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The first shall be last?
Deborah-Leigh:
Hi Layla
That was very comprehensively written! and soundly explained! :)
Scripture...the words that Jesus speaks are spirit and are life that has extensive meaning....Can we apply "The first shall be last and the last shall be first" in our lives perhaps....like when we submit to being last, when we lower ourselves, when we do not contest or oppose or sit in the way of sinners? When we accept persecution for refuting with evidence, (as Ray does) false doctrines or heresy.....or do we cower under a blanket of peace (sit in the way of sinners) which for me is a disguise for self protection, (putting ourselves first and offering nothing ) when we encounter false teaching..
Let me be the first to answer this contentious question....I have done this... because I have percieved that blindness is unteachable and this has justified me sharing nothing....I should have been willing rather to express my understanding no matter how contrary it appears and no matter how threatening to idolitary of the heart to those who hear...but I should do this with a spirit of gentlness and humbleness...Do I do this...? Have I ever done this...No...Why...because I have put myself first and persecution last....Is that correct? No...If I fear the blind because of their vast numbers then I would be better off in vocal blindness than in unspoken sight...MY motive?...to open the gates of persecution against me and to follow Christ...HIM FIRST and Me LAST....following in His blood stained footsteps with compassion and love...
Do I do this? No. Do I even want to do this? No....Do I want to WANT to do this? YES...
I think I am about, maybe perhaps half way there!....or maybe I have just begun!....
Arcturus :)
Layla:
Hi Arcturus
While I find the scriptures are as Willie wrote "layered" I also believe the scriptures have reference to both the corporate body and the individual. For example the fulfillment of Passover for the corporate body was Jesus laying down His life and making atonement for sin. The fulfillment of Passover on the individual level is when through faith in the blood of Christ Jesus. Just as the corporate fullfillment for the Feast of Pentecost occurred through the 120 in the upper room, the individual fullfillment is when we receive the Holy Spirit. What I had shared definitely is applicable to the corporate body, but you have shown an application for the individual, and beautifully put I might add.
Peace,
Layla
Deborah-Leigh:
Hi Layla
This scripture came up for me after reading your post...Eph 4:16 (AMPL) For because of HIM the whole body, the church, in all its various parts, closely joined and firmly knit together by the joints and ligaments with which it is supplied, when each part, with power adapted to its need, is working properly in all its functions, grows to full maturity, building itself up in love.
Then God directed me to this scripture...1 Cor 1:10 But I urge and entreat you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in perfect harmony and full agreement in what you say, and that there be no dissensions or factions or divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in your common understanding and in your opinions and judgements...
I feel that this is what has been happening through your posts!..... :)because of HIM! :)
Arcturus :)
hillsbororiver:
Great thread Arcturus and everyone who has contributed, we can see this first/last theme throughout scripture.
1st Man = Adam
2nd Man = Christ
Esau 1st
Jacob 2nd
Physical Israel 1st
Spirtual Israel 2nd
OT Prophets
NT Saints (Elect)
Also consider the implications of what our Lord is saying here;
Mat 11:11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
But this wonderful and beautiful verse (among many) shows that He is in all His creation ultimately;
Isa 48:12 Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last.
His Peace and Wisdom to you,
Joe
Kat:
I have been reading this thread and it really has stirred my interest in this saying,
'first will be last, and the last first.'
Matt. 19:30 would more appropriately be at the beginning of chapter 20,
there is a parable that follows that explains what this is talking about.
Mat 19:30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.
Mat 20:1 "For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.
The word 'for' shows that this chapter should have been connected with the preceding. This parable is an explanation of the reward of the kingdom. So Christ immediately starts to give His spirit to His chosen.
v.2 After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, He sent them into his vineyard.
v.3 And going out about the third hour He saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
This was, therefore about nine o’clock in the morning, still early in the day.
v.4 and to them he said, 'You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.'
They did not ask Him to hire them, He chose them. And these people were idle, which means (Strong's- inactive, that is, unemployed; (by implication) lazy, useless: - barren, idle, slow). This sounds like 1Cor. 1:26-29, weak, base, and foolish things of the world.
v.5 So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, He did the same.
So Christ repeatedly chooses and gives His spirit, all day long. This 'day' would be the time from His ascension until His return
v.6 And about the eleventh hour He went out and found others standing. And He said to them, 'Why do you stand here idle all day?'
v.7 They said to Him, 'Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, 'You go into the vineyard too.'
About five o’clock in the afternoon, or when there was but one working hour left in the day, so Christ gives His spirit to those choosen, right up until His return.
v.8 And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to His foreman, 'Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.'
So all the faithful labourers in the Lord's vineyard are given their reward, starting with the last that were chosen and going to the first, so that the ones working the longest were paid last.
v.9 And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius.
v.10 Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius.
v.11 And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house,
v.12 saying, 'These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.'
v.13 But he replied to one of them, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius?
v.14 Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you.
v.15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?'
Christ here shows that He will not show partiality, all of the elect will receive the same reward.
Col 3:23 "Whatever you do, work at it wholeheartedly as though you were doing it for the Lord and not merely for people. v.24 You know that it is from the Lord that you will receive the inheritance as a reward. It is the Lord Christ whom you are serving!"
Isa 40:10 "Behold, the Lord Jehovah will come with strength, and His arm [Strong's - the arm (as stretched out), figuratively force - arm + help, mighty, power, shoulder, strength] rules for Him. Behold, His reward is with Him, and His wage before Him."
Rom 6:22 And now, having been freed from the sin, and having become servants to God, ye have your fruit--to sanctification, and the end life age-during; v.23 for the wages of the sin is death, and the gift of God is life age-during in Christ Jesus our Lord.
v.16 So the last will be first, and the first last." Same as verse 8.
I have wondered about this scripture before, but had never studied it.
So along with what everyone else has said about this, it has really helped my understanding.
mercy, peace, and love
Kat
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