When Paul writes to the Corinthians he is thinking about a letter he had previously received from them. They either asked questions or made statements that Paul is correcting so that they will better understand the subject of rising up from the dead. While the Thessalonians thought that they had been left behind because the dead had already risen, the Corinthians didn’t think that there was even going to be a resurrection from the dead. Paul corrects them by explaining that if there is no resurrection from the dead then Jesus Christ did not rise from the dead. And if there is no faith, then everyone is dead in their sins. Paul goes on to tell the Corinthians the order of events that will take place in an atom of time. But before all these events can take place there is another event that has to be completed. It is called the “grafting in”.
Paul tries to use a creative way of explaining how the nations will enter into salvation by calling Israel “the vine” and calling the nations “the ones who are grafted into the vine”. It doesn’t communicate to us very well as most of us have never grown olive trees or done any grafting of plants. The heirs of Jacob were special because of the faith of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Jacob’s heirs came out of Egypt after four hundred years but they did not all believe on Yahweh. Some did, but the majority did not, and over time the kingdom went into captivity. After returning from Babylon there was a civil war between the holy observers of Yahweh and the militant Jewish faction accompanied by a false religious cabal of people later known as Pharisees. The holy observers left Jerusalem for other communities due to the temple defilement, which allowed a pseudo-religion of Judaism to flourish. This was the time period that Jesus was born into. Some of Jacob’s heirs believed on Jesus, they are the good olive tree. The nations who believe are grafted into the good olive tree. The unbelieving Israelites may eventually be saved but not until the nations are completed and entered in.
Romans 11:25 G3756 For I do not G1063 G2309 want G1473 you G50 to be ignorant, G80 brethren, G3588 G3466 of this mystery, G3778 G2443 that G3361 you should not G1510.3 be G3844 [2in G1438 3yourselves G5429 1intelligent], G3754 that G4457 callousness G575 [2in part G3313 G3588 3 to G* 4Israel G1096 1has happened] G891 until G3739 of which time G3588 the G4138 fullness G3588 of the G1484 nations G1525 should enter in.
4138 LSJ Gloss:πλήρωμαa full measure
Dodson: πλήρωμα fullness, fulfillment, completion (a) a fill, fullness; full complement; supply, patch, supplement, (b) fullness, filling, fulfillment, completion.
Strong’s:πλήρωμα repletion or completion, i.e. (subjectively) what fills (as contents, supplement, copiousness, multitude), or (objectively) what is filled (as container, performance, period)
Derivation: from G4137; KJV Usage: which is put in to fill up, piece that filled up, fulfilling, full, fulness.
TBESG:πλήρωμα fulfillment
G:N-N
πλήρωμα, -τος, τό
(< πληρόω), [in LXX for מְלֹא ;]
the result of the action involved in πληρόω (Lft., Col., 255 if.; AR, Eph., 255 ff.), hence,
__1. in passive sense, that which has been completed, complement, plenitude, fullness (in Xen., Luc., Polyb., al., of a ship's crew or cargo, and by meton. of the ship itself) :
Refs Jhn.1:16, Rom.11:12, 25 15:29, 1Co.10:26" (LXX)>Refs Eph.1:23 (AR, 42 ff.) Eph.3:19 (AR. 87 ff.)
Thayer:
1) that which is (has been) filled
1a) a ship inasmuch as it is filled (i.e. manned) with sailors, rowers, and soldiers
1b) in the NT, the body of believers, as that which is filled with the presence, power, agency, riches of God and of Christ
2) that which fills or with which a thing is filled
2a) of those things which a ship is filled, freight and merchandise, sailors, oarsmen, soldiers
2b) completeness or fulness of time
3) fulness, abundance
4) a fulfilling, keeping
πλήρωμα
plērōma play'-ro-mah From G4137; repletion or completion, that is, (subjectively) what fills (as contents, supplement, copiousness, multitude), or (objectively) what is filled (as container, performance, period) KJV Usage: which is put in to fill up, piece that filled up, fulfilling, full, fulness.
1525 LSJ Gloss:εἰσέρχομαι to go in
Dodson:εἰσέρχομαι I go in, come in, enter.
Strong’s:εἰσέρχομαι to enter (literally or figuratively) Derivation: from G1519 and G2064; KJV Usage: X arise, come (in, into), enter in(-to), go in (through).
TBESG:εἰσέρχομαι to enter
G:V
εἰσ-έρχομαι,
[in LXX chiefly for בּוֹא ;]
to go in or into, enter:
Thayer:
1) to go out or come in: to enter
1a) of men or animals, as into a house or a city
1b) of Satan taking possession of the body of a person
1c) of things: as food, that enters into the eater's mouth
2) metaph.
2a) of entrance into any condition, state of things, society, employment
2a1) to arise, come into existence, begin to be
2a2) of men, to come before the public
2a3) to come into life
2b) of thoughts that come into the mind
εἰσέρχομαι
eiserchomai ice-er'-khom-ahee From G1519 and G2064; to enter (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: X arise, come (in, into), enter in (-to), go in (through).
1519
εἰς
eis ice A primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases.
KJV Usage: [abundant-] ly, against, among, as, at, [back-] ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for [intent, purpose], fore, + forth, in (among, at unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-) on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore (-unto), throughout, till, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-) until (-to), . . . ward, [where-] fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literallyor figuratively.
2064
ἔρχομαι
erchomai er'-khom-ahee Middle voice of a primary verb (used only in the present and imperfect tenses, the others being supplied by a kindred [middle voice] word, ἐλεύθομαι eleuthomai or ἔλθω elthō ; which do not otherwise occur); to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) KJV Usage: accompany, appear, bring, come enter, fall out, go, grow, X light, X next, pass, resort, be set.
How do nations fill up when entering in? What are the nations entering into? The nations are entering into the good olive tree. The Israelites who believe that Jesus was Messiah and Yahweh are called the “remnant/remainder” in verse 5. These are the heirs of Jacob who actively pursued the knowledge of Yahweh and who remained holy saints. These are the Assideans, Essenes, Nazarenes, Therapeutaes, the Damascus Community, the Prophets and the Zedek/Zadok priests. They were taken from the wild olive tree which went rogue by its unbelief and were grafted into a good olive tree. Likewise, the nations who believe in Jesus as Messiah and Yahweh are also grafted into the good olive tree. When people choose to believe and follow Yahweh then he chooses them for salvation. When that grafting in is complete, when that process is filled up, the offering of the first fruits to the Father can take place. Paul assumes that we understand what a first fruit offering is, so that using the idea of the olive vine and the cut off branches makes sense to his audience. When the nations complete the olive branch grafting into the olive vine, the first fruit offering is ready.
Who is keeping count? It is not us humans. It seems that this is the job of the angels. If we remember Ezekiel 9 the angels marked the people who mourned for the temple so they were not killed. Instead they were taken alive as captives to Babylon. It would be logical to consider the regular meetings in the mount of the congregation in the sides of the north, as mentioned in Job. Angels giving an account of things on the earth. One of them must be keeping a tally of the entering in of the first fruits.
When will this happen? We do not know. We do not know how many more people from the nations need to enter into the grafting. We do not know if we are close to or far from that number. We do not have a perspective of the amount of grafting still needed. What we can focus on is simply teaching people about Jesus and salvation. We will know when the grafting is complete and the first fruits offering is being presented. How will we know? Because the corrupted will put on incorruption and the mortal will put on immortality.
1 Corinthians 15:50 G3778 But this G1161 G5346 I say, G80 brethren, G3754 that G4561 flesh G2532 and G129 blood G932 [4 the kingdom G2316 5of God G2816 3to inherit G3756 1are not G1410 2able], G3761 nor G3588 G5356 can corruption G3588 G861 [2incorruptibility G2816 1inherit].
861 LSJ Gloss:ἀφθαρσία incorruption
Dodson:ἀφθαρσία indestructibility, incorruptibility, immortality indestructibility, incorruptibility; hence: immortality.
Strong’s:ἀφθαρσία incorruptibility; genitive, unending existence; (figuratively) genuineness Derivation: from G862; KJV Usage: immortality, incorruption, sincerity.
TBESG:ἀφθαρσία incorruptibility
G:N-F
ἀφθαρσία,
incorruptibility, immortality:
uncorruptness
(AS)
Thayer:
1) incorruption, perpetuity
2) purity, sincerity, incorrupt
ἀφθαρσία
aphtharsia af-thar-see'-ah From G862; incorruptibility; generally unending existence; (figuratively) genuineness KJV Usage: immortality, incorruption, sincerity.
The first thing that we have to understand is that flesh and blood do not inherit the kingdom of the Elohim. We will not have flesh and blood in the kingdom of the Elohim. Corruption or decay is not an heir of incorruptibility. In other words, there is no cleaning process for changing decay and rottenness into incorruption that we can perform ourselves. When we die, our flesh and blood are destroyed. We cannot change it even if we are saved and spirit filled. Only Yahweh can change the corrupted into incorruption. It is a mystery.
1 Corinthians 15:51 G2400 Behold, G3466 [2a mystery G1473 3to you G3004 1I speak]; G3956 [4all G3303 3indeed G3756 2not G2837 1we shall] sleep, G3956 but all G1161 G236 shall be changed,
236 LSJ Gloss:ἀλλάσσω to make other than it is, to change, alter
Dodson:ἀλλάσσω I change, alter I change, alter, exchange, transform.
Strong’s:ἀλλάσσω to make different Derivation: from G243; KJV Usage: change.
TBESG:ἀλλάσσω to change
G:V
ἀλλάσσω
(< ἄλλος), [in LXX chiefly for חָלַף, מוּר hi., etc. ;]
__1. to change:
__2. to transform:
__3. to exchange: with accusative, before ἐν (= בְּ, Psa.106:20) instead of simple genitive Thayer:
1) to change, to exchange one thing for another, to transform
ἀλλάσσω
allassō al-las'-so From G243; to make different KJV Usage: change.
The idea of sleep is figurative for death. When someone dies they look like they are sleeping. This does not literally mean that people are in a dream state. Jesus plans on meeting the deceased overcomers in Paradise, he gives the overcomers certain things according to what they have overcome, Revelation 2 & 3. This tells us that there is consciousness in Paradise, there is the ability to eat, we can receive garments and positions accordingly. Our spirit and our soul are conscious, our body is corrupted. Jesus’ resurrected body had form, but he could walk through walls. He could eat and be touched, but he could also disappear. Jesus had to put on incorruption in order to return to heaven and sit alongside the Father. We will not enter heaven until we exchange our corruption for incorruption or our mortality for immortality.
The corrupted will change or be altered. The word allassō comes from the word allos, meaning “another of a different kind”. People who die will eventually have another of a different kind of body. This is not “transform” as in a metamorphosis, it is an exchange, from corruption to incorruption. Those who eat from the tree of life in the midst of Paradise will have the ability to exchange their corruption for incorruption. When will this happen? Paul explains.
1 Corinthians 15:52 G1722 in G823 an instant, G1722 in G4493 the blink G3788 of an eye, G1722 at G3588 the G2078 last G4536 trumpet. G4537 For it shall trump, G1063 G2532 and G3588 the G3498 dead G1453 shall be raised G862 incorruptible, G2532 and G1473 we G236 shall be changed.
862 LSJ Gloss:ἄφθαρτος uncorrupted, incorruptible
Dodson:ἄφθαρτος imperishable, incorruptible
indestructible, imperishable, incorruptible; hence: immortal.
Strong’s:ἄφθαρτος undecaying (in essence or continuance) Derivation: from G1 (as a negative particle) and a derivative of G5351; KJV Usage: not (in-, un-)corruptible, immortal.
TBESG:ἄφθαρτος incorruptible
G:A
ἄ-φθαρτος, -ον
(< φθείρω), [in LXX:
RefsWis.12:1 18:4* ;]
imperishable, immortal;
__(a) of things:
Refs1Co.9:25, 1Pe.1:4 1:23 3:4;
__(b) of persons: of men, 1Co.15:52; of God,
RefsRom.1:23, 1Ti.1:17(MM, see word).†
(AS)
Thayer:
1) uncorrupted, not liable to corruption or decay, imperishable
1a) of things
2) immortal
2a) of the risen dead
ἄφθαρτος
aphthartos af'-thar-tos From G1 (as a negative particle) and a derivative of G5351; undecaying (in essence or continuance) KJV Usage: not (in-, un-) corruptible, immortal.
In an atom of time at the final war trumpet. The sound of the trumpet will be the cue. This is when the dead bodies will wake up and be exchanged for incorruptible bodies.
1 Corinthians 15:53 G1163 For it is necessary G1063 G3588 G5349 this corruption G3778 G1746 to put on G861 incorruptibility, G2532 and G3588 G2349 this mortal G3778 G1746 to put on G110 immortality.
Just like Jesus had to exchange his corrupted body for an incorruptible one, the believing saints, the first fruits who have been grafted into the good olive tree have to be clothed in incorruption and immortality. There will be people who are alive on the earth when the number of people grafted in is complete. Those mortal bodies will be exchanged with immortality. When does this happen? At the sound of the last war trumpet. When will that be? When all the nations have been grafted into the good olive tree.
1 Corinthians 15:54 G3752 But whenever G1161 G3588 G5349 this corruptible G3778 G1746 should have put on G861 incorruptibility, G2532 and G3588 G2349 this mortal G3778 G1746 should have put on G110 immortality, G5119 then G1096 shall come to pass G3588 the G3056 word G3588 G1125 having been written, G2666 [2was swallowed down G3588 G2288 1Death] G1519 in G3534 victory.
When this happens death will be devoured. This does not mean that death is not going to occur after this, there will be death during the tribulation and during the millennial kingdom. What is swallowed in victory is the exchange of the corrupted to incorruptible and the mortal to immortality. There is a way out of death. In the tribulation the martyrs are immediately taken up to heaven and exchange their bodies for incorruptible ones. Yet now, no one enters the kingdom of heaven until the exchange takes place. It will be all at once, in an atom of time, at the last war trumpet. Once this number of grafted nations is complete the exchange happens and death for all the regular humans is defeated because there is a way out if we so choose.
1 Corinthians 15:55 G4226 Where G1473 is your G2288 [2O death G3588 G2759 1sting]? G4226 Where G1473 is your G86 [2O Hades G3588 G3534 1victory]?
Death and hades do not have a victory over humans once they believe that Jesus is Lord and Messiah. Death today renders believing saints to Paradise, awaiting the exchange of the corruptible. Death and Hades is only victorious over unbelievers. Yet Jesus has the keys to Death and Hades so there is no longer any unlawful imprisonment as there once was in Abraham’s bay. When Jesus took back the keys, he set the captives free.
1 Corinthians 15:56 G3588 And the G1161 G2759 sting G3588 G2288 of death G3588 G266 is sin; G3588 and the G1161 G1411 power G3588 G266 of sin G3588 is the G3551 law.
Death stings the sinful. The power over sin is the logos, not just the Mosaic law which cannot be fulfilled without a temple, but the new covenant as well.
1 Corinthians 15:57 G3588 G1161 But G2316 to God G5484 be favor, G3588 to the one G1325 giving G1473 to us G3588 the G3534 victory G1223 through G3588 G2962 our Lord G1473 G* Jesus G5547 Christ.
We have the victory through Yahweh Jesus Christ. We have the victory over death. This is what Paul is talking about earlier in the chapter when he says that some people are saying there is no resurrection of the dead. They are wrong. Since Christ rose up from the dead we too will rise up from the dead. But in proper order. This is why Paul fought the beasts at Ephesus, because he had nothing to lose. He would fight for his faith and he would rise up if he died at Ephesus. Paul then goes on to explain that the exchange for an incorruptible body cannot happen until the body is buried in corruption.
1Co 15:44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
1Co 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
This is the order of events: Christ who is the first fruit of those who rise up from the dead. Then after Christ, the first fruits, the offering of the believers. After that those who are Christs at his coming on the day of the Lord. Then at the end when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father, at the end of the millennial kingdom and after the white throne judgment.
1Co 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept…
1Co 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ, the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
1Co 15:24 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.
1Co 15:25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
Jesus Christ must reign until he puts all enemies under his feet. When Satanas is loosed after the thousand years, he will have the opportunity to gather a rebellion against Jesus Christ. But Satanas and his crew will be exterminated in the lake of fire and a new heaven and earth will be available. This is why we are to be steadfast, unmovable, and always abound in the work of Yahweh.
1 Corinthians 15:58 G5620 So that, G80 [3brethren G1473 1my G27 2beloved], G1476 [2settled G1096 1be], G277 immovable, G4052 abounding G1722 in G3588 the G2041 work G3588 of the G2962 Lord G3842 at all times! G1492 knowing G3754 that G3588 G2873 your toil G1473 G3756 is not G1510.2.3 G2756 in vain G1722 in G2962 the Lord.
We should perceive that our pain is not empty in Yahweh. All the struggles, fights, and battles that we endure are for a purpose. The purpose is for the grafting in of the nations. Whether we fight wild beasts in the amphitheater at Ephesus, or we are shipwrecked and stuck in the ocean for a day or two, we endure and labor with firmness. We are immovable in the exceeding labor of Yahweh all the time. We do not know when the grafting in will be complete. We do not know when we will exchange the corruptible or the mortal for the incorruptible and the immortal. But what we do know is that there is an order and a process. The path to salvation has been predestined, the people have the freedom to choose. The more people who choose Jesus as Lord and Messiah, the closer we come to completion of the first fruits. The harpazo, the seizing, will happen fast, in an atom of time.
