“If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.” 1 Corinthians 16:22 KJV
“If any man loveth not our Lord Jesus Christ, be he cursed, Maranatha. [If any man love not our Lord Jesus Christ, be he cursed, Maranatha, that is, in the coming of the Lord.]” 1 Corinthians 16:22 Wycliffe Bible
Anathema – “From anatithemai; a (religious) ban or (concretely) excommunicated (thing or person) -- accused, anathema, curse...” according to Strong’s Concordance. [1]
Maranatha – “Of Chaldee origin (meaning our Lord has come); maranatha, i.e. An exclamation of the approaching divine judgment -- Maran-atha”, according to Strong’s Concordance.[2] A translated Aramaic phrase meaning, (our) Lord, come!” according to NAS Exhaustive Concordance. [3]
This passage in 1 Corinthians could be translated: If any person is found that does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let that person be excommunicated and/or cursed when our Lord Jesus, comes! It is a passage that at the same time condemns those that reject Christ and reminds us that our Lord Jesus Christ will return. As I have said before, the Lord’s return has been imminent since Christ’s ascension into Heaven, but the signs of his soon return are multiplying. Prophesy is being fulfilled, so it will not be long until he returns. I can’t know the day or hour, but I can know the season, and we are in that season.
Until his return we must continue to press forward, live our lives, plan, organize, grow and learn. We can’t stop and wait. We must ford on beyond the streams of tribulation and strife that block our path. But we, as Christians, must also always be ready and waiting for our Lord’s return. We must always be prepared to be caught up with great force and speed (snatched up, raptured), in the twinkling of an eye, to meet Jesus in the air. So, I say Maranatha! (Lord, Come!) Not because I can command the Lord, but because I’m ready! I can hardly wait!
Final Thoughts
As a non-Christian or Christian – are you ready? If non-Christian, you need to accept Christ as Lord and Savior and start preparing. As a Christian you can’t be attached to the people or things of this world. Remember, this is not our home; it’s just a proving ground, a guided path, a temporary home. Our true home is in Heaven, so I say Maranatha!
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[1] Bible Hub, Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, Anathema. Accessed October 7, 2017, http://biblehub.com/strongs/greek/331.htm
[2] Bible Hub, Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, Maranatha. Accessed October 7, 2017, http://biblehub.com/strongs/greek/3134.htm
[3] NAS Exhaustive Concordance, Maranatha. Accessed October 7, 2017, http://biblehub.com/nasec/greek/3134.htm