Week 45 1 Corinthians 15
Everyone will be raised to life in the right order. Christ was first to be raised. When Christ comes again, those who belong to him will be raised to life.
Paul is talking about resurrection in this chapter – about being dead and then coming back to life – and he mostly focusses on Jesus Christ. Christ was in the resurrection vanguard – the Proto-Resurrectee. But then there’ll be a big group of resurrectees – people who belong to Christ.
Paul says that’s the right order. First Christ came back to life (~2000 years ago). Second Christ’s people will be resurrected (at an undisclosed future time). Then third the end will come.
So-far-so-good. But it’s really the next couple of phrases that catch my attention. Two other events will happen: at that time Christ will destroy all rulers, authorities, and powers, and he will hand over the kingdom to God the Father.
So: a) rulers authorities & powers will be abolished and b) Christ will hand over the kingdom to the Father.
I think about this triad of Rulers Authorities & Powers. What-all or who-all they are is a bit vague and undefined. But I’ve already seen in other places that this shadowy syndicate of mysterious entities is dangerous. Their interest in the world is malignant. Bad operators cruising around doing their bad.
It’s a relief to know that at the final wrap-up they’ll be destroyed. But in the meantime they’re still on-the-prowl.
Note: quotes from 1 Corinthians 15:23-24 (NCV)