1 Corinthians 15:20-26. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.
What do you think of when you hear the word apocalypse? The end of days? Cosmic upheaval? Blood moons? Earthquakes? Pestilence? War? The earth melting? Planets colliding? Zombies?
What about the resurrection?
The resurrection of Jesus, just like the whole life of Jesus, was an apocalyptic event. In the Bible an apocalypse is literally a “revelation” of God as he supernaturally breaks into time and space to reveal himself to humanity. This happened at Jesus’ incarnation – God supernaturally broke into history and became the man Jesus. And it happened again at the resurrection, when the man Jesus became the cosmic Christ. The resurrection of Christ is truly the most remarkable event in history. It is not only a past event; it is a present reality and the future hope of all who are in Christ.
In Jewish thinking, the resurrection wouldn’t happen until the end of time – at the apocalypse. Humanity would not be resurrected until just before the great judgment day, and those who survived judgment day would enter the new creation. But Jesus brought the future apocalypse to this present age. His cross was judgment day. And when he rose from the dead with a “spiritual” body, he was the future new creation. He was the walking, talking apocalypse. And now, in Christ, so are we. We who are crucified and raised with Christ are already counted as judged, and we are already called the new creation. How? Because Christ is the firstfruits we and we are the harvest.
But the resurrection of Christ is not only a past event and a present reality, it is also a preview of the apocalyptic age yet to come. God will break into time and space once more and put all things in subjection under Jesus’ feet. Christ will destroy every rule and every authority and power that stands in opposition to his rule and reign. Even death, the last enemy, will be destroyed. Christ will be enthroned and lifted up over all of reality, everything seen and unseen. All things will be in subjection under his feet. The destiny of mankind will be fulfilled. Christ, the new Adam, will finally have dominion over all creation just as God intended for us from the beginning (Gen. 1:26-27).
Christian, you are living today in the future victory of Christ. Yes, there is still death. And yes, there is still evil. There are still authorities and powers, both earthly and supernatural, that oppose the reign of Christ. But the resurrection of Jesus guarantees the final outcome. Christ Jesus will defeat all the rulers, authorities, and powers that oppose him, and his love and justice will prevail. God wins! We win!
“To live is Christ” makes you a living apocalypse. We are God’s walking and talking future. Judged. Resurrected. New. The indwelling Spirit is our internal proof that God has already won. Christ reigns in our spirits and is enthroned in our hearts. And the day is coming when we will reign eternally with Jesus at the right hand of God. To God be the glory!
You
Do you live today from your future victory in Christ?
You in Christ
Union with Christ is union with his resurrection and reign. How does this change how you see your life today?
Christ in you
What might you need to submit to Jesus’ authority today?
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Playlist: Resurrection.
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To Live is Christ 