What is the resurrection on earth?
The Bible describes TWO salvations for mankind. 1 Corinthians 15:35-55 describes the heavenly resurrection, but the earthly resurrection IS addressed in in 1 Corinthians 15:21-23.
“As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” 1 Corinthians 15:22
Everyone who dies in Adam will have a resurrection. As in John 5:28-29, there are two resurrections, a heavenly resurrection of life for the faithful followers of Christ, and a resurrection of judgment – an earthly resurrection – for the remainder of all born in Adam. Paul describes these two resurrections in 1 Corinthians 15:23: “But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.”
“Christ the firstfuits” – this describes the heavenly resurrection. The faithful followers of Christ are referred to in Revelation 14:1-4 as having the Father’s name written in their foreheads, and in verse 4 as being pure and following the Lamb wherever he goes, “the firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.” They are also referred to as “the church of the first-born who are enrolled in heaven.” Hebrews 12:23.
“They that are Christ’s at his coming” – this refers to all the remainder of our human family who die because of Adam’s sin and is a major work of blessing that Jesus’ return will accomplish. Who are they that are Christ’s? “The creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will, but because of Him who subjected it…” Romans 8:20.
All of the human race – all of creation – was under the power of futility (depravity) not by personal choice, but by the inheritance of the death sentence through Adam. See Romans 5:12 and Romans 5:19: “For as through the one man’s disobedience THE MANY were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the one THE MANY will be made righteous,” or in other words, “As in Adam all die, so in Christ shall all be made alive.”
God’s justice in this inherited death sentence had an amazing long-range purpose for blessing!
“For the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will, but because of Him who subjected it IN HOPE that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.” Romans 8:20-21
“For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.” Romans 8:19
The HOPE is the blessing of freedom from the slavery of sin and death because of Adam. This whole creation born in Adam waits for the manifestation of the sons of God, the firstborn class, who will with our returned Lord Jesus bring blessing to all of our human family resurrected on earth.
They that are Christ’s at his coming: He returns to reign with his bride, and “they will live and reign with him a thousand years.” Revelation 20:4.
”He will reign until he has put all enemies under his feet.” 1 Corinthians 15:25 After the symbolic meltdown of our present religious and social rulership, the old heavens and earth, he will institute the new heavens and the new earth, the holy spiritual rulership and earthly government 2 Peter 3:10-13.
“And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, (the new heavens blessing the earth) made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.” Revelation 21:2. “And the spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.” Revelation 22:17
The amazing hope and blessing in this earthly resurrection is the blessing of healing of heart and mind. The physical and spiritual eyes of the blind will be opened as told to us in Isaiah 35:5-6. There will be a “highway of holiness” – a very accessible opportunity for becoming holy, described in Isaiah 35:8. Satan, the “roaring lion,” will be bound and not permitted to deceive the nations according to Isaiah 35:9. Also see Revelation 20:1-3. “They will not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.” Isaiah 11:9
To learn more about the salvation on heaven and the salvation on earth listen to, “Are Jesus’ Ransom and Our Salvation the Same?” and “What If I’m Not Good Enough For Heaven?”
