that Christ was buried, and that He rose again the third day, which was according to the Scriptures. This epistle was written before at least three of the four Gospel accounts, and should not be associated with the canonization of the New Testament, which occurred in 397 A.D. In Isaiah 53:10, we find “HE shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the?LORD?shall prosper in His hand.” This clues us in on the resurrection that was to occur, but where did Paul find in the Old Testament Scriptures that Christ was to raise again the third day??

Your dead men shall live, together with My dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, you that dwell in dust: because your dew is as the dew of herbs, and the Earth shall cast out the dead. (Is. 26:19)

Jesus descended down to the center of the Earth to gather the Old Testament Saints; He took them from captivity in hell (sheol), and led them captive into victory; they were resurrected and ascended to heaven with God the Son! Notice in Matthew 27:52-53 that the Old Testament Saints had resurrected after Jesus had, and walked into the city of Jerusalem.?

52And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, 53?And came out of the graves after His resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. (Matt. 27:52-53)

The prophet Hosea also wrote of this day that the Old Testament Saints would rise and be with their Lord. A person should be able to read this and see that it has already been fulfilled; please notice that the Lord was to raise them up on the third day. With Matthew 27:52-53 confirming it, the first phase of the Resurrection of Life was completed. Is it a coincidence that it happened on the Feast of First Fruits? Thus, they were the first fruits of the Resurrection of Life.

?1 Come, and let us return unto the?Lord: because He has torn, and He will heal us; He has smitten, and He will bind us up.

2?After two days will He revive us: in the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live in His sight. (Hos. 6:1-2)

1 Corinthians 15:5 And that He was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: Here we find the fourth and final time that Paul mentioned Cephas in this epistle (1:12; 3:22; 9:5; 15:5), which clearly reveals here that he was speaking about Simon Peter, who was one of the original twelve disciples of Jesus Christ. The separation between Cephas and the twelve, reveals that Jesus first revealed Himself to Simon Peter, then the twelve. We can find a confirmation to this order of being seen within the Gospel of Mark, which was a testimony by John Mark, with includes the testimonies of Simon Peter.

11?And they, when they had heard that He was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.

12?After that He appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.

13?And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.

14?Afterward He appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen Him after He was risen. (Mark 16:11-14)

?By reading the Gospel of Luke, we will find confirmation that the two disciples consisted actually with one of them as Simon Peter. Since Luke 24:18 mentions that one of the two was Cleopas, then we must conclude the unnamed one was Simon Peter. Luke recorded that the two of them returned to Jerusalem. The eleven mentioned in Luke 24:33 seems to present a problem, until the original Greek words are analyzed.

13 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. (Luke 24:13)

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33?And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,

34?Saying: “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon.” (Luke 24:33-34)

Dr. Luke used the Greek verb “heyriskō,” which was translated as “found,” but the definitions for this Greek verb are also: “to come upon, hit upon, to meet with.” The Greek aorist stem for “to meet with” can be implied: “and met with.” The sentence being implied by Dr. Luke would be saying: “and met with the eleven gathered together,” with the Greek verb “heyriskō” introduced with the Greek conjunction “kai” (and). With this having been implied by Dr. Luke: Simon Peter and Cleopas returned to Jerusalem and met (,) with the eleven all gathered together (because Simon Peter had just arrived), thus Cleopas was the twelfth one mentioned by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:5. Luke 24:34 indicates that Simon Peter and Cleopas had exclaimed to them: “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon.” Then we can find in Mark 16:13, the other ten Apostles (with Simon Peter sitting with them as the eleventh) did not believe Simon Peter and Cleopas, until Jesus arrived and scolded the other ten for not believing (Mk. 16:14).

As one attempts to understand the information provided between: Paul’s information here in verse 15:5, John Mark’s information in Mark 16:11-13, and Dr. Luke’s information within Luke 24:13-38, we must understand that all three testimonies rely totally on the testimony of Simon Peter. Paul spoke with Simon Peter, when he returned to Jerusalem after his three year Sabbatical (Gal. 1:18); that is when Paul found out Simon Peter’s testimony. It should be understood that the Gospel of Mark was completed and distributed first, which was about 45 A.D., and Paul’s epistle known as 1st Corinthians was written and sent about 55 A.D. It is commonly known that Simon Peter became John Mark’s mentor, after Paul had rejected taking him anymore with him on his journeys. (Acts 15:37-41) The Gospel of Mark was penned by John Mark, while receiving Simon Peter’s testimonies, as well as writing of his own. Dr. Luke’s Gospel was finished and distributed later (no later than 69 A.D. [Paul’s death was not recorded]). Dr. Luke had the opportunity to interview Paul, Simon Peter, and John Mark for his Gospel account. One can only make presumptions that Dr. Luke recognized Simon Peter’s non-disclosure of himself being one of the two (he and Cleopas) in the Gospel of Mark; meanwhile, Paul had made the statement in 1 Corinthians 15:5 indicating that the resurrected Jesus appeared to Simon Peter (Cephas) first. Dr. Luke wrote the disclosing quote in Luke 24:34, which confirms that it was Simon Peter who returned to the others with Cleopas with him. As Simon Peter entered the room with Cleopas, they proclaimed: “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon.” Dr. Luke confirmed Paul’s testimony by writing Luke 24:34, because Simon Peter was most likely embarrassed that the others did not believe him, until the Lord came in and scolded them for their unbelief (Mark 16:11-14).

1 Corinthians 15:6 After that, He was seen of above five hundred brethren at once: of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. As we are discovering, Paul’s account is very accurate, which may be due to his own research even before Dr. Luke had joined him as a believer; Luke joined Paul in Troas in Acts 16:10, then stayed behind in Philippi (Acts 16:13), then rejoined Paul again in Philippi a few years later (Acts 20:5-6). Paul had been in Jerusalem a few times before Luke had made it there, while Paul conversed with the others and asking questions.

As Paul gathered his facts, he found that the resurrected Jesus had been seen in a public event, when over five-hundred believers (brethren) had seen Christ simultaneously. Paul acknowledged that some of the over five-hundred had already died (fallen asleep), yet a majority were still alive (remain unto this present); this may indicate that, during Paul’s investigation, he may have interviewed many brethren still alive and heard some had already died.

1 Corinthians 15:7 After that, He was seen of James, then of all the Apostles. We must understand that this James mentioned here was not James, son of Alphaeus, neither was he James son of Zebedee (died Acts 12:1). Paul acknowledged that James (1/2 brother of Jesus) was this same James mentioned here, because he acknowledged having spoken with him, as per Galatians 1:19. James, son of Alphaeus, should be included with all of the Apostles whenever Paul had grouped them together (15:5, 7). Since Jesus walked the Earth forty days after His resurrection, the remaining eleven disciples most likely saw Him many times during that period, while having only a few events written of in the four Gospels. ?

1 Corinthians 15:8 And last of all He was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. Paul confirmed here that He was the last one to actually visually see the resurrected Christ. By Paul implying that he was one born, we can relate this to John 3:3 and 3:5, when Jesus implied that one must be born again. Paul implied that he was one born again out of due time, since his conversion was a few years later than that of the original eleven.

1 Corinthians 15:9 Because I am the least of the Apostles, that am not meet to be called an Apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. Since Paul had been utilizing the Greek noun “apostolos,” it had taken on a new definition, which the Lexicons have acknowledged. Since both the oldest definition, and this newer one, have been utilized by Paul, we must do the same. Paul used the Greek noun “apostolos” to include all Christians (Rom. 1:5, 1 Cor. 9:5; 12:28, 29, 2 Cor. 11:13, Gal. 2:8, Eph. 4:11), yet utilized the new definition in all other uses in his epistles written.

Paul implied here that because he was the last of the called Apostles (15:8), and the only one guilty of persecuting (Acts 7:58; 8:1-3; 9:1-2) Christians (the church of God), he was not sufficient (meet = “hikanos” = sufficient) to be called an Apostle, but considered himself the “least of the Apostles” for that very reason (because).

1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. In order to realize the context of this verse, one must evaluate the use of the English verb “labored;” The verb “labored” was translated from the Greek verb “kopiaō,” which actually is defined contextually as: “to labor with wearisome effort.”

Paul was not boasting about working harder than the other Apostles, but made his point clear that because he was so ashamed of persecuting God’s church, he labored more with wearisome effort. His labors and suffering (with perseverance) was a result of God’s grace, which Paul felt even more grateful in being forgiven for his terrible sins. He assured the Corinthian Christians that God’s amazing grace was not done in vain.?

1 Corinthians 15:11 Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so you believed. In verse 1:12, Paul acknowledged that Cephas (Simon Peter) made an impact on the Corinthians somehow. Paul mentions Cephas four times in this one epistle (1:12; 3:22; 9:5; 15:5). It is not known whether any others of the eleven had ever made it to Corinth, but Paul acknowledged that no matter which of the twelve preached to them (so we peach), they believed.

?1 Corinthians 15:12 Now if Christ be preached that He rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? Paul’s logic is used against the nonbelievers of the resurrection of all humans. If a Christian’s faith depends entirely on the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, then his rhetorical question is a very convicting question towards those who say that they believe. The Lord Jesus had taught of the resurrection of the dead many times to his many followers. ?

25?Verily, verily, I say unto you: “The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.” (Jn. 5:25)

28?Marvel not at this, because the hour is coming, in which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice,

29?And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the Resurrection of Life; and they that have done evil, unto the Resurrection of Damnation. (Jn. 5:28-29)

1 Corinthians 15:13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: Paul’s logic is similar to my own. If/then conclusions can be used to establish very sensible logic. The logic is presented to those who had said that there is no resurrection of the dead. If someone is a regenerated Christian believer, yet say that there is no resurrection of the dead, then they are implying that Christ did not rise from the dead either. That would be illogical to think, if their faith is based on the resurrection of Jesus the Christ three days after He died on that cross (15:3-4).

1 Corinthians 15:14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Paul’s if/then logic is then used again, which reveals the foolishness of those who do not believe in the resurrection of the dead, yet believe Christ actually did rise. By implying that Christ is not risen from the dead, then all Christian’s faith and preaching of the resurrection of Christ is in vain (false). A regenerated Christian would have to believe in the resurrection of the dead, if they are saved in their belief in Christ’s resurrection; it is a non-negotiable fact of a Christian’s faith. The contradiction is very apparent against those who say that they believe that Christ is risen, yet do not believe in the resurrection of the dead.

1 Corinthians 15:15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of GOD, because we have testified of GOD that HE raised up Christ: whom HE raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. Paul’s logical conclusions goes even further testifying against himself and other apostles of GOD the Father. He concluded that (then) he and the others were false witnesses (liars) of GOD, because they had been testifying that GOD the Father did raise Jesus Christ (HIS Son) from the dead, if the resurrection of the dead were not true. Christianity would be a dead religion if the resurrection of the dead were not true.

1 Corinthians 15:16 Because if the dead rise not, then Christ is not raised: Paul is very thorough in his explanations and logic, as the Corinthians had found out reading this entire epistle. The conjunction because presents the reason for the previous statement. Paul indicated that he and the others were liars (false witnesses) if the dead cannot rise, because if that is so, then Christ did not rise either. Christianity would be not true, all because the dead cannot rise, which is ridiculous if one believes that Christ is risen!

1 Corinthians 15:17 And if Christ be not raised, (then) your faith is vain; you are yet in your sins. Ouch! How devastating would that be to all Christians if this were the case? The ridiculousness, of the believer that does not believe in the resurrection of the dead, is brought to be an embarrassment unto them. It would be utter hopelessness to not believe that GOD will raise up each Christian from the dead, as HE had the Old Testament Saints already. (see commentary 15:4) As Christ has already promised, so it shall be done (Jn. 5:28-29). ?

Verily, verily, I say unto you: “The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. (Jn. 5:25)

1 Corinthians 15:18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. This verse is a continuation from the previous verse, when Paul introduced the “if” statement. Paul stated in verse 15:17: “if Christ be not raised,” and finished that here. ?“If Christ be not raised,” then they also who have died in Christ are perished for eternity; there would be no hope. ?

23?And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

24?Because we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope, because what a man sees, why does he yet hope for?

25?But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. (Rom. 8:23-25)

?1 Corinthians 15:19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, (then) we are of all men most miserable. Paul’s Romans 8:23-25 doctrine is utilized here, when he presented another if/then conclusion; if we only hope in Christ having died for our sins, then we are like (of) all men and women, who are extremely miserable with no hope for their resurrection. Pagan religions typically do not believe that there will be a resurrection of the dead, in which Jesus had declared in John 5:28-29. When preaching at Mars Hill in Athens, Greece, Paul was mocked by the pagans concerning the resurrection of the dead.

31?Because HE has appointed a day, in which HE will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom HE had ordained; whereof HE has given assurance unto all men, in that HE has raised Him from the dead.

32?And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said: “We will hear you again of this matter.” (Acts 17:31-32)?

1 Corinthians 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and became the firstfruits of them that slept. This verse clues a reader in on the Feast of First Fruits, which was one of seven Feasts of the Lord celebrated every year by Israel, since the Laws of Moses were established.

Your dead men shall live, together with My dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, you that dwell in dust: because your dew is as the dew of herbs, and the Earth shall cast out the dead. (Is. 26:19) ?

Jesus descended down to the center of the Earth to gather the Old Testament Saints; He took them from captivity in hell (sheol [Luke 16:19-31]), and led them captive into victory (Eph. 4:8-10); they were resurrected and ascended to heaven with God the Son! Notice in Matthew 27:52-53 that the Old Testament Saints had resurrected after Jesus had, and walked into the city of Jerusalem.??

52And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, 53?And came out of the graves after His resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. (Matt. 27:52-53)

The prophet Hosea also wrote of this day that the Old Testament Saints would rise and be with their Lord. A person should be able to read this and see that it has already been fulfilled; please notice that the Lord was to raise them up on the third day. With Matthew 27:52-53 confirming it, the first phase of the Resurrection of Life was completed. Is it a coincidence that it happened on the Feast of First Fruits? Thus, they were the first fruits of the Resurrection of Life (Jn. 5:28-29). ?

?1 Come, and let us return unto the?Lord: because He has torn, and He will heal us; He has smitten, and He will bind us up.

2?After two days will He revive us: in the third day He will raise us up, and we shall live in His sight. (Hos. 6:1-2)

1 Corinthians 15:21 Because since by man came death, by Man came also the resurrection of the dead. Paul began his illustration of Christ’s involvement in the resurrection of the dead. First, it can be determined that one man sinned in the Garden of Eden, which was still in its perfect-uncorrupted state. Once the first man (Adam) sinned, the entire Creation was corrupted and death entered into this once-perfect existence.

17?But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you shall not eat of it: because in the day that you eat thereof, you shall surely die. (Gen. 2:17)

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6?And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

7?And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. (Gen. 3:6-7)

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19?In the sweat of your face shall you eat bread, till you return unto the ground, because out of it were you taken: because dust you are, and unto dust shall you return. (Gen. 3:19)

It has been approximately six-thousand years of death, which mankind and the entire Creation has endured. After the first four-thousand years, God incarnated into a Man, in 3 B.C. Thirty years after His birth into His mortality, He began a three-year ministry in 27 A.D., then was crucified for the sins of believers on (Thursday) Nisan 14, 30 A.D. (Feast of Passover). His resurrection occurred 3 days later on (Sunday) Nisan 17, 30 A.D. (Feast of First Fruits). This entire three-day series of events was the fulfillment of the first messianic prophecy given to the fallen-angel, Lucifer (serpent), within Genesis 3:15. The first man and the woman were there, and heard this prophecy, as it was spoken by God in judgment.

?And I will put enmity between you (Lucifer) and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel. (Gen. 3:15)

Because of these historic events, the incarnate Mortal (Jesus the Messiah) had been resurrected as the firstfruits of the Resurrection of Life (Jn. 5:28-29). The firstfruits of the Resurrection of Life is recorded in history and confirms that the main harvest of believers will be accomplished as promised. By this Man (Jesus the Messiah), has the resurrection of the dead become a reality.

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52And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, 53?And came out of the graves after His resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. (Matt. 27:52-53)

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1 Corinthians 15:22 Because as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. The key word to focus upon is the adverb “all.” In both the first and second clause, this adverb “all” means exactly the same. All plants, trees, fish, land animals, birds, sea life, and insects are included, along with all of mankind. Adam brought death into this once-perfect Creation. Jesus Christ is the 2nd Adam (Man), which brings the resurrection of all to be made alive. As Paul works this epistle to the 2nd phase of the Resurrection of Life (Jn. 5:28-29), we can be assured that God will fill His Everlasting Kingdom with resurrected immortals, where there will be no more death. All of those who died in belief of Jesus Christ, will be resurrected from the dead, or changed into an immortal if still alive (see 15:51-53). There will be immortal animals, which has not been elaborated upon enough to know, to what extent this may be (Is. 11:6-8).

1 Corinthians 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward, they that are Christ's at His coming. In Leviticus 23, we can find a chapter that includes the seven annual festivals (feasts) of the Lord; these seven festivals are interlinked with the sacrificial system introduced by Moses, along with the harvest schedule of Israel’s crops. Jesus Christ died on the cross, as the Passover Lamb of God on The Feast of Passover (Nisan 14). His sinless body (unleavened bread) was then buried, or put in a tomb, on the first day of The Feast of Unleavened Bread (Nisan 15).?The next feast day on the calendar was The Feast of First Fruits.?According to Leviticus 23:11, it was to be accomplished on the “morrow” of the Sabbath.?In this particular year, the first day of the week fell three days after Nisan 14. This was the firstfruits of the barley harvest, which was the first crop to become ripe that year. Jesus Christ resurrected from the dead on the third day after The Feast of Passover, which was The Feast of First Fruits. Thus, we have the theological positioning which Paul uses in 1 Corinthians 15:20. The Feast of Pentecost has already been fulfilled by Christ, through the betrothal of the church unto Him, providing an earnest gift of promise being the Holy Spirit (Acts 2). From this point, one must notice that the first four Feasts of the Lord have been fulfilled in the exact order and on the exact day of the days appointed within Leviticus 23.

Marvel not at this: because the hour is coming, in which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice,

And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto The Resurrection of Life, and they that have done evil, unto The Resurrection of Damnation. (Jn. 5:28-29)

In 1 Corinthians 15:23, Paul implied that God resurrects every man in his own order. He then implied that God resurrected in Christ the “first fruits,” then the rest at His coming.?The order, which Paul is referring to, concerns the order of the resurrection. If Israel began their harvest season by the celebration of The Feast of First Fruits, then there has to be a main harvest coming. The main harvest, in Israel, does not occur until the autumn months. The next Feast of the Lord is always The Feast of Trumpets, which is in the seventh month called Tishri, and is in the secular month of September. Christ has two separate events, which represent His coming; He will come to Earth, while not touching down (remaining in the sky), when He will resurrect His church in what is most commonly known as the rapture (1 Cor. 15:52-53, 1 Thess. 4:16-18). Seven years later, Christ also at His Second Coming to Earth (The Feast of Atonement [Tishri 10]), will resurrect the Tribulation Saints (Revelation 20:4) on that specific feast day; yes, He will touch down upon Mt. Olives (Zech. 14:4). This day is reflective of the harvest of the four-corners of the fields, which are reaped by the poor and the strangers (Gentiles). The order of The Resurrection of Life is God’s harvest of His people (scheduled in 3 phases) in their resurrection as immortals (every man in his own order).

And when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not make clean riddance of the corners of your field when you reap, neither shall you gather any gleaning of your harvest: you shall leave them unto the poor, and to the stranger: I Am the Lord your God. (Lev. 23:22)?

The sound of God’s trumpet will blow on the glorious day of The Feast of Trumpets (Tishri 1-2). The church (betrothed Bride of Christ) has been given some encouraging passages in scripture about the rapture (harpazo [1 Cor. 15:52-53, 1 Thess. 4:16-18]). If you were to read the passage in Exodus 23:16, you can see that the Jewish year ends and the “ingathering” finishes. The Feast of Trumpets proclaims the end of the Jewish year, and the beginning of the New Year. In Exodus 23:16, God spoke through Moses, while giving instruction for the finish of the harvest season. The final celebration of the ingathering will conclude on Sukkot, or the Feast of Tabernacles (Tishri 15-22).

Just as Leviticus 23 interconnects the Feasts of the Lord with the harvest schedule of Israel, God has interconnected the Feast days of Israel with His harvest. Keep in mind, that Jesus has often used parables of seeds of harvest and reaping the harvest while promoting the Kingdom of God (Mark 4:3-8, 14-20, 26-29; Matthew 9:38, 13:3-8, 18-30 Luke 8:5-8, 11-15, 10:2; John 4:35-38).

1 Corinthians 15:24 Then comes the end, when He shall have delivered up the Kingdom to GOD, even the Father; when He shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. Believe it or not, this day is not the Second Coming of Christ. If you will notice, this day mentioned by Paul is the day that Christ is to deliver the Kingdom to GOD the Father. This will come after the one-thousand year Millennial Kingdom of Christ, and after Judgment Day. Christ will put down all rule and all authority and power, and hand it over to His Father. Upon the completion of Judgment Day (Rev. 20:11-15), the new Creation and new Earth will come to be, and GOD the Father will join all of His children on that new Earth.

?And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying: “Behold, the tabernacle of GOD is with men, and HE will dwell with them, and they shall be HIS people, and GOD HIMSELF shall be with them, and be their GOD.” (Rev. 21:3)

And I saw no temple therein, because the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY and the Lamb are the Temple of it. (Rev. 21:22)

And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of GOD and of the Lamb shall be in it, and HIS servants shall serve HIM: (Rev. 22:3)

1 Corinthians 15:25 Because He must reign, till He has put all enemies under His feet. The very words of Jesus Christ has many times indicated that He must do the will of His Father (Matt. 7:21; 12:50; 26:39, Jn. 4:34; 5:19, 30; 6:37-40; 14:31; 17:4; 19:30). Obviously, GOD the Father’s will is quite extensive and difficult to understand completely. As Paul had indicated in 1 Corinthians 8:6, everything is being accomplished by Christ, while He is in complete obedience to His Father.

?And He had in His hand a little book open: and He set his right foot upon the sea, and His left foot on the Earth, (Rev. 10:2)

This little book (scroll) is still a mystery to the current day, but we have already ascertained that the Mighty Messenger is the Son of God. John had indicated that this little book (scroll) was in the Mighty Messenger’s hand and opened. Allegorically, John implied that the Mighty Messenger stood on the sea with His right foot, and on the Earth with His left foot. The sea is an allegorical representation of a multitude of people (Rev. 17:15), while the Earth is an allegorical representation of the rest of the planet, with its creatures, land, and water. Jesus the Messiah stands (has control) over the sea (all people) and the Earth (creatures, land and waters). While He stands, He has this little book (God the Father’s plan) in His hand. Keep this in mind: that which God the Father has planned, His Son then fulfills. ?

But to us there is but one GOD, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in HIM; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by Him. (1 Cor. 8:6)

The Father planned all things and we are “in” HIS will, or eternal plan. Meanwhile, our Lord Jesus Christ is who has been fulfilling His Father’s will in all of creation and salvation, and we are here as the Father’s children by Christ. Therefore, the Son of God was given the instructions (little book) from His Father, by which He (Christ) steps forward in executing the Creation, as well as its fulfillment of all that had and will happen. After Judgment Day, all enemies of God will be done away with completely. This is when Christ can hand the Kingdom over to His Father. ?

1 Corinthians 15:26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. After Judgment Day, there will be no more sin to ever be punished by death. As should be understood, death is not only the entire fallen Creation’s enemy, but God’s enemy as well. The last person to be judged, and cast into the Lake of Fire (Rev. 20:14-15), will be the last death ever to occur, forever!

1 Corinthians 15:27 Because HE has put all things under His feet. But when HE says all things are put under Him, it is manifest that HE is excepted, which did put all things under Him. The translated adjective “manifest” is translated from the Greek adjective “dēlos,” which is easier to understand to mean: “clear, evident.” The translated adverb “excepted” is translated from the Greek adverb “ektos,” which is easier to understand to mean: “outside, beyond.”?

Because HE has put all things under His feet. But when HE says all things are put under Him, it is evident that HE is beyond, which did put all things under Him.

Paul has implied that it is evident that GOD the Father is beyond the Creation, while HIS Son (Jesus Christ) is accomplishing all things, which includes destroying all enemies of the Godhead. Upon Christ’s victory of His resurrection, He ascended on high, and sits at the right hand of His Father. According to Psalm 110:1-2, GOD the Father commanded that HIS Son sit, while HE puts His enemies as His footstool. The Father’s control is maintained from heaven, as HE empowers His Son to manifest the completion of HIS plan, thus all enemies are put at Jesus’ feet. ?

1The?LORD?said unto my Lord: “Sit at MY right hand, until I make Your enemies Your footstool.”

2?The?LORD?shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion: You rule in the midst of Your enemies. (Ps. 110:1-2)

1 Corinthians 15:28 And when all things shall be subdued unto HIM, then shall the Son also Himself be subject unto HIM that put all things under Him, that God may be all in all. The reason from 15:27 continued here with the conjunction “and,” which means the subject of the previous verse rolls over to this additional statement. The subject of the previous statement is the pronoun “HE,” being GOD the Father.

When God the Son (Jesus Christ) has subdued all enemies of the Godhead unto GOD the Father (HIM), then shall the Son (Jesus the Christ) also Himself be subject unto His Father (HIM); as the previous verse has stated, it is GOD the Father WHO has put all things under HIS Son’s authority, until the final task has been completed. When the last unsaved soul is destroyed (spirit and resurrected body cast into Lake of Fire), then death will be defeated. Then God the Son will hand the Kingdom over to His Father, and the Triune Godhead will rule all in all of the new Creation.

The best understanding, which the Scriptures have provided to mankind, is from Jesus Himself. It must be understood that the second death (Rev. 20:15) is the destruction of the living soul. When a person is born into mortality (from the womb), they possess a mortal body, their living soul, and a spirit. Upon their physical death (mortal body), their soul and spirit release from that dead body, and go where God the Son has determined (heaven or hell). We can find in Genesis 2:7 that the Holy Spirit breathed life into the body of the first man (Adam) and he became a living soul. The body is a vessel with no life, until it receives that living soul. Like a machine, that body can then function with all of its body members (soul = life). Without the spirit of man, there is no consciousness, like a machine without its computer to operate its programmed functions. The spirit can never die; nowhere in the Bible will you find that God kills a spirit, neither is there any indication that a spirit can die. God the Son disclosed that God can kill the body and soul, but He never, ever had implied that a spirit can die.

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matt. 10:28)

The English translators have used the English noun “hell” for both the Greek noun “hades,” and “geenna.” In the case in Matthew 10:28, Jesus spoke of “geenna,” and not “hades.” Therefore, the soul will only die, once it is cast into the Lake of Fire.

The ignorance of the English translators had obviously, mistakenly called “hades,” and “geenna” as the same place (hell). “Hades” is a Greek noun that Greek pagans believed was the place where all went, and it represented their false belief of the underworld. They did not believe that it was a place as Jesus had described many times. Jesus most likely called that place “sheol,” which is the Hebrew name for the place where it is understood to be hell. The Apostles had only one Greek word that referred to this place, and that was “hades” (Matt. 11:23; 16:18, Luke 10:15; 16:23, Acts 2:27, 31, Rev. 1:18; 6:8; 20:13, 14). When Jesus spoke of eternal damnation, Matthew, John Mark, Luke, and James were forced to use “geenna,” which used to be a place outside of Jerusalem (Matt. 5:22, 29, 30; 10:28; 18:9; 23:15, 33, Mk. 9:43, 45, 47, Luke 12:5, Jam. 3:6)?where they burned all trash, as well as dead bodies, of whom could not afford a tomb. The name “geenna” is Greek for that place of burning, which was then used as imagery of the eternal “Lake of Fire.”

1 Corinthians 15:29 Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead? The translators used the English conjunction “else” for the Greek conjunction “epei,” which is defined as: “when, since.” In the previous verse, Paul utilized sound reasoning and logic, in order to convince the Corinthian congregation (believers and nonbelievers) that there is such a thing as “the resurrection of the dead.” His discourse then came back to the congregation that had believed that there was no resurrection of the dead. It then can be gathered into the verse: “Since there is no resurrection of the dead, what shall they do which are baptized for the dead?”

Christians understand that once a person is dead, there can be no baptism into the Body of Christ. The only plausible understanding of what Paul was implying (here in 15:29) is, that there existed amongst some of the Christians at Corinth, a practice of baptizing a living person in the place of a convert who had died before a baptism had been administered to him/her. This was a practice that existed amongst the Marcionites in the second century, and still earlier amongst a sect called the Corinthians.

Paul used this erroneous belief, towards the sect that did not believe that there was a resurrection of the dead, to logically reason with them. “Since there is no resurrection of the dead, what shall they do which are baptized for the dead?” His second question was then utilized as a logical-rhetorical question, upholding their false belief in this false practice of baptism. If there is no resurrection of the dead, then why are they then baptized for the dead? The nonbeliever then has to answer: “hmmmmm, I do not know.” Good point, Paul! This is why heretical beliefs become administered to their congregations, because they do not use deductive reasoning (like Paul) to support or object to their bad doctrines.

1 Corinthians 15:30 And why stand we in jeopardy every hour? Paul changed the focus back to himself and the other apostles (we). If there be no resurrection of the dead, then why do all Christians sacrifice their life for the gospel of Christ? (in jeopardy every hour) If there is no resurrection, then they die in vain, and cease to exist: or exist in the underworld forever. Would that be worth dying for?

1 Corinthians 15:31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. The English translation is not a very clear interpretation of what Paul had expressed. Below I have used the Greek transcript to better interpret this verse. With proper punctuation, it can be ascertained what was being said:

καθ???μ?ραν ?ποθν?σκω ν??τ?ν ?μετ?ραν κα?χησιν ?ν ?χω ?ν Χριστ? ?ησο? τ? κυρ?? ?μ?ν

Every day I die, to your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus, to our Lord.

The entire verse plugged into Google Translate does get it a bit different, as it usually does. My interpretation is using the Greek word by word (some used together) to bring the above translation. Punctuation is then needed for the English version.

The Apostle Paul indicated that He prayed every day to the Lord, concerning the Corinthian’s rejoicing in his aspirations in Messiah Jesus. By indicating that he died daily had implied that His pleads, apologies, and desires to the Lord were troublesome to him.

1 Corinthians 15:32 If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantages it me, if the dead rise not? Let us eat and drink, because tomorrow we die. As many do understand, Paul had written this Epistle while in Ephesus. Acts 19:23-41 is where we can find the uprising of the “beasts at Ephesus.” We can also associate this two-year stay in Ephesus (Eph. 19:10) to be when he had written this Epistle known as 1st Corinthians. Paul had called the worshippers of demons to be “beasts,” which both Simon Peter and Jude (Jesus’ ? brother) had called them “brute beasts.” (2 Pet. 2:12, Jude 1:10) The incident in Ephesus was an encounter with the demon worshippers, who had been corrupted by the demonic realm, in order to counter the spread of the gospel; if we read what both Simon Peter and Jude had written, the brute beasts were guilty of the same thing encountered by Paul in Ephesus.

Paul’s point is very clear, with such a threatening encounter in Ephesus, what benefit (advantages) could he possibly receive from being in such danger? If the dead do not rise in a resurrection, why would it matter that he risk his life for such an encounter as that? Paul’s final quote is sarcasm towards how the Pagans feel, since they do not believe in the resurrection of the dead. Eat, drink, and be merry, because we may die tomorrow; life will end, and we will no longer exist. (let us eat and drink, because tomorrow we die.)

13?And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink, because tomorrow we shall die.

14?And it was revealed in my ears by the?Lord?of hosts: “Surely this iniquity shall not be purged from you till you die,” says the Lord?God?of hosts. (Is. 22:13-14)

1 Corinthians 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. The translators used the English noun “communications” for the Greek noun “homilia,” which actually means: “companionship, intercourse, communion.” By understanding the actual definitions, one can conclude this to contextually mean “associations.” Be not deceived: evil associations corrupt good manners. A Christian can communicate with evil people, which is how the gospel is shared. But by Christians associating themselves with evil people, they will tend to pick up their evil manners. (corrupt good manners)

1 Corinthians 15:34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not, because some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame. The last time Paul was angered like this with the Corinthians was in chapter 6 (6:5). He was ashamed of them because they were judging church matters within the secular Greek courts. Again, his anger is conveyed here, because these same Corinthians were not confiding with church leadership on matters of doubt, or unbelief. His previous comment disclosed that these doubters and unbelievers were in association with those who had no belief, to influence their unbelief in the resurrection of the dead. When Paul commanded them to be awakened to righteousness, he was questioning their faith completely. Righteousness has always been trusting God and His promises, while these Corinthians were skeptical and believed what God had promised was far-fetched. “And he believed in the Lord; and He counted it to him for righteousness.” (Gen. 15:6) It is considered sin, when any Christian does not believe what God has said, or promised.

1 Corinthians 15:35 But some man will say: “How are the dead raised up?” “And with what body do they come?” This man that would hypothetically ask these two questions, is perfectly legitimate in his desire to know more. Seeking answers to questions of faith and God is righteousness to God. He created men to be analytical and question the things which he cannot understand. Jesus loved hearing questions from His students (disciples). To their shame, the nonbelieving Corinthians hung out with others who were still pagan idolaters. Paul, as a teacher, began his lesson here with two normal Christian questions. From here, Paul will explain the resurrection that is coming for all Christians in the future. These details seem complex, but Paul used imagery as the Lord had with the disciples, to bring a better understanding. Because Paul had answered both of these questions, I will explain those answers when we get to those verses.

1 Corinthians 15:36 You fool, that which you sow is not quickened, except it die:. Paul called them fools for thinking God is limited to the imperfection of the body put into the ground. The resurrection is biblically linked with the sowing of seeds, growth, and then harvesting (Lev. 23). Some might wonder why the book cover to this commentary is a plant sprouting up out of the soil; please think again.

Paul assured the unknowledgeable Corinthians that the seed that is sown must die, before it can be transformed into a sprout (zōopoieō = quickened = of seeds quickened into life, i.e. germinating, springing up, growing).

1 Corinthians 15:37 And that which you sow, you sow not that body that shall be; but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: This verse consists of two complete sentences, and should be separated with a semi-colon (;). The first sentence is common sense to those that sow seeds for flowers, fruits, vegetables, or grain. When a seed is sown, it is not expected to grow into a seed. The outcome is a plant (new life), which will grow and provide flowers, fruits, vegetables, or grain. The transformation represents a resurrection of that seed that had to die first, before it could quicken into that sprouted plant of new life. The second sentence is the objection to the first statement; the seed that died, did not produce another seed, but it transformed into a plant that bares grain, or wheat, or of some other grain.

1 Corinthians 15:38 Moreover, God gives it a body as it pleases Him, and to every seed his own body. The Greek conjunction “de” is not to be used here as an exception, neither an objection, but as additional information (Moreover). The translators used an active verb “gives” to coincide with a past tense action (as it has pleased Him), while the original Greek is an active verb, which should be in the present tense (pleases) also. ?

The lesson begins here to reflect actual seeds and plants, while at the same time it is actually transitioning to a human body. Paul will continue to explain this miraculous transformation that will occur upon the resurrection of the dead. God will give a new body to that dead seed (old body), and it will be as it pleases Him to do. That body will not be that old body dead in the ground, but a new body as it pleases God. Verse 15:37 had first conveyed that the body, that is sown into the ground, will not bring up a duplicate body to the one that died; this is just like the seed that does not grow into a seed out of the ground duplicate to the one sown.?

1 Corinthians 15:39 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. As we can find what Paul is saying concerning the Creation account in Genesis 1, he elaborated upon the differences between these creatures concerning their DNA structures. This becomes important in this very important theology lesson from the Holy Spirit. Moses made sure to elaborate that each type of creature was specifically made after its own kind of DNA structure. The ability to procreate depended on it mating after its own kind. ?

20?And God said: “Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that has life, and fowl that may fly above the Earth in the open firmament of heaven.” (Gen. 1:20)

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24?And God said: “Let the Earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the Earth after his kind:” and it was so.

25?And God made the beast of the Earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and everything that creeps upon the Earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good. (Gen. 1:24-25)

Paul had reminded the Corinthians that each flesh of man, beasts, fishes, and birds were all after their own kind, as in the Creation. He then continued to move towards other types of kinds of bodies made by the Lord.

1 Corinthians 15:40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. Paul reasoned and introduced both the celestial bodies and the terrestrial bodies as separate in their own glory. The Greek noun “doxa” was translated as “glory,” which is contextually defined as: “magnificence, excellence, preeminence.” The Greek adjective “epouranios” was used and translated as: “celestial,” which is defined as: “existing in the heavens, within the three heavenly abodes.” (first heaven = Earth’s atmosphere, second heaven = stars and planets, third heaven = God’s home) The Greek adjective “epigeios” was translated as: “terrestrial,” which is defined as: “existing upon the Earth, earthly, terrestrial.” This lesson here is vital to understand the resurrection of the dead, which Paul will eventually explain.

1 Corinthians 15:41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: because one star differs from another star in glory. The point, which Paul had placed into his teaching, is that each celestial body is unique from another in its own magnificence. This point can be confirmed easily by looking into a telescope from Earth.

?1 Corinthians 15:42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: Paul brought the uniqueness of each celestial body to be an example towards the uniqueness of the resurrected body from the dead. The explanation presented within 15:36-38, is moved to this discussion here, which is towards the uniqueness of each body in its glory (magnificence). If God has chosen a unique body for each seed (dead body), he will have sown the dead body into the ground corrupted in its fallen state; He then will raise that corrupted, fallen-body (seed) as a uniquely-magnificent (15:37-38) body of incorruption (no longer fallen). The curse of Genesis 3:16-19 should be understood to be that corrupted fallen-body. The perfection of Adam and Eve before Adam sinned, will be brought back to a perfect incorruptible-flesh and bones (no blood).? ?

Because I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed: because the?Lord?dwells in Zion. (Joel 3:21)

Joel 3:21 had troubled me at first, because I had already done extensive research on The Resurrection of Life (Jn. 5:29). My concern was that the resurrection of the righteous will bring about a supernatural change in their physical bodies. Corruption will put on incorruption and mortality will put on immortality (1 Cor. 15:42, 53). The resurrected bodies of the saints of Zion will have no blood.

The translators have placed the English verb “cleanse” for the Hebrew verb “naqah,” which is defined as “to be cleaned out, emptied, to be purged out.” Throughout the Old Testament, I have found three Hebrew verbs, which the translators have translated as “cleansed.” There is “chata',” which is defined as: “to be purified of sin” (Lev. 11:32, 12:7, 14:4…etc.) There is also “taher,” which is defined as: “to clean, purify.” (Josh. 22:17, 2 Chron. 29:18…etc.) While looking further for other times that the Hebrew verb “naqah” was used, I also found it used within Psalm 19:12: “Who can understand?his?errors? Cleanse me from secret?faults.”?The context of Psalm 19:12 can directly provide the context of Joel 3:21. The Psalmist asked the Lord to cleanse (purge out or make empty) him from secret faults.

Because I will purge their blood that I have not purged: because the?Lord?dwells in Zion. (Joel 3:21)

The Lord has stated in Joel 3:21 that He will purge out (or empty) the people of Judah, and the generations of Jerusalem, of their blood; these would be those who He had not already purged of their blood. More of this will be explained in my commentary within 15:48-50 and 15:53.

1 Corinthians 15:43-44 It is sown in dishonor; 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. The corrupted seed (body) brings forth an uncorrupted body.[7] Verses 15:42-44 convey that the seed (body) is sown into the ground weak, dishonored, and corrupted as a natural body: and raised uncorrupted, in glory and power as a spiritual body. Paul’s theology lesson on the resurrection of the dead has progressed to this point, and reveals information that had never been so thoroughly explained as this. Is it any wonder, why Jesus had many times utilized this same imagery towards the harvest of His people as Paul had used here?? ?

Say not you, “There are yet four months, and then comes harvest?” Behold, I say unto you: “Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, because they are white already to harvest. (Jn. 4:35)

1 Corinthians 15:45 And so it is written: “The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening Spirit.” Paul brought in a contrast between the first man (Hebrew noun “ā?ām” defined as “man”), and the last Man (ā?ām). The contrast between them is obviously being shown that death entered into the Creation through the first man, while the last Man is Jesus Christ, who has been assigned (not made) to be that quickening Spirit; GOD the Father has appointed Christ (HIS Son) to accomplish all things Himself (1 Cor. 8:6). This obviously did not include Christ’s resurrection, because He relied upon His Father for all things while incarnated. Paul quoted Genesis 2:7 which states that the first man became a living soul.?

But if the Spirit of HIM that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwells in you. (Rom. 8:11)

Romans 8:11 utilizes all three Persons of the Triune Godhead, so the interpretation needs to be understood. The Spirit of GOD the Father is the same Spirit of HIS Son as well. Stepping out a bit in presumptiveness, because mankind is made in the image of GOD, then it may be that both GOD the Father and God the Son have a spirit within their physical bodies (as we do), which communicates with the Holy Spirit who dwells within all regenerated Christians. The Holy Spirit is the One who quickened the Son of GOD and raised Him from the dead, as per the will of GOD the Father. According to Paul, the Son of GOD has been given the authority (by His Father) to be that quickening Spirit via the same Holy Spirit that raised Him.

Because Psalm 110:1-2 indicates that GOD the Father had commanded HIS Son to sit as HIS right hand, while HE makes all enemies of the Godhead to be Christ’s footstool,?then all things have been given to GOD’s Son until the time that Christ’s hands the Kingdom back to HIS Father. (1 Cor. 15:25-28) Therefore, the quickening Spirit will be accomplished by Christ and His Holy Spirit. (1 Cor. 8:6)?

26?Because as the Father has life in HIMSELF; so has HE given to the Son to have life in Himself;

27?And has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of man. (Jn. 5:26-27)

1 Corinthians 15:46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. Paul clarified the order, which the resurrection of the dead must occur. Even aborted fetuses must follow this order. Natural is mortality, and must come first, while spiritual is immortality and always must follow afterwards. The logic behind this goes back to the imagery of the death of a seed, which then can become resurrected into what God has willed it to be (15:36-38). “You fool, that which you sow is not quickened, except it die:” (15:36)

1 Corinthians 15:47 The first man is of the Earth, earthy; the second Man is the Lord from heaven. Paul clarified that the Lord Jesus Christ is the second Man, and is the last Man stated in verse 15:45, and is the quickening Spirit. The theology begins to become less clear for the majority of Christians, even though they read this and study it. If the first man is Adam and is to be considered “earthy,” then all of his offspring are to be also considered “earthy.”

As was initiated within verse 15:45 also, the Last Adam is the Second Man, which is the Lord Jesus Christ from heaven. This brings the following verse, which many do not even realize what Paul is implying.

1 Corinthians 15:48-49 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. All of the earthly men/women are earthy as the first man was. If the Lord is heavenly in His resurrected immortal body, then such as those that will be resurrected also be. Jesus’ immortality, as resurrected from an earthy mortal, is the same immortality of all who will be resurrected as heavenly.

These are the key verses that reveal that the resurrected bodies bear the same image (or likeness) to the heavenly uncorrupted body of Jesus Christ (we shall also bear the image of the heavenly). Readers can know a little about Jesus’ resurrected body; in John 21:19, one can see that He entered the room without needing a door; one can also know that He had flesh that could be seen and touched, while His flesh was not bleeding where His wounds were from His crucifixion (Luke 24:39-40). One also can know that He was hungry and did eat (Luke 24:41-43). Before the fall in the Garden of Eden, one can know that Adam and Eve had bodies without blood. “And Adam said: ‘This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh…’” (Gen. 2:23a). Jesus revealed that He had flesh and bones, but said nothing about blood: ?

Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself: handle Me, and see, because a spirit has not flesh and bones, as you see Me have.” (Luke 24:39)?

Blood is the sustainer of life (Gen. 9:4) and thus not needed to sustain those that are immortal. If Adam and Eve had blood before the fall, then death was possible for them; this can also be concluded concerning the resurrected body of Jesus, as well as the resurrected bodies of all believers.?

1 Corinthians 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that: “flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God, neither does corruption inherit incorruption.” Paul proceeded to explain why this resurrection into the heavenly must occur. The corrupted, earthy body (flesh and blood) cannot enter into heaven. Paul then explained the rapture of the church in the following four verses, which will be the second phase of the Resurrection of Life (Jn. 5:28-29). This reveals the transformation from the corruption of an earthy-mortal body, into a heavenly-immortal body of incorruption. There are those in heaven as soul and spirit, who have died since Christ’s resurrection (Feast of First Fruits); they await that heavenly-immortal body of incorruption, which Paul explains in the following verses.

To rebuke false doctrine, I will post a verse that reveals that those who have died in Christ after His resurrection, are in fact in heaven as soul and spirit.

6?Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:

7?(Because we walk by faith, not by sight:)

8?We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. (2 Cor. 6-8)

1 Corinthians 15:51 Behold, I show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, Paul’s attention is emphasized to his readers by exciting them to “see” (behold) what he was about show them. We should understand this to be one of the many mysteries of God, which Paul had emphasized back in chapter 2 (2:7). ?

But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: (1 Cor. 2:7)

When Paul used the Greek verb “koimaō,” he used in the metaphorical definition meaning “die.” (we shall not all die) That would mean that some people will not have to die as that dead seed has to die, before its resurrection into a plant (15:36-37). This seems, itself, to be a mystery: but Jesus spoke of this, when He was speaking of The Resurrection to Martha. Paul indicated here that, though a person is still alive, they too will all be changed in their own resurrection from the living; they will never die, even in their mortality.?

25?Jesus said unto her: “I AM The Resurrection, and The Life: he that believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

26?And whosoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (Jn. 11:25-26)?

Those that do not believe in the rapture (harpazo) are like these Corinthians who still held onto their old Pagan beliefs (disbelieve in the resurrection of the dead). If they believe that Jesus the Messiah is God the Son in the flesh, then why would they not believe His own words?

Since I brought up the nonbelieving-believers, I will also prove to them that the main harvest (rapture of the church) is to occur before the seven-years known as the Seventieth Week of Daniel (Day of the Lord).

Paul left in a hurry and could not properly address his concerns to all of the misguided Thessalonians concerning the timing of the “day of the Lord.” It seems that he did address it with many of them (2 Thess. 2:5), because he reminded them that he had already disclosed to them the key reason they should know that it is not possible for the “day of the Lord” to be “at hand,” which would be because the rapture of the church had to occur first. Paul provided key information to the church, concerning the timing of the harpazo (rapture) within this epistle, which has comforted the church now for nearly two millenniums.??

2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 1Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, Verses 1 and 2 should be read together as a complete sentence. Notice once again, Paul included Silas and Timothy within the following declarations with the pronoun “we.” He addressed the believers of Thessalonica as brethren. Though Post-Tribulation Rapture believers want to grasp onto verse 1, in order to connect the Second Coming of Jesus Christ with the rapture of the church together as one event, we must remember that Paul is attempting to address the timing between the two events. The Greek word “kai” is translated as “and,” which is to be interpreted as “also,” or “in addition to;” thus, we have an introduction to his teaching, while drawing a reader’s interest. Obviously, “our gathering together unto Him” refers to the catching away (harpazo) of the church to the Lord in the air.??2That you be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the?day of Christ is at hand. Verse 2 is a series of phrases to make up a clause that is linked to verse 1. It is best to understand that Paul had implied the following: 1Now we beseech you, brethren, That you be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled,… The topic, which Paul, Timothy, and Silas was beseeching, was for the Thessalonians to not be troubled concerning (by) the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him.

The translators used the noun “mind” for the Greek noun “nous,” which can be understood to mean: “the power of considering and judging soberly, calmly and impartially.” Paul was addressing their sober and impartial judgment concerning the doctrine that he was teaching concerning the expression “the day of the Lord (Christ) is at hand.” He was insisting that they think logically about the timing of the “day of the Lord,” rather than listening to false doctrines from two different possible sources, while the third was concerning misunderstanding even letters from them (us). The logic was to be understood, so to know that is was not possible for the “day of the Lord” to be “at hand,” because one event having not happened yet proved it was not “at hand.”

?We should understand that the term “spirit” pertains to false prophecies; this manner of speaking was and is common among pious individuals, who apply the term “spirit” in their prophesying, with the intent of putting honor in their declarations. The term “word” pertains to oral speech, which proclaims many false doctrines and heresies. Paul, then included even his own writings, or any other writings, that could cause them to be troubled in thinking the “day of Christ is at hand.” With this position, Paul then provided them with the absolute logic, which would eliminate any ideas that anyone was living in the seven years known as the “day of the Lord.”

2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: because that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Paul commanded the brethren of Thessalonica to not be deceived by anyone, because the day of the Lord cannot come before this certain condition does first. The church has misunderstood this verse in its proper context. If Paul was addressing the timing of the “day of the Lord” concerning the rapture of the church, then why would he confuse things by adding an additional prerequisite? Clearly, verses 6-7 concern the rapture, then the “Wicked” be revealed in verse 8. If the man of sin in verse 3 is Antichrist, then so is the “Wicked” in verse 8. Paul added here that he will also be the son of perdition (apōleia), or destruction. By believing in this man of sin, a person will be led to their own destruction.

Since the church has allowed the English translators to insert the term “falling away” into verse 3 for the Greek word apostasia, it can be ascertained that the sovereignty of God is at work. Verse 3 implies to a second prerequisite that must first occur, before the “day of the Lord.” Many Lexicons will exclude the additional English definition for the Greek word apostasia, which can also mean “departure.” Though the word “departure” can point to the rapture of the church, it doesn’t really mean that it is what Paul intended. In 2 Timothy 4:6, Paul used the Greek word “analysis,” which was translated as “departure” by the translators. “Becuase I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.” (2 Timothy 4:6) Paul was clearly writing Timothy concerning his future death and departure to be with the Lord. With this, I conclude that Paul would have used the Greek word “analysis” here in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, if he truly meant the departure of the church. ?

?3?Because the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

4?And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (2 Tim. 4:3-4)?

As we Christians have endured in the last days on Earth, we can witness apostasies and false doctrines being administered in the churches that were once biblically sound. Paul had warned Timothy of these times within both of his letters to him. So, obviously, Paul had meant for this additional prerequisite to be recognized by the church, before the day of the Lord was actually at hand. In 1 Timothy 4:1, Paul expressed that in the latter times (last days) some will “depart” from the faith.

1Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

2?Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

3?Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. (1 Timothy 4:1-3)

Apostasies have occurred throughout the history of the church, therefore, this first prerequisite is not very comforting to those who are being victimized by false prophesies, false declarations, as well as misinterpretations of Paul’s doctrines. The second prerequisite is much more precise and applicable to one specific event. Please refer to my explanation in verse 6, concerning the revealing of the Antichrist (man of sin).?

2 Thessalonians 2:4 Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sits in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. This verse begins with the pronoun “who,” which reflects back to the noun “man” in the previous verse; in this case, it is the “man of sin,” realized to be the Antichrist. Paul confirms details known about this “man of sin,” reflecting upon writings of Antichrist who will commit the Abomination of Desolation on the 1,261st day of the 2,520 day seven year Seventieth Week of Daniel (Dan. 9:27; 11:36; Matt 24:15; Mark 13:14; Rev. 13:6).[8] ?

36?And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvelous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: because that that is determined shall be done. (Dan. 11:36)?

The declaration of himself being God, can be realized from what Revelation 13:3, 12, and 13:14 have declared, which was because he will be raised from the dead in view of the world that can now be understood to be on internet media. This satanic copy-cat event, will deceive the world to think that he is the Christ.

“And he exercises all the power of the first beast before him, and causes the Earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.” (Rev. 13:12) Because this second beast has the two horns (two authorities), he exercises the power of the first beast (Antichrist). Because he has authority over religion/spiritual matters, he will be able to command the people of the Earth to worship the first beast.[9]?

The deadly wound will be healed, which will make it look as though the first beast is a god (whose deadly wound was healed). The second beast will cause the people of the Earth to worship the first beast (Antichrist), because it will look as though he was resurrected from the dead, as Jesus Christ was (satanic copycat).[10]

?2 Thessalonians 2:5 Remember you not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? Having to flee from Thessalonica so quickly, Paul took with him the realization that there were still people believing the false prophets, who were declaring that the “day of the Lord” was “at hand.” He had been setting people straight, while he was there, by informing them of the two prerequisites that had to occur first, before the seven year “day of the Lord” could begin. Here in verse 5, Paul reminded them that he was there recently and had been correcting them in their false beliefs, concerning the timing of the two events described in verse 1.?

2 Thessalonians 2:6 And now you know what withholds that he might be revealed in his time. While Paul reminded the Thessalonians of what he was teaching them before he fled, he acknowledged that they “now” know what “withholds” the world from the revealing of that person (he) in his time on Earth. The pronoun “he” reflects back to the noun spoken of in verse 3 (man of sin), reflected additionally in verse 4 with the pronoun “who.” The translators used the verb “withholds” for the Greek verb “katechō,” which is defined as “to restrain, hinder.” The inflected form of the Greek word is used in the accusative singular neuter form (κατ?χον), so a?gender was not yet used in the translation. From this declaration, Paul reminded the Thessalonians that there was something, which they had already been told about, that would restrain the “man of sin” (Antichrist) from being revealed.

Many will ask: “What does the revealing of the Antichrist have to do with the beginning of the seven year “day of the Lord?” There is a passage in the Old Testament that precisely determines the beginning of the seven years.

And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. (Dan. 9:27)

Daniel 9:27 is full of information to break down, but for determining the beginning of the seven years, please look at the first clause: “And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week.” The seventieth week of the seventy-weeks of years prophecy has yet to begin. But a person can see that this person (he) will confirm, or administrate a seven-year covenant. Hopefully, the understanding of the seventy-week prophecy can be understood to be seventy weeks of years, or 70 x 7 years, which is equal to 490 years.

25?Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.

26And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. (Dan. 9:26)

Daniel was given this prophecy six centuries before Daniel 9:26 came to pass. “Messiah be cut off, but not for Himself;” one should look to the past and see, the Messiah was cut-off and was crucified for all believers to atone for their sins. He was crucified in the most brutal of ways and not for anything that He had done, but He did it for His beloved children, of whom He will spend eternity with.[11]

The next statement, in Daniel 9:26, is one that declares the origin of the Antichrist of the seventieth week of this prophecy. The people of the prince would be the ones that shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The prince that shall come will be of the same people that destroy the city and the sanctuary. In other words, the city and the sanctuary was to be destroyed by the same people that later will bring a descendent to be that Antichrist.?In the future, one will know this to be that Antichrist, because he can be identified by Daniel 9:27; he will be the one who successfully negotiates a covenant between Israel and her enemies, which will start the last week or seven years of the seventy week prophecy.?One should realize that this prophecy, of the destruction of the city and the sanctuary, has already been fulfilled.?This happened in A.D. 70 by the Romans, which was 40 years after Jesus Christ had been crucified (Nisan 14, 30 A.D.). The people of the prince were the Romans, so therefore the prince, or Antichrist, will be a Roman.[12]

?With knowing that the seven-year covenant will begin the seven year “day of the Lord,” we can conclude that the person who administrates this seven-year covenant is the man of sin (Antichrist); this then is the revealing of the “man of sin” that Paul knows has to occur before the seven years begins.

2 Thessalonians 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity does already work: only he who now lets will let, until he be taken out of the way. The conjunction “for” is interchangeable for the conjunction “because.” This verse is one of the most debated verses of the Bible. It provides the reason for the previous statement by Paul. The focus, that Paul is reminding the Thessalonians of, is “what withholds” (restrains) the revealing of the man of sin (Antichrist).

Satan and his dominion know the Bible and anticipate the removal of this restrainer, ever since it had been written of. The evil realm preserves their candidates through the centuries, ready to jump in and be this man of sin. The Apostle John revealed this same doctrine, within his first epistle, that Paul had here in verse 2:7 concerning the “mystery of iniquity.” ?

Little children, it is the last days: and as you have heard that Antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last days. (1 Jn. 2:18)

The second sentence of verse 2:7 is the controversial verse, which is debated between Pre-Tribulation, Mid-Tribulation, and Post-Tribulation Rapture believers. “only He who now lets will let, until He be taken out of the way.” In breaking down the Greek, the translators used the verb “lets” for the Greek verb “katechō”?(κατ?χων) in the nominative singular masculine, which then has indicated that this is a male gendered Person, who is performing this action. The pronoun “He” is then to be used as the one who is performing the action of restraining. The definition of the verb “katechō”?is “restrains,” due to the tense being used within the sentence. The tense of this verse is determined by the word “now” being translated from the Greek adverb ”nyn” meaning present, or now. Paul first states that “only” he is now letting (restraining), so it should be understood that there is no other thing, or person performing this action.

The identity is verified as a male-gender restraining the revealing of the man of sin (Antichrist) in the current age. Since we know this to have been occurring over the last two millenniums, the single Person should be realized to be God. Can this be understood to be God the Father, or even God the Son? Yes, it is them, but the true Person that should be realized is God the Holy Spirit. “But you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.” (Rom. 8:9)

Everywhere in the world are Holy Spirit filled Christians, who prevent the world from becoming totally overwhelmed in darkness and decay. Jesus had told his disciples that we are “the salt and the light of the world” (Matt. 5:13-16). Salt, being the preservative used to prevent spoilage, while our light is keeping the darkness at bay. Those, who do not have the Holy Spirit, do not understand this. Paul implied here in verse 2:7 that the Holy Spirit (He) “who now lets will let, until He be taken out of the way.” Post-Tribulation and Mid-Tribulation Rapture believers twist this when they argue that it cannot be the Holy Spirit filled church; they have a hard time wrapping their minds around the removal of the Holy Spirit from the Earth. If a person were to understand that the iniquity becomes so dominant in the world during the seven year “day of the Lord,” they should also realize that God the Holy Spirit still is everywhere, because He is Omnipresent. He will not be indwelt within a multitude of believers (but just a small remnant), who until the rapture, will have been influencing and restraining the world from utter darkness and the extreme decay of morality. “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever.” (Jn. 14:16) The objections to this is because they do not understand how involved the Holy Spirit will be, when the church has been removed from the planet. ?

And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. (Rev. 11:3)?

In this Revelation 11:3, the Lord declared that He will give power to His two witnesses. Because the church will have been just raptured to heaven, the Earth would have no one to spread the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. There will have to be someone to teach the 144,000 of Israel, so that they would later be able to evangelize. The timing of the two witnesses’ evangelism coincides with their timely deaths within the 2,520 day timeline. The two witnesses are to evangelize 1,260 days, which is exactly half of the seven years (2,520 days).[13]

If they were to evangelize at the second half of the seven years, they would be killed the day after the Second Coming of Christ. They would be killed on their 1,261st day, which would be the midst of the 2,520 day timeline. Therefore, the first day, of the two witnesses’ 1,260 day mission, will be on day one of the 2,520 days. They will be killed by the beast from the pit (Rev. 11:7) on day 1,261, which will be right after the Abomination of Desolation.[14]

2 Thessalonians 2:8 ?And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: The conjunction “and” connects this clause with the previous verse. Once the second prerequisite has come to pass, then shall that Wicked one be revealed. In other words, once the Holy Spirit filled church has been removed from the entire Earth, then the man of sin (Wicked) shall be revealed. Paul’s intent was to remove any doubt for the Thessalonians, because the seven-year day of the Lord could not be at hand, because the Christian church is still on the planet. In the modern world, non-Christians will know when the rapture of the church will be, because hundreds of millions of Christians will disappear at the twinkling of an eye. The world media will fill the internet and news broadcasts with the mysterious disappearance and catastrophic events that will transpire, as a result of them suddenly vanishing. Planes, trains, and automobiles will crash violently when their operators will have left them out of control. Many catastrophic deaths will transpire throughout the Earth, sending the survivors into utter panic. Loved ones will have vanished, or died, or be seriously injured. It will be an obvious occurrence, while the non-believers search for answers to why this will have happened.[15]

1 Corinthians 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. Paul continued his revealing of this mystery, which had never been thoroughly explained before to the Bride of Christ. As Paul had already explained that some will not even die in verse 15:51, and would be changed, which is shocking to the world of nonbelievers. Since it is here in the canonized Scriptures of the New Testament, then anyone who does not believe in it, cannot possibly say they are Christians. Trusting (believing) is God’s word is righteousness, while not believing is a sign of their lack of faith as a whole. Cherry-picking verses is not godly.

Paul continued to say that we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling (blink) of an eye. Paul included the 55 A.D. believers (we) in this promise, making it remain imminent until it is fulfilled (now 1,968 years later). The Holy Spirit is still restraining the revealing of that Antichrist, therefore we remain here as “the salt and the light” of the world (Matt. 5:13-16).

The moment, which Paul has explained, is but a split-second of time; this is very unlike many movies and videos, which dramatize the event to transpire over a five-ten minute episode that unfolds. It will be in a split-second of time, which would transpire, in order to remove the church before certain other events manifest. Luke 21:25-27 reveals words spoken by the Lord Jesus, when He was describing the signs and wonders before His Second Coming to the Earth. Many do not have enough discernment to properly interpret Luke 21:28, therefore, I will set them straight.

28?And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads: because your redemption draws near. (Luke 21:28?

Jesus explained to His disciples that when the events described previously (within Luke 21:25-27) begin to come to pass, then His church of believers should be looking up in the sky. He stated that believers should be in anticipation of their Redemption (Resurrection), because it draws near, once the events of Luke 21:25-28 begin.

1 Corinthians 15:53 Because this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. If we refer back to what Paul had disclosed in 15:50, he said that flesh and blood cannot inherit (or inhabit) the Kingdom of God. Those still alive, would need to be changed from a flesh and blood mortal, to a “flesh and bone” immortal (15:48-49). Those already dead (since Nisan 17, 30 A.D.), are already in their graves (like a planted seed) decaying in their corruptible bodies. They must put on incorruption (resurrected flesh and bone), so that they can also enter into the Kingdom of God as well (15:50).

1 Corinthians 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” ?As was explained in the previous verse, which was carefully explained in Paul’s thorough lesson within this whole chapter, he then recited an apocalyptic quote within Isaiah’s mini-apocalypse written between his Chapters 24-27. ?

He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord?God?will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of His people shall He take away from off all the Earth, because the?Lord?has spoken it. (Is. 25:8)

Isaiah transitioned from God sitting on His throne in His Millennial Kingdom, to eternity in verse 25:8. We know that Isaiah described eternity here, because the rebuke of His people will still occur within the Millennial Kingdom; GOD the Father will wipe away our tears in eternity, and all death will be gone forever (Rev. 21:4). The sting of death will be removed in victory. The Apostle Paul quoted Isaiah here, which will produce immortal bodies, which will never die.

Because the Earth will be filled with immortality, God’s rebuke of unrighteousness will cease. Sin and death will be swallowed up in victory. The wicked will no longer be attempting to rebuke the righteous and their faith in God (rebuke of his people shall He take away from off all the Earth). This is a for sure prophecy because the Lord?has spoken it! ?

1 Corinthians 15:55 Oh death, where is your sting? Oh grave, where is your victory? As Paul was quoting his recollection of Old Testament prophets, he recited his own prophetic version of Hosea 13:14.

?I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: Oh death, I will be your plagues; Oh grave, I will be your destruction: repentance shall be hid from My eyes. (Hos. 13:14)?

God has preplanned His own rebuke on death and the grave. Paul had been a Pharisee, and a well-educated one at that. His knowledge of the Old Testament was impeccable; once the Holy Spirit indwelt him, all of his knowledge was given an even better understanding by the One God (Triune Godhead) who wrote all of it. As Paul had explained within verses 15:24-28, once all enemies of the Godhead are destroyed, then God the Son will hand over the Kingdom to His Father, and the Godhead will rule “all in all.” “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” (1 Cor. 15:26)

1 Corinthians 15:56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. Paul had been educating many on the wages of sin. Sinners all earn their wages, which is death. The payment for sin is death, thus the sting of that death is the sin that had earned it. “Because the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Rom. 6:23) The reason why Paul included this explanation that the strength of sin is the law, is because the laws of God have been put into each man (or woman’s) heart, thus the rebellion and disobedience of those laws are what provides sin its power. The Laws of Moses include the Ten Commandments, as well as other laws of morality, which God has written in every man and woman’s heart. ?

13(Because not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

14?Because when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:

15?Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another) (Rom. 2:13-15)

???????1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul provided the exception to the sting of sin and death, which is God’s victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. He first spoke of this victory in 15:54: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

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23?Because all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

24?Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: (Rom. 3:23-24)

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A Christian has received justification for their sins, because the sin debt (wages) has been paid in full (Rom. 6:23). Because of this justification, the Judge has pardoned the sins through the redemption of the sacrificial-sin-atonement of Jesus the Messiah (Christ). In this, Paul prays thanks be to God!

???????1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. By Paul calling the Corinthians “brethren,” we should understand this to be a command from the Holy Spirit by Jesus Himself. Christians are brethren and thus their Lord is Jesus Christ, therefore, this is His command. Christians are to remain steadfast (stand) in their faith, unmovable in that faith (even unto death), and always abounding (exceed) in the work of the Lord Jesus. After this faith inspiring message in chapter 15, Paul salutes them by implying that they already know that their labor (works, trials, tests, persecutions) is not in vain (false) in the Lord.

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