PROPHECY-TONGUES-KNOWLEDGE BY STEVE FINNELL
Many believe that new prophecies from God, the gift of tongues, and the gift of special knowledge that comes directly from God are available today. There are a few problems with that assumption. Their stated position is that prophecies, tongues, and knowledge will only cease to exist when we reach heaven. Is that a valid position to take?
It is obvious that the gifts of prophecy, tongues, and special knowledge will not be needed in heaven. I do not think Paul was stating the obvious. It is more likely he was referring to a point in time before we get to heaven.
1 Corinthians 13:8 Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away.
Most men agree that gifts of prophecy, tongues, and knowledge will cease to exist. The question remains. WHEN?
WHEN THE PERFECT COMES.
1 Corinthians 13:10 but when the perfect comes the partial will be done away.(NASB)
The perfect means "complete"
1 Corinthians 13:10 But when what is complete comes, then that what is incomplete will be done away with. (International Standard Version)
1 Corinthians 13:10 But when what is complete comes, then what is incomplete will no longer be used. (God's Word Translation)
The perfect or complete is not referring to when Jesus takes His church to heaven.
The complete occurred when we had a completed Bible, 96 A.D. . The church of Christ had all the information it needed in order to be a mature church.
Many like to cite, 1 Corinthians 13:13, as an proof-text to prove that the perfect means, when we get to heaven. The problem is that when we get heaven we will not need faith. We will see Jesus sitting on the right hand of God. THERE WILL BE NO FAITH NEEDED IN HEAVEN. We will not need hope in heaven. OUR hope will already be realized. We will be saved, not hoping for salvation. WE WILL NEED NO HOPE IN HEAVEN.
THE ONLY THING THAT WILL REMAIN IN HEAVEN IS LOVE!
AFTER THE BIBLE WAS COMPLETED THE GIFTS OF PROPHECY, TONGUES, AND KNOWLEDGE WERE NO LONGER NEEDED!
Jesus said in Luke ch. 13 v. 32:- 'And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.'
ReplyDeleteI believe the words ' Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.' was a prophesy concerning the forming of the body of Christ on earth (the true church of born again believers) being perfected over the two thousand years (as in 'one day is as a thousand years with God') after Y'shua, Jesus was resurrected.
So I believe that 'when that which is perfect is come' is referring to the time when we shall see Him as He really is.