I am compelled to explain the meaning of 1Cor.4:8 once again. I will make it as simple and clear as possible, for those who are still blinded by the demonic falsehoods that have taken them captive.
Let's break it down.
1Cor.4:8 NIV begins... "Already you have all you want!"
The hearers of Paul are described as already having all they want.
What they want, is referred to at Gal.5:17...
"For the flesh wants what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.
They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not permitted to do whatever you want."
Those who live according to what their flesh wants, are spiritually dead (Rom.8:13; 1Tim. 5:6)
Next we read at 1Cor. 4:8...
"Already you have become rich!"
What sort of acquisition have Paul's hearers attained?
Consider 1Tim. 6:17-19...
"17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life."
Again we see a contrast between the flesh, and the spirit... tangible, fleshly wealth is fleeting and "uncertain"... but spiritual wealth and credit with God, results in a firm hope of a future life.
There Paul is teaching us a difference between worldly/earthly wealth, and spiritual riches/treasure in heaven (Matt.6:19-20). We must be quite sober when we consider a desire for worldly wealth and power, because the one who grants it, is the Devil (1John 2:15-17; 5:19; Luke 4:5-6).
Paul was there reflecting the words of Jesus, who also contrasted these two kinds of wealth...
Matt.6:19-21...
"19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
AND
Luke 12:15...
"Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.’"
Paul added;
"6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil...11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness." (1Tim. 6:6-11).
---Our conclusion regarding those being addressed at 1Cor. 4:8, is that they have greedily pursued a flesh-based, worldly wealth, sourced in a blessing by the Wicked One.
1Cor. 4:8 continues... "You have begun to reign"
Are these who have accepted worldly riches, succumbed to Satanic temptation, and have indulged the greed of their flesh... begun to reign with Christ?
If not; How have they "begun to reign"?
At Luke 4:5-6, we learn clearly, how it is that Satan provides a worldly reign to those willing to compromise to their fleshly desire.
Yes...
Those who already have all that they want, who have already become rich in this world, have received a power, position, authority and reign, granted by Satan.... not one granted by the king of kings, Jesus Christ.
What about those who do choose treasures in heaven?
What of those anointed who remain faithful and in subjection to Jesus Christ?
When do they reign?
Rev.20:6 tells us plainly, that the 144,000 reign with Christ, during his own reign.
When does the reign of Jesus Christ, take place?
A few scriptures, establish the answer to that question.
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At Luke 22:69, Jesus stated,
"From now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.’"
Fact #1: Jesus himself said that starting the first century, Jesus is "seated" at the right hand of God.
Next scripture is Psalm 110:1-2
"1 The Lord says to my lord:
‘Sit at my right hand
until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet.’
2 The Lord will extend your mighty sceptre from Zion, saying,
‘Rule in the midst of your enemies!"
Fact #2: While Jesus "sits" enthroned as God's right-hand man (John 16:33; Rev.3:21; Matt.26:64 NIV ), he is ruling in the midst of his enemies (Ps.110:2).
The power of his ruling "scepter", is being extended through "Zion" (Ps.110:2; Rev.14:1; 20:6).
Ps.110:2 told us, that Christ is ruling in the midst of his enemies... as they are being progressively subdued into his footstool.
As Ps.110:1 states,
Jesus sits at the right hand of God "until" his enemies are fully subjugated. Christ's power is exercised from Zion (Rev.14:1) as his enemies are progressively subdued
(1Thess. 5:5; Eph.6:10-12; 5:8,11; Phil.3:18; 2Cor. 11:12-15; 6:7; 10:3-5; Luke 10:18-19; Rev.17:14)
(Rev.3:21; Eph.2:6; Rev.19:11,14)
HOW DO WE KNOW FOR A CERTAINTY, THAT JESUS IS ACTUALLY REIGNING
during the time his enemies are being progressively subdued?
1Cor. 15:24-25... "25 For HE MUST REIGN UNTIL he has put all his enemies under his feet. 24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. "
Fact #3: While God empowers Jesus and Zion to subdue the enemies of Jesus Christ...
(John 16:33; Rev.3:21; Eph.2:6; 2Cor. 10:3-5)
...Jesus IS REIGNING, until that is completely accomplished (1Cor. 15:25).
While those enemies are in the process of being subdued, Jesus is reigning (1Cor. 15:25).
While those enemies are in the process of being subdued, Jesus is "seated" (Rev.3:21) as God's right hand man (Ps.110:1).
Jesus has been seated at the right hand of God, since the first century (Luke 22:69).
Now that we have establish when Jesus' kingdom takes place...
[from the first century until Satan's release from the abyss (Rev.20:6-7)]
...we have established when the 144,000 reign with him from a position on Mount Zion
(Rev.20:6; 14:1; Ps.110:2; Heb.12:22-23; Eph.2:6).
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1Cor. 4:8 continues...
"You have begun to reign – and that without us!"
To those of us with spiritual perception, it is obvious that Paul was not addressing his hearers regarding their spirit reigning with Jesus Christ, but rather, their acceptance of a power and authority in a physical realm. That can at present, only be gained with Satan (Luke 4:5-6; 1John 2:15).
It is not proper for faithful anointed to rule in a capacity over physical creation
(just as Jesus did not accept such a physical reign - John 6:15)
UNTIL God gives it to those having been found faithful over their first royal assignment
(Matt.25:21; Luke 19:17; Dan.7:21-22,13-14,18; 1Cor. 15:24-27).
Those who take worldly, fleshly riches, power, and authority while Satan still rules this world, do just as Paul said... they rule "without" the faithful.
1Cor. 4:8 continues...
"How I wish that you really had begun to reign so that we also might reign with you!"
Paul just finished saying that these ones were already reigning (1Cor. 4:8).
Why then, does he say that he wishes that they really had begun to reign?
Can you grasp that he is talking about two different and contrasting reigns?
The first reign is the one they had already accepted, based upon the riches and desires of this world.
The reign that Paul wishes they had truly attained, is the one under Christ (Rev.5:9-10; 17:14).
Had these errant ones attained a reign of grace and truth under Christ, they could then reign with Paul.
As Paul said,
"How I wish that you really had begun to reign, so that we also might reign with you!"
Was Paul desiring to possess the same reign that these greedy and faithless ones had taken at the feet of Satan?
No.
Paul was desiring that the errant ones had truly gained their heavenly throne (Eph.2:6).
Then they would be united with Paul in serving their called and chosen position under Christ (Rev.1:5; 20:4,6).
Paul also hoped that the time had truly come for his hearers to reign with Christ for all eternity in the Kingdom of God, in which case Paul would also be reigning. (1Cor. 15:24-27; Dan.7:13-14,18,21-22; Luke 19:17,26)
Again, Paul said; "How I wish that you really had begun to reign".
Can there be anointed kings who are not really reigning, due to their failure to exercise their power and authority in Christ? (Luke 10:19)
Yes, we see an example of such unfaithful anointed, at Rev.17:12 .
We have learned that the reign of Jesus began in the first century (Luke 22:69; Ps.110:1; 1Cor.15:25).
We know that the 144,000 reign with Jesus during the subjugation of his enemies
(Rev.20:6; Ps.110:2; Heb.12:22; Rev.14:1; Eph.6:12; 2Tim. 2:3; 2Cor. 10:3-5; Rev.17:14) which occurs before the End (1Cor.15:24-25 NIV )
We know that to share in Christ's reign and throne of grace and truth,
the anointed must prove themselves faithful conquerors (John 16:33; Rev.3:21; 1John 2:13-14; Luke 10:17-20).
So,
when Paul said,
"How I wish that you really had begun to reign, so that we also might reign with you!",
was he inferring that Jesus was not reigning?
Was he asserting that the 144,000 were not yet able to prove victorious conquerors over the enemies of Christ,
nor receive royal authority and power over the dark forces?
Or,
was he simply stating that these unfaithful, had not yet received their kingdom with Christ?
There is a world of difference between saying that the unfaithful have failed to really receive their divine reign (Rev.17:12),
and saying that Jesus and all his faithful have failed to attain it
Matt.28:18; Luke 10:17-20; Rev.5:10 ASV
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Rev.5:10 and Rev.1:5-6 establish for us that the reigning as anointed kings is concurrent with serving as anointed priests.
If we can determine from scripture, when the anointed serve as priests; we can know when they also are serving as kings.
We noted before that a spiritual reign with Jesus, is not evidenced by physical riches, or worldly position. Like Jesus, that reign is manifested by an authority of truth, grace, and spirit (John 4:24; 1:14,17).
Jesus' royal authority and power are over those who listen to him (John 18:36-37; 14:24; 8:47; Luke 6:47-48).
So to, the royal authority and power of the kings of Jesus (Luke 10:16; Matt.10:14-15).
1Pet. 2:9 reads... "9 But you are a chosen people, a ROYAL priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light".
The Greek interlinear word translated as "royal" is:
basileion
Strong's G934 : KINGish
royal
Here is a link to the definition:
Further scriptures that prove that the 144000 serve as priests during their human lifetimes...
Rom.15:15-16; 1Pet. 2:5,9; Heb.13:15
and you can consider two deeper articles with more scriptures:
