J.A. Matteson
As Solomon observed, there is a time and season for all things under heaven. "But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the first fruits of them that slept" (1 Cor. 15:20). Christ was the first in time and kind of the glory to be revealed in the children of God. In the law of Moses the priest was required to offer up a tithe of the new crop as a wave offering before the LORD. The tithe was first in time and representative its kind in terms of the fullness of the harvest to follow. The passion of the Christ found its completion in His resurrection from the dead as the first in time and kind of the mighty harvest of souls to follow. Our great High Priest offered Himself as an acceptable wave offering before God as the earnest of those who fall asleep in Him. Oh glorious day, the Spirit given as a pledge indeed bares witness to our spirit that we are the children of God. And if heirs then joint heirs with Christ, and the same power that raised Jesus from the grave will indeed give life to your lifeless body on the day of His appearing! Therefore rejoice, beloved, for your redemption draws nigh.
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