Featured

Browse at Your Own Pace

Begin wherever your curiosity leads. The studies will be here when you’re ready. When I shared my first Matthew study on Facebook today, I mentioned that I planned to post daily, though I might not share every post on Facebook. As I continue setting up this blog, I’ve realized that what matters most to me is making my past studies available for anyone who wants to explore them. For now, I’ll be adding posts to my heart’s content as I work through those studies. Some days that may mean one post; other days it may mean several. I’ll continue reading through and preparing each one before sharing it. There is no need to keep up with everything as it appears. This blog is becoming a place you can browse at your own pace—begin with a book, a question, or a study that interests you, and follow from there. The Bible Books page gathers studies by book, while Study Threads helps connect topics that travel through more than one book. The labels on individual posts also bring related material to...
Post a Comment

11. Sabbath Study: Christ First—Life and the Progression Toward Completion

God’s Image Study • Genesis • Sabbath Study

Our favorable-year comparison requires us to follow progression. Jesus accomplishes the work entrusted to him, and others receive through him. As we examine how this relates to rest, we must preserve both what has been accomplished and what still moves toward completion.

Each in his own order

Paul identifies the risen Christ as the firstfruits, then writes:

“But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming.”

— 1 Corinthians 15:23, LSB

The order and the timing belong together. Christ is first; those belonging to him follow, with their resurrection here connected to his coming.

Paul then describes the end, when Christ hands the kingdom to the God and Father after opposing rule, authority, and power have been abolished. Death is the last enemy abolished. Read 1 Corinthians 15:20–26.

The Spirit is given

Acts 2 supplies another part of the progression. At Pentecost, the disciples receive the Holy Spirit.

Peter explains that God raised Jesus, who was exalted to God’s right hand. Having received the promised Holy Spirit from the Father, Jesus poured out what the people were witnessing. Read Acts 2:1–4, 32–33.

Notice the relationships:

The Father gives → the exalted Son receives and pours out → others receive.

Peter then calls his hearers to repentance and speaks of receiving the Spirit. The account continues with people accepting the word, being baptized, and joining the fellowship. Read Acts 2:38–42.

This belongs beside our Born Again Study: the life we are examining depends upon what God gives.

Having received, yet still awaiting

Romans 8 describes people who already have the Spirit and are led as God’s children. Yet those possessing the firstfruits of the Spirit still await the redemption of their bodies.

Both conditions appear in the same chapter: something has been received, and something remains awaited. Creation also awaits liberation from corruption. Read Romans 8:9–23.

This helps us distinguish receiving life through the Spirit from the full outcome toward which the passages point. In our God’s Image Study, Romans 8:29 further connects God’s purpose with conformity to the image of His Son.

The outcome preserves the Father’s place

Paul explicitly excludes the Father from the things subjected to Christ. Finally, the Son himself is subjected to the One who subjected everything to him, with God as all in all. Read 1 Corinthians 15:27–28.

Our Sabbath comparison must therefore follow the whole movement: accomplished work, life received, faithful development, and the removal of what opposes God’s purpose.

Threads to Follow

  • Completed witness: Examine Revelation 11:7 alongside Revelation 10:7.

  • Judgment and restoration: Preserve the connections with Daniel 12.

  • Rest and inheritance: Gather these findings before returning to the fourth commandment.

The books were opened…

🌿 By Maria Emilia

Comments

Post a Comment