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Amen. All right, we're in 1 Corinthians chapter 15, and I'd like to just finish the Corinthian series, so that's why I'm preaching it on Sundays and Thursdays, and this Thursday we'll be in 1 Corinthians 16, and then the following week we'll start something new. But this chapter right here is filled with a lot of doctrine. It's 58 verses of just solid, constant doctrine, but it doesn't necessarily go all over the place. Specifically, it hits on the subject of the resurrection. Now, I was thinking about just the Book of Corinthians in comparison to other books of the Bible, for example, the Book of Romans. Book of 1 Corinthians has 16 chapters, so does the Book of Romans, but the Book of Corinthians covers so many different doctrines in one book. You think of the Book of Romans, it talks about the reparate doctrine, salvation is covered very thoroughly, the replacement theology is covered very thoroughly, and that's kind of repeated throughout the Book of Romans, whereas you have the Book of 1 Corinthians, it covers extensively different subjects, such as the ministry of the Holy Spirit, the judgment seat of Christ, as church discipline, communion, all kinds of things, and even the resurrection. And it goes to show you that those at Corinth had a lot of problems, specifically doctrinal problems. I mean, when you have to write 16 chapters, and every single chapter is talking about 16 different subjects, it goes to show you, man, these people were lacking a lot in their faith. They're lacking a lot in their understanding of the scriptures. But specifically here, this is a big problem here. Now, communion, that's a big problem. People were asleep because of it. People died because of it. Church discipline, that's a problem because they weren't kicking people out of the church. And just different things that we saw within the previous chapters, but the resurrection, if you don't understand the resurrection, here's the problem. You're not even saved. If you don't understand the resurrection of Jesus Christ, you're not even saved. Look at verse number one. It says, Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also you have received, and wherein you stand, by which also you are saved, if you keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless you have believed in vain. Now, there's a lot of false cults and, you know, these works-based salvation type religions that will always turn to 1 Corinthians 15 to back up their false doctrine, okay, to take it out of context, in other words. You have the Jehovah's Witnesses, the light coming to 1 Corinthians 15. You have works-based salvation people that come to 1 Corinthians verses one and two, and they like using specifically verse number two, you know, by which also you are saved, if you keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless you have believed in vain. And they say, see, some people can believe in vain. No, what it's specifically referring to here, if you read it in its context, what he's referring to as far as believing in vain is the fact that they were questioning the resurrection. And so if you're questioning the resurrection, guess what? Your salvation is questioned, right? I believe that this is referring to people who just don't understand the gospel. Now, look, if people pray a prayer, and you give them the gospel, and they pray the prayer, but you go back to them later on, and you ask them about salvation, and they can't really give you a clear, if it's by works still, or it's because, you know, they're a good person, they're repenting of their sin, that person is not saved. They would be what fall into this category, verse number two, where they believed in vain. It's a facetious term to say, this person never believed in the first place, okay? And look, that happens sometimes, okay? Where maybe you present the gospel to someone, and they kind of just go along to get along, okay? And look, have you ever talked to someone, and it's like, they agree with every single point you say? And then when it comes to the very end about, you know, calling upon the name of the Lord, they're like, oh, no, no, thank you, I don't want to do that. It's like, what? I thought you just listened, you just agreed with every single thing. This is what it is. They're just going along to get along with you. They don't want to offend you. They're trying to be polite, and often they'll just say yes to everything that you're saying, but when it comes to actually calling upon the name of the Lord, they don't want to do it. They don't want to get saved, okay? Now, that's one extreme. Then you have another extreme where it's just a matter of, yeah, they'll even call upon the name of the Lord, but in actuality, they never even understand it in the first place, you know? It ought to be that when we talk to people, we're, just as we talked about this morning, we dissolve doubts. We interpret what the Bible says about salvation. We make it very clear and simple for someone to understand. We don't make it overly complicated. We don't confuse people, so when they walk away saved, they understand, and they can repeat everything that they're saying. You see, that's why it's important that when we give the gospel, we always repeat key phrases and terms, like believe. You can't lose your salvation. It's trusting in Jesus Christ. I'm not against using the word repent in your gospel presentation, because repent is a biblical word, to repent and believe the gospel, but I often don't use that in my gospel presentation just for the simple fact that our culture and these false cults have used that term so much to teach a repent of your sins doctrine, even unsafe people have heard that phrase over and over again, and so I think a lot of people who, you know, you got to make sure that when you're preaching the gospel, that the people understand, okay? In fact, you don't have to turn there. Matthew 13 verse 19 says, When anyone heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth the way that which was sown in the heart, that is he which received seed by the wayside. And so the majority of the reasons why people don't get saved is because they just don't understand. They don't understand. Now, you know, we can do our part as far as dissolving doubts and making sure that they understand what the scriptures say, so on and so forth, but some people are just blinded. You know, that's why the Bible tells us in 1 John 5 that those who believe on Christ, they have overcome, right? What do they overcome? They've overcome false ideologies and false doctrine in regards to salvation, and because of that they were able to get saved. Well, that's what a lot of people have to do, and when they don't understand the gospel, they're not going to get saved, and it's often because they haven't been able to overcome their false ideologies, and so it's very important. In fact, in context of what we see here, they have to understand what? The resurrection. The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. You know what that tells me is that Jehovah's Witnesses aren't saved. Amen. Because, you know, 50 years ago you talk to a Jehovah's Witness and you talk about how he's the Son of God, they would have completely denied it. He's not the Son of God. You're making them seem, you know, to be God, because obviously they reject the deity of Christ, but now in recent years they won't deny that. They'll say, yeah, Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is the Savior. You know, they'll agree with you on a lot of those key points, but then when it comes to the resurrection, they deny it, okay? So it doesn't matter if they believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. They're giving lip service, so they can insert their false doctrine, their little lemon, the lemon at the whole lump, because at the end of the day, they don't believe in a physical bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. They'll say the Spirit resurrected from the grave. You know, that's not true. It was a bodily resurrection, and the Bible tells us that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in thy heart that God hath raised them from the dead, thou shalt be saved, the Bible tells us, okay? So, thank you. So there's two aspects of that, of the resurrection there. Obviously the body came out of the grave, right? But his soul was not left in hell as well, you know, and you know, whether you use that in your gospel presentation that Jesus Christ went to hell, I use it, you know, and I haven't really ran into someone who really bought, you know, they kind of balk at it when they hear it. In fact, it makes sense to them. You know, I don't spend a whole lot of time on it. I don't say, you know, do you believe that? Do you disagree with me on that? You know, I just tell them, you know, when Jesus Christ died on the cross, the Bible says that his soul went to hell for three days and three nights, and not one person have I met that has gone, you know, no one's freaked out about that. They're just, they just nod their head, like, well, that would make sense. Why? Because it's logical. Yeah. Because if we were to die to pay for our sins, where would we go? We'd go to hell. Okay. Right. So obviously, those are the two aspects there. His his soul was not left in hell, but also his body was not left in the grave as well. Look at verse number three. So we have to believe in that bodily resurrection. Okay, it's not just the spirit that came out, his body came out. Verse three says, For I delivered unto you, first of all, that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures, and that he was buried and that he rose again the third day, according to the scriptures. So, hey, dispensationalists, it's according to the scriptures, that you resurrect them. They didn't know about the resurrection. Yes, they did. Yeah. You know, Paul's, that's how he even learned the doctrine, right? He's using the scriptures. So go to Acts chapter two, Acts chapter number two. So when he died, he was physically buried. And Acts chapter two obviously is a quote from the from the book of Psalms. Look at verse 25 says, For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be removed. Therefore, did my heart rejoice and my tongue was glad. Moreover, also my flesh shall rest in hope, because that will not leave my soul in hell, neither will thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Verse 31. He's seen this before, spake of the resurrection of Christ. Who? David. So he's seen this before, spake of the resurrection, Schluter, of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Jesus had God raised up where of we all are witnesses. And so this is something that David said, which is, by the way, in the Old Testament. No, they didn't know about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He spake of the resurrection. So what are you what are you talking about? You know, I don't see anywhere in the Old Testament where it talks about extensively. But does that mean he didn't talk about it? It says it right there in the book of Acts. Okay. And all scripture is given by inspiration of God profitable for doctrine for proof for correction, instruction and righteousness. You know, what you need to do is go ahead and divvy up your seven dispensations to two parts to divide two divisions, Old Testament and New Testament. And just stick to those two. Look at Psalm 16. Just for reference sake, we're going to read it. Psalm 16 in verse number nine, it says, Therefore, my heart is glad and my glory rejoiceth. My flesh also shall rest in hope, for thou will not leave my soul in hell, neither will thou suffer thine Holy One to seek corruption. This is a it's not a doctrine that someone can, you know, whether they get saved or not, you know, they have to believe that Jesus went to hell. Obviously, that's not true. They just have to believe that he died for it. Right? He was buried and he resurrected. Okay, but this is an important doctrine, because he was there for three days and three nights, and he spoke of it frequently, you know, and look, don't let people that you know, who are false prophets and teachers who may even agree with this. Don't let that make you think that this is a false doctrine, because that's what they're saying. You know, there's a lot of false prophets and teachers out there who have to say a little bit of truth to mix in their false doctrine, or else no one's gonna bite the bait. You know, if you just come up with all kinds of heresies and lies, and it's not mixed in with any truth, guess what? They're not no one's gonna believe it. Okay, so that's why they have to do that. Joyce Meyers did that. You know, she's like, Jesus went to hell and all this stuff. Well, you're going there too, Joyce. Now, I agree with you that Jesus went to hell, but I agree even more that you're going there, Joyce. That's where you're going. So the fact remains, and he's like, well, no, she's a heretic for saying, how can you even adhere? I'm not adhering to her or to her doctrines. This is something that's in the Bible. And in fact, this is not a doctrine that I've always believed, that Jesus went to hell. Okay, I did not always believe that doctrine. And it came to a point where I heard about it, I studied it through, and at the end of the day, because I'm King James only, I can only take the position that Jesus went to hell. Why? Because that concept is only found within the King James Bible. I'm not no NIV-Toten-sinking Christian. I don't use the ESV. I don't adhere to any other Bibles. I don't give any credit to any other Bible but the King James Bible. So if I'm gonna be King James only, I have to agree and believe that Jesus went to hell, because that's the only place where it's found, that his soul was not left in hell, not Sheol, Ades, whatever they want to call it. So anybody who is King James only and doesn't believe that Jesus went to hell, you're not really King James only then. Don't let that offend you. If the King James Bible offends you, you need to bring your beliefs in alignment with the Bible. It doesn't matter how radical it sounds. If that's what the Bible says, then that's what it says. And look, everyone has to humble themselves to a certain point and extend and say, you know what? I was wrong, but this is what my King James Bible says. Therefore, I'm gonna go with the King James Bible. Not with the popular doctrine of that day. Not with what my alma mater or my Bible college teaches. We need to go with what the King James Bible says. Now, go back to 1 Corinthians chapter 15. So his soul went to hell for three days and three nights. And look, this can be proven up and down, all around, side to side, that he went to hell. I mean, every single offering, I'm reading through numbers right now, it's just like offering in the morning, offering at night, you know, offering during the Sabbaths. I mean, offerings were just being offered all the time. And guess what they would do to those offerings? They would burn them. That's how you cook meat. You gotta burn it. And here's the thing, Jesus Christ has all the attributes of the Old Testament sacrifices. A scapegoat, you know, the Old Testament sacrifice that was offered unto the Lord that died, he was placed upon the altar, just like he was placed upon the cross. Different attributes, but you're gonna tell me that the only attribute that he didn't have is that he didn't burn? No, all of it. That's there for a reason. You know, in fact, burnt offering in Spanish is al acausto, which is where we get in English, Holocaust. What is what? A burnt offering. And Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God who should take away the sins of the world. Okay. So it's a biblical doctrine. Don't let that scare you. It's fact. In fact, allow it to create within you a spirit of appreciation. I mean, Jesus Christ has fortitude. You put your hand on a stove for a second, you know, and it's just like you're in pain. Three days and three nights burning. You know, that's that's a lot. But you know, it goes to show the extent of love. It goes to show the extent of the sacrifice he was willing to endure for us. It's a wonderful doctrine. Look at verse number five. So he talks about that first. And then he goes into, you know, he obviously is trying to prove the resurrection here to those he's speaking to because they're questioning. We'll see that later on. And one way that he confirms that the resurrection took place was the fact that people saw him. I'm talking about Jesus Christ after he resurrected. Look at verse number five says in that he was seen of Cephas, then up to 12. After that he was seen of above 500 brethren at once of whom the greater part remain unto this present. But some are falling asleep. After that he was seen of James and of all the apostles. And last of all, he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time for I am the least of the apostles that I'm not me to be called an apostle because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God, I am what I am. And his grace, which was bestowed upon me was not in vain, but I labored more abundantly than they all getting that I, but the grace of God, which was with me, therefore, whether it were I or they, so we preach. And so you believe. So you say, why does he kind of sandwich that in between talking about the resurrection and proven it? Well, he was seen of Cephas, then of the 12, then of above 500 brethren at once. Why is that significant? Because the qualification to be an apostle was that you have had to have seen the resurrected Christ, according to Acts chapter two. So the qualification, according to Acts chapter two, is that these people had to have seen the resurrected Christ. Well, if there is no resurrection, then this guy's not an apostle. If there was no resurrection Cephas, the 500 James, Paul, and all these other ones, they're not qualified because according to Acts chapter two, in order to qualify to be that apostle, which according to signs and wonders, Paul, the apostle was one of them. He had to have seen the resurrected Christ confirming that Jesus Christ resurrected from the grave physically. Okay. That's why he was saying that there. Now I like what he says in verse number 10 says, but by the grace of God, I am what I am. And his grace, which was bestowed upon me was not in vain, but I labored more abundantly than they all. So an application obviously that we can apply to this is this, is that we all have the grace of God, a grace of God present in our lives, right? But what is that grace for? Is it so we can sin and just do whatever we want? No. You know, what shall we say this? Should we continue and send the grace made about God forbid what is grace for? So we can labor more abundantly, you know, so we can put in work for the Lord is what it is because grace is like, is the ability to basically do abundantly above what our natural capabilities are capable of, you know? And so we can do great exploits for the Lord. And so we can labor and work for God. So we can soul and do great, great things and exploits for him. And that's what the Paul, Paul, the apostle is saying here. And I like what he says, you know, in verse number nine says, for I'm the least of the apostles that I'm not made to be called an apostle because I persecuted the church of God. He says, but by the grace of God, I am what I am. And his grace was bestowed upon me was not in vain, but I labored more abundantly than they all. I mean, that would sound like a hottie statement, but you know what it is, is that the grace of God was real in his life. He did labor more abundantly than they all, you know, and, you know, in present days, we see pastors who've been pastoring for years and they like to criticize the younger preachers, you know, they want to criticize them for their beliefs and all these things, but you know what? They're laboring more abundantly than they all, you know, does that mean that these younger pastors of the new IFB and this new generation rising up, are we any better than the old IFB? No, but you know what? We're taking advantage of the grace of God that he's given to us, to what? To labor more abundantly. Whereas what do you have in the old IFB? They are using the grace of God and they're turning it into lasciviousness. Okay. They're using it to just kind of put it on cruise control. Just kind of cruise through the Christian life until the rapture, their so-called pre-tribulation rapture. It's not going to happen. You know, God's given us grace to work more abundantly for him. All right. Verse number 12. So now he begins to rebuke them for questioning the resurrection. And this is why, you know, he's saying that they possibly believed in vain. You know, anybody comes up to me and they start questioning the resurrection is like, this person is not saved. You know, the resurrection is a key doctrine that you have to believe in order to be saved. Verse 12 says, now, if Christ be preached, oh, excuse me. Now, if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? I mean, man, these are people at the church of Corinth. They're saying this stuff. Now this is similar to what we see in second Timothy, go to second Timothy chapter number two. Remember there's no new thing under the sun, you know, and it was in Paul's day during the church of Corinth. It was when he was writing second Timothy. And we have that today as well. Second Timothy chapter two, verse 17 says, and their word will eat as the canker of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus who concerning the truth have erred saying that the resurrection is past already and overthrow the faith of some. So there's people even back in those days who were rejecting the biblical resurrection. They're like, oh, that already happened. It's like, man, did I miss out? You know, I just missed the resurrection. It's past already, but you know why Hymenaeus and Philetus overthrew the faith of some, they didn't believe that because if you read prior in the same chapter in chapter two, they weren't rightly dividing the word of truth. You know, that's what it tells you to do. And then it says, and their word, because of these people who are not writing divided the word of truth, they were teaching, teaching that the resurrection had passed already. And it could be, I'm just speculating. I don't know if this is true, but it could be that what they're referring to is when Christ resurrected and then those, those saints resurrected during that time. Remember the story in Matthew where they're resurrected and it's probably like, Hey, the resurrection already happened. You know, and obviously there's an entire sermon. We can preach on that, but that's not true. You know, it was just a group of believers that resurrected in those people died. Okay. Many resurrections took place throughout the Bible. Many people came back to life, but the first fruits, the first person to resurrect to never die again was Jesus Christ. Okay. That was the first legitimate resurrection where he was, where he resurrected to die no more. Okay. Whereas the resurrection we see in Matthew, the resurrection we see in the old Testament with Elijah and Elijah and, and, and all these wonderful works that we saw these people that Lazarus, he died again. Okay. But we see that today with the JWs. Okay. Where they, where they want to teach a false doctrine in regards to the resurrection. Why? Because it's so essential to salvation. That's why now go back to first Corinthians chapter number 15. We'll continue reading verse number 13. It says, but if there be no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not risen. And if Christ be not risen, then our preaching then is our preaching vain. Your faith is also vain. He's like, man, if the resurrected resurrection didn't take place, then let's just go do something else. It's vain. And Paul, the apostle Paul went through a lot of persecution. A lot of afflictions was stoned thrice was beaten, was scourged. He was shipwrecked and, you know, fast things often and hands of false brethren and all these, all these things that happened to him. You think he did all that? You know, with the concept of maybe the resurrection didn't take place. No, obviously he understood the resurrection is real. And he obviously understood that there's a future resurrection to take place. And because of that, that's why he finishes off the chapter and says, be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord for you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. Okay. Cause there is a resurrection. Verse 15 says, yay. 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 for if the dead rise not then is not Christ raised. And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain. Ye are yet in your sins. Then they also, which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. Now, by the way, that that's a good verse there because it may excuse me. It basically distinguishes between those who fall asleep and those who perish because someone who is saved when they die, according to the Bible, they fallen asleep. Okay. Whereas someone who is dead, who's not saved, what do they do? They perish. Okay. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, the whosoever believed in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. And the reason those, the Bible tells us that those who are in Christ are asleep is because they're going to awake again one day. All right. Verse number 19 says, if in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men, most miserable verse number 20. Now he gets into the resurrection and the first fruits it says here, but now is Christ risen from the dead and become the first fruits of them that slept. Now go to John chapter number 12, John chapter number 12. Now the first fruits is basically an analogy that he's using from the old Testament. Okay. I'm going to read to you from Leviticus chapter two, verse 14 says, and if thou offer a meat offering of thy first fruits unto the Lord, thou shall offer for a meat offering of thy first fruits, green ears of corn dried by the fire, even corn beaten out of full ears throughout the old Testament, specifically like in Leviticus and in the laws in regards to the first fruits, the first fruits was basically that just that the first fruits just that the first fruits was for the Lord. So that which was gathered, the corn, the wheat, anything that first bundle that you harvested was for the Lord. Okay. And that's why the Bible calls Jesus Christ the first fruits. Why? Look at John chapter 12 and verse number 23. It says, and Jesus answered them saying, the hours come that the son of man should be glorified, barely, barely I say to you, except the corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone. But if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. So why is Jesus Christ called the first fruits? Because he's the one who first resurrected. Okay. And again, when it talks about him being the first fruits or the first one to resurrect, he's the one to first resurrect and not die. Okay. And he says it right there, look, except the corner, we fall into the ground and die. It abideth alone. Now we like to use that verse to say, you know, we need to die to self. You know what I mean? We got to, in order for you to do something great for God, you got to die to self. I die daily, but that's not necessarily what it's talking about. What it's talking about is he's speaking of himself that the fact that he's going to die and he's going to produce fruit, he's going to resurrect from the grave and never die again. Go to first Thessalonians chapter number four, first Thessalonians chapter number four. This is the famous rapture passage. And by the way, don't let anybody tell you that we don't believe in the rapture. People, you know, they talk about, they want to criticize us for holding to a posture pre-rath rapture. And like, they didn't even believe in the rapture. You know, it's like, what are you talking about? Of course, I believe in the rapture. You know, I just don't believe that we're going to be gone, you know, before the tribulation, because the Bible clearly states it's after the tribulation. And it's basically, it's a shallow attack to try to make people to try to make us look like heretics because any safe person believes in the rapture. That's one thing we do agree with with the pre-tribbers is that there is a actual rapture taking place. Now we don't agree with the dispensationalists at all. You know, them and their heresy about rapture. There are five or seven raptures that they have or whatever, but the pre-trib crowd, who's not necessarily on that dispensational horse, you know, they agree that there's a rapture. The timing is what we disagree on, okay, of that rapture. First Thessalonians chapter number four is actually something that they would use to prove the rapture, which is what we use too, and what we use to debunk what they believe about when the timing of the rapture takes place. Verse 13 says this, but I would not have you be ignorant brethren, old I be, concerning them which are asleep, that you sorrow not even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus Christ died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with them. 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. 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. So we see the sequence here is that when Christ comes back, His second coming, those who are asleep, they actually resurrect first, all right. So they got their fast pass because they died before us, which I don't have a problem with that because I'm kind of curious to know what that's going to look like. All right. Just graze, just blowing up. I don't know. Just it's going to look cool, all right. I want to see that. Oh, just let's go to the graveyard. You know, when that takes place and just like better than any fireworks you've ever seen. Okay. Let's see here. Verse 17, then we which are alive and remain those who are alive, those who make it through that 75 days of great tribulation. Okay. 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. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. Now go back to 1st Corinthians chapter 15. So the first fruit is Jesus Christ, who resurrected to never die again. Okay. Then we see here, we're going to get into it. Look at verse number 21. It says, for since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order. So we see that order there. Christ, the first fruits, he's the one who resurrected first, never to die again. Afterward, they that are Christ at his coming. That includes those who were dead at when he came and those who are alive and remain. That's what 1st Thessalonians 4 is referring to. So Christ, the first fruits, then they afterwards, they that are Christ at his coming, which is the rapture, the second coming, then come at 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. Now go to Luke chapter 17. Now this is important because what's that talking about? Verse 24, when he's delivered up the kingdom to God, what is that talking about? The Trinity. That's a good, that's good, but it's not, that's not what I'm looking for. The Trinity, that's a good answer. Like, you know, if anyone ever asked like a question about the Bible, it's like, Jesus is like, that's a good answer, but that's not the answer I'm looking for. What's that? The millennium. Exactly. That's what it's referring to. So verse 24 says, then come at 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. So that's referring to the millennial and the thousand year millennial reign. So he's given an order here. Christ, obviously thousands of years before resurrected, had his glorified body afterwards, they, that are Christ that is coming. And then there's technically a second resurrection aside from that first one at Christ coming, which is after the millennium. Okay. So keep that in mind. That's really important. Look, look at Luke 17. Now, why does he call it the first fruits? Okay. Why is it referred to some, a seed that is, that is buried, it dies and then it rises up to be first fruit. Well, if you remember, you know, if you look through Leviticus, obviously the first fruits, when you would gather the harvest, it would be for the Lord. And then what remains is for the people to just eat half of that. Right? So that works in tandem with what we see in first Corinthians chapter 15 and first Thessalonians chapter four, because Jesus Christ is the first fruits, right? The resurrection. And then we, which are alive and remain, we'll be caught up with them in the air. That's speaking of the second coming, the rapture. And look how Bible words this Luke 17 verse 37 says, I tell you in that night, there shall be two men in one bed. The one shall be taken. The other shall be left. Two women shall be grinding together. The one shall be taken the other left. This is referring to the rapture. Two men shall be in the field. The one shall be taken the other left. And they answered and said unto him, where Lord? And he said unto them, wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together. Okay. And multiple times in revelation and different portions of scriptures referring to that gathering as if we're, we're eating the flesh of Jesus Christ, but that's not a physical eating of the flesh of Jesus Christ. It's referring to the gathering of the rapture is what that's referring to. Just like when you get the gathered, the first fruits of that harvest, the first fruits are into the Lord. Everything else is for the people to, to eat afterwards. Well, that goat works in sequential order with the rapture or excuse me, with the resurrection. You have the first fruits, then we, which are alive and remain. We eat of that as well, right? Because it's the, it's the resurrection, the first resurrection. Then you have the last one after the millennial reign, look at verse 25 of first Corinthians chapter 15. Now like dispensational is have like 14 resurrections. They have like all kinds of, you know, dispensational are, are, are notorious for adding more than what's already necessary. Dispensationalism is like mentioned four times. They have seven, you know, the resurrection here in revelation, there's only two. And then they put like four or five. It's like, why do you have to keep adding to the word of God? Oh, that's right. Cause you're not saying that's why, you know, so it says there for he must reign till he has put all enemies under his feet. Now, let me read to you from John chapter five, verse 28 says, Marvel, not at this for the hours coming in the witch, all that are in the graves shall hear his voice and shall come forth. They that have done good until the resurrection of life. And they that have done evil until the resurrection of damnation. So a lot of people get confused about as far as like, what takes place? Obviously the millennial reign right before the millennial reign and after the millennial reign, you know, as far as people who are saved, you know, and this is basically the gist of it right here. There's the rapture, which those who are alive and remain they'll be caught up with the Lord in the clouds during that three and a half year period of the trumpets and vials being poured upon the earth. There are people who are going to get saved. Okay. Now not all of them are going to live because there's going to be a lot of destruction. A lot of chaos is taking place during that three and a half year period. So they're going to die. Now when they die, guess where they're going? They're going to heaven, but they don't get to experience that first resurrection, which is 75 days into the great tribulation, the rapture. They're not going to be able to experience that. So, and they're not even going to get to experience the millennial reign. Okay. They resurrect after the millennial reign. That's how that takes place. So people who get saved during the three and a half, approximately three and a half year period of God pouring out his wrath, they go to heaven, but they don't get to reign and rule with Christ during the millennial reign. Okay. That's how that works. So after the millennial reign, we see according to John chapter five, there will be a resurrection of life and they that have done evil until the resurrection of damnation. These are people who were not saved. They experienced what's called the white throne judgment. Okay. Now go to revelations chapter number 20, revelation chapter 20. I got to work on saying revelation. People are accusing you say revelations all the time, but the reason I say revelations is because I'm saying chapter right afterwards. And I always blend my words, revelations chapter. That's how I say it. So I got to stop after I say revelation, just say revelation chapter 20. Okay. Those on YouTube land, you're like, can you stop saying revelations? It's not a revelation. There you go. Where's the camera. That's for you. Whoever that was, revelation chapter 20. I got to, I got to say it like I'm a charismatic preacher revelation chapter 20. All right. Verse four says, and I saw thrones and they that sat upon them. So this is referring to the millennial reign. Keep that in mind. And I saw thrones and they sat upon them and judgment was given unto them. And I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus and for the word of God and which had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads or in their hands. And they lived and reign with Christ a thousand years. So those who are beheaded, what does that talk about? That's talking about great tribulation. Those are the last 75 days of that great tribulation that we see in revelation chapter number six. So people who were beheaded, those who didn't take the mark of the beast are not reprobated. They were saved people. They were ruling and reigning with Christ for a thousand years. Now look at verse number five. It says, but the rest of the dead. Okay. Who are those? These are saved people who died during the wrath of God. Unfortunately, you know, I mean, it stinks, but Hey, at least they got saved. Yeah. Okay. They died probably in a very horrible manner. I mean, when you have stones of fallen from the sky, size of a talent and all these things, there's a lot of deaths going on. That's who this is referring to, but it's referring to those who were saved. But the rest of the dead, what you say, well, how do you know that? Cause it says here, the rest of the dead live not again until the thousand years were finished. She said, well, how does that prove those are saved? Because people who are saved or excuse me, people who are not saved, God does not refer to them as living. Yeah. Cause towards the end of revelation chapter 20, when he's judging, when you see the white throne judgment, what does he call them? He says the dead gave up the sea, gave up their, what they're dead. So even though they're resurrecting, it's not a resurrection until life they're still dead. They're like zombies or whatever. They're still looking as decrepit as they were when they went into the grave and God's eyes are dead. Cause God is not a God of the dead, but of the living. So whether they came back to life in the sense of they resurrected their bodies, resurrected, God does not consider them alive. He's still considering them dead, even at the white throne judgment. So it says here, the rest of the dead live not again until the thousand years were fulfilled. This is the first resurrection referring to verse number four and three. The first resurrection is referring to the rapture and revelation chapter number six revelation, shun chapter number six, right? Verse six says, blessed and holy is he that has part in the first resurrection. That's in chapter six on such the second death, hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with him a thousand years. Amen. Hey, we're covered. We're not going to go through that. You know, we're not going to be the ones that are missing out on the millennial reign, you know, and thank God for that. You know, I don't know, maybe there's a Judas Iscariot somewhere around here, but you know, as far as like we're concerned, those who are saved, you know, we don't have to experience that and look from, be looking from heaven, like, man, I wish it was raining down there. You know, wow. It looks like they're having a good time. You know, no, but it's obviously it's better than nothing. You know, they get to be in the new heaven, the new earth, obviously, but they don't get to, they don't get to enjoy ruling and reigning over the Jews. I mean, you know, whoever's on there or whatever. Okay. So these are Christians who are born and got saved during that, the pouring out of God's wrath, but they're, they're still saved. Okay. They got saved during that time. They died and they don't resurrect until after the millennial reign. So that's the order. The sequence, the sequence there is Christ is the first fruits. He's the one who first resurrected, even though it doesn't take place in Revelation. He's the one who resurrected never to die again. Okay. Then those who resurrected at the rapture in revelation chapter number six, that's considered the first resurrection, according to the Bible, even though Jesus Christ resurrected first, that's what the Bible calls it. Okay. And then you have the second one, which is after the millennial reign. Does that make sense to everyone? I know it gets, you get a little confusing, but it's important. Go back to first Corinthians chapter number 15. So that's what he's referring to there. See where I'm at the last enemy shall be destroyed. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. The Bible says verse 27 says for, he has put all things under his feet, but when he saith, all things are put under him, it is manifested. It is accepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. So Jesus Christ rules and reigns during the millennial reign, but then he delivers it up. You know, look what it says in verse 29 else, what shall they do? Which are baptized for the dead. If the dead rise, not at all. Why are they then baptized for the dead now? This is, in my opinion, it's actually referring to the fact that people were baptizing for the dead, just like the Mormons do. Okay. And you know, people say, oh, you really think that come on, you know, just because you're just saying that because the Mormons do that today, but they got the same devil who was there in chapter 15. He ain't original, you know, for the devil's like, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Kind of things like, let's just reuse the wire. Why reinvent the wheel? Let's just scratch out the whatever cult we're using back in Paul's day and put JW. Let's call ourselves the Jehovah's witnesses, you know, but that's what they were doing. Okay. They were still baptizing for the dead. And even in those days, verse 30 says, and why stand we in jeopardy every hour? He's like, why are we suffering all these things if the resurrection is not real? I protest by your rejoicing, which I have in Christ Jesus, our Lord. I die daily. If after the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me if the dead rise? Not let us eat and drink for tomorrow we die. Oh, that's a good verse right there. Verse 32. You know, we want to be the kind of Christians that are always fighting the beasts, you know, and that, you know, like, I mean, Paul, you see in multiple writings that when he's talking about beasts, who is he talking about? Sodomites, false teachers, false prophets. These beasts are made to be taken and destroyed, what Peter said. So I think that's who he's probably referring to. He was fighting off false prophets at Ephesus. You know, look what the Bible says here. And then it goes on to say verse number 32. If after the manner of men, I have fought with the beast at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me if the dead rise? Not let us eat and drink for tomorrow we die. So it's like, if the dead rise, not let's just have a good time. Let's just go do whatever, you know, you know, what's unfortunate is there's a lot of Christians who believe in the resurrection, they're saved and they're still living like that. You know, he's like, I would only think like that if there was no resurrection. Christians think like that, even though there is and they believe in it. Well, let's just eat and drink for tomorrow we die. Well, okay, then, then you know what, you're not going to enjoy any kind of rewards. In fact, you're going to be ashamed at his coming. When you die, you're going to be ashamed when you see him, you know, because you denied him, he's, he will also deny you. Because once you see all those rewards, you're like, can I get some? He's like, no, you can't get any of this. Sorry. You know, you, you didn't want to preach the gospel. You didn't want to get right with God. You didn't want to, you know, you will take the gift and that, that's, that's great, but you ain't getting nothing after that denied. It's like the guy is like, you know, taking his, his heavenly credit card and he's just like swiping for the reward. He's like denied. He's like, I'm sorry, sirs, your transaction has been denied. It looks like you ain't got no funds. And he's got the long line of saints, like waiting there. I'm just joking. Obviously that's not in the Bible. Okay. Look what it says here in verse 33, be not deceived. Evil communications, corrupt, good manners. That's in context of let us eat and drink it tomorrow for tomorrow. We die evil communications, corrupt, good manners. Why? Because if you talk like that, guess what? That's how you're going to live. You're going to live carelessly. You're not going to be vigilant. You know, you're going to fill your life with sobriety and drunkenness and gluttony, and you're going to do all these things and you're not going to be alert. You're not going to be awake. You're not putting on the helmet of salvation, waiting for the coming of the Lord. Okay. Verse 34 says, awake to righteousness. Wake up. All right. That's what he says. Wake up. You know, oh, wait to righteousness and sin not for some have not the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame. He's like, you need to wake up, you know, put that spiritual alarm clock on, stop snoozing the button. Wake up. Why? Because there's some people out there who are not saved. And it's because of you, Christian who just wants to eat and drink and be married, who just wants to go to church on Sunday and be on their phones and not do anything for the Lord. You need to wake up because there's people that are dying and going to hell. And it's your fault. No, it's with my pastor. No, it's your fault. Cause if you know, that's what you need to do and you're not doing it. It's your fault. You know, we all have to take personal responsibility for the commandments of God. We can't blame anybody. You can't blame your old IFB pastor. Who's a lukewarm, you know, straight, softie, soft preacher, whack, lame preacher. You can't even blame him. You know, he's going to have to answer to God for that. But at the end of the day, it's the people within that church. If they know the truth, they know what they're supposed to be doing. They need to wake up, you know, and start putting in the word for some have not the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame. What's the shame, the shame that they're going to receive at the coming of the Lord when they get nothing. Okay. But some men will say, verse 35, how are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come? So this is, this is obviously some unsaved guy at the church of Corinth, who's asking this stupid question. You know, he's like, well, how, you know, how are the days dead raised up? And with what body did they come? You know, obviously we have curiosity that makes us wonder what we're going to look like when we resurrect. But do we question that because we can't figure it out, it's not real. No, you know, but this guy is like, the guy who's speaking in verse 35 is the same guy who's questioning whether the resurrection is even legitimate or not. Cause he's basically saying, well, how does that even take place? How is that even going to happen? Verse 36, look at Paul thou fool. That's a good way to start. You know, people would like to think that, you know, that in the new test, the new test, when we were supposed to be me and lowly and kind, amen to that. But you know, sometimes you just got to call people a fool. That's exactly what they are. You're an idiot. Here, let me translate it to modern terms. You're stupid. People get offended at that, but it's the truth. It's like, why are you asking such a stupid question? Stop being stupid. Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die. And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that, that body that shall be, but bear grain, it may chance of wheat or of some other grain, but God giveth it a body as it has pleased him and to every seed, his own body. So in other words, he's like saying, he goes, look, if I, if I throw a seed into the ground, an apple seed, do you think it's just going to resurrect? It's going to come up as an actual apple seed. It's just going to be like 20 times bigger. Cause that's what the guy's thinking. You know, how are you going to look, are you going to be all like rotten stuff? Like, you know, rigor mortis is setting in, you're just resurrected. What is this? Like, no, it's not the zombie apocalypse as Gibb says. Okay. He's the one who asked that question. The spirit of Gibb was in this guy right here. Okay. He's like, no, that's not the way it works. A seed is sown and something completely different comes out, but it came from that seed. Okay. So it's like, just be reasonable here, man. Be logical. Don't ask stupid questions. You know, that which is sown, you sow apple seed, it's going to, it's not going to come out being this ginormous apple seed. It's going to look a lot different than when it came in. And that's the comparison that he makes with the resurrection. You know, we don't know what we're going to look like. We just know we're going to look different. Everything's going to be different. Okay. In fact, in first John chapter three, verse two says, beloved, now are we the sons of God. And it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he shall appear, we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is. Look at verse 39, all flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one kind of flesh of men and another flesh of beasts, another of fishes and another of birds. There are also celestial bodies and bodies, terrestrial, that's not referring to UFOs, but the glory of the celestial is one in the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun and another glory of the moon and another glory of the stars for one star different from another star in glory. And when he's saying there is this, obviously you look at the sun and you look at the moon, you know, they're both pretty bright, but we can obviously say that the sun is a lot brighter than the moon, or we can say that the sun has more glory than the moon. So he's making the comparison to the resurrection. Why? Because the resurrection, that's exactly what it's going to be. Some people will have more glory than others. Some people are just going to shine brighter. Go to Hebrew chapter number 11, Hebrew chapter number 11. And look, when I read about, when I study the resurrection, I get like, like pumped up and I'm just like, dang, I need to like make sure I like, I'm being steadfast, unmovable, always abounding the work of the Lord. Cause I don't want to be some little dim light when I resurrect, you know, just like a little ball of light or whatever. No, I want to shine bright. You know, this little light of mine, I want to let it shine. Okay. Look what the Bible says here in Hebrews 11 32. And what shall I more say for the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and of Barak and of Samson and of Jephthah of David also in Samuel and of the prophets who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant and fight, turned the flight, the armies of the aliens. Man, these guys lived an exciting life. Yeah. That's cool stuff right there. I mean, their, their life is busy. Their task list is busy, you know, doing great exploits. Verse 35, women received their dead, raised to life again, and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance. You know, the, the, the woman she raised, she received her dead to life again. They, what does that mean? She got deliverance. Look what it says here. Some were tortured, not accepting deliverance that they might obtain a better resurrection. So in other words, he's like, I'm being tortured. I could probably be delivered, but you know what? I want to get a better resurrection. You know, no pain, no gain. That's that's legit right there. I think of that. I'm like, man, yeah, that's hardcore. It's like, they're being killed and it's just like, nah, just let me have it. You know, martyr me. So my resurrection could be better. And we ought to desire a better resurrection. You know, don't be some lax, lukewarm, lackadaisical Christian who just doesn't want to do anything for the Lord. No, you ought to desire a better resurrection. Stop minding the things of this earth. Stop being so focused on money and, and, and things that just don't matter. I'm not saying money doesn't matter in its entirety and its totality, but it matters, but you know what? Everything has its place. You need to make sure that you're minding heavenly things. There's a resurrection that's coming. Don't you want a better resurrection? Don't you want to shine bright? Don't you want to have a great glory like the sun, not like the moon. I do. You know, Daniel chapter 12, verse two says that many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting contempt. Some people are going to resurrect. And I believe this is actually referring to save people. Those who resurrect, they're going to be ashamed. They're like, man, my light is like the screen here. It's like, like, Hey, I'm here. You know, I gave a track out. Oh no, no, no. This is, I gave 10,000 tracks out. That's as much as 10,000 tracks produces right there. And the screen will go black and that's pretty much it. Okay. I don't want to, I don't want to mess with that. You're messing with my resurrection. You know, churches that promote track drops, you said, you just preach me that because everyone else preaches. It's the truth. Churches who promote door hangers and track drops and all these things, their members are going to be the most dim lights you ever see during the resurrection. You know, they're going to be very dim. No, I want to make sure that my resurrection is better than it has glory like the sun. Okay. And then there'd be wise says verse three shall shine as the brightness of the firmament. And then that turned many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever. I mean, God is just reeling us in. He's creating that motive. He's like, he's like, Hey man, you're going to shine bright. Just turn many to righteousness. Keep sowing and be consistent. Do what you have to do. Make sure you're serving the Lord so you can shine bright. That's a great motive. And look, your soul wanting dies from season to season. You know, sometimes it just, you know, things of life and whatever it may be, it just dies. You know, hit that reset button again. Okay. You know, get back on the horse and say, man, I've been, I've been lagging around the soul wanting, but I'm going to go in and hit that reset button. I'm a get back on the ball so I can rack up those, that, that, the, the Watts, you know, the Watts in my, in my, my glory of the sun, my glory of whatever. So I can have a better resurrection. Okay. Now go to verse 42 of chapter 15, first Corinthians. It says here. So also as the resurrection of the dead is sown and corruption is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor. It is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness. It is raised in power. So you see here, there's a contrast. It's raised in weakness and what happens are it's sown in weakness and it's raised something completely different. It's actually the opposite. It's raised in power. Okay. It is sown in natural body is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body. There's a spiritual body. This is by the way, verse 44 is very important. We're going to see why in just a little bit. So remember it's sown a natural body and it's raised a spiritual body. Keep that in mind. And so it is written that the first man Adam was made a living soul and the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first, which is spiritual, but that which is natural and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth earthy. The second man is the Lord from heaven as is the earthy such are they also that are earthy and as is the heavenly such are they also that are heavenly and as we have born the image of the earthy we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. Now this I say brethren that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God neither does corruption inherit in corruption. So let me ask you this. What is the life giving force of a physical human being? It's a blood right? So when someone dies there's no longer any blood. Now people like you know the Jehovah's Witnesses this is a verse they like to use okay say you know it wasn't a physical resurrection because flesh and blood inherits not the kingdom of God but here's the thing is you see throughout the resurrection passages in the gospels it was physical. He said touch my hands my side for spirit hath not flesh and blood or flesh and bones excuse me you know he's like I'm I'm physically here's what he's telling them so it's not a spiritual resurrection that took place as if it was just his spirit that came back to life no his body was there as well. Now let me see here go to go to Job chapter 19. So that which does not inherit the kingdom of God is flesh and blood that which does is flesh and bone okay so not flesh and blood but flesh and bone. He said nah that just sounds too you know it doesn't sound correct you know well if you think about even Galatians chapter number five it says now the works of the flesh are manifest which are these adultery fornication uncleanness lasciviousness idolatry witchcraft hatred variants emulations wrath strife seditions heresies endings murders drunkenness revelings and such like of the which I tell you before as I have also told you in time past that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Now even works based salvation people will use that verse if you're involved in any of these things you will not inherit the kingdom of God but that's referring to that sinful flesh flesh and blood whereas when you're resurrected it's flesh and bone because a lot the blood is what gives life to a physical body but what gives life to the resurrected body it's the spirit it's no longer the blood that's given the life okay it's actually the spirit that you're living by that's the actual resource that you're using to have everlasting life okay does that make sense look at job 1926 this is for I know that my redeemer liveth very famous verse here and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth and through and though after my skin worms shall destroy this body yet in my flesh shall I see God so he's saying in his flesh he will see God but it's flesh and bone not flesh and blood okay and we'll finish up right here go back to first Corinthians chapter 15 verse 51 says behold I show you a mystery we shall not all sleep but we shall all be changed in a moment in a 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 for this corruptible must put on incorruption and this mortal shall put on immortality so when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption and this mortal shall put on immortality then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written death is swallowed up in victory oh death where is thy sting oh grave victory oh death where is thy sting oh grave where is thy victory the sting of death is sin and the strength of sin is the law but thanks be to god which giveth us the victory through our lord jesus christ now verse 58 is the instruction to those because look he's given a lot of doctrine in regards to the resurrection you know what it's doing to us it's causing us to be like man we need to get on the ball we need to make sure that we're maintaining we want to do something for the lord so look what he finishes off saying therefore because of these things because god's going to reward us with this resurrected body with glory my beloved brethren be steadfast unmovable always abounding in the work of the lord for as much as you know that your labor is not in vain in the lord so he says this look man when you're going through hard times and it's a struggle to do right it's a struggle to go soul-winning you're struggling in the christian life hey just remember the resurrection okay just remember hey man i gotta i want a better resurrection you know pay now play later or in our case pay now rule later is what it is pay now rule later you know rule yourself now okay so that you can rule later rule yourself now to go soul-winning and to do the things of god to read your bible to live life that's pleasing unto the lord so you can rule and reign with christ later be steadfast and just remember hey your labor's not in vain in the lord man god's going to reward you abundantly you're going to have a great glorified body you know whether it comes with a six-pack or not you're still going to shine brighter than the rest amen let's bow our heads and have a word of prayer follow me thank you for your word thank you for the the vision that you've even casted even in first corinthians 15 of the resurrection sometimes we just need to go back to that chapter and read it over again and just meditate upon those things and um and just think about the the resurrection to come and i pray god that as we read that that that would encourage us that would inspire us to continue to do great works for you uh so we can obtain to that better resurrection and uh thank you again for all that you do for us please bless us as we go home in jesus name we pray amen