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Let us put this statement to the test.
1. Every man in his own order.
The amplification occupies verses 37-44. The words "celestial bodies"
and "terrestrial bodies" and the differing glory of the sun, moon and stars,
all bear upon the fact that in the resurrection every man will be in his own
rank or order.
2. Adam and Christ.
In this amplification, which occupies verses 45-49, the relation of
Adam to Christ and the resurrection is brought out in the following
passages:--
"The first man Adam . . . . . a living soul."
"The last Adam . . . . . a life-giving spirit."
"The first man . . . . . of the earth."
"The second man . . . . . the Lord from heaven."
"The image of the earthy."
"The image of the heavenly."
The next item is that of the destruction of the last enemy. Do you not feel that, with
this evident amplification of the subject, those who introduce into this passage the second
death are the ones who are obliged to do so by the exigencies of their own unscriptural
theories?
Destruction of Death at the Resurrection.
A.--I must confess that the evidence seems all against any other death in I Cor. 15: than
that connected with Adam. Please proceed, as I want to see what the amplification is of
the destruction of the last enemy.
B.--(Reads I Cor. 15: 51-57):--
"Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.
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.
For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal put on immortality.
So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put
on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is
swallowed up in victory.
O death, where is thy sting? O 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."
This is Paul's inspired commentary upon the destruction of the last enemy. Can this
passage by any possibility refer to the second death?