> Introductions, Announcements, and More of Ray's Teachings
the first will be last and the last first
G. Driggs:
Hi Peter, welcome to the forums.
This is all I could find with regards to what Ray has said about, "the first will be last and the last first".
From www.bible-truths.com/emails.html
Dear Ray,
I'm am still so happy I came on your site. Okay. This is the truth. I read my bible now more than ever (answered prayer), and I come away with joy and peace and comfort (that never happened consistently until now). I have a newfound compassion for people in the world, including my father (who was especially not one of my favorite people in the world, for reasons I won't bore you with). I sit and think all day long everyday, "Who can I convince about this?"
See, I've tried telling my good friend, Michelle, and I have tried telling my sisters and brothers, but they don't believe me!!! They think I'm nuts. I've given them your website and I get no response. I was expecting for them to come back to me with, "Wow, Gina, this is so fantastic!!! What a load that's been taken off my shoulders!" But instead, I get nothing. I don't get angry, but frustrated! I have all this great news! and they won't listen,
I'm so excited! I just want everyone to know how good God is. Thanks so much for taking the time out of your schedule to research all of this for people like me!! We are so blessed. God Bless You!! I am so blessed!
Peace!
Gina
[Ray Replies]
Dear Gina:
Thank you for your kind words and encouragement.
Sadly, not all get as excited over the grand Truths of God as you do, but we know this is a time of apostasy and failing faith. Jesus asked, when the Son of Man returns to this earth, will He find faith? Not much! But it is all part of God's plan, just as your questions confirm.
Many are called, but few are chosen, and the last shall be first and first shall be last. Israel was hand-picked of all nations to be God's example of how a nation can be blessed and prosper when they obey and love God. Israel did not pass the test. God proved through Israel, that the carnal mind cannot keep the laws of God, nor can the carnal mind live God and love neighbor. So God is calling out a people who are not in a place of honor in this world. Poor people in the city, farmers, peasants, unlearned, people to a large extent.
As in the bidding to the wedding feast, God said bid the poor, maimed, the blind, etc., to come to the feast (of salvation). Paul said,
"For ye see your calling, brethren, how that NOT MANY wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God has chosen the weak thing of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and thighs which are despised, has God chosen, yes, and things which are not, to being to naught things that are" (I Cor. 1:26-28).
I know that I fit into this bunch of social rejects. But thank God He is making KINGS out of peasants!
So God is now calling a "spiritual Israel" who obey from the mind and heart, seeing that that is where God has placed His Holy Spirit. And so the "Children of the kingdom" (those who were in line for he throne--Israel) are set aside unto God chooses from the Gentiles a people to bear His Name. And then, Israel of old will be grafted back into the tree of life (Rom. 11), all Israel will then be saved, as well as the rest of Gentile world.
May God continue to bless and inspire you, Gina, as you yield to His perfect will for your life.
Ray
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I also think that Kat and Arc hit it right on with the Scriptures they provided.
Hope this helps
Peace, G.Driggs
Marky Mark:
Just to add; from a past post on the subject.
http://forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,6598.0.html
Peace...Mark
arion:
This is my opinion only...but something I've felt that God has shown me about this verse. I've also known that this refers to the physical jews who were first are going to be last. But I also feel that the physical 'church' who was first (in their own eyes) is going to be last as well.
Mat 7:21-23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Coming up and getting 'saved' (or so I thought) through the church system of man leads to pride thinking that we were the chosen elect and quite a bit of smugness as well. If those 'sinners' don't have enough sense to choose Christ then they deserve what they get, ect. I wonder if those in the church (of man) who are certainly given a lot more than the masses of humanity that know nothing about God and the scriptures and who are first in their own eyes will be surprised in the judgment and will actually be the last that are saved through the lake of fire?
Like I say this is my opinion only and I'm certainly open to correction on it but I'm thinking that there might be a lot more to this verse then what first appears to be.
Dave in Tenn:
--- Quote from: Arion on January 25, 2010, 04:37:38 PM --- I wonder if those in the church (of man) who are certainly given a lot more than the masses of humanity that know nothing about God and the scriptures and who are first in their own eyes will be surprised in the judgment and will actually be the last that are saved through the lake of fire?
--- End quote ---
Mat 21:28-31 But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
Neverless...
Luk 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
I don't know how all these things are going to take place after the resurrection, but if the 'church' which denies the Power of God to save His whole creation sees those they have abandoned to Hell entering the kingdom before them, after the "weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth" will come the same joy the angels have over all those sinners (publicans and harlots) being brought to repentance in the judgement of God. Then they can come in too, rejoicing.
We can do that now.
Dave in Tenn:
Welcome. Peter. I forgot to do that. ;D
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