Firstfruits and the Redemption of the Purchased Possession"But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the FIRSTFRUITS of those who have fallen asleep."(my emphasis)(1Corinthians 15:20)Christ the FIRSTFRUITS from the dead.The first in a resurrected glorified body."Not only that, but we also who have the FIRSTFRUITS of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body."(my emphasis)(Romans 8:23)We the FIRSTFRUITS of the Spirit.The first to have the indwelling and the sealing of the Holy Spirit of God."In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were SEALED with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the GUARANTEE of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory."(my emphasis)(Ephesians 1:13-14)"If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable."(1Corinthians 15:19)The "Redemption of the Purchased possession."This is why our hope in Christ is not in this life only and we are not most miserable.World events can tend to make us uneasy and cause us to wonder what might be in store for us if the Lord doesn't come soon.We see and hear of brothers and sisters in Christ in many places in this world being in miserable persecution and we know that we aren't guaranteed that we won't have the same where we live.We wonder if we can bear it if it comes.In our own strength,it will be impossible.That is why we are sealed with His Spirit and it isn't the Spirit of fear."For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."(2Timothy 1:7)Power within us to overcome,love within us toward others and a sound mind toward the truth of God's Word and His plans and promises.Our hope is in the Resurrected Christ and His soon coming for us and not in any temporary miserable hope the life in this world presents."For the Lord Himself WILL descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ WILL rise first. Then we who are alive and remain SHALL be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we SHALL always be with the Lord. Therefore COMFORT one another with these words." (my emphasis)(1Thessalonians 4:16-18) UNTIL HE COMESEVEN SO COME LORD JESUS,PERHAPS TODAY