Firstborn from the Dead

 

He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. (Col 1:18)

John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood— and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. (Rev 1:4-6)

What a wonderful and mysterious title for our Lord and Savior- "the firstborn from the dead".  So, what is meant by the amazing title, and what does it mean for us, as believers?

Those who know their Bible will remember people who died, and yet appear to the living.  A striking example is on the Mount of Transfiguration (Mark 9:1-4), where Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus in their splendor.  Obviously, Old Testament saints lived on after their death.  If this is true, then what is meant by the term, "the firstborn from the dead"?

In these appearances, we are not seeing ghosts, but what are we seeing?  The souls of the Old Testament believers went to be in the presence of God at their physical death (Luke 16:22).  But they did not receive resurrection bodies.  Jesus was the first to have this new resurrection body.

Some mistakenly think that resurrection is simply the soul coming back to life.  This couldn't be further from the truth.  The eternal soul of the believer is eventually given a new resurrection body.  That is why we say we believe in a bodily resurrection of Christ, not merely a spiritual one. Let me illustrate: 

• On the third day, Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene (Jn 20:10-18), the women at the tomb (Mt 28:1-10), and to Peter (Lk 4:34)
• Further appearances include the two travelers to Emmaus (Mk 16:12-13), the disciples in the upper room (Mk 16:14 and Jn 20:26), additional appearances include Jn 21:1; Mt 28:16-17; 1 Cor 15:6-7.
• And He appeared at His ascension. (Mk 16:19; Lk 24:50-51; Ac 1:9) 

What can we learn about His resurrection body? 

• It was physical.  Jesus invited Thomas to put his finger in his hands and touch His side. (Jn 20:26-29)
• It was not limited by natural laws- closed doors provided no barrier to the resurrected body. (Jn 20:26)
• He could appear instantaneously. (Mk 16:12)
• At times he was not recognizable. (Jn 20:14, 19; Lk 24:36)
• He ate fish which showed His physical nature. (Lk 24:41-42)

In 1 Corinthians chapter 15 Paul explains the resurrection body in detail since the Corinthian believers were doubting the physical nature of this body. 

1. Paul first shows that the resurrected Christ is our example of the new glorified body.  He calls Him the "first fruits". 

But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming, then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. (1 Cor 15:20-24) 

Obviously the first fruit of the tree demonstrates what the later fruit will be. 

2. Paul then shows the example of planting a seed in the ground.  The resulting plant will be different in nature from the dead seed.  

But someone will say, “How are the dead raised? And with what kind of body do they come?” You fool! That which you sow does not come to life unless it dies; and that which you sow, you do not sow the body which is to be, but a bare grain, perhaps of wheat or of something else. But God gives it a body just as He wished, and to each of the seeds a body of its own. (1 Cor 15:35-38) 

3. Paul then shows that there are varying types of flesh in the animal kingdom, just as the glorified body, although physical, is very different than what we are accustomed to. 

All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one flesh of men, and another flesh of beasts, and another flesh of birds, and another of fish. There are also heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is one, and the glory of the earthly is another. (1 Cor 15:39-40) 

4. Finally, Paul asserts the special glory of the "heavenly body".  He admits that these earthly bodies, which God has designed, are quite glorious, but nothing compared to the new bodies He has fashioned for us in eternity. 

There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. (1 Cor 15:41-44) 

So, what do we conclude? 

• Death is defeated.  Although mortal, we no longer must live in fear of death. (1 Cor 5:54-55)
• We can trust our heavenly Father for the very best in eternity.  He does not cut corners or do things half-heartedly.  He is providing a home for us with Him in eternity and physical bodies to go along with this eternal home. (Jn 14:1-3)
• We are more than conquerors through Christ and will have all endless ages to enjoy His wonderful love. (Ro 8:31-39)
• While on earth we can serve God whole-heartedly knowing we have the victory in Christ. 

But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. “O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Cor 15:55-58) 

All passages in this post are from New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995).