2134.-Firstborn of the Dead. Rev. 1: 5 by A. L. M.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Jun 26, 1907

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 33, No. 26.

2134.—Firstborn of the Dead. Rev. 1: 5.

By A. L. M.

Was Christ the first to rise from the dead? A. L. M.

Not in the sense of priority of time. Firstborn and first-fruits indicate preeminence as well as priority, and sometimes preeminence rather than priority of time. So as between Joseph's sons, Ephraim is called the firstborn altho Manasseh was the firstborn. Israel is called the firstborn altho Esau was the firstborn in time. Jesus is called the firstborn of the dead because by virtue of His sacrifice and offering all are raised from the dead. He was also the first in time that should rise from the dead and show light unto the people and to the Gentiles. Acts 26:23. If you will ever keep this in mind that first does not necessarily mean in point of time, but preeminence, all these expressions of scripture will not be difficult to understand.