The First Begotten of the Dead

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[2] The title of the sermon: “THE FIRST BEGOTTEN OF THE DEAD.”

• I want to go over what it means to be begotten of the dead.
• There is someone who is the first begotten of the dead.
• Let’s read about the first begotten of the dead and what this actually means.

[3] Revelation 1:3-4 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. 4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

[4] Revelation 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

• Notice exactly what this Scripture says.
• This Scripture tells us that Jesus Christ is the first begotten of the dead.
• He is the one who has washed us (past tense) from our sins in His own blood.
• Water baptism doesn’t wash our sins away. The blood of Jesus Christ washes our sins away.
• But, let’s focus, for now, on the first begotten of the dead.

This would be Jesus Christ. This wouldn’t be Adam, Abel, Seth, David, Samson, Joshua, or anyone else.

• This wouldn’t be Lazarus as the first begotten of the dead.
• This wouldn’t be Elijah or John the Baptist. Jesus Christ is the FIRST.
• Abel went to heaven. Adam went to heaven. All of these people went to heaven.
• They were dead because they were sinners, but they live right now in heaven.
• They died before Jesus Christ died on the cross and now they are in heaven.

Who died first in the Bible? Who was righteous, that believed in the Lord, and died first according to the Bible?

• That would be Abel. The Bible tells us he is righteous. Wouldn’t he be the first begotten of the dead?
• He was dead, but he lived on in heaven. Abel is in heaven right now. He’s been there a long time.
• But Abel is not the first begotten of the dead. That would be Jesus Christ. Why is this?
• Let’s explain this and understand this today.

Jesus Christ died, His body was buried, His soul went to hell, and He was resurrected from the dead.

• What was resurrected from the dead? His body and His soul was resurrected from the dead.
• When we are saved by believing in Jesus Christ, our soul is saved from the dead.
• You can say your soul is resurrected from the dead. It was dead. God revives our soul from the dead.
• He saves our soul in a moment, and He gives our soul everlasting life.

So, if our soul is already saved, we should probably look to our flesh or our body for this answer.

• The body of Jesus Christ was buried. But His body did not see corruption.
• His body was in the tomb for 3 days. On the third day, His body arose from the dead.
• So, we’re focusing on the body of Jesus Christ for this sermon. Not His soul. His body.
• He is the first begotten from the dead because He arose in His body from the dead.

But, then you might say, “What about Lazarus? What about the saints who arose when Jesus was crucified?”

• Lazarus was raised from the dead. The bodies of those saints were raised from the dead.
• Let’s read about Lazarus and these other saints so we can get a refresher on those Scriptures.

[5] John 11:1-4 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) 3 Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. 4 When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.

• Jesus says that the sickness of Lazarus is NOT unto death.

[6] John 11:5-6 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. 6 When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.

• Jesus didn’t hurry there immediately. He loved Lazarus. He waited.

[7] John 11:11-13 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. 12 Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. 13 Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.

• The Bible says that people are sleeping when they are dead.
• Their body is asleep. Their body is dead. Lazarus is dead. He is sleeping.

[8] John 11:14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.

• They weren’t understanding what He was saying so He says it plainly. Lazarus is dead.

[9] John 11:15-17 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him. 16 Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him. 17 Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.

• Lazarus was dead for 4 days already. His flesh is seeing corruption.

[10] John 11:21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

• We know that Jesus waited purposely for 2 days after He heard Lazarus was sick.
• Martha is saying Lazarus wouldn’t have died if Jesus would have been there sooner.

[11] John 11:22-24 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. 23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. 24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.

• Martha knows how this works, but she didn’t want here brother to die right now. She loves him.
• Jesus says, “Thy brother shall rise again.” She says, “I know that he shall rise again.”
• But she’s talking about the resurrection at the last day. She knows how this works.

She knows in the end times, that the dead in Christ shall rise first. She knows Lazarus is dead in Christ.

• Jesus doesn’t rebuke her. There is a resurrection of the dead in the last days.
• We are living in the last days. The Bible says so.

[12] Hebrews 1:1-3 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

• Jesus already died on the Christ and sits on the right hand of His Father in heaven.
• WE ARE IN THE LAST DAYS. There is a resurrection of the dead in the last days.
• But, let’s keep going in John Chapter 11 for now.

[13] John 11:25-27 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? 27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

• Jesus tells Martha plainly that He is the resurrection and the life.
• Will Lazarus be resurrected from the dead?

[14] John 11:32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

• Now Mary says the same thing to Jesus that Martha said.

[15] John 11:33-35 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, 34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. 35 Jesus wept.

• Jesus wept. He wants them to take him to where Lazarus has been buried. He’s already been buried.
• He’s been dead for 4 days already.

[16] John 11:39-41 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. 40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? 41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.

• Jesus is only saying this out loud so we will believe His Father is different than He. There is another.

[17] John 11:42-44 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. 43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. 44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

• Jesus says, “Come forth. Loose him. Let him go.” Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead.
• Think about this question as we continue. Did Lazarus die again after that? Was he buried again?
• Or, is he still walking around on this earth because he lived forever after that?
• Let’s look at some more passages. We move forward in time to the death of Jesus Christ.

[18] Matthew 27:50-53 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. 51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; 52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, 53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

• The graves were opened and many bodies of the saints which slept arose.
• Again, they bodies were dead. Their souls were not dead. The soul of Lazarus was not dead.
• They were saints or saved by Jesus Christ. The bodies of these saints arose.
• They walked around. They went into the holy city and appeared unto many.
• Did they live forever from that point on? Are they still walking this earth today in their bodies?

[19] Matthew 9:23-25 And when Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise, 24 He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. 25 But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.

• She was dead. But she arose. Did she die again later? There’s more examples.
• But let’s go back in time to the Old Testament. Did anyone arise from the dead then?
• Can you think of any example of someone rising from the dead in the Old Testament?

[20] 1 Kings 17:17-18 And it came to pass after these things, that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick; and his sickness was so sore, that there was no breath left in him. 18 And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son?

[21] 1 Kings 17:22-23 And the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived. 23 And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother: and Elijah said, See, thy son liveth.

• Is that boy alive today and walking this earth?
• This is long before Jesus died on the cross and arose from the dead.
• Why wouldn’t this boy be the first begotten of the dead?

[22] 2 Kings 4:18-21 And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers. 19 And he said unto his father, My head, my head. And he said to a lad, Carry him to his mother. 20 And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died. 21 And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him, and went out.

• She goes and she finds Elisha. She won’t give up. She makes Elisha come with her back to her home.

[23] 2 Kings 4:32-34 And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed. 33 He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the LORD. 34 And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and he stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm.

• The Bible tells us directly that the child was dead.

[24] 2 Kings 4:35-37 Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. 36 And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son. 37 Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son, and went out.

• This child was raised from the dead before Jesus Christ died on the cross and arose from the dead.
• Is this child still walking around the earth in his same flesh from the day he arose from the dead?
• There’s one more example I want to go over so you can see that people arose from the dead.
• Jesus is not the first to arise from the dead. Right? Do you see this so far?

[25] 2 Kings 13:20-21 And Elisha died, and they buried him. And the bands of the Moabites invaded the land at the coming in of the year. 21 And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.

• Is that dead man still alive today and walking around in that same flesh which he revived in?
• Of course not. All of those people who arose from the dead DIED AGAIN. That’s the answer.
• They aren’t still walking around ALIVE today. Lazarus died again.
• This happens to other people all the time too. They are pronounced dead.
• They arise from the dead. And then they die again for good.

In other words, the body that was dead that arose from the dead was the same body. It wasn’t a glorified body.

• It wasn’t an uncorrupted body. It was corrupted with sin before they died and after they arose.
• Then they died again in that same flesh. They are not alive today in that flesh.
• Their soul may be alive in heaven but their flesh is not alive. Their flesh is buried in the grave right now.
• Their flesh returns to the earth and is dirt. It cannot be preserved forever.

[26] Acts 2:29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.

• The soul of David lives in heaven but his body is dead and buried. His body is not risen from the dead.
• As of right now, is there anyone who has a new and glorified body that will never die on this earth?
• Did Lazarus receive a new and glorified body before Jesus Christ? No, he didn’t.
• If he did, then Lazarus would still be walking around on this earth right now with a perfect body.
• He wouldn’t have died again. Jesus Christ is THE FIRST BEGOTTEN OF THE DEAD. It is no one else.

Samuel is not the first begotten. He was brought up by a witch. He was brought up from the dead.

• But he didn’t live forever in a new body. People do arise from the dead but they aren’t Jesus Christ.
• They don’t have a perfect body. Their body dies again.

[27] Acts 26:22-23 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: 23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.

• The prophets said God would send us a Savior that should rise from the dead.
• The Bible says right there that HE SHOULD BE THE FIRST THAT SHOULD RISE FROM THE DEAD.
• So, does the Bible contradict itself? We know other arose from the dead.
• The Bible doesn’t contradict itself. This means the resurrection of the body of Jesus Christ was different.
• This is what the Bible is teaching us. When Jesus arose, it was different than when Lazarus arose.

[28] Colossians 1:16-18 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

• Jesus Christ is BEFORE all of us. Why would he be called the Son of David?
• Why would the Bible say He us the firstborn from the dead when others arose from the dead?
• Jesus Christ is THE FIRSTBORN FROM THE DEAD. Colossians Chapter 1 verse 18 says so.
• This is the truth. Now, let’s find out why this is the truth.
• The answer is in the Bible. 1 Corinthians Chapter 15 answers all of these questions.

[29] 1 Corinthians 15:12-14 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: 14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.

• Jesus arose from the dead in a glorified body. He stayed here on earth for 40 days in that body.
• He is the first to arise from the dead in this way. Lazarus didn’t have a new and glorified body.
• If he did, he wouldn’t have died again and he would have been before Jesus Christ.
• None of the others arose from the dead in a glorified body like Jesus Christ did.

When people die, their body returns to the earth. Their soul either goes to heaven or hell.

• Since Jesus arose from the dead, God is teaching us that there will be a bodily resurrection of the dead.
• Your body will arise from the earth one day just as the body of Jesus did.
• The rapture is a word that is not in the Bible, but it is Biblical, and came from a Latin translation.
• The rapture is speaking of the first resurrection that is mentioned in the Bible.
• And God says, in verse 13 right there, that there is a resurrection of the dead.
• Will you be one of the people that says there is no resurrection of the dead?

[30] Daniel 12:2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

• Will you ignore all of the Scriptures? People tell me all the time that there is no rapture. They are wrong.
• I don’t believe in the pre-tribulation rapture that many speak of. That doesn’t exist and is not Biblical.
• The rapture is after the tribulation, which is not 7 years long. The tribulation is not a 7-year period.
• The rapture occurs after the tribulation but before God’s wrath is poured out.
• God’s wrath, the trumpets and vials, are not a part of the tribulation. And the Bible is very clear on that.

Jesus is the first begotten of the dead. HE IS THE FIRST. There will be others.

• The first begotten of the dead is speaking of the resurrection of Jesus Christ which includes a glorified body.
• When Jesus arose from the dead, do you remember who He appeared to first?

[31] Mark 16:9-11 Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. 10 And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. 11 And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.

• He is in this glorified body right now. This glorified body cannot die. This is why He is alive forevermore.
• His other body died on the cross. Do you understand this? He cannot die on a cross again.
• IMPOSSIBLE. He doesn’t need to. It can’t happen because He is in this new body.
• His own disciples didn’t believe Mary Magdalene. Do you believe He is risen from the dead or not?
• Do you believe He is in a new and glorified body or not?

[32] Mark 16:12-14 After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. 13 And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them. 14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.

• Are you actually going to say there is no resurrection of the dead?
• If so, are you sure you believe that Jesus is the FIRST BEGOTTEN of the dead?
• We already have a saved spirit and soul. We talked about this earlier. But we don’t have a new body yet.
• Listen to this next Scripture so you understand.

[33] Romans 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

• We have the firstfruits of the Spirit. We already have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. He saved our soul.
• Our soul is risen from the dead. Our soul does not die. My soul, right now, cannot die.
• Can my body die, though? Yes. The body of Jesus Christ died. My body will die.

But we are waiting for the adoption or the redemption of our body.

• I am not waiting for my soul to be saved. I am waiting for the redemption of my body.
• This happens when my body is resurrected from the dead. I am waiting for a new and glorified body.
• I am waiting for my body to be begotten from the dead through the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
• He comes back at the rapture or THE FIRST RESURRECTION as described clearly within the Bible.

[34] 1 Corinthians 15:15-17 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. 16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

• I want to ask anyone who doesn’t believe in the first resurrection or rapture how they can read 1 Corinthians Chapter 15 and not believe in it.
• Jesus is called the firstfruits. The rapture is the first resurrection.
• And the final resurrection occurs at the Great White Throne Judgement.
• We’ve went over all of this before, but I am focusing on the first begotten of the dead today.

We know for sure there is a bodily resurrection of the dead because the body of Jesus Christ arose from the dead.

• The rapture, NOT THE PRE-TRIBULATION RAPTURE which is a fairy tale, but the actual rapture, is a bodily resurrection of bodies which are asleep in the grave.
• The soul doesn’t sleep. We are not Seventh Day Adventists or Jehovah’s Witness. They are wrong.
• The soul doesn’t sleep. Your soul is made alive forevermore when you believe on Jesus Christ.
• But your body will sleep. It dies. Your sould doesn’t die.

[35] 1 Corinthians 15:20-22 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

• Christ is called the firstfruits. No one else has a new and glorified body right now. NO ONE ELSE.
• Why? Because the rapture hasn’t yet happened. It happens after the tribulation.
• It happens after the sun and moon are darkened. It happens at the second coming of Jesus Christ.

OBVIOUSLY, THIS HASN’T HAPPENED YET. Though, some will say that it has. FOOLS.

• Because of Jesus Christ, there will be a resurrection of the dead. THANK GOD.
• When will this first resurrection of the dead happen? Jesus Christ, the firstfruits, already happened.
• But when will our resurrection of the dead, when we receive a new and glorified body, happen?

[36] 1 Corinthians 15:23-26 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. 24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

• Here’s the order. Christ the firstfruits is FIRST.
• The next resurrection of the dead happens at the second coming of Jesus Christ.
• “Afterward they that are Christ’s AT HIS COMING.” The rapture happens at the second coming of Christ.

This is after the tribulation, before God’s wrath, AND IS NOT in Revelation Chapter 19.

• It happens after the sun and moon are darkened AFTER the tribulation.
• Jesus comes in the clouds, rapture happens, and then God’s wrath is poured out.
• At the rapture, you will get a new and glorified body.

Then, after the reign of Jesus Christ, as mentioned in these Scriptures here, there will be a final resurrection.

• Revelation Chapter 20 explains all of these things. Jesus is the firstfruits.
• Then there is a first resurrection at the rapture and second coming of Jesus Christ.
• Then there is a final resurrection at the Great White Throne. All of these are bodily resurrections.
• The body of all people, saved or unsaved, will resurrect. The saved receive a new and glorified body.

The unsaved, or dead, will, bodily, be thrown into the lake of fire.

• The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. Verse 26 says so right there.
• Death will be cast into the lake of fire around the time of the Great White Throne judgement.
• Who will be judged then? THE DEAD. Dead souls come out of hell and meet with dead bodies.
• They are then judged according to their works. Not good. Then they are cast into the lake of fire.

But, the saved receive a new body just like the body Jesus Christ has right now.

• Not like the one that died on the cross, but a new and glorified body that cannot die.
• Everything I am saying matches perfectly with the Scriptures. You can read for yourself.
• Those who know this know that ALL THE SCRIPTURES agree with this.

You might ask: “Well, what kind of body did the the first begotten of the dead actually receive?”

• Well, we know that Jesus Christ ate and drank in His new body. We see that in the Scriptures.
• We know that He appeared to people very quickly. He could leave very quickly.
• But listen to this next Scripture in 1 Corinthians Chapter 15.

[37] 1 Corinthians 15:35-38 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? 36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: 37 And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: 38 But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.

• Everyone will receive a new and glorified body, but they will be different between each person.
• God explains this in this chapter. Many people never see these Scriptures. Let’s see them today.

[38] 1 Corinthians 15:39-41 All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. 40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.

• Our new bodies will be different in glory. Your light may be brighter than my light.
• We will not be brighter than the glory of God. We won’t need light in the new heaven and new earth.
• God will be the light because He is so bright. Do you remember when God said we shall be like the stars?
• “For one star differeth from another star in glory.”
• If you want a bright light, spend your life working for God. Don’t spend it on worthless things.
• Spend it working for God. Win souls to Jesus Christ. Your light will be bright.

[39] 1 Corinthians 15:42-45 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

• Your new body will be a spiritual body. Jesus Christ is the last Adam who is now a quickening spirit.
• You see this after His resurrection when He appears to people and then leaves.
• He has a body that eats and drinks. But it is a new body that is a quickening spirit.
• Our bodies that will lie in the graves of the earth are corrupted. My body is essentially dead right now.
• But it will one day be raised from the dead. My natural body will be a spiritual body. AN ACTUAL BODY.

[40] 1 Corinthians 15:46-48 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. 48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.

[41] 1 Corinthians 15:49-50 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. 50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

• Our current bodies, as they are now, will never see heaven. This should tell you how important they are.
• They war against our spirit once we are saved.
• If you know 1 Corinthians Chapter 15 well, you’ll know we have now reached verse 51.
• This is the verses that tell us how the rapture works.
• If there is no rapture, there is no resurrection of Jesus Christ. And our faith would be in vain.
• So, do you now believe in a rapture or resurrection of the dead?

[42] 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 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. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

• That is the rapture. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump, the dead shall be raised.
• A trumpet sounds at the second coming of Jesus Christ.
• The dead shall be raised incorruptible. And we shall be changed.

Paul wrote this. He doesn’t have a new body yet. He’s waiting for the rapture just as we are.

• He is dead in Christ right now. We are not dead in Christ yet.
• If we die before the rapture, we will be just like Paul. We will be the dead in Christ.
• Our soul will be where Paul’s soul is right now, in heaven. And our body will be in the grave just as Paul’s.
• We will all get a new and glorified body. Paul’s new body will be bright.

[43] 1 Thessalonians 4:13-15 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

• These are rapture Scriptures or first resurrection Scriptures.
• This is also explaining that Jesus is the first begotten of the dead and has a new body.
• The body of Jesus slept for 3 days and 3 nights. And then He arose in a new body.

Them which sleep in Jesus, talking about their body, will God bring with Him at the rapture.

• Verse 15 says that we which are alive and remain unto the COMING OF THE LORD will also be there.
• The rapture happens at the second coming of Jesus Christ. You get a new body at His coming.
• Then, after the wrath of God is poured out, we reign with Jesus on this earth for 1000 years.
• IN OUR NEW BODIES. They are incorruptible. We will have no sin. We cannot die.

[44] 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

• These words should comfort you if you have the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, within you.
• Your body will die, unless your flesh is alive at His coming. But don’t be afraid.
• Your soul is alive forevermore and you will get a new body one day that cannot die.
• Why? All of this is possible because Jesus Christ is the first begotten of the dead.

I’ve heard of people attempting to raise a dead family member from the dead.

• I’ve heard of people wanting to sale their souls to the devil so their family member can live another day.
• What they don’t realize is that body will die again one day. The body of Lazarus died again.
• I’ve even spoke with people who say they died and arose again. But they will die again.
• They don’t have a new and glorified body. Understand your body will die because of sin.
• Jesus only died because of our sin. God placed the sin of the whole world onto Him. He didn’t deserve it.

Know that all of this is possible because of Jesus Christ. And we have no idea how amazing things are going to be.

• Have hope. Put your faith in Jesus Christ. At His coming, so shall we ever be with the Lord.
• His light and His glory is the brightest because He is God. We can’t even look upon the glory of His Father.
• The sun, His creation, gives you just a slight idea of what that’s like. You can’t look at the sun.
• The sun is not God, but it is a picture of Him because it is so bright.
• The other stars in the sky? Not so bright. But they shine. We will be like the stars of heaven.
• God’s creation speaks of the truth that is given to us in His words.

I hope this sermon has helped you to understand more of the Scriptures.

• I hope you now understand that Jesus Christ is the first begotten of the dead.
• He has a new body and we shall be like Him, FINALLY, one day. We wait upon the Lord.
• We wait for His Second coming. We put our hope in Him alone.
• Thank you Jesus for everything you’ve done for us.

Let’s pray.