Friday, April 20, 2018

The Great Fifty Days of Easter - Day 19 - April 19th

Day 19
Belong
1 Corinthians 15:23 (NIV)

But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.

Other translations use the word "order" for "in turn."  The original Greek word used in this verse is "tagma," which refers to military rank or order.  Remember that several days ago we referenced the fact that God will resurrect those who are dead in a specific order.  This is the beginning of the list.  He is identifying Christ as the first to be resurrected and then, when he comes again - the Second Coming - those who belong to him will be raised.

The second verse of "Hoe Groot de Vruchtenziin - How Rich, at Eastertide" by Joachim Ouadaen (1685), translated by Fred Pratt Green (©1982 Hope Publishing Company) is an excellent picture of 1 Corinthians 15:23.

As first-gifts hallow all if offered in thanksgiving,
so Christ has died for all, the First of all the living.
Wherefore, the blessed dead, who else had vainly striven,
are on with him, their Head, for Christ is now arisen.

 

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