Colosssians 1:24?

This would 'seem' to tie into the prayers of intercessions for others via the power and manifestation of the gift from the Holy Spirit.

As of "past human history"? Or just the past histories of each person's own history at this time in which they are now living and alive?

The Amplified version of the bible gives you a clearer picture of the passage--a fuller look into the Greek words and their meaning.


24 [Even] now I rejoice in the midst of my sufferings on your behalf. And in my own person I am making up whatever is still lacking and remains to be completed [[v]on our part] of Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of His body, which is the church.


It isn't that Jesus' sacrifice on our behalf was lacking, it's that WE must do our part and endure suffering for the advancement and benefit of the Body, the church.

The MAINLINE understanding of Christ's sacrifice is that it was ALL finished at the cross. None of us need suffer nor die to satisfy the claims of the Law (of which Paul was an EXPERT, hand picked by the scholars of the day). However, Christ said that He must leave so that the Comforter may come (to finish a work IN THEM) and so that He could return and "prepare the Mansions" in heaven.

Christ is the Mediator between the Father and man. That is not just a "passive" undertaking. Each and EVERY person who has ever lived must have his "record" examined in the Heavenly court. Every prophecy in the Scriptures is conditional upon the acts of man. Many a prophet has stated "conditions" for their fulfillment and the activity of angels (even the Savior, Himself) has resulted in changing the minds of others to bring about a desired effect. Jonah warned of the destruction of Ninevah, but the destruction was averted by the repentance of the people. Jonah tried everything to avoid this warning, but eventually (by divine intervention) he gave in and gave the warning which was heeded.

Jesus, Himself, said that I and the Father work. That is not a small statement. They are not just sitting on some cloud waiting for man to get it together. They are ACTIVELY engaged in our salvation. The prayers of the saints are heard and acted upon. When it is all done and the statement is made to "let those who are unjust be unjust still, ..." the censor which holds the incense (which rises to God and is a sween smell in His nostrils) is cast down indicating that His mediation for fallen man is over. His "work" is done. The example that He was on earth, is for us who travel the same road that He did and "carry their cross"--just by claiming His righteousness in place of their shortcomings. Christ was the "first fruit" and we are the "first fruits" of His suffering and sacrifice. In a very real sense, the word Tamid which is used for the word sacrifice means it is a continual sacrifice. In other words, that sacrifice (once and for all) reaches all the way into the past to give the sacrifice of animals legitimacy to cover the sin of the people in the Old Testament Sanctuary service--all the way to the end of time in the future. Remember, Paul was and EXPERT on the Law and shows how Christ fulfilled every single demand of the Law--right down to minute detail.

Our suffering, of course, is not even close to Christ's. He was ONE with the Father, and His suffering had nothing to do with physical pain. His suffering was being separated from God with the weight of the sin of the world upon Him. Before He died, His soul was satisfied as He looked at His sacrifice and saw that it was enough. Peter would not even let himself be crucified in the same way and was hung upside down instead--not willing to be equated with the infinite sacrifice of Christ. Even in the very last moments of this earth's history, the angels desire to come to our aid, but it is written that we must "drink of the cup, and be baptised with the baptism." This is the final finishing work IN US. We cannot do this by ourselves. We need help. Christ and the Father work--right to the very end of time.

remains to be completed... hmmmm