words like teleios, teleiotes, teleioo and teleo are rendered perfect,

fulfil, finish, accomplish, full age, or finishing a course, all of which

convey the idea of going on to a conclusion or reaching a goal, but none

meaning an end in the sense of cessation.  So telos, the word employed in 1

Corinthians 15:24, does not mean an end in the sense of cessation,

termination, or even last, but object, purpose, achievement.

Had the apostle wished to speak of the last rank of those raised from

the dead he had the word at hand, namely eschatos, which he uses in the very

context, when he speaks of death as 'the last enemy'.

We read in Romans 6:22, 'the end everlasting life'.

There can be 'no

end' to everlasting in the sense of cessation.

1 Timothy 1:5 says, 'now the end of the commandment is charity' and

James 5:11 says, 'ye have seen the end of the Lord', which cannot possibly

mean 'cessation' or place in a rank.  1 Peter 1:9 speaks of 'receiving the

end of your faith'.

In 1 Corinthians 15, there are echoes or balancing features, which

should be considered:

A

Made alive.

B

C

15:24 -26.

The end

Death destroyed.

A

15:45 -49.

Man  Last Adam

B

C

Death swallowed up in victory.

Where the first passage says 'the end' the second says 'victory'.  This

emphasizes that the end cannot be attained until 'all enemies are under His

feet'.  Now it is a blessing to know that God has an end in view, and that

victory is assured, but even though we believe this to be true, there are

still moments when we wonder why the character of the ages is like it is.

Why the long wait, the misery, the sorrow, the sin?  If we can minister the

slightest word of comfort or encouragement surely this is the moment to do

it.  First we return to James 5:11:

'Ye have heard of the patience of Job,

And have seen the end of the Lord'.

Job's patience is linked with the fact that the Lord had an end or

purpose in all the dark experiences through which his tried servant was

called to pass.  This he expresses in a context of bafflement.  Forward,

backward, on the left and on the right, he saw no ray of light, but

nevertheless he said, 'but He knoweth the way that I take: When He hath tried

me, I shall come forth as gold' (Job 23:8 -10).

Another passage that is helpful in this same connection is 1

Corinthians 10:13:

'There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but

God is faithful, Who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye