The First Adam and the Last Adam

The First Adam and the Last Adam

The first man, Adam, became a living soul, and he was of the earth, earthly. The last Adam became a life-giving spirit and is from heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man. 1 Cor. 15:45-49. It is written about Jesus, “He poured out His soul unto death.” Isa. 53:12.

We can clearly tell that the first man is earthly. According to our nature we have a sense for the visible things, and our life is in this world. We bear the image of the earthly man. This world and the things of this world will pass away. Thus we also know that our body is subject to corruption. Jesus came to save us from all this. He is from heaven, and it is His desire that we shall also become heavenly. Therefore He had to be born into mankind and become the Son of Man. He poured out His soul unto death. He brought the first Adam (the life that had a sense for this world and loved the things that are in the world) into death. He became a life-giving spirit. Therefore He did not have any splendor or appearance that we should desire Him. The wise men of this world did not understand Him. The Pharisees and the scribes were earthly. Jesus judged the things they loved and admired. Therefore they viewed Him as a danger to themselves, and as a result they crucified Him.

This gives us an understanding of why Jesus said, “Whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:33. Whatever we do not want to forsake becomes food for the first Adam who was cursed. Then I will never have victory over sin. My spirit is and will remain earthly. You, who have been raised up with Christ, seek the things that are above and not the things of this earth. We have been chosen for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. 2 Thess. 2:13. Then we become heavenly. We get a sense for the things that pertain to God—for that which is invisible, that which is eternal. 2 Cor. 4:18. Then we will have our center of gravity in heaven.

We will also realize that the corruptible body, which we have, is not suitable for our spirit. We display a living interest in our spirit when we are together and converse about the things that God has prepared for those who love Him. Our spirit never gets tired, but our body can only hold out for a certain length of time. If we converse about serving each other, then the spirit is alive, and we can see a large field of activity; but we have our limitations because of our body. We long for a body that is suitable for our spirit, so that we might also bear the image of the heavenly Man. Therefore we rejoice at the prospect of the sound of the last trumpet. Then we will be raptured and meet Him in the clouds and be clothed with incorruption.

A person who has not forsaken everything does not partake of this salvation through sanctification by the Spirit. They remain earthly, and when the trumpet sounds they will not be raptured. They will not have a share in the first resurrection. Therefore when they see that the earthly house of their body is broken down, they lose courage, for they do not have a habitation in heaven. But those who have forsaken everything do not lose courage. For if the outward man perishes, the inward man is renewed day by day. They have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 Cor. 5:1.

This body is sown in dishonor and weakness, but it is raised in power and glory. It does not look encouraging when we are to lose our earthly glory, well-being, and expectations. Then our faith is being tried. The eyes of our heart are opened so we can see the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. We receive a heavenly glory instead. It is raised in power. This is how we can be an aroma of death to death for those who are perishing and an aroma of life to life for those who are being saved.

For us, Christ is our life, and death is gain. Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore let us always be rich in the work of the Lord, since our work in the Lord is not in vain.