April 15: Adam = death… Christ = life

But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also came through a man. For just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ, the firstfruits; then when Christ comes, those who belong to him. Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, when he has brought to an end all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be eliminated is death.  (1 Corinthians 15:20-26  NET)

Jesus’ resurrection is the sign of a coming harvest. He is the firstfruit, meaning that a harvest is on its way, the souls of all who believe in Him and surrender their will to His. Because He has been resurrected from the dead, we who believe, truly believe, are guaranteed a resurrection too—to eternal life after death, but also to a new life here on earth.

This message should fill us with hope and determination. The “incomparable power” of God that raised Jesus from the dead is ours for the taking right now on earth. The last enemy, death, has been eliminated. For us death has no sting, no power, because His death and resurrection mean that we have been forgiven and are heaven-bound. Adam brought death to us all, but Christ brought life and eternity, as well as authority over the prince of this world, Satan.

One day Satan and his demons will be put in their place; Jesus will not rest until all His enemies are under His feet. Right now they are free to work in this world—attacking us and the church of God—but just as Jesus will put them under His feet and once and for all strip them of their power at a determined time in the future, we are also meant to put them under our feet. Jesus once said: “Look, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions and on the full force of the enemy, and nothing will hurt you.” (Luke 10:19) This means that Jesus has commanded us to place Satan and demons under our feet right now. We are to tread on them without fear, knowing that they cannot do to us what they can do to other human beings. The death and resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of our faith and belief, something we trust in every single day of our lives, so nothing the devil tries to do can hurt us.

We need to live in eager anticipation of the coming of Jesus, and of our victory here on earth. Our destiny is not to live 70, 80, or 100 years, but to live forever! Although the Lord Jesus is despised and ridiculed by many, He is the future reigning King of the universe. Are you on Jesus’ side? If so, make sure you are living in such a way that you can welcome Him when He comes.