Bible Question (short): Is LAST always FINAL |
Question (full): Greetings, Praisemaster. "Eschatos" does not invariably mean the *very* last; sometimes it applies in a limited sense to a restricted domain or set of items. For example, in John 7:37, the term "eschatos" is used in the phrase "the last day". 'Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink."' We can all agree that that was not the very LAST day that ever was; but it was the very LAST day of the Feast of Tabernacles that year. Another example of this is found in the very chapter you cited which contains the reference to the LAST trump. "and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also." [1 Cor. 15:8 NASB] It is clear in the Scripture that the Apostle Paul will definitely not be the very LAST person to ever see Jesus. "Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is." [1 John 3:2 NASB] I think we all agree (at least I hope we do) that Paul was not confused, and he certainly was no liar. :) I have believed for some time now that the term 'LAST trump' meant that it was the last trump for a certain era; and I think I have shown scripture that proves it doesn't HAVE to be the absolute final trump that ever sounds. In fact, I am of the persuasion that it isn't--the seven judgment trumpets belong to another era than that to which the Apostle Paul was speaking. I realize we disagree about this, I just wanted to clarify the meaning of the word 'eschatos'. Kind regards, Tim D. Cormier Tennessee Preacher |