Sermon: Resurgent
by Chris Cumming

Today is the Holy Day of Trumpets.  For years in my Trumpets sermons, I have been focusing on the trumpet and the symbolism of the trumpet.  Today we are going to begin giving equal time to the other symbolism of this day, “Resurgence.” The title of your sermon today is, “Resurgent.”  Let us define the term.

Resurgent:
Rising again, as to new life, vigor.  From the Latin resurgere, rise again, be restored.  The word is found in the dictionary close, if not next to the word, "resurrection."  The other symbolism for this Holy Day of Trumpets is the resurrection.

One of the synonyms for resurrection is, "reappearance."

Let us read some excerpts from our doctrine on the Holy Days and which speak specifically to the Day of Trumpets.

“Feast of Trumpets: Trumpets were an instrument often used to sound the alarm for war. They were also the instrument of the watchman to arouse the sleeping populace if danger threatened. This festival represents the preaching of the gospel to the world by God's faithful watchmen who have the responsibility of arousing the people from their spiritual slumber (Ezekiel 33:1-16). At this point, God has ceased to let mankind go his own way. The time has come to save not just a few in His Church, but all peoples-to save man from himself. Otherwise, man would succeed in destroying himself. 

“The Day of Trumpets also symbolizes the resurrection of all who died in Christ and the change of all who will be living in Christ. This stunning event-the achievement of eternal life for millions through birth into the Family of God-will occur simultaneously with the return of Jesus Christ at the last trump. ‘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’ (1 Corinthians 15:52).”  [end quote from the doctrine]

As you can easily see, the key verse is from the Resurrection chapter; 1 Corinthians 15.  Today we are going to immerse ourselves in the 58 verses of this chapter as I encourage all of us to prepare for the resurrection.

Prepare for the resurrection.

We will begin reading in 1 Corinthians 15 and see where it takes us.

1 Corinthians 15
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

Commentary:
The gospel - word here means the “glad announcement,” or the “good news” about the coming of the Messiah, his life, and sufferings, and death, and especially his resurrection. The main subject to which Paul refers in this chapter is the resurrection, but he includes in the word gospel. Here, the doctrine that he died for sins, and was buried, as well as the doctrine of his resurrection. ~Barnes Notes

2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

Commentary:
If ye keep in memory - Margin, as in the Greek, “if ye hold fast.” The idea is, that they were saved by this, or would be, if they faithfully retained or held the doctrine as he delivered it; if they observed it, and still believed it, notwithstanding all the efforts of their enemies, and all the arts of false teaching to wrest it from them. There is a doubt delicately suggested here, whether they did in fact still adhere to his doctrine, or whether they had not abandoned it in part for the opposite. ~Barnes Notes

Note: We see the importance, once again, of staying in the Salvation Process, being continually immersed in the Word of God and having faith.

3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

Commentary:
How that Christ died for our sins - This passage is full proof that Christ did not die merely as a martyr, but that his death was to make atonement for sin. That he died as an atoning sacrifice, or as a vicarious offering, is here declared by Paul to be among the “first” things that he taught; and the grand fundamental truth on which the church at Corinth had been founded, and by which it had been established, and by which they would be saved. It follows that there can be no true church, and no well-founded hope of salvation, where the doctrine is not held that Christ died for sin. ~Barnes Notes

4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Commentary:
rose again — Greek, “hath risen”: the state thus begun, and its consequences, still continue. ~Jamieson, Fausset, Brown

5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:

Commentary:
Then of the twelve - The apostles; still called “the twelve,” though Judas was not one of them. It was common to call the apostles “the twelve.” Jesus appeared to the apostles at one time in the absence of Thomas John 20:19, John 20:24; and also to them when Thomas was present, John 20:24-29. ~Barnes Notes

6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

Commentary:
Above five hundred brethren at once. - What a remarkable testimony is this to the truth of our Lord’s resurrection! Five hundred persons saw him at one time. ~Adam Clarke

7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

Commentary:
He was seen of me also - On the way to Damascus, see Acts 9:3-6, Acts 9:17.

9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

Commentary:
Am not meet to be called an apostle - Am not fit to be regarded as a follower of the Lord Jesus, and as appointed to defend his cause, and to bear his name among the Gentiles. Paul had a deep sense of his unworthiness; and the memory of his former life tended ever to keep him humble. Such should be, and such will be, the effect of the remembrance of a life of sin on those who become converted to the gospel, and especially if they are entrusted with the high office of the ministry, and occupy a station of importance in the church of God. ~Barnes Notes

10 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 laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

Commentary:
Yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me - he attributes all to the grace of God, and nothing to himself; it was the grace of God that made him an apostle of Christ, and preacher of the Gospel. ~John Gill

11 Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.
12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?

Commentary:
Some — Gentile reasoners (Acts 17:32; Acts 26:8) who would not believe it because they did not see “how” it could be (1 Corinthians 15:35-36). ~Jamieson, Fausset, Brown

13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen:
14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.

Commentary:
Your faith is also vain — (1 Corinthians 15:11). The Greek for “vain” here is, empty, unreal: in 1 Corinthians 15:17, on the other hand, it is, without use, frustrated. The principal argument of the first preachers in support of Christianity was that God had raised Christ from the dead (Acts 1:22; Acts 2:32; Acts 4:10, Acts 4:33; Acts 13:37; Romans 1:4). ~Jamieson, Fausset, Brown

15 Yea, 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.
16 For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised:

Commentary:
For if the dead rise not ... - This is a repetition of what is said in 1 Corinthians 15:13. It is repeated here, evidently, because of its importance. It was a great and momentous truth which would “bear” repetition, that if there was no resurrection, as some held, then it would follow that the Lord Jesus was not raised up. ~Barnes Notes

17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.

Commentary:
Your faith is vain; you are still in your sins — Ye are, by the very fact (supposing the case to be as the skeptics maintained), frustrated of all which “your faith” appropriates: Ye are still under the everlasting condemnation of your sins from which Christ’s resurrection is our justification (Romans 4:25): “saved by his life” (Romans 5:10). ~Jamieson, Fausset, Brown

18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.

Commentary:
Which are fallen asleep in Christ – all the firstfruits currently in the grave. ~Barnes Notes

19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

Commentary:
If in this life only we have hope in Christ - If our hope in Christ shall not be followed by the resurrection of the dead and future glory, and if all our hopes shall be disappointed. ~Barnes Notes

20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

Commentary:
But now is Christ risen - On the contrary, Christ is raised from the dead, and is become the first fruits of them that slept. His resurrection has been demonstrated, and our resurrection necessarily follows; as sure as the first fruits are the proof that there is a harvest. ~Adam Clarke

21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

Commentary:
For as in Adam all die, so in Christ shall all be made alive. - All the race in Adam became subject to death; so in Christ all the race shall be raised from the dead to appear at the bar of eternal judgment. The passage does not affirm the final salvation of all, but the final resurrection of all. There is a "resurrection of the just and of the unjust." ~People's New Testament

Note:  For firstfruits and the Day of Trumpets, the resurrection is to eternal life.  Judgment for firstfruits is now.  The general or second resurrection comes later and they enter the Salvation Process [their time of judgment].  This is confirmed in the next verse.

23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
24 Then cometh 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.
25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.

Note:  Clearly these three verses cover the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the millennium, the second resurrection and finally the third resurrection.  Then what?

26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

Note: Indeed, death is destroyed first by the resurrection and then by final disposition by the Godhead.

27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.
28 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.
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? [emphasis on the word, “for” mine]

Note: To understand this three-verse passage, let us go to an excerpt from our Letter Answering Department for this passage.  This is not talking about live people getting baptized for dead people who were never baptized in their lives.  It is saying something totally different.

Quoting from the letter:  Paul is not talking about being baptized "in the place of" the dead, or "on behalf of" the dead, or "for" the dead. The Greek word translated "for" is HUPER.  This verse can mean different things depending on the context of the verse.  In Philippians 2:13 - ["For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."] the Greek word translated "of" is HUPER, the same word used in 1 Corinthians 15:29.  Philippians 2:13 correctly translated says, "God worketh in you both to will and to do FOR THE REALIZATION OF His good pleasure." This is the translation given in "The Analytical Greek Lexicon". What is God's "good pleasure"? "It is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom," declared Jesus (Luke 12:32). God works in us "in the hope of" giving us His Kingdom!

Thus, the Greek word HUPER in 1 Corinthians 15:29, according to the context, should be translated "for the hope of." Notice the verse again: "Else what shall they do which are baptized for the hope of the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the hope of the dead?.

What is the hope of the dead? It is the resurrection!

This now being clear, we understand the purpose of this Day of Trumpets sermon:
Prepare for the resurrection.

30 And why stand we in jeopardy every hour?

Note: This confirmed what we just said about verse 29.  Verse 30 is saying, “Is there any reason why we should voluntarily submit to so many sufferings, and every hour be in danger of losing our lives, if the dead rise not?” ~Adam Clarke

31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

Note: Earlier transcripts have this as, “our rejoicing” but both work when you understand the meaning of, “I protest.”  One of the meanings for, “protest” in a dictionary is, “to declare solemnly or earnestly; affirm or assert. The Greek 3513 says attestation or to attest…another word for, “affirm.”  The World English Bible reads, “I affirm, by the boasting in you [of the resurrection] that I have in Jesus Christ our Lord, I die daily [in corporeal, not spiritual sense], meaning going through all the trials and tribulations of physical life, as we show in the explanation of verse 30 above.  Therefore, Paul is saying that he [we all] go through the sufferings of physical life because we have a “resurrection perspective” and hope.  Another way of saying we rejoice in our Kingdom perspective or having that 10,000-year into the Kingdom perspective.  This IS us preparing for the resurrection.  Our hearts and minds are already at the Day of Trumpets and the resurrection.  We have, “verity” or “see” the resurrection already.

32 If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.

Note:  Paul giving an example of sufferings in this life to make the point that all is useless without the resurrection.  Indeed, he gladly takes on the sufferings because of the resurrection.

33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

Note: Stay away from all false teachers and in this context, especially those teaching against the resurrection.  If one follows these false teachers and doctrines will see their righteousness fail.  Notice the next verse.

34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

Notes:
“Awake to righteousness”:  Do not be ignorant regarding the resurrections.  Barnes Notes gives this as, “Arouse from stupidity on this subject.”  I say, “stay immersed in the Word of God.”  Be constant and invoke fervency, diligence and zeal regarding the resurrection.  This too is preparing for the resurrection.

“And sin not”:  Do not err; do not depart from the truth and from holiness; do not embrace a doctrine which is not only erroneous, but the tendency of which is to lead into sin. It is implied here, that if they suffered themselves to embrace a doctrine which was a denial of the resurrection, the effect would be that they would fall into sin or that a denial of that doctrine led to a life of self-indulgence and transgression. ~Barnes Notes

“For some have not the knowledge of God”: Some among you. You are surrounded by strangers to God; you have those among you who would lead you into error and sin. ~Barnes Notes

“I speak this to your shame”: To your shame as a church; because you have had abundant opportunities to know the truth, and because it is a subject of deep disgrace that there are any in your bosom who deny the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead, and who are strangers to the grace of God. ~Barnes Notes

Notice what these false teachers say or reason in the next verse:

35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?

Then speaking to the false teachers, Paul says:

36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:

Note: Paul is using the Roman 1:20 principle and how God uses physical nature to show us spiritual things.  Here he is stating that we sow seeds, but they “die” in the bringing of what you see in the harvest.  The seed performs a total reorganization that results in the fruits of the harvest.  Take the analogy further in two instances:
1] your physical, mental, emotional body [heart and mind] is the sown seed into the Salvation Process which eventually reorganizes into a spiritual body “harvest” with a spiritual heart, mind and character.
2] The Holy Spirit put into us is likened unto a “seed” or measure of the power of God that eventually expands us from corruption into incorruption or a new spirit body.

37 And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:

Note: Further explaining the metaphor of seeds becoming harvest.

38 But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.
39 All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.
40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.

Commentary:
But the glory of the celestial is one - The glory - the excellence, beauty, and perfection. Even the present frail human body possesses an indescribable degree of contrivance, art, economy, order, beauty, and excellence; but the celestial body, that in which Christ now appears, and according to which ours shall be raised, (Philippians 3:21 - "Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself."), will exceed the excellence of this beyond all comparison. ~Adam Clarke

41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.
42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:
44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

Note: These five verses [41-45] demonstrating the difference in glory between physical and spirit.

46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

Commentary:
Verse 46: That was not first which is spiritual - The natural or animal body, described in verse 44, was the first; it was the body with which Adam was created. The spiritual body is the last, and is that with which the soul is to be clothed in the resurrection. ~Adam Clarke
Verse 47: Adam is the man of the earth.  The second man is Christ. ~from Adam Clarke
Verse 48: Adam’s decedents are physical.  All those in the resurrection are spirit bodies. ~from Adam Clarke
Verse 49: Firstfruits and all mankind bear the image of earthy physical beings.  Via the Salvation Process we will bear the image of the heavenly…namely Jesus Christ, our elder brother. ~from a number of commentaries

50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

Note: For verse 50 let us go to our doctrine on the Kingdom of God:

The message of "good news" or gospel which Jesus brought to this world has, as its focal point, the announcement of the coming Kingdom of God, the description of how it shall be established on earth and the explanation of how mankind might enter it as sons of God.  Christ through His death and resurrection became the "firstborn" member of this prophetic spiritual Kingdom.

Christians who follow in the footsteps of His life will likewise follow in the reality of His resurrection.  They shall be raised from death to rule with Him in His Kingdom.  Through this process God shall increase or build His Divine family and spiritual Kingdom from the present two members to multiple billions (and perhaps, ultimately, even more).

In one sense, those begotten of God's Spirit are part of the Kingdom of God already, since they actually have the essence of that Kingdom, God's Holy Spirit, dwelling within them.  Furthermore, Christians today, like Jesus during His physical human life, are representatives of that Kingdom since they, like Jesus, shall be kings and priests.  Paul wrote that God "has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and transferred us to the Kingdom of His beloved Son" (Colossians 1:13), indicating that Christians are already considered part of God's Kingdom.  Obviously, no human being can really be a part of God's Kingdom since "flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable" (1 Corinthians 15:50). ~end quote

51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 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.
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 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.

Note:  God is showing mankind something they had never been told before, the resurrection from the dead.  God shows us just how the resurrection takes place [verse 52].  This all leads to an exciting conclusion; death is swallowed up in victory [verse 54].

55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Commentary:
Which giveth us the victory - Us who are Christians; all Christians [firstfruits as clearly indicated by verse 52]. The victory over sin, death, and the grave. God alone is the author of this victory. He formed the plan; he executed it in the gift of his Son; and he gives it to us personally when we come to die.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ - By his death, thus destroying the power of death; by his resurrection and triumph over the grave; and by his grace imparted to us to enable us to sustain the pains of death, and giving to us the hope of a glorious resurrection. ~Barnes Notes

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Note: Read this verse carefully [and often].  It begins with the word, “Therefore” meaning that we are to take all that we read here [verses 1-57] and do something specific.  What? 

As our doctrine on the Kingdom of God states, you already have the essence of the Kingdom [and therefore the resurrection] already in you in the form of God’s Holy Spirit.  Operate and move forward with a Kingdom perspective.

Do so, and you ARE preparing for the resurrection!!

back to top     back to main page for this sermon