I Corinthians 15: 27-34
Still talking about resurrection, Paul takes a related path here before talking about it directly.
But He has put all things in subjection under His feet. But when He says, "All things are put in subjection," it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him.
This means that when God the Father put all things under the rulership of the Son, the Father Himself was not under the Son, but the Son was still under the Father. That order never changed.
When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all.
When the Son gives back all creation to the Father, then the Son will still be subject to the Father, and God the Father will be directly over all and in all.
Otherwise, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for them?
Evidently they must have had a custom in Corinth of someone being baptized for a loved one who had died, who had not yet been baptized. Paul says, why do this if there is no life after death? If we just cease to exist when we die?
Why are we also in danger every hour?
I affirm, brethren, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
Paul faces persecution everywhere he goes.
If from human motives I fought with wild beasts at Ephesus, what does it profit me? If the dead are not raised, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die."
Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals."
If we just stay dead when we die, then there is no benefit to living a moral life, and we might as well just "grab the gusto" and live our lives for pleasure.
Become sober-minded as you ought, and stop sinning; for some have no knowledge of God. I speak to your shame.
Paul is admonishing them to think logically, and stop "missing the mark" in denying this logical fact flowing from Christ's Resurrection.
The immorality that results from purely materialistic thinking is damaging their witness among their neighbors. Knowing God is having an understanding of moral excellence, and it's a shame that these Christians have lost the good influence they should be having in their society.
O my Father, You are so good, and You are good to us every day. Help us to keep in mind that You have given us eternal Life, that starts right now and will last forever. And that You will change these frail bodies into bodies which will be suitable to live with You in Heaven, without being damaged by the Majesty of Your Radiance.
And we will live with You, in Your presence, serving and assisting You in governing and ruling all the creations that You may or will create throughout all future eternity!
Father, help all of us Your children to know what to expect, so we will be prepared to face all the changes and upheavals and persecution that will come upon us all as the End Times come to a close.
And Jesus is coming soon! And every eye will see, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord God Almighty, to the glory of Almighty God the Father!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
