Sunday, September 20, 2015

1 Corinthians 15:51-52 and the First Resurrection

"Behold, I tell you a mystery: We all shall not sleep, but we shall all be changed, 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" (1 Corinthians 15:51-52 ASV).

The Apostle Peter spoke of Paul's letters being "hard to understand" at certain points (2 Peter 3:16). For me, these verses have long caused the same feeling that Peter evidently had.

Paul seems to distinguish "we" (including himself?) from the dead, who shall be raised incorruptibly. Since he says that "we" shall be changed instantaneously ("at the last trump"), would it be proper to call this instant change a resurrection? Rev. 20:4-6 suggests that those surrounding God's throne in heaven (as they too sit upon thrones) are all part of the first resurrection.

4 comments:

Philip Fletcher said...

Yes it is an instant resurrection. But it can include all those who die in the Lords day, as soon as they die, they are in an instant resurrected.Probably and particularly since 1914-1918 in that time period as a starting point.

Edgar Foster said...

Philip, is that understanding still in place since we've had the new articles on 1 Cor 15 and 1 Thess 4:13-18?

Philip Fletcher said...

Sorry dropped the ball on this one, have to look at the article again, thanks Edgar.

Edgar Foster said...

Don't worry, Philip. I understand.

Thanks,

Edgar