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I Corinthians 15: and the second death.
pp. 5 - 7
We have in earlier issues set forth the reasons that are provided in I Cor. 15: itself for
limiting its references to death and resurrection to the death brought in by Adam; which
necessarily excludes any reference to the lake of fire in I Cor. 15: 26. We did not at the
time draw attention to the parallel that exists between the events of I Cor. 15: and of
Rev. 20:, 21: As the question is one of great importance, and as I Cor. 15: 24-27 is the
basis of the teaching that those cast into the second death must be revived, we need make
no apology for this added note.
The records in I Cor. 15: and Rev. 20:, 21: keep pace so completely, that the
parallel when set out speaks for itself. After settling the question concerning the fact of
the resurrection, the apostle in I Cor. 15: 21, 22 commences the revelation of its
teaching, taking us back to the first Adam, with his entail of death, and on to the
last Adam, with His gift of life (I Cor. 15: 45). It is perfectly gratuitous to interpolate in
verse 26 a reference to the second death which is unconnected with Adam or Adam's sin.
I Cor. 15:
and
Rev. 20:, 21:
THE DEAD.
"As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive" (I Cor. 15: 22).
"I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God" (Rev. 20: 12).
THE ORDER.
"Every man in his own order. Christ the Firstfruits: afterward they that are Christ's at
His coming" (I Cor. 15: 23).
"Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection; on such the second
death hath no power" (Rev. 20: 6).
"The rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished"
(Rev. 20: 5).
THE END.
(1:)
"That God may be all in all" (I Cor. 15: 28).
"Behold, I make all things new" (Rev. 21: 5).
(2:) "He must reign, till He hath put all enemies under His feet" (I Cor. 15: 25).
"They lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years" (Rev. 20: 4).
"He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new" (Rev. 21: 5).
(3:) "The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death" (I Cor. 15: 26).
"Death and hades were cast into the lake of fire" (Rev. 20: 14).
"There shall be no more death" (Rev. 21: 4)
Here everything is accounted for, and nothing is left to the imagination. The
resurrections are from the same death; the order is the same. Paul was not making
known the dispensation of the mystery in I Cor. 15:, neither was he teaching the doctrine