Three Phases of Resurrection

If we now turn to 1 Corinthians 15, we find there a yet fuller and more detailed account of the resurrection.

“For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. Then comes the end, when He [Christ] delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.” (1 Cor. 15:22-24)

Notice the phrase “each one in his own order.” The word translated “order” is used to describe a rank of soldiers. Thus Paul here pictures the resurrection as occurring in three successive phases, like three ranks of soldiers marching past, one behind the other.

The first phase consists of Christ Himself – “Christ the firstfruits.” The second phase consists of all true believers when Christ returns – “those who are Christ’s at His coming.” This corresponds to the resurrection of the righteous foretold in Daniel and by Christ Himself.

The third phase is called “the end” – that is, the end of Christ’s earthly reign of one thousand years, at the close of which He will deliver up the kingdom to God the Father. Of those resurrected at this stage, the majority – but not all – will belong to the resurrection of the wicked as foretold in Daniel and by Christ. Concerning this third phase, Paul says nothing more here in 1 Corinthians. However, we shall see in due course that further details concerning this are given in Revelation 20.

In the coming days we will examine more closely what Paul says about the first two phases.