By: Robert Serreyn

Question? In Matthew 19:30 what is meant by “First shall be last; and the last shall be first”.

Matthew 19:30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

Answer:

In Chp 19, V16 through 22 Jesus had told the account of the Rich young ruler and how this wealthy man THOUGHT that he could gain eternal life by doing good works.

In V24 Jesus explained to his disciples that it would be easier for a Camel to go through an “Eye of a Needle” (a very small doorway in which a person had to stoop down very low to enter through) then it was for a Rich Man to enter heaven.

In V25 the Disciples were SHOCKED by Jesus answer and wondered “How can anyone be Saved?”

In V26 Jesus affirmed that with men (people) By or through Good Works THIS IS impossible in other words WILL NOT SAVE.

In V27 Peter said unto him (Jesus), Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; and then questioned what shall we have therefore?

In Vesus 28 and 29 Jesus REASSURES his disciples that those who have Trusted him as their saviour (Followed me in the Regeneration – Titus 3:5) HAVE everlasting life.

The verse in question I believe is saying this… that us christians that live in this time period called the Church Age WILL RECEIVE our glorified body FIRST The Last, First which will be at the rapture, THEN all of the Old Testament christians WILL RECEIVE their glorified body at the start of Christ’s One Thousand Year Kingdom The First, Last.

In light of all this I also believe there are two other applications that can be applied here.

1st Application:

The Believer is looked upon AS LAST as far as the world is concerned in terms of worth, and credibility BUT FIRST in God’s eyes.

2nd Application:

In Bible prophecy the Believer is FIRST Judged at Judgement Seat of Christ – 2 Cor. 5:10 then the lost are Judged LAST at the Great White Throne judgement a thousand seven years AFTER the Judgement Seat of Christ. – Rev. 20: 11-15.

The MOST IMPORTANT thing to know IS Jesus Christ as savior, just simply believe that Jesus Christ went to the cross and DIED and shed his blood, was BURIED and three days later RESURRECTED from the dead to pay for your sins.

The moment that you do YOU HAVE (at that second and forever) Everlasting Life which WILL NEVER be taken away no matter what.

-Christ DIED for you – Romans 5:8

-Christ PAID your sins in full – 2 Corinthians 5:21,1 Peter 2:24

-BELIEVE (Trust In Completely) in Christ ALONE as the complete payment of sin for salvation – John 3:16, Acts 16:31, Ephesians 2:8,9

“For the wages(payment) of sin is death (eternal torment in hell); but the GIFT(salvation) of God is eternal life THROUGH Jesus Christ our Lord”. Romans 6:23

IT IS THAT SIMPLE – THE GOSPEL TRUTH