Resurrection of the Dead

It may be said—If this is the meaning of the phrase "resurrection from the dead," why is it not used with reference to the dead spoken about in the long argument on the resurrection contained in 1 Cor. 15? The reason is very plain. A "resurrection from among the dead" is also a "resurrection of the dead", so that the latter expression may be employed with as much propriety of the first resurrection as of the second.
How, then, should we expect to have the two phrases used? Surely we should expect that when the object in view was to bring out the exclusive character of the resurrection, the first expression—"resurrection from among the dead"—would be employed. But when the object was to bring out, not the exclusive character of the resurrection, but merely the fact, the latter expression— "resurrection of the dead"—would be more natural. Now the whole argument in the chapter referred to is to show that believers will rise again. This some of the Corinthians were denying.
The Apostle replies by stating God's plan, partly executed already, about the first resurrection. His teaching has no reference whatever to the resurrection of unbelievers. The question of exclusive or general resurrection with respect to believers is not, therefore, touched upon. Christ is the firstfruits, then, "they that are Christ's at His coming" (1 Cor. 15:23), and at the same time even those believers who have not slept will be changed, and death will be swallowed up in victory (vv. 51-54).
Raising of Jesus and believers Looked at in this light, the accuracy of the language is very striking. The only dead named or contemplated in the chapter are Jesus Himself and believers in Him. The raising of Jesus, then, being before the others, is described as a "resurrection from [among] the dead" (vv. 12, 20). The raising of the believers, who comprise the whole of the remaining dead, is not described as a "resurrection from [among] the dead", but simply as a "resurrection of the dead" (vv. 21, 42). In this last case the use of the expression, "resurrection of the dead", was quite sufficient to bring out the truth which the Holy Spirit is teaching.
On the other hand, if bad and good are raised together for judgment, how is it that not a word is said about either the wicked dead or the judgment? The omission is surely most powerfully suggestive.
Though the chapter does not name the resurrection of the lost, it clearly shows when it will take place.
Every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at His coming. 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. For He must reign, till He hath put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 1 Cor. 15:23-26.
After Christ's own resurrection, then the order is: first, the resurrection of them that are Christ's at His coming; second, His reign, closing with the destruction of the last enemy, death; third, the end, when He shall have put all enemies under His feet, and delivered up the kingdom to God. But when the last enemy, Death, is destroyed, the rest of the dead are raised and judged also.