Maranatha
Transcript
In first Corinthians 16, Paul writes:
“If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come!” (1 Cor 16:22)
“Our Lord, Come” is pronounced from the original text as Maranatha.
But this isn’t the usual Greek phrase used in Revelation 22:20 “Come, Lord Jesus!.”
meaning
Maranatha is an Aramaic term or expression, the meaning of which appears twofold.
Maranatha, we spell as one word, but in the manuscripts, it’s actually written as two Greek words tied together. If Paul wrote it as “maran atha” then it means, The Lord has come – past tense, his first coming. If he wrote it as “marana tha” then it could be translated, “Lord, please come!” – future, relating to his second coming.
To say “he has come”, is a creedal expression. Messiah has come, he dwelled among us 2000 years ago.
To say “Lord come”, again is a faith statement, you believe he is coming again, as well expressing your desire for that day of salvation.
So, it can mean both, “The Lord has come” and “O Lord, come.” And this wouldn’t have been lost on Paul.
It appears purposely, intentionally dualistic in its meaning. Led by the Spirit, Paul knows the reader will make the double pointing connections.
Maranatha, is the gospel in a word; it’s a word of faith; it speaks of both comings of Messiah; the man on the donkey and on the white horse; the suffering servant and the warrior king; it’s the heart’s desire of all those whose spirit’s groan for the restoration of all things; for this age to pass away and the Day of Lord to come.
And it’s a word that has seen tremendous upsurge in its use of late.
significance for today
We should emphasise what the bible emphasises, and speak little on what the bible speaks little of.
So, we need to be careful not to put too much emphasis into one word (or two in the Greek) – used once. However, this international upsurge is not the result of a movement that’s spread, but of many people around the word independently, who spirit-led began to speak this word, Maranatha. It’s become a greeting and a sign off between fellow brothers and sisters; it’s become a great shining light on metal health within the church we now see as Godly sorrow – the Fathers heart for justice, renewal; it’s began to broach the wider framework of the gospel, unblinding the stagnant narrative that remains in the first century… And since the garden, Torah, the prophets, the apostles are all point to the Day of the Lord – Maranatha is one word that encapsulates the whole thrust of the bible.
Why would we not say a word that proclaims: Jesus Has come, offered himself as King, rejected by his own people, died on the cross for sin, to offer forgiveness, to acquire the right to inherit, who will come back to save his own, establish his kingdom, judge the living and the dead, and his rule and reign will extend globally for eternity.
Warning & Unity
This is not a word to be appropriated. To be branded for selfish gain or stylistic fanfare.
But it is a word that brings unity.
It is something we can gather around.
It is a word to get excited about.
Future Events
We’re going to do some events. I’ve thought about this for a long time, but I didn’t want to build hard and fast and leave God behind. So, we don’t know when, where, how… we’re waiting on God. Yet, if you are interested in events/conferences… however it looks, gathered around the message of Maranatha. Go to the maranatha page on the website and register your interest. That way we know how many people, what’s possible, and you’ll be first to know.
Maranatha