Paul proceeds in the consideration of the anastasis – restoring, upbuilding, perfecting; he explains that there are two conditions of perfected ones. In answer to the question – With what body do they come to life again? – he explains (1 Corinthians Chapter 15 Verses 36-38) that as with the development of grain, so with mankind, the body sown is not the identical thing which springs up, though the same nature will be found in that which springs up, and the same identical personality, able to recall its former degraded condition, (Psa 22:27; Ezek 16:61; Zech 12:10.) and to glorify God for the blessed change.
But we inquire; will there be any difference in the resurrection itself – will all be raised alike?
Paul replies that there will be a difference: As in the sowing there are different kinds of seed, so in the resurrection there will be different kinds of bodies, just as we see it illustrated in nature; when we sow wheat, we expect wheat to spring up and so will every seed develop its own kind. The large majority of the race are sown (die) human seed; a few (as in comparisons with the billions of humanity) – “a little flock” (as well as the great company class) have changed their nature, been begotten of God. They are sown spiritual seed, and in the resurrection, God will give “to every seed its own body as it hath pleased him.” (1 Cor 15:38). The human seed will have a human body, but the spiritual seed will have a spiritual body; “as is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy; and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.” (1 Cor 15:48).
According to the illustration given, the human being will rise in a body like that which went into decay and death, but not formed of the very same atoms of matter that composed it. (1 Cor 15:37,) “Thou sows not that body that shall be.” But to those begotten of God – of the spiritual seed, Paul says, “as we have borne the image of the earthy, (human nature – but having given that up to become ‘new creatures’) we shall (when born in the resurrection) bear the image of the heavenly” – the spiritual body.
Again, some inquire, what is a spiritual or heavenly body like? It doth not yet appear what we shall be (like), but we know that…we (the Church, the “little flock” of overcomers) shall be like him (Jesus; not as he was, but as he is) “for we shall see him as he is.” (1 John 3:2).
We can form a tolerably clear idea of what the race in general will be when perfected (resurrected), knowing by experience that were it not for the imperfection it would be “very good.”
And though we cannot fully comprehend what the new creature shall be when perfected (resurrected), because “it doth not yet appear, what we shall be” in all particulars, yet our Father’s word informs us of some of the qualities of those “new creatures” “of the Divine nature” when perfected. He says: “It is sown in corruption, it is raised in INCORRUPTION; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in GLORY; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in POWER; it is sown an animal body, it is raised a SPIRITUAL BODY.” [1 Cor 15:42-44, Diaglott.]
Thus, we get a very meagre view of the excellent glory of the new creatures – like Christ Jesus, the express image of the Father’s person; “whom no man hath seen nor can see.” (1 Tim 6:16.) No wonder Paul said it doth not yet appear; no wonder God has not given us a more full account of the future glory; with the little glimpse we have, it almost over-awes us.
We ask ourselves how searching must be our trial, if we would be accounted worthy of such divine honors?
“What manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and God-likeness” – “He that hath this hope in him purifies himself even as he is pure.”
This perfecting, Paul shows, is not what the world is to get, but is a special thing. In Verse 42 he says, before giving the foregoing description – “Thus is THE resurrection of THE dead” i.e. the CHIEF perfecting of the CHIEF class of the dead. This CHIEF resurrection (anastasis – perfecting) began with Jesus, the head of the church which is his body – the head of THE CHRIST. Having proved himself worthy of this great glory by obedience even unto death, he was made perfect – MADE PERFECT through (by or on account of the) suffering” of death. (Heb 2:10.)
Jesus’ resurrection was the first, no one before him had ever been raised completely out of death’s control into perfection either of human or divine nature. He was “a first-fruit of those having fallen asleep.” (Verse 20.) This is called “His (Jesus’) resurrection,” because if members of his body we shall share the same with our head. It is Scripturally illustrated by natural birth; Our head was born – delivered over 2000 years ago; the body is not yet fully delivered. We, “the feet of him,” are still in the condition in which we “groan within ourselves waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption” in full of the entire body of the Christ. (Rom 8:23.)
(Will God cause to come to birth and not deliver? Will he deliver the head and not complete the work? (See Isa 66:9) The “little flock” of overcomers of the world – the blessed who shall “have part in the first (chief) resurrection” (anastasis – lifting up to perfection) and who shall “reign with him a thousand years,” (Rev 20:6.) will have part in “His resurrection” and experience the same changes and perfecting which he underwent, when God highly exalted him above the angels next to himself in power and glory – “the right hand of power.”
Such is our, and such was Paul’s hope. For it we suffer the loss of all things and do count them but dross that we may win Christ and be found in Him (as members of the body of Christ) …that we may know him (fully) and the POWER of HIS RESURRECTION.” This desirable sharing in the power of HIS anastasis – raising to perfection, we hope to attain by sharing “the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; if by any means, (by all these earthly sacrifices) we might attain unto the EX-anastasis (the out-resurrection) from the dead” – the chief perfecting. Phil 3:8-11.
We continue with our examination of anastasis (resurrection) and the various orders of resurrections in our next post.
But we inquire; will there be any difference in the resurrection itself – will all be raised alike?
Paul replies that there will be a difference: As in the sowing there are different kinds of seed, so in the resurrection there will be different kinds of bodies, just as we see it illustrated in nature; when we sow wheat, we expect wheat to spring up and so will every seed develop its own kind. The large majority of the race are sown (die) human seed; a few (as in comparisons with the billions of humanity) – “a little flock” (as well as the great company class) have changed their nature, been begotten of God. They are sown spiritual seed, and in the resurrection, God will give “to every seed its own body as it hath pleased him.” (1 Cor 15:38). The human seed will have a human body, but the spiritual seed will have a spiritual body; “as is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy; and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.” (1 Cor 15:48).
According to the illustration given, the human being will rise in a body like that which went into decay and death, but not formed of the very same atoms of matter that composed it. (1 Cor 15:37,) “Thou sows not that body that shall be.” But to those begotten of God – of the spiritual seed, Paul says, “as we have borne the image of the earthy, (human nature – but having given that up to become ‘new creatures’) we shall (when born in the resurrection) bear the image of the heavenly” – the spiritual body.
Again, some inquire, what is a spiritual or heavenly body like? It doth not yet appear what we shall be (like), but we know that…we (the Church, the “little flock” of overcomers) shall be like him (Jesus; not as he was, but as he is) “for we shall see him as he is.” (1 John 3:2).
We can form a tolerably clear idea of what the race in general will be when perfected (resurrected), knowing by experience that were it not for the imperfection it would be “very good.”
And though we cannot fully comprehend what the new creature shall be when perfected (resurrected), because “it doth not yet appear, what we shall be” in all particulars, yet our Father’s word informs us of some of the qualities of those “new creatures” “of the Divine nature” when perfected. He says: “It is sown in corruption, it is raised in INCORRUPTION; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in GLORY; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in POWER; it is sown an animal body, it is raised a SPIRITUAL BODY.” [1 Cor 15:42-44, Diaglott.]
Thus, we get a very meagre view of the excellent glory of the new creatures – like Christ Jesus, the express image of the Father’s person; “whom no man hath seen nor can see.” (1 Tim 6:16.) No wonder Paul said it doth not yet appear; no wonder God has not given us a more full account of the future glory; with the little glimpse we have, it almost over-awes us.
We ask ourselves how searching must be our trial, if we would be accounted worthy of such divine honors?
“What manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and God-likeness” – “He that hath this hope in him purifies himself even as he is pure.”
This perfecting, Paul shows, is not what the world is to get, but is a special thing. In Verse 42 he says, before giving the foregoing description – “Thus is THE resurrection of THE dead” i.e. the CHIEF perfecting of the CHIEF class of the dead. This CHIEF resurrection (anastasis – perfecting) began with Jesus, the head of the church which is his body – the head of THE CHRIST. Having proved himself worthy of this great glory by obedience even unto death, he was made perfect – MADE PERFECT through (by or on account of the) suffering” of death. (Heb 2:10.)
Jesus’ resurrection was the first, no one before him had ever been raised completely out of death’s control into perfection either of human or divine nature. He was “a first-fruit of those having fallen asleep.” (Verse 20.) This is called “His (Jesus’) resurrection,” because if members of his body we shall share the same with our head. It is Scripturally illustrated by natural birth; Our head was born – delivered over 2000 years ago; the body is not yet fully delivered. We, “the feet of him,” are still in the condition in which we “groan within ourselves waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption” in full of the entire body of the Christ. (Rom 8:23.)
(Will God cause to come to birth and not deliver? Will he deliver the head and not complete the work? (See Isa 66:9) The “little flock” of overcomers of the world – the blessed who shall “have part in the first (chief) resurrection” (anastasis – lifting up to perfection) and who shall “reign with him a thousand years,” (Rev 20:6.) will have part in “His resurrection” and experience the same changes and perfecting which he underwent, when God highly exalted him above the angels next to himself in power and glory – “the right hand of power.”
Such is our, and such was Paul’s hope. For it we suffer the loss of all things and do count them but dross that we may win Christ and be found in Him (as members of the body of Christ) …that we may know him (fully) and the POWER of HIS RESURRECTION.” This desirable sharing in the power of HIS anastasis – raising to perfection, we hope to attain by sharing “the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; if by any means, (by all these earthly sacrifices) we might attain unto the EX-anastasis (the out-resurrection) from the dead” – the chief perfecting. Phil 3:8-11.
We continue with our examination of anastasis (resurrection) and the various orders of resurrections in our next post.
