Subject: Is LAST always FINAL |
Bible Note: Searcher56, I agree with you--"of the list given, Paul was the last one He appeared to." That is exactly the point if am VERY UNSUCCESSFULLY trying to make. (Sorry--I didn't mean to yell at you; just wanted to emphasize the fact that I am well aware of just how poor a job I have done in trying to explain a very simple concept.) To hold that the word last ('eschatos') invariably means the absolute unconditional final one is inconsistent with the way the word is used in Scripture. 1 Cor. 15:8 and John 7:37 are two verses where the word 'eschatos' is used to indicate the final one in a certain domain or set of items. Paul was the last to see Jesus of those mentioned, not the last who ever will see him. Jesus stood and cried on the last day, the great day of the Feast of Tabernacles (the eighth day). The Bible says on "the last day"--meaning the last day of a certain set of days, not the last day that would ever be. I know that "day" does not always refer to a 24-hour period, but I would be surprised if anyone tries to argue that that is the way it is being used in John 7:37. Kind regards, Tim D. Cormier Tennessee Preacher |