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Paul,
in
1Corinthians takes
us much further into the future than does the book of
Revelation. In Revelation we
have:
We
know from 1 Cor 15:22-28, Eph.1:10 and others- This is being fulfilled through a
process connected (and intensely so) with the ages and several kosmos(Noah's,
created out of water and destroted by water, our present kosmos reserved for the
renewing fire, the kosmos to come). There are also the times, seasons(there is a
time and a purpose to every season under heaven) and the generations and
boundaries of men(Acts 17:26-31). Paul clealry teaches at Mars Hill that God has
set these things in place to cause men to seek Him and find
Him.
(1Co 15:22) For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. (1Co 15:23) But every man in his own order (administration): Christ (past tense)the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.(future tense) (1Co 15:24) Then cometh the end(future tense), when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God(definition of specific time yet to come), even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. (1Co 15:25) For he must reign(present tense), till he hath put all enemies under his feet(specific definition of age time fulfillment of eternal truth stated in Hebrews 2:8). (1Co 15:26) The last enemy (order, fulness of time, fulfilled administration) that shall be destroyed is death. (1Co 15:27) For he hath(past tense in time, but also eternal tense, in that it is a finished work "manifesting" through the mechanism of the ages), put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. (1Co 15:28) And when all things shall be subdued unto him(future tense), then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all(final tense )Paul uses plain language,defining the relationship between time and eternity "in this present evil age" and it is really not that sublime. Paul writes about time and generation and age related purposes more than anyone and seems to see no conflict between his language when defining temporal aspects and eternal aspects that will unite in "times of fulfillment". |