NAU Colossians 1:13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-- all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.
In what sense is Christ the firstborn of creation? I believe it is the Jehovah's Witnesses which view this literally; that Christ was born of His Father sometime before the creation of this world. However, in the context of this passage, Jesus is the firstborn of the (new) creation by His resurrection from the second death. No one, but Christ, has died the second death. He conquered the grave so He might have first place in everything; that He might be Lord of the living and the dead (Romans 14:9). And as Lord over the grave, He has power to call us back from the grave.
It is also interesting to note that, in the Old Testament, the one who received the rights of the first born was not always the first born; it was matter of God's blessing rather than man's birth order. It depended on the the Lord's Promise rather than human plans and schemes. Thus, we see Isaac coming after Ishmael but receiving the rights of the firstborn. Jacob comes after Esau but receives the rights of the firstborn. And Christ coming after Adam but receiving the rights of the firstborn. The promise of God's word has more authority than the logic and traditions of man!
Who are we to tell our creator the order of things?
Application: How have I sought to tell God the order of things? How have I mis-interpreted His word and promises with my traditions?
Prayer: Father, I'm not sure I know the answers to these questions. And to be honest, I'm really afraid to look. This morning I'm tired and afraid to look at myself. I must simply say thanks for rescuing me from the domain of darkness. Thank You for transferring me into the kingdom of Your Son; for redeeming me and forgiving my sins.
Lord draw my heart close to You today. Cause my faith and confidence in You to grow. Help me to abide in the glory of Your presence and to trust in Your grace. Order my life, that I might be a co-heir with Christ. A first born son as it were.
3 comments:
"I believe it is the Jehovah's Witnesses which view this literally; that Christ was born of His Father sometime before the creation of this world."
That is correct. We view him as the first creation of God, through whom all else was created. We think it's to him that God spoke in Genesis 1:26 "let us make man in our image."
As your cited scripture point out, "for him" in that he is one to whom God will subject all things - that is, as the king of "God's kingdom," he is to rule over all the earth. As well as being head of the congregation.
But we don't think he was resurrected from the second death. The second death is symbolized by the lake of fire in Rev 20:14-15:
"Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire."
We believe the lake of fire is everlasting destruction, permanent death, from which there is no resurrection. Christ was raised from the dead, in our view, but not the 2nd death.
Can you expand upon your statement that Christ died the second death. I have not heard that before.
Regarding the Christ dying the second death... The book of Romans tells us that "the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life." I believe it is safe to say this is talking of eternal death and not simply a temporal death.
Therefore, I believe when the Scripture speaks of Christ dying in our behalf, that he in essence died the second death... so that we wouldn't have to.
Another interesting passage to consider in this line of thinking is Jesus words to Martha:
“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25
Jesus speaks these words to Martha after her brother's death. Lazarus had already been in the grave for four days... He had died the first death but not the second. Why? In my estimation, because Christ would die the second death for Him and all who would put their faith in Jesus.
It is in this sense that I believe Jesus is referred to as the "firstborn from the dead" in Colossians 1:18. Clearly he wasn't firstborn in order... others had been resurrected before Christ. However, if He died the second death in our behalf... than He would be the "first born from the dead." In fact, He would be the only one to return from the second death... All others don't return. And those who believe in Christ don't die the second death.
His life, death, and resurrection were sufficient to buy our ransom from having to die the second death...
Those are my thoughts for what they are worth.
Jim
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