Firstborn

 

In this study we look to the newer writings to gain a proper understanding of the meaning of “first-born” as it relates to Mashiach. We will determine if the references point to the pre-existence of Mashiach, or to a different beginning of the Eternals creation.

 

Col 1:13 who has delivered us from the authority of darkness and transferred us into the reign of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, 15 who is the likeness of the invisible Elohim, the first-born of all creation. 16 Because in Him were created all that are in the heavens and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or rulerships or principalities or authorities – all have been created through Him and for Him.  17 And He is before all, and in Him all hold together. 

 

 Here in Colossians 1, Shaul paints a vivid portrait of the role Mashiach Yah’shua has in the Almighty’s creation. It appears from the text in verse 15 “the first-born of all creation” and verse 16 “all have been created through him” that Yah’shua may indeed have been present at the creation of the world (Genesis creation). Lets read on.

 

18 And He is the Head of the body, the assembly, who is the beginning, the first-born from the dead, that He might become the One who is first in all.

 

Here we have some clarification. We are told that “the beginning” referred to, could quite possibly have begun upon Mashiach rising from the dead. So which is it?

 

Rom 8:28 And we know that all matters work together for good to those who love Elohim, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 Because those whom He knew beforehand, He also ordained beforehand to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, for Him to be the first-born among many brothers. 30 And whom He ordained beforehand, these He also called, and whom He called, these He also declared right. And whom He declared right, these He also esteemed.

 

What is Shaul saying here? That only Mashiach was foreordained to be raised from death to fulfill the Eternals purpose? No, he is saying that many are called to do the Fathers work and they are all foreordained to be a part of the new creation. Does this mean that Mashiach or the chosen ones came from the Father? No, Shaul does not say that. Shaul says that Yah'shua is the firstborn of the "Chosen ones". Not "the firstborn of all creation". All of the Chosen ones will be raised from their corruptible bodies as Mashiach was, and will take on the same immortality that the Eternal has given Mashiach.

 

Rev 1:4 Yoḥanan, to the seven assemblies that are in Asia: Favour to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is coming, and from the seven Spirits that are before His throne, 5 and from Yah’shua Messiah, the trustworthy witness, the first-born from the dead, and the ruler of the sovereigns of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us sovereigns and priests to His Elohim and Father, to Him be esteem and rule forever and ever. Amĕn.

 

Here in Revelations we see that Mashiach is the first-born from the dead. The Father has given him the Kingship over all of the Earth. This once again implies that there are others who will follow in his footsteps, being raised immortal and incorruptible.

 

Summary:

 

In the verses above we have seen that Mashiach Yah’shua is the first-born of the new creation, first-born of many, and first-born from the dead. When we study the context of these verses we see that this affirms that Mashiach was in the plan (logos) of the Father from the beginning of His creation. And that Yah’shua is the first of many to be born as a new creation.

 

We do not see Mashiach portrayed as existing with the Father of all creation from the beginning when we see the intended meaning of “first-born” in the context that Colossians was written in.

 

There is only one who is found worthy to be the son of YHWH. He was pre-destined from the beginning to conquer the flesh and be the intercessor between the Eternal and man.

 

Many will follow Mashiach in the creation that the Father has pre-destined for those who have chosen to follow His ways.

 

We must be careful not to try and distort the role that Mashiach Yah’shua has in the Eternals plan of creation. Trying to force Yah’shua into the Almighty’s creation from the very beginning is not supported in the TaNaKh or the newer writings. Attempting to force this “opinion” on others should not be done.

 

 

 

Part 2 - Additional proof for the meat eater:

 

All or every creation in Greek is:

Pas ktisis

 

Let us compare verse 15 with a verse in the same chapter to show proper context.

 

15 who is the likeness of the invisible Elohim, the first-born of all (pas) creation (ktisis).

 

Compared to verse 23…

 

23 if indeed you continue in the belief, founded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the expectation of the Good News which you heard, which was proclaimed to every (pas) creation (ktisis) under the heaven, of which I, Sha’ul, became a servant,

 

In verse 23 we see that Sha’ul is quoting Messiah. So what does Yah’shua refer to as all or every creation?

 

15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the Good News to every (pas) creation (ktisis).

 

 In this portion of our study we see that the Greek word (pas) as used by Messiah Yah’shua and quoted by Sha’ul refers to a select group of people and not every or all in a literal sense. We also see that the Greek word Ktisis refers to a certain group of people whom the followers of Yah’shua were to proclaim the message and not mankind in general, as not all mankind is to receive, or has received the message of the Kingdom.

 

 This context shows us that when Sha’ul states that Messiah is the first-born of (pas ktisis), he expects the reader to know that he is quoting Yah’shua and that the context is for a certain group of people (those with ears to hear and eyes to see).

 

 

 

 

Shalom & Agape

 

Allen