Luke 7:28

Maybe it goes along with the whole "if you are last you shall be first" thing.

The only souls in heaven will be those who have been covered by the blood of Christ.Even John, in all of his earhtly righteousness (as he preached repentance and administered earthly water baptism), is not more righteous than even the least righteous brother or sister who is covered by the mercy of God that comes through our righteousness we attain in Christ--our spiritual rebirth and our TRUE RESURRECTION.That is they way I understand it.As Paul described his righteous acts on earth, as filthy rags. Our righteous acts are certainly no greater than Pauls, and can also be described as filthy rags.It is by His mercy, we attain righteousness, period. Not by any works, such as the ones performed by John the Baptist (of whom there was none greater of doing good works or keeping the law). Even the least of us, in Christ, is greater than John by his own works.AMEN!

The kingdom of heaven is not the same as paradise because there wouldn't be violence in paradise.The kingdom of heaven comprises of angels (spirits) and because John the Baptist is human, the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force." Matthew 11:11-12 (ESV)

John the baptist was a representative of the preaching of the law and the old testament. Jesus said very clearly among those born of women and among those called to be prophets John is as good as it gets. John is the height of manhood and prophetic calling within the old covenant. But those who are least, not nearly as manly and prophetic as John in his calling is greater than he is. Why? Because under the new covenant you have direct access to the throne of grace through a mediator called "Christ". Under this covenant your righteousness is imputed and you are justified before God as clean and pure without any adherance to laws or Nazarite vows such as John had. We are greater than John because of benefits of the new covenant, we are greater because we have better promises, we shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover, we shall speak with new tongues, we shall proclaim the name of "Jesus" and demons shall leave. All this and much more do the least in the kingdom of heaven have at this very moment. We may not be great prophets but we proclaim more than shadow and sign, we proclaim the substance of our faith Jesus Christ who is God and man. We stand within the sacred holy of holies invited, accepted and openly answered as though we were great high priests ourselves. This is greater than John the baptist had or did. Jesus is not trying to set our eyes upon one mans flesh being greater than another mans flesh. Jesus wants us to see that such a comparison is not what he is after. John is a GREAT PROPHET and a great man born of women. But what comparison shall we make? The comparison of what Jesus has done for us in this covenant, making us greater upon the earth to effect righteousness and change in the hearts of the people. We not only preach but we are indwelt with the Holy Spirit who has sealed us as a guarantee that God will redeem our bodies as well, resurrecting us at the last day. Promises and power like this John did not have at his disposal. But the time came and now John the baptist understands the great benefits of Jesus sacrifice and what it means to be a living part of Gods living body. Max

I agree with you Max 100% and I added the Bible verses.John the Baptist symbolizes the Old Testament, the Law and the Prophets, that's why Jesus called him Elijah. But Elijah at the resurrection of the dead is different."These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth." Hebrews 11:13 (ESV)"For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven." Matthew 22:30 (ESV)"But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises." Hebrews 8:6 (ESV)

(Maximus Christianus;48567)
John the baptist was a representative of the preaching of the law and the old testament. Jesus said very clearly among those born of women and among those called to be prophets John is as good as it gets. John is the height of manhood and prophetic calling within the old covenant. But those who are least, not nearly as manly and prophetic as John in his calling is greater than he is. Why? Because under the new covenant you have direct access to the throne of grace through a mediator called "Christ". Under this covenant your righteousness is imputed and you are justified before God as clean and pure without any adherance to laws or Nazarite vows such as John had. We are greater than John because of benefits of the new covenant, we are greater because we have better promises, we shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover, we shall speak with new tongues, we shall proclaim the name of "Jesus" and demons shall leave. All this and much more do the least in the kingdom of heaven have at this very moment. We may not be great prophets but we proclaim more than shadow and sign, we proclaim the substance of our faith Jesus Christ who is God and man. We stand within the sacred holy of holies invited, accepted and openly answered as though we were great high priests ourselves. This is greater than John the baptist had or did. Jesus is not trying to set our eyes upon one mans flesh being greater than another mans flesh. Jesus wants us to see that such a comparison is not what he is after. John is a GREAT PROPHET and a great man born of women. But what comparison shall we make? The comparison of what Jesus has done for us in this covenant, making us greater upon the earth to effect righteousness and change in the hearts of the people. We not only preach but we are indwelt with the Holy Spirit who has sealed us as a guarantee that God will redeem our bodies as well, resurrecting us at the last day. Promises and power like this John did not have at his disposal. But the time came and now John the baptist understands the great benefits of Jesus sacrifice and what it means to be a living part of Gods living body. Max
I agree! John did not recieve the indwelling Holy Spirit ,just like the O.T prophets. The Kingdom came through Jesus by the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. John did not walk in the Spiritual Kingdom here on earth because he died before Jesus completed his work on the cross and sent his Holy Spirit.