Here’s another Bible verse taken out of context.
“The first shall be last and the last shall be first.” (Matt 19:30 and 20:16)
Mormons conflate this verse with Romans 1:16 and make it about the order the gospel was and will be given to different people of the world. So, in the latter times the gospel will be restored and given to the gentiles first and then to the Jews last.
This is true; we are Gentiles who have the gospel (they say we are adopted into the house of Israel) and the Jews are still Jews.
But then again, the Jews are welcome to convert at any time. And have been invited to become Christians ever since Jesus. So maybe not. 🤷♀️
I mean, if there was no Great Apostasy, then this is all moot.
Anyway, let’s take a look at what it actually means.
This is so beautiful.
Read from Matt 19:16-20:16. This all goes together.
Who inherits the Kingdom of God? At the time of Christ, righteousness was equivalent to status: the rich Pharisees and other high status individuals were viewed as the most perfect—those who should easily be saved first.
But Jesus says it’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone of high status to be saved (due to their high status).
That is actually not what brings salvation.
Hence, the “first” shall be “last.”
The rich man who kept the law but refused to part with his riches is another example. He is “first” in righteousness, but “last” with true intent.
Peter then says, Lord we have given up everything to be with you.
And Jesus tells him there’s a throne waiting for him.
Peter (and the lowest of men) will be exalted first, before the people you would have expected to. It’s not about any chronological order, but just turning on its head any assumption of who is “better” or more important than another.
(This reminds me of the Mormon Second Anointing ritual/ordinance, which is secret and only for the elites.)
Then thirdly, we have the parable of the vineyard. This compares the righteous disciples who have given their lives with those who convert later, when they don’t have much left to give.
It’s about the underprivileged receiving grace and glory from Jesus.
The thief on the cross didn’t give anything to the poor; he actually stole to serve himself. But he was employed for the last hour. And he got his eternal reward.
So I think what it really comes down to, is did you really give your heart to Jesus without trying to earn anything through your status, riches, or reputation?
Here’s a great video about the older son, and how his works-based mentality, earning glory through righteousness and high reputation, cost him everything in the end.
The world will validate your worth with riches. They will put you “first.”
But those who come “last” in the eyes of the world are received first with open arms into the Lord’s kingdom.
Let’s put Jesus first.
Watch this video about Job for more insight on how self-righteous moralists are actually further from God than the people they look down on!
All I Possess 