Dear Zander
Throughout this Thread, you exhibit vast reserves of patience, longsuffering and level headed integrity. Our brothers and sisters do the same as they rush to assist your quest and thirst to understand.
In response to the maturity shown in the dialogue unfolding in this discussion, permit me to elaborate upon the perspective from where I view the dilemma that promotes your valid question.
We know that we are of the Body of Christ. There is One Body, and that IS Christ. At first glance, this might seem basic, rudimentary and acceptable, yet within this simple statement of Truth remains a vital spirit quickening realization.
We are of God. There is nothing outside of God. All is of God.
As the Body of Christ of which we are, then as fingers on a hand we are as one to another. One is the index the other is the pinky etc. Paul expounds this concept as follows.
Rom 12:5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
The discussion regarding the race and the winner points to the One who has already won the race. That One is Christ Jesus.
The discussion regarding first and second resurrection, harsh stripes and light stripes are also as one occurrence, as One Body of Christ.
If you be the hands and you get a wrap across the knuckles, then the Hands get the many stripes and the rest of the Body feels it albeit at a lighter stripe distance. ~ We are one.
We are loved of the Father as The Father loves His Son.
I see no hierarchy in the Kingdom of God.
Luk 22:26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
Mar 10:31 But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.
Arc