The First Will be Last and the Last Will be First? 5-7-24
Since the last message is referring to the Jews and how they rejected Jesus Christ, the Messiah, I felt it would be appropriate to piggy-back on that message.
So, the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen (Matthew 20:16). So many people misinterpret the true meaning. They use it pertaining to situations about their jobs.
For instance, someone may say “I may be last in line for a position, but the Bible says the first will be last and the last will be first.” They’re basically saying that they may be low on the totem pole now, but one day the situation will be reversed.
What exactly does this scripture mean? The Jews were called first, and because they rejected Christ the Messiah, the Gentiles were called to salvation. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name (John 1:11-12).
There are some Messianic Jews who embrace the Gospel of Jesus Christ; the nation as a whole rejected Him.
Those who receive salvation are the church which is the body of Christ; we the church have become first.
When it comes to the Jews who became the last because they rejected the Messiah, they will receive Jesus at the end of the tribulation, which is the second coming of Christ. They will see Him, the Messiah they rejected, and they will see His wounds. And one will say to him, What are these wounds between your arms? Then he will answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends (Zechariah 13:9). This is further proof that the Jews had Jesus crucified.
Proof that the Jews will go through the tribulation - And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed [12,000 from each tribe of Israel]- (Revelation 7:4).
After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb! (Revelation 7:9-10)
Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from? And I said to him, Sir, you know. So, he said to me, these are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, they are before the throne of God and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them (Revelation 7:13-15).
I pray that this message about the first will be last and the last will be first has been an eye-opener to you. I am waiting with expectation to be with the Lord!
Blessings!
Betty A. Burnett ~ burnettministries.org
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