(1 Cor 15:12-26) (哥林多前书15：12-26）

What’s the ultimate hope from believing in the gospel? 你信福音的终极盼望是什么？Resurrection! 复活！To rise from death! 从死里复活！Do you really believe in resurrection? 你真的相信复活吗？There’s a young man on his way to persecute Christians who encountered the risen Lord, 有一个年轻人在前往迫害基督徒的路上遇到了复活的主，and his life was completely changed. 他的生命彻底改变了。He then became an apostle of Jesus, 他成为耶稣的使徒，powerful spreading the gracious gospel to the world. 将恩典的福音传播给世界。That’s Paul the apostle. 那人是使徒保罗。There are total of 21 epistles in the NT, 新约共有21封书信，13 of which are written by Paul. 其中13封是保罗写的。

Today, we are looking at 1 Cor 15:12-26, 今天，我们来看林前15：12-26，to better grasp Paul’s intent in writing 1 Cor 15 to the church in Corinth, 为了更好地明白保罗写给哥林多教会这第15章的目的，we’ll briefly look at the previous chapters of the whole book. 我们将简要看一下整卷书的前几章。You can see, 你可以看到，it’s not just in this age that churches have problems, 不仅在这个时代，教会有问题，even in Paul’s day churches had problems. 即便在保罗时代，教会也有问题。And actually, the church in Corinth had lots of big problems, 事实上，哥林多教会有很多的问题，which Paul addresses in this letter. 保罗在这信中去处理那些问题。Paul deals with the problem of division from chapter 1- 4, 保罗处理了第1-4章中的教会里分裂问题，where people quarrelled about who were more spiritual than others; 信徒争谁比其他人更属灵;Chapter 5 - 6, 第五章 - 第六章，Sexual sins and legal proceedings, 性犯罪和法律诉讼的问题，where people committed sins of immortality and sued each other in front of unbelievers信徒犯了淫乱的罪，在非信徒面前去起诉，rather than trusted in God by being wronged themselves and waiting for God’s judgement; 而不肯因信靠神哪怕自己吃亏，去等候神的审判;chapter 7-14, 第7-14章，Paul deals with marriage, idolatry and proper worship in the church, 保罗在教会中处理婚姻，偶像崇拜和怎样去合适敬拜的问题，and then goes on to chapter 15, 然后到第15章，Paul starts his teaching of the doctrine of the resurrection, 保罗开始教导复活的教义，because some of the people in the church of Corinth didn’t even believe in resurrection. 因为哥林多教会的一些人居然不相信复活。Let’s look at v. 12 我们来看看第12节。

1, The reality of the resurrection of Christ. (v. 12-21) 基督复活的实际

12 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 既传基督是从死里复活了，怎么在你们中间有人说没有死人复活的事呢？ 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 若没有死人复活的事，基督也就没有复活了。

Paul the apostle knows that this is a crucial matter for believers who don’t believe in the resurrection of the dead. 使徒保罗知道，不相信复活对信徒来说是大问题。For this actually denies the resurrection of Christ. 因这实际上是否认了基督的复活。So he explains, 所以他解释说，“if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. V.13” 若没有死人复活的事，基督也就没有复活了。（13节）  “For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 因为死人若不复活，基督也就没有复活了。17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 基督若没有复活，你们的信便是徒然，你们仍在罪里。v. 16-17” Then, Paul lists a list of what would have happened if Jesus Christ had not been raised: 于是，保罗列了个若耶稣基督没复活会怎样的清单：

a, if Christ wasn’t raised from the dead, we are liars. (v. 14-15) a．若基督没有复活，我们都在说谎

v. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 14 若基督没有复活，我们所传的便是枉然，你们所信的也是枉然。 15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 15 并且明显我们是为神妄作见证的，因我们见证神是叫基督复活了；若死人真不复活，神也就没有叫基督复活了。

What Paul says here is that if Christ wasn’t raised from the dead, 保罗在这里所说的是，如果基督没有从死里复活，we preach lies, and believe lies. 我们就是在撒谎，就是信谎言。And the disciples who witnessed the resurrected Christ including himself were liars那些门徒见证基督复活的，包括他自己都是骗子，and gave false testimonies.并做了假见证。 And then the Christian faith is based on lies. 那样基督教信仰就基于谎言。

Fortunately, Christ was raised from the dead. 可是，基督从死里复活了。Christianity is truly based on truth and historical fact. 基督教是真实的建立在真理和历史事实的基础上。Paul points out this fact in v. 1-11, 保罗在第1-11节中指出了这个事实，the fact is that Jesus Christ died, and was buried, 事实上耶稣基督死了，被埋葬了，and was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. 并且根据圣经在第三天复活了。The risen Lord first appeared to Peter, and then to the Eleven. 复活的主首先现给彼得看，然后11个 门徒。After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, 之后，他同时现给五百多个兄弟看，most of them were still alive in Paul’s day. 在保罗的年代他们当中的大多数人还活着。The fact is that Jesus’ tomb was empty! 事实上耶稣的坟墓是空的。To be honest 说实在的 if Jesus wasn’t resurrected, 如果耶稣没有复活，I was still a sinful business woman, 我仍然是带着天然罪性的女商人，and there wouldn’t be the home church, 也不会有家里的教会，because it was formed by the resurrection power of the Lord因它是照着真理，和基督复活大能下，with so many visible signs and wonders according to His truth. 和祂同在的神迹奇事大作为而建立的。

b. If Christ was not raised from the dead, we are guilty! 若基督没有复活，我们还在罪中  v. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 16 因为死人若不复活，基督也就没有复活了。17 基督若没有复活，你们的信便是徒然，你们仍在罪里。

In Romans 4:25, 在罗马书4:25中，Paul links our justification to Christ’s resurrection. 保罗将我们的称义与基督的复活连在一起。“He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” “耶稣被交给人，是为我们 的过犯，复活，是为叫我们称义。” In other words, 换句话说，without the resurrection, there is no justification, 没有复活，没有称义，we are still guilty. 我们仍在罪中。But through Christ’s resurrection, 但借着基督的复活，we have now received the Holy Spirit, 我们现在领受了圣灵，through our union with Christ by being sealed with the Spirit of God (Eph 4:30), positionally, 借着我们与基督联合，在圣灵的印记里（以弗所书4:30），we are seen by God as justified like Jesus; 在地位上，我们被神看为像耶稣一样被称义; We are just as righteous as Jesus; We are just as guiltless as Jesus. 和基督一样的义; 和耶稣一样无罪。（地位上的）

c. If Christ was not raised from the dead, we are hopeless! 若基督没有复活，我们在无望中

18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 18 就是在基督里睡了的人，也灭亡了。19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. 19 我们若靠基督只在今生有指望，就算比众人更可怜！

What Paul says is that if Christ hadn’t been raised from the dead, 保罗所说的是，如果基督没有从死里复活，they wouldn’t see any saints who had died, 他们就不会再见任何已死去的圣徒，and there is no hope beyond the grave. 除了坟墓别无所望。If there is no resurrection, 如果基督没有复活，why should believers deny the desires of the self by obeying God’s commands? 信徒为什么要否定自己的欲望来遵守上帝的命令？ Whereas unbelievers enjoy the pleasures of this life? 而不信的倒是享受今生？I still remember, 我还记得，when I was non-Christian,当我不是基督徒时，I said this to somebody, 我说过，“what’s the point in giving my good things to others? 干吗要把自己的好东西给别人？when we all will die and end up in the grave. 反正大家都是会死到坟墓去。Better to enjoy good things in this life. 不如好好享受今生。” But when I encountered the risen Lord, 但是当我遇到复活的主时，He said, 他说，“give your good things to the poor. 把你的好东西给穷人。” I obeyed His commands quickly. 我就快快的听从了他的命令。For we don’t have hope just for this life, 因我们的盼望不是今生，but for the life to come. 乃是永恒。

2, The order of the resurrection (v.22-23) 复活的次序（22-23节）

20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 但基督已经从死里复活，成为睡了之人初熟的果子。21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 死既是因一人而来，死人复活也是因一人而来。22 For as in Adam all die, 在 亚当 里众人都死了；so in Christ all will be made alive. 照样，在基督里众人也都要复活。 23 But each in turn: 但各人是按着自己的次序复活：Christ, the firstfruits; 初熟的果子是基督； then, when he comes, those who belong to him. 以后，在他来的时候，是那些属基督的。

In this passage, 在这段话里，it is the first time that Paul comes up with the perspective of the priority of resurrection, 保罗第一次提到复活的先后次序的观点，that Christ is the firstfruits of the resurrection among the dead. 基督是死人复活的初熟的果子。Well, someone may ask, 有人可能会问，“what about Lazarus? 那拉撒路呢？Wasn’t he raised from the dead prior to Jesus? 他不是在耶稣之前从死里复活的吗？” Yes, Lazarus had come back to life, 是的，拉撒路复活了，but he died again. 但他又死了。

The resurrection Paul mentions refers to living forever, 保罗提到复活是指永生，that death no longer has dominion over us (see Romans 6:9). 死不再做我们的主(罗马书6：9)。Death came through Adam and his fall, 死亡来自亚当和他的堕落，in the same way, through the firstfruit of Christ’s resurrection, 同样，借着基督复活的初熟果子，his believers also will be resurrected and will never die. 信祂的人也会复活，永远不会死。

Interestingly, 有趣的是，Paul tells us, that we will rise up “each in his own order, v.23”. 保罗还说我们会“各人按着自己的次序”复活（23节）。It implies that the reality of Jesus’ resurrection gives us a future reality of our’ resurrection, 这里暗示耶稣的复活也给了我们将来的复活，and there is an order for resurrection.并且复活是按着一种次序复活。The bible tells us that Christ Jesus is the firstfruits of the dead. 圣经告诉我们，基督耶稣是睡了之人初熟的果子。Soon after Christ’s resurrection, 基督复活后不久，in Matt 27:52-53, 在马太福音27：52-53中，we see that a few Jewish saints buried around Jerusalem came out of the tombs, 我们看到耶路撒冷周围有几个犹太圣徒从坟墓里出来，and appeared to many people. 向众人显现。

In Thess 4:14-17, （帖前4：14-17）说，it tells us that the dead in Christ will rise first, 死在基督里的，必先复活， then the alive will be caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air. 然后活着的人与他们一同被提，在空中与主相遇。Not only will there be the resurrection of the body of Christ, the Church, 不但基督的身体，就是教会，会复活，but also there will be a resurrection of all kingdom saints, 也会有所有国度的圣徒，the OT believers (Dan12:1-2). 旧约的信徒(但12：1-2)。Job says约伯说, “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth, 我知道我的救赎主活着，末了必站立在地上。and after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God. 我这皮肉灭绝之后，  我必在肉体之外得见　神。I myself will see him with my own eyes, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! 我自己要见他， 亲眼要看他，并不像外人。 我的心肠在我里面消灭了！Job 19:25-27.”  （约伯记 19:25-27）

And the martyrs and the faithful saints during the tribulation. 和在大灾难期间的殉道者并忠心的圣徒Re 20:4b-5（启示录 20:4下-5）“And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded (martyrs) because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. 我又看见……为　神之道被斩者的灵魂，They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands.(faithful saints) 我又看见那些因为给耶稣作见证，和那没有拜过兽与兽像，也没有在额上和手上受过他印记之人的灵魂，They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 他们都复活了，与基督一同作王一千年。5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection” 这是头一次的复活。（其余的死人还没有复活，直等那一千年完了。）

Eventually, 最终，all the saints will be resurrected from the dead, 所有的圣徒都将从死亡中复活，when Christ returns to the earth to literally reign on earth with them. 当基督回到地上，与他们一起在地上真实地作王之时。This is the first resurrection. 这是第一次复活。After the 1000 years reign of Christ on earth, 在基督在地上掌权1000年后，comes the second resurrection (Re 20:11-15), 发生第二次复活(启20：11-15)，all unbelievers will be resurrected and judged and thrown into the lake of fire. 所有不信教的人都会复活，受审，并被扔到火湖里去。

But what we should take careful notice of is that there will be another judgement that takes place before the 1000 years reign of Christ, 但我们当留意的是，在基督1000年的掌权来临之前，还有另一个审判，for the bible tells us that God’s judgement begins with God’s household.圣经说，神的审判是从神家开始的。

In Hebrews 10:30, For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” （希伯来书 10:30 ）因为我们知道谁说：「伸冤在我，我必报应」；又 说 ：「主要审判他的百姓。」“Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! James 5:9” 弟兄们，你们不要彼此埋怨，免得受审判。看哪，审判的 主 站在门前了。（雅各书 5:9 ） It means that the Judge is coming to judge soon. 意思是审判的主很快就要来审判了 In 1 Peter 4:17（彼前4：17）For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 因为时候到了，审判要从　神的家起首。若是先从我们起首，那不信从　神福音的人将有何等的结局呢？ it clearly says that judgement begins with us – the family of God.清楚地说,审判从神家就是教会开始。

Jesus himself points out that judgement begins with his people many times. 耶稣亲自说了很多次关于 审判是从他的子民开始。For example, in Matt 24, 例如，在 马太福音第24章中，Jesus talks about how to judge the unfaithful servant耶稣谈到如何审判那些不忠心的仆人，who beats his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards, 他打其他仆人，和醉酒的人一同吃喝，of course, if you carefully read the whole bible, 当然，如果你仔细阅读整本圣经，you will know that they are talking about believers who pass judgement or criticism on others你就会知道他们在谈论的是那些挑剔论断他人的信徒，without showing the forgiveness that the Lord has shown to them, 他们没有彰显主对他们的饶恕给他人，and they enjoy the pleasure of sin for a short time. 而是享受暂时的罪中之乐。Jesus says that when the Lord returns, 耶稣说主再来的时候，

“51 He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” （马太福音 24:51 ）重重地处治他 ，定他和假冒为善的人同罪；在那里必要哀哭切齿了。

It doesn’t mean that the unfaithful servant will be put into hell forever. 这不是说，不忠心的仆人会被永远关在地狱里。For Jesus clearly says that this is the time when the owner of the house returns, He will judge his household not the unbelievers. 因为耶稣明明白白地说，家主回来的时候，会审判全家，而不是审判非信徒。This refers to the first resurrection这里指的是第一次复活，not the second resurrection after His 1000 years reign. 不是千年国度之后的第二次复活。Moreover, the unfaithful servant is judged and assigned the same as the hypocrites. 此外，不忠心的仆人也会受审，定他与假冒伪善的人同罪。Although he is cut to pieces, he is still alive .他虽被切成块，但仍活着，and can be weeping and gnashing his teeth, 可以哭泣和咬牙，which means that he regrets his choice就是说他为自己的选择懊悔。

Later, Jesus told another parable of the ten virgins. 后来，耶稣又讲了十个童女比喻。The Lord acknowledges that the 5 foolish virgins are virgins, 主承认那五个愚昧的童女是童女， not unbelievers, 不是非信徒，but because they lack being filled and led by the Holy Spirit, 因为他们缺乏圣灵的充满和带领，their lives are unable to glorify the Lord, 所以他们的生命不能荣耀神，so when the Lord returns, they are kept out of the door by the Lord, 因此主来的时候，他们被关在门外，but they are still judged as His household when the owner returns before His 1000 years reign not as unbelievers. 但他们还是在主人来千年掌权前，如同神家的人被审判，不是与非信徒一起被审判。

In Luke 19:11-27, 在路加福音19章11-27节中，Jesus reveals a principle of his rewards to us, 耶稣启示了神赏赐的法则，that He doesn’t just commend his faithful servant who has been trustworthy in a very small matter by saying, “well done”, but also, 他不是仅仅赞扬在最小的事上忠心的义仆，说“做得好”，Jesus rewards him with authority over 10 cities.祂还赏赐他有权柄管十座城。Another one is rewarded by taking charge of five cities. 另一个人得了管五座城的赏赐。

But the wicked servant, who lives life for himself, and misinterprets Jesus’ will, 惟有那为自己活，误解耶稣旨意的恶仆人，so, what he has is taken away and given to the one who already has ten. 他所有的要夺过来，赐给那已有十锭银子的。Praise God for His way is just! 赞美神，因为他的道是公平的！

We know that in a kingdom, 我们知道，在一个国家里，there are people who are in power and those who are powerless, 有些人是当权者，有些人是没权的，or there are people who are leaders and those who are just ordinary people. 有些人是领袖，有些人只是普通人。The same for God’s kingdom, 神国度也是同样，you don’t have to be jealousy of people who are in power in this age, 你不必嫉妒在这个世代掌权的人，for life is too short to keep that power. 这权力因生命短暂不能持久。

Our Lord Jesus set an example for us, 主耶稣给我们做了榜样，he took on the semblance of a carpenter, 他取了木匠的形象，who was completely powerless in this world. 在这个世上完全无权无势。But through his obedience to God even to death on the Cross, 但借他顺服神，甚至顺服至于死在十架上，he was raised to the highest place, 被父升为至高，and has been given all authority and power in heaven and on earth! 并且得着天上和地上一切权柄和能力。If you follow His way, 如果你跟随他的道路，you will inherit His Kingdom. 就可承受祂的国。And His dominion is an everlasting dominion, 他的权柄是永有的，and His kingdom will never be destroyed. 他的国存到万代。Jesus gives us the promise of a resurrected life, 耶稣应许我们复活的生命、and of a resurrection of dominion as a reward主耶稣不但给我们复活生命的应许，并赐在祂国度一同掌权为赏赐的应许

3, The reality of resurrection destroys death (v. 24-26) 复活的实际毁灭死亡。

24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 再后，末期到了，那时，基督既将一切执政的、掌权的、有能的，都毁灭了，就把国交与父神。25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 因为基督必要作王，等神把一切仇敌都放在祂的脚下。26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.尽末了所毁灭的仇敌就是死。

Why is death the last enemy to be destroyed?为什么最后所毁灭的仇敌就是死？

We know that Since Christ was resurrected from the dead, death has already been destroyed.我们知道，因着基督从死里复活，死亡已被毁灭。 (2Ti 1:10, Heb 2:14) Hebrews 2:14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil.(2Ti 1：10，希伯来书2：14) 儿女既同有血肉之体，祂也照样亲自成了血肉之体，特要藉着死，败坏那掌死权的，就是魔鬼，But Christ is the head of His body – the church.但基督是教会的头。The head who is sinless has destroyed death through His resurrection, 这头因复活已败坏了死权，and now is waiting for the body – His Church who still has a sinful nature and will sin.现在正等着身子复活— 就是目前仍有旧人罪性，也会犯罪的教会。

But when the time of the resurrection of the church comes, 但到了教会复活的时候，the power of sin and death then will be completely swallowed up.罪和死的权势就必被完全吞灭了。 For the reality of the resurrection of the church因为教会复活的实际，which comes through faith in Christ’s righteousness will eventually destroy the power of death which comes through rebellion and sin. 藉着因信基督的义，最终会败坏因叛逆和罪而来的死亡。 And Jesus must destroy all dominion, all authority and all power on this earth which are in opposition and rebellion to God’s authority.并且耶稣再来时必摧毁这世界一切的悖逆不义的国度权柄能力。

When sin is destroyed through the power of resurrection, 当借着复活的大能罪被败坏时，death is destroyed! 死亡就被败坏了！ We praise our Lord Jesus and His salvation!我们赞美我们的主耶稣并祂的救恩！He gives us great hope for the future!祂给我们何其大的盼望！What a great Kingdom of Christ!神的国何其伟大！He will reign with His righteousness forever!祂必以公义作王，直到永远！

 What does that mean for us?这对我们意味着什么？Let’s look at Revelation 20:4a, 让我们看看启示录20：4A，“4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge.4我看见坐在宝座上的，就是那些被赋予审判权的人。 it says, “thrones”, it’s not just one throne for God.上面记着，“宝座”，这不仅仅是上帝的一个宝座。 After the judgement the Lord has already rewarded them by putting them on the thrones.在审判之后，耶和华已经赏赐祂们，把他们放在宝座上。 But who are those who had been given authority to sit on the thrones to judge?但那些被赋予权力坐在宝座上审判的人是谁呢？

 In Matt 19, Peter the apostle once asked Jesus, 马太福音19章，使徒彼得曾问主， “27 Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you!What then will there be for us? 彼得就对他说：“看哪，我们已经撇下所有的跟从你，将来我们要得什么呢？”28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 耶稣说：“我实在告诉你们：你们这跟从我的人，到复兴的时候，人子坐在他荣耀的宝座上，你们也要坐在十二个宝座上，审判以色列十二个支派。29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. 凡为我的名撇下房屋或是弟兄、姐妹、父亲、母亲（有古卷添“妻子”）、儿女、田地的，必要得着百倍，并且承受永生。30 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first. 然而，有许多在前的，将要在后；在后的，将要在前。

Jesus clearly says, that those disciples who left everything and followed Jesus, 耶稣说得很清楚，那些撇下一切，跟随耶稣，and put God’s commands first in their lives by loving God and denying the desires of the self will be rewarded first.把神的诫命放在生命首位的门徒，就是爱神，攻克己身，他们要先得赏赐。Because of limited time, I can’t say much, 时间有限，这里不说太多，but we’ll continue to look at God’s promise about inheriting the Kingdom later on.我们下次再分享关于承受神国的应许。

 Brothers and sisters, this life is too short. 兄弟姐妹们，人生太短暂了。 But our Lord gives us great hope for the life to come.但我们的主带给我们在永生中的盼望是何其大！How you live your lives really matters! 你如何过这一生真的很重要！Whether you take God’s commands seriously really affects you eternally!你是否认真行神的命令真实的影响你永恒里的产业！

We pray that God would continue to open our minds我们祈求神继续打开我们的心， to understand what great things Jesus has done for us personally, 使我们能明白耶稣为我们成就的大事，and what resurrection means for us personally, 以及复活对我们个人的意义，so that we may live for God’s promises as we please God by earnestly seeking Him in everything we do trusting in His rewards (Heb 11:6).使我们可以为神的应许而活，在我们所做的一切事上信祂赏赐那寻求祂的人。 (希伯来书11：6)。