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[THE FIRST AND THE LAST - Part V

(Rev. 1:11)

by Leland Earls]

 

 

[Paul’s Changing Perspective on the Resurrection]

 

In seeking to answer the questions proposed by the Canadian reader concerning statements by Paul, I have been seeking to show how they cannot be understood apart from fitting them into the Master plan given by the FIRST and the LAST (Rev. 1:11). Where any statement by Paul seems to be in contradiction, then a closer look at what Paul has said must be taken and evaluated accordingly. We have already assessed the fact that Paul under­stood only "in part;" he did not have the complete picture of God's end time plan. Now I want to proceed further and deal with two other matters. First, there was a progression in Paul's understanding as seen in His earlier epistles as compared to later ones. Second, in certain passage when Paul uses such personal pronouns as "we" "us” or "our," we must real­ize that Paul was referring to himself and to those in his own category.

 

It is generally agreed by Biblical scholars that I & II Thessalonians were the earliest of Paul's epistles. It also seems evident that when writing these epistles, Paul believed that he would be alive at the time of the Lord's second coming. This is why he states in I Thess. 4:17 that, "We who are alive and remain will be caught up to meet the Lord." I and II Corinthians were also written early in Paul's ministry. And in similar fashion Paul spoke of the coming of the Lord and declared "we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed" (I Cor. 15:51).

 

However, when we consider the Philippian epistle, which was written later, as Paul was imprisoned in Rome, he expresses no thought of being alive at the Lord's coming. In­stead, he is looking forward to attaining to what he calls an "out-resurrection out from among the dead" (literal rendering of the Greek of Phil. 3:11). As one who knew God's plan for a future resurrection of ALL—the just and the unjust (Acts 24:16), based on Jesus words in John 5:29—Paul also knew that there was nothing he needed to do to eventually experi­ence a resurrection of his physical body. The resurrection was a SURE THING! What Paul was hoping to attain to, as expressed in Phil. 3:11, was something special and exclusive, for he says, "IF by any means I might attain." Paul knew at this time that he was not going to live until the Lord's coming, and he wanted to be sure that he would be among those quali­fied to participate in a resurrection BEFORE other resurrections, and also to a HIGHER plane—glorified life.

 

As Paul expressed his hope in Phil. 3:11, he used the Greek preposition ek two times, which means "out from" or "out from among." It is first used as a prefix to the Greek word anastasia, meaning "resurrection," and should be translated "OUT-resurrection." It is then used again just before the Greek word nekcron, meaning "dead," and together they should be translated "out from the dead." The latter expression implies the resurrection of some while others are left behind; that is, a special resurrection, which is called in Rev. 20:5, the FIRST resurrection, and which obviously must be followed by one or more later resurrections. The "OUT-resurrection" expression (ek-anastasis), I believe, indicates NOT a resurrection back to this earth, but rather OUT FROM this earth into the glorified life.

 

The entire context of Phil. 3:1-21 is extremely important and affirms that which is clearly established in the teachings of Jesus that there are different categories of Christians. As you read of Paul's desire and willingness to go "all out" to WIN a certain "prize," it be­comes obvious that he is aspiring to something more than just believing in Jesus (the 30-fold) or even being "born again" (the 60-fold). It is the UP-ward call (3:12-14) to the "sum­mit" that Paul seeks to "lay hold of." This is the 100-fold who will be called UP to inherit the heavenly Kingdom and glory as co-heirs with Christ in His coming Kingdom.

 

It is in the above context that Paul states in Phil. 3:20 that "our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body." In such passages as this, as well as numerous others in Paul's epistles, when he uses such personal pronouns as "we" "us" and "our," he is referring to himself and those in his own category. After reading the entire context of Phil. 3:1-21, if you can honestly say that you have "this mind" of the mature (3:15) and are going "all out" as Paul was to "attain" the prize (3:11-14), then perhaps you can include yourself in the "our" and the "we" of Phil. 3:20 (the "heavenly citizen­ship").

 

We do not have to appeal to epistles to determine that not all believers will be glori­fied when Jesus comes. That is established by the FIRST and the LAST. But epistles, rightly read, will not contradict the basics from Jesus words. Perhaps you have never read II Thess. 1:10 where Paul speaks of Jesus: "when He comes, in that day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe." Note the distinction; saints (separated ones) will be glorified; believers will admire. Or, consider Col. 3:4, "when Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in Glory." Is Jesus your very life? Does everything in your life revolve around Him? Has His love become a "consuming fire" in you, increasingly refining every thought, motive and desire? Then perhaps this promise of "appearing with Him in glory" can apply to you. As you read such promises, and many others, note the qualifying conditions given before you hastily include yourself.

 

[NEXT: PART VI ]

 

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