Many that are first will be last, and the last first.

[resurrection33]

[29] Jesus said, "Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel,
[30] who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.
[31] But many that are first will be last, and the last first." Mark 10:29-31 RSV

Some people live righteous lives when they are young. When this happens, the Lord blesses them and they are well thought of. These are the “first.” Others live sinful lives when they are young. These are the “last.”

However, as time goes on, the picture changes. Many of the “first” become prideful, and in so doing, become the “last.” Meanwhile, many of the “last” repent of their sin and become the “first.” Thus, “many that are first will be last, and the last first.”

Here is a Scripture that says the same thing:

[17] "Yet your people say, `The way of the Lord is not just'; when it is their own way that is not just.
[18] When the righteous turns from his righteousness, and commits iniquity, he shall die for it.
[19] And when the wicked turns from his wickedness, and does what is lawful and right, he shall live by it.
[20] Yet you say, `The way of the Lord is not just.' O house of Israel, I will judge each of you according to his ways." Ezekiel 33:17-20 RSV

There is some symbolism here. For instance, “he shall die for it” means that he shall suffer, and “he shall live by it” means that he shall have contentment.

Have a nice day.

 

[MadParrotWoman]

[29] Jesus said, "Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel,
[30] who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.
[31] But many that are first will be last, and the last first." Mark 10:29-31 RSV

Some people live righteous lives when they are young. When this happens, the Lord blesses them and they are well thought of. These are the “first.” Others live sinful lives when they are young. These are the “last.”

However, as time goes on, the picture changes. Many of the “first” become prideful, and in so doing, become the “last.” Meanwhile, many of the “last” repent of their sin and become the “first.” Thus, “many that are first will be last, and the last first.”

Here is a Scripture that says the same thing:

[17] "Yet your people say, `The way of the Lord is not just'; when it is their own way that is not just.
[18] When the righteous turns from his righteousness, and commits iniquity, he shall die for it.
[19] And when the wicked turns from his wickedness, and does what is lawful and right, he shall live by it.
[20] Yet you say, `The way of the Lord is not just.' O house of Israel, I will judge each of you according to his ways." Ezekiel 33:17-20 RSV

There is some symbolism here. For instance, “he shall die for it” means that he shall suffer, and “he shall live by it” means that he shall have contentment.

Have a nice day.

Yes I agree it is meant in the context you describe (bold) it can also mean that the first in this world will be the last in his or the ones WE assume are the first to God will actually be the last. He knows every aspect of our lives - the good we do and the bad we continue with. We cannot know everything about our fellow man but God absolutely does. So for instance we may think our local pastor is going to do pretty well in Heaven but he may in fact abuse his wife behind closed doors yet the person we assume does little for God has an unpaid job helping out in the soup kitchen.

We can't know who will do what in Heaven but surely just being with Jesus in Heaven is reward enough?

 

[Straightshot]

Many that are first by worldly standards will be the last to be found in heaven .... they will not be there

At the same time those who have little or nothing of this present world will be the first to be found in heaven .... because they are not bound by their possessions .... and by worldly evaluation that these would be the last ones expected to be there

The rich young ruler was bound and could not part from his worldly standing

Narrow is the gate and few will find it .... broad is the gate that many will choose to enter

If one is not willing to place a necessary relationship with the Lord above all other things as the priority .... these are the ones most likely not to be found in heaven


Road To Zion~Petra - YouTube

 

[Blain]

I don't care if I am first or at last either way I will choose to be last. I tell God a lot how if he makes me high ranked in heaven I would lower myself to the least in heaven. Besides as long as I am finally with God who cares who is first?

 

[resurrection33]

Yes I agree it is meant in the context you describe (bold) it can also mean that the first in this world will be the last in his or the ones WE assume are the first to God will actually be the last. He knows every aspect of our lives - the good we do and the bad we continue with. We cannot know everything about our fellow man but God absolutely does. So for instance we may think our local pastor is going to do pretty well in Heaven but he may in fact abuse his wife behind closed doors yet the person we assume does little for God has an unpaid job helping out in the soup kitchen.

We can't know who will do what in Heaven but surely just being with Jesus in Heaven is reward enough?

I suppose a Scripture can have more than one interpretation, depending on where we are in our lives.

Certainly our understanding of the world changes as we mature, and we learn that sometimes what we thought was good is bad, and what we thought was bad is good.

Our Father in heaven has created a paradise for us all. All we need to do is obey the commandments.

 

[john832]

Mar 10:31 But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.

Anybody ever thought about this?

Mat 12:41 The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.
Mat 12:42 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.

Luk 11:30 For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation.
Luk 11:31 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.
Luk 11:32 The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.

Now when will all these folks rise up together? There is only one time that this occurs...

Rev 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

The Last Great Day.

 

[resurrection33]

I don't care if I am first or at last either way I will choose to be last. I tell God a lot how if he makes me high ranked in heaven I would lower myself to the least in heaven. Besides as long as I am finally with God who cares who is first?

But is this about rank?

 

[Straightshot]

"I don't care if I am first or at last either way I will choose to be last. I tell God a lot how if he makes me high ranked in heaven I would lower myself to the least in heaven. Besides as long as I am finally with God who cares who is first?"


Well that's good

The point of the Lord's statement is this:

One cannot get there on their own merits and His salvation is the same for all .... works and good intentions do not save anyone

Those hired who worked longer had no priority for the bragging

 

[resurrection33]

"I don't care if I am first or at last either way I will choose to be last. I tell God a lot how if he makes me high ranked in heaven I would lower myself to the least in heaven. Besides as long as I am finally with God who cares who is first?"


Well that's good

The point of the Lord's statement is this:

One cannot get there on their own merits and His salvation is the same for all .... works and good intentions do not save anyone

Those hired who worked longer had no priority for the bragging

The Lord shows us the way, but we have to obey.

 

[GracethroughfaithinChrist]

Brother resurrection33,
I totally agree with the OP,
This is about called men who set their heart to follow God at a young age (the first), in contrast to those called men who set their heart towards God at a older age (the last). They will get the same reward on the last day, eternal life. Those who trust in their own self righteousness were called too, but will not be those first and last who are chosen.

Matthew 20:8
8So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. 9And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. 10But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. 11And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, 12Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. 13But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? 14Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. 15Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? 16So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

 

[GracethroughfaithinChrist]

More fitting is that the chosen are the disciples minus Judas.

 

[Straightshot]

"The Lord shows us the way, but we have to obey."


He calls .... but few will answer .... He has said this and already knows the list in advance

So if your phone rings .... pick it up

 

[Jason0047]

While there will be different rewards in Heaven, the ultimate wage, payment, or reward is eternal life. So eternal life is the agreed upon wage whether one enters the Kingdom of God last/first (Like the thief on the cross) or whether one enters the kingdom of God first/last (Like David did, for he served God since his youth until he died at age 70). In other words, those who accept God in the beginning of their life will be last (By a measuring stick of the other guy who accepted Christ on his death bed).

Another way of looking at this passage is that the Gentiles who did not keep the Law had accepted the Messiah while the Jewish nation had rejected him. The Jews worked hard at striving to serve God. They no doubt thought it was unfair that now the Gentile can be an heir of the seed of Abraham because of Jesus Christ. In other words, they are jealous that they can have eternal life (i.e. the wages) so easily while they had to work so hard for it all their lives (As devout Law keeping Jews).

In additon, there is a third meaning to the phrase, "the last will be first and the first will be last", too. I believe it also applies to the bodily resurrection." (i.e. our Glorification or final stage of salvation to Christ). If you were to read Revelation 20 you would learn that the Tribulation saints who are martyred for refusing the Mark of the Beast will enter into the Millennium (After the Tribulation) (i.e. the majority of the Last of the saints (with the exception of Abraham and certain patriarches) will be first to be resurrected bodily). We also learn in Revelation 20 that the rest of the dead (Under the 1st resurrection - Which is the resurrection of life) do not live again (bodily) until the end of the Millennium. This would be the majority of the saints who lived before the Rapture and the Tribulation. So the first saints (before the Tribulation saints) will be the last ones to be physically resurrected (Bodily) at the End of the Millennium so as to enter into the Eternal New Earth (After the old one - that we are on now - passes away).

 

[Jason0047]

While there will be different rewards in Heaven, the ultimate wage, payment, or reward is eternal life. So eternal life is the agreed upon wage whether one enters the Kingdom of God last/first (Like the thief on the cross) or whether one enters the kingdom of God first/last (Like David did, for he served God since his youth until he died at age 70). In other words, those who accept God in the beginning of their life will be last (By a measuring stick of the other guy who accepted Christ on his death bed).

For example: I have talked with a United Pentecostal before and they believe that it is not possible for a man on his death bed to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior so as to be saved. They believe they need to prove their faith with works in order to be saved. This parable is for them. For one can receive the same wage of eternal life if one joins the work in the last hour (Just as the thief on the cross joined with Christ and was saved in the last hour). For it is by his mercy He saved us and the washing and regeneration of the Holy Ghost (Titus 3:5).

Side Note:

Granted, a person who does live out their faith must live in holiness and fruitful works. Not so as to be saved; But it is the proof that they have been saved.

 

[Jason0047]

For example: I have talked with a United Pentecostal before and they believe that it is not possible for a man on his death bed to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior so as to be saved. They believe they need to prove their faith with works in order to be saved. This parable is for them. For one can receive the same wage of eternal life if one joins the work in the last hour (Just as the thief on the cross joined with Christ and was saved in the last hour). For it is by his mercy He saved us and the washing and regeneration of the Holy Ghost (Titus 3:5).

Side Note:

Granted, a person who does live out their faith must live in holiness and fruitful works. Not so as to be saved; But it is the proof that they have been saved.

In other words, Satan doesn't want to see people saved. So he creates false doctrines or ways to prevent the message of Jesus Christ going out to as many people as possible. So no. The guy who is about to die (Who accepts Christ) where baptism is not feasible does not need to be forced into being baptized so as to be saved. Just look at the Parable of the Tax Collector and the Pharisee and see who was more justified (Luke 18:9-14).

For think about all those on their death beds who need to hear about the message of Jesus Christ. However, if you have a wrong understanding on Scripture, then your love for certain others is no longer required. You can trust in your own merits or works for salvation instead of trusting in Christ.

 

[resurrection33]

Brother resurrection33,
I totally agree with the OP,
This is about called men who set their heart to follow God at a young age (the first), in contrast to those called men who set their heart towards God at a older age (the last). They will get the same reward on the last day, eternal life. Those who trust in their own self righteousness were called too, but will not be those first and last who are chosen.

Matthew 20:8
8So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. 9And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. 10But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. 11And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, 12Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. 13But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? 14Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. 15Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? 16So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

Thank you. Your post has me wondering, though, if I should have started following the Lord sooner than I did.

 

[resurrection33]

More fitting is that the chosen are the disciples minus Judas.

Are you suggesting a rank and file? I think in heaven we are all equal, with Jesus as our king.

 

[GracethroughfaithinChrist]

Thank you. Your post has me wondering, though, if I should have started following the Lord sooner than I did.

You are welcome brother resurrection33 and thank you for sharing truth.
I don't think we personally make the decision to start following the Lord at a young or old age as much as the LORD does. He makes the decision to call us out of the dark and into His marvelous light through the calling to our hearts, and according to His perfect timing and will. Btw, I wish I would have started following the Lord sooner than I did too, don't we all?

 

[GracethroughfaithinChrist]

Are you suggesting a rank and file? I think in heaven we are all equal, with Jesus as our king.

No brother resurrection33,
I'm not suggesting a rank and file for all that are "called". I was referring to Matthew 20:16 the "chosen" being the 12 apostles (chief disciples) minus Judas that will judge the tribes of Israel.

apostles definition="each of the twelve chief disciples of Jesus Christ."

John 6:
From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 67Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? 68Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. 69And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. 70Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?

Matthew 19:27
Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? 28And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.