JOSEPH W. TKACH
PASTOR GENERAL

January 1988

Dear Friend:

Thank you for your question concerning Matthew 19:30.

The statement that the first shall be last and the last shall be first, found in this verse and in Matthew 20:16, Mark 10:31, and Luke 13:30, has more than one meaning.

One application is that those who are first in status, importance, and the like, in this life will not necessarily have the same standing in God's Kingdom. God often calls the weak of the world (those who are considered by the world to have lesser standing), and it is these individuals who are first in God's sight and who will have the first or top positions in His Kingdom. Please see I Corinthians 1:26-29.

Another application is found in Luke 13:24-30. The Jews of Christ's day were the first to be called. Even though God sent His own Son to them, many did not accept Him. When the Gospel was given to the gentiles, however, many of them believed it and became obedient to God. By this example, therefore, we see that some who were first to be shown God's truth will be the last to enter the Kingdom. On the other hand, some who received the "crumbs from the table" (Matt. 15:27) will be among the first to be made rulers in God's Family.

Whenever we can assist you further with your study of the Bible, we hope you will let us know. It is our pleasure to serve you.

PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE DEPARTMENT