What does Jesus mean when He says that the one who is the least in the Kingdom of God/Heaven is greater than John the Baptist in Luke 7:28 and Matthew 11:11?
What does Jesus mean when He says that the one who is the least in the Kingdom of God/Heaven is greater than John the Baptist in Luke 7:28 and Matthew 11:11?
The primary interpretation I have found is that Jesus was saying that John was part of an era which lacked all the privileges the current era was experiencing; that it refers to Jeremiah where a new heart is promised. How do you interpret this passage?
Answer
John the Baptist is not part of the heavenly class. He is not part of the Bride of Christ. He was not given a heavenly calling.
He will be part of the Ancient Faithful class who are described in Hebrews 11.
At the end of that chapter we are told the difference between them and the faithful Christian.
Both are rewarded, but the rewards are different.
Heb 11:39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
Heb 11:40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
All of mankind will become children of The Christ, head and body in the Kingdom we pray for. That is the fulfillment of Isaiah when Messiah will be the agelasting father—the Millennial Age. Not only will the world become children of Jesus and his Bride, but so will the Ancients of Hebrews 11. But they will be more than just children, they have proven themselves. They will be the earthly representatives of the Heavenly rulers (Jesus and his Bride)
Psa 45:16 Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth.
The primary interpretation I have found is that Jesus was saying that John was part of an era which lacked all the privileges the current era was experiencing; that it refers to Jeremiah where a new heart is promised. How do you interpret this passage?
Answer
John the Baptist is not part of the heavenly class. He is not part of the Bride of Christ. He was not given a heavenly calling.
He will be part of the Ancient Faithful class who are described in Hebrews 11.
At the end of that chapter we are told the difference between them and the faithful Christian.
Both are rewarded, but the rewards are different.
Heb 11:39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
Heb 11:40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
All of mankind will become children of The Christ, head and body in the Kingdom we pray for. That is the fulfillment of Isaiah when Messiah will be the agelasting father—the Millennial Age. Not only will the world become children of Jesus and his Bride, but so will the Ancients of Hebrews 11. But they will be more than just children, they have proven themselves. They will be the earthly representatives of the Heavenly rulers (Jesus and his Bride)
Psa 45:16 Instead of thy fathers shall be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth.