Yes, it is a consistent biblical pattern where the natural precedes the spiritual, as seen in Adam and Christ and other pairs.
Les Feldick teaches that throughout Scripture, God consistently places the natural first and the spiritual second. This is evident in Adam (natural) and Christ (spiritual), Cain/Abel, Ishmael/Isaac, Esau/Jacob, Saul/David, and even the Antichrist and Christ. The pattern shows that the natural is earthly and physical, while the spiritual is heavenly and eternal.
1 Corinthians 15:46 — This verse directly states the principle: 'Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.'
In 1 Corinthians 15, the Apostle Paul contrasts the natural body and the spiritual body. Verse 44 states, 'It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.' Verse 45 identifies the first Adam as 'a living soul' and the last Adam as 'a quickening spirit.' Verse 46 explains the order: 'Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.' Verse 47 further distinguishes: 'The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.'
Les Feldick emphasizes that 'first the natural, then the spiritual' is a 'rule of thumb' or 'law of Scripture' that runs from Genesis to Revelation. He cites multiple examples: Adam as the natural first man and Christ as the spiritual second Adam; Cain (natural) before Abel (spiritual); Ishmael (natural) before Isaac (spiritual); Esau (natural) before Jacob (spiritual); King Saul (natural) before King David (spiritual). Even in the end times, the Antichrist comes first as the natural, then Christ as the spiritual. For believers, we are born natural (of the flesh) and become spiritual after salvation. The resurrection body, though spiritual, retains outward human features but is powered by the Spirit and has eternal life.
Les explains that Adam was the first man, created from the earth, and thus earthy and natural. Christ, the second Adam, is described as the 'Lord from heaven' and is spiritual. Paul references this in 1 Corinthians 15:45-47. The natural comes first (Adam) and then the spiritual (Christ). This is a foundational example of the pattern.
Les points to several pairs: Cain (natural) and Abel (spiritual); Ishmael (natural) and Isaac (spiritual); Esau (natural) and Jacob (spiritual); King Saul (natural) and King David (spiritual). He also mentions the end-time pair: the Antichrist (natural) and Christ (spiritual). These examples illustrate the consistent rule throughout Scripture.
Les teaches that we are born natural, of the flesh, but after salvation we become spiritual. The resurrection body will be a spiritual body, yet it will have the same outward features as our current body, but with the Spirit as its life source and eternal life instead of a limited lifespan. This is our blessed hope as believers.
Resurrection Body and the Spiritual
Les explains that the natural body is sown and raised a spiritual body, retaining outward features but having the Spirit as its life source and eternal life.
Pattern of Natural Then Spiritual
Les lists examples of the pattern: Cain/Abel, Esau/Jacob, Saul/David, and the Antichrist/Christ, and applies it to believers becoming spiritual after salvation.
Adam as Natural, Christ as Spiritual
Les contrasts the first man Adam (earthly, natural) with the second Adam Christ (spiritual) and gives other examples like Cain/Abel and Esau/Jacob.
Adam and Christ Contrast
Les emphasizes that Adam was made from dust (earthy) while Christ is the Lord from heaven, showing the natural comes before the spiritual.
Law of Scripture
Les calls the pattern a 'law of Scripture' and shows it applies to us from being born natural to becoming spiritual after salvation, and to the Antichrist and Christ.
Rule of Thumb
Les introduces the 'rule of thumb' that the natural always comes first, followed by the spiritual, using Cain/Abel, Esau/Jacob, and Saul/David as examples.
Continuation in Paul's Writing
Les connects Paul's teaching in 1 Corinthians 15 with the Old Testament pattern, reinforcing that Adam is natural and Christ is spiritual.
First Natural Then Spiritual
Les explicitly teaches that 'first the natural and then the spiritual' is the process all through Scripture, using Adam and Christ as the prime example.
1 Corinthians 15:44: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
Paul contrasts the natural and spiritual bodies, directly supporting the pattern.
1 Corinthians 15:45: And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
Shows the first Adam as a living soul and the last Adam (Christ) as life-giving spirit.
1 Corinthians 15:46: Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
Explicitly states the order: natural comes first, then spiritual.
1 Corinthians 15:47: The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
Contrasts the earthy first man with the heavenly second man.
It means that in God's dealings, the natural (earthly, physical) aspect comes before the spiritual (heavenly, eternal) aspect. This is seen in Adam and Christ, and in many other biblical pairs.
The pattern appears in 1 Corinthians 15:44-47 and is illustrated in examples like Adam/Christ, Cain/Abel, Ishmael/Isaac, Esau/Jacob, and Saul/David, as Les Feldick points out.
Believers are born natural (of the flesh) but become spiritual through salvation. The resurrection body will be a spiritual body, yet retaining outward human features, with the Spirit as its life source and eternal life.
Watch the Teaching: Why a Seed Must Die Before It Can Live — 1 Corinthians 15:36 Explained