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The concept of Last in Christianity

In Christianity, the term "Last" encompasses multiple interpretations, including God as the eternal first and last, symbolizing His unchanging nature. It also refers to significant eschatological events, such as the resurrection and final judgment, highlighting the ultimate hope in divine grace. Additionally, it reflects the notion of reversal in status, where some deemed last will become first. This theme of finality stresses the importance of remaining faithful until the end, reinforcing the belief in God's ultimate sovereignty and justice.1
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Synonyms: Final, Ultimate, Concluding, Ending, Remaining, End

In Swedish: Shishta; In German: Zuletzt; In Spanish: 脷濒迟颈尘辞; In Finnish: 碍别蝉迟盲盲; In Malay: Terakhir; In Dutch: Laatst; In French: Dernier

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Christian concept of 'Last'

Christianity Books

Significance in Early Christian church and writers:
Early Christianity Books

From: Ante-nicene Fathers

(1) God鈥檚 judgment will be more full and complete, because it will be pronounced at the very last, in an eternal irrevocable sentence, both of punishment and of consolation.[1] (2) Some people believe that Nero, who was the first persecutor, will also be the last persecutor, and thus prove the forerunner of Antichrist.[2] (3) Within a series of beings, some are designated as the last, completing a sequence, and the precise nature of the final element may be difficult to ascertain.[3] (4) The laborers who worked the shortest amount of time and received the same pay as the others, as described within the parable in the text.[4] (5) This is a term used to describe something that will be made like the first.[5]

From: Gospel of Thomas Commentary

(1) Those who will be first, and will become one. This is a reversal of status.[6]

Early Christianity (also known as Early Church) refers to the period starting roughly in the 6th century BC up until 325 A.D. during which year the first council of Nicaea was convened. Popular literature includes the writings by the early Church Fathers which forms the basis of later Christian theology.

Significance in Christianity (general):

From: Expositions of Holy Scripture

(1) The royal Christ proclaims His absolute life by stating He is the first, and this, and the living One, according to the text.[7] (2) This refers to the final revelation of God's grace, and is the perfect embodiment of it.[8] (3) The ultimate point or time at which a significant event will take place, marking the conclusion of a process or period.[9] (4) This refers to the point where one is ready for danger and enterprise, where the warrior's eye flashes, and voice sounds strong, as they seek their portion.[10] (5) This refers to the deepened consecration to Him, and the text emphasizes the need for individuals to be fully devoted to their religious service.[11]

From: Bible cyclopedia, critical and expository

(1) This refers to a specific figure who will arise, representing the ultimate hope and future resurrection, and it is connected to the concept of the crumbling body.[12] (2) The last great day of the feast is the atsereth, though the drawing of water was on previous days not omitted, as described in the text.[13]

From: A Cyclopedia of Biblical literature

(1) The Prophets and other sacred writers of the Old Testament declare that God is the first and the last, and that He changes not, according to the text.[14] (2) This refers to Seraiah, whose father was Azariah, and he was the last high-priest before the Captivity.[15]

From: The Complete Sayings of Jesus

(1) This group of people were hired later in the day, and received the same payment as those who worked longer, causing some disagreement.[16] (2) This term is used to describe the speaker, who identifies as the first and the last, and the beginning and the ending, emphasizing the speaker's eternal presence.[17]

From: Hymns for Christian Devotion

(1) This suggests the potential finality of the present moment, indicating the possibility that the current period might be the ultimate one for the individual.[18]

Significance in Global Christian community:
Catholic Church Books

From: The city of God

(1) This is a term that describes the judgment that will be set on earth when a person comes from heaven.[19] (2) This is the four books of the twelve books that treat of the deserved destinies of the cities.[20]

The Catholic Church is a global Christian community with over a billion members, rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ. It is led by the Pope and emphasizes the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist. Catholicism is a denomination centered on the teachings thereof. It has a rich theological and cultural heritage.

Significance in Church of the East (or the East Syriac Church):
Church of the East Books

From: The Book of the Bee

(1) The third trumpet is the last, at which the dead will rise, and the living be changed, as the blessed Paul says, according to the provided text.[21]

The Church of the East emerged in the 5th century and separated from the Roman Empire's state church by adopting Nestorianism. It emphasizes the distinct human and divine natures of Jesus Christ. It is also called the Assyrian Church, Nestorian Church or the East Syriac Church.

Gnostic concept of 'Last'

Gnosticism Books

Significance in Gnosticism (Mystical or Esoteric Christianity):

From: Pistis Sophia

(1) The last will be first, which are the whole race of men that will enter into the Light-kingdom sooner than all those of the region of the Height.[22]