In the Old Testament, the Jewish people were required to present before the LORD the firstfruits of the produce of their land. In this act of worship, they set apart as holy to the LORD the first or best of their produce believing that God would bless them with much more fruit in the future. In fact, Kevin and Marvin Rosenthal write, “The Lord’s acceptance of the firstfruits is an ‘earnest,’ or pledge, on His part of a full harvest” (The Feasts of the LORD, pg.20).
Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:20 that in His resurrection Christ has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. To “fall asleep” is a euphemism for death and is here a reference to Christians who have died. Because Christ was raised from the dead as the firstfruits, we who belong to Him await with certainty the resurrection of our own bodies at His coming. What a glorious hope!