Online home for members of the Body of Christ for the training and promotion of the Children of God as Ambassadors for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20).
Paul was directed by the Holy Spirit to write to fellow Christians, “ye are not your own, ye are bought with a price.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). What a difference it would make in the life and behavior and service of Christians, if they would permit the Holy Spirit to teach them and constantly remind them that the LORD of Glory, Who suffered on the cross of Calvary, the eternal, omnipotent, sinless Christ, was the Creator of the heavens and the earth; and that this world belongs to Christ by right of creation AND by right of redemption. Little wonder then that God, the Father, desires that God, the Son, in all things should have the preeminence. (Colossians 1:18).
We should be able to understand the meaning of Philippians 4:19 when we read Romans 8:32. Note these two verses: “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”, and, “He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”
Surely now we can understand better Colossians 3:23 and Colossians 3:17: “Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily (from the soul), as to the LORD, and not unto men.”, and, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the NAME of the LORD Jesus, giving thanks unto God the Father by Him.”
Some saved church members join with the great number of unsaved assembly members in their comment, “this is taking religion too seriously.” The great majority of saved assembly members give little heed to Colossians 3:16, “let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom.” There it is again, another very important ‘LET’ in Philippians 4:6-7, which it behooves every Christian to obey in these days of uncertainty, unrest, of international political, economic, and religious confusion, “Be careful (anxious, full of worry) for nothing: but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, ‘LET’ your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth (is greater than, SURpasseth) all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Let us never forget the words of our LORD Jesus Christ, in John 12:26 and John 5:23, and let us, by God’s Grace and power, obey 1 Corinthians 15:58. Note the truth in these verses. Christ said, “if any man serve Me, Him will My Father honor”, “That all men should honor the Son even AS they honor the Father: he that honoreth not the Son honoreth not the Father Who hath sent Him.” “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always, abounding in the ‘WORK OF THE LORD’, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain ‘IN THE LORD’.”
“Be strong in the LORD, and in the power of His might.” (Ephesians 6:10). “Knowing that of the LORD ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the LORD Christ.” (Colossians 3:25).
Surely as we meditate upon what we have quoted from God’s Book, the Bible, we must know that the Christian belongs to Christ; that he is not his own; that he is bought with a price, the precious shed blood of the Eternal Christ. (1 Peter 1:18-23). We should know what the Apostle Paul meant when he said, “the love of Christ constraineth us.” (2 Corinthians 5:14). Before Paul wrote this to the Corinthian Christians he wrote, in 1 Corinthians 16:22, “if any man love not the LORD Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha” (“accursed, the LORD coming”). Another apostle, John, wrote; “we love Him, because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19).
Remember that assembly, congregation, denomination members, (whatever you want to call them), however decent, respectable, moral, kind, gentle, religious and zealous, who DENY the eternal DEITY (that means He is GOD) and virgin birth of our LORD Jesus Christ, His perfect, sinless life, His vicarious death, His resurrection and ascension in a body, are called deceivers and antichrist (2 John 7); and they make God a liar, because they believe not the record that God hath given of His Son. (1 John 5:10).
Inasmuch as the LORD Jesus Christ, Who is now in heaven appearing in God’s presence for Christians (Hebrews 9:24 and Hebrews 7:25), is the Author and Finisher of our Faith, and wants all Christians to be Faithful Ambassadors, witnesses, and laborers, we do not want it said of us what is being said concerning so many denomination members, “they practice Christianity only when it is convenient and entails no sacrifice, hardship nor suffering.” And SHAME on the "spiritual" leaders...Pastors, Preachers, and Teachers, who have changed conviction for convenience. (John 12:43, Galatians 1:10, and Jude 16).
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In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.
So There You Have it!
Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.
Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.
There has been, and even today still is, MUCH controversy over the teaching of The Mystery, which the Holy Spirit first revealed to and then taught through the Apostle Paul.
MANY "Christian" Fundamentalists have joined with Modernists in attempting to exalt "the teachings of Jesus" (while on earth) above the Word of God through the Apostle Paul. They ask, "Which should bear the greater weight with us, the words of Jesus, or the words of Paul?"
This is the classic straw-man argument. Because, see, they do not ask this because they truly desire to OBEY these "words of Jesus" and to see them obeyed. NO! For they flagrantly disregard and disobey them, from the Sermon on the Mount to the Great Commission.
With regard to the Sermon on the Mount, they do not subject themselves to the Law of God given through Moses (Matthew 5:17-19). They do not bring gifts to altars of sacrifice (Matthew 5:23-24). They do not give freely to all who ask of them, quite the opposite (Matthew 5:42; Matthew 10:8-9). They do not refrain from laying up treasures on earth (Matthew 6:19, and Matthew 6:25-26); And they certainly do not sell what they have and give alms (Luke 6:30; Luke 12:33).
Let's not stop there...then, these hypocrites, while professing obedience to the so called "Great Commission" as "the Church's marching orders", they do not proclaim faith AND baptism for salvation (Mark 16:16); they do not, (they cannot), perform miraculous signs (Mark 16:17,18); they do not give the Jew first place in their ministry (Luke 24:47; Acts 1:8), and they certainly do not teach others to observe all things that Messiah on earth commanded (Matthew 28:20).
So why? Why do these hypocritical fundamentalists and modernists set "the teachings of Jesus" (on earth) over and against the teachings of the RISEN Jesus through the Apostle Paul? Well, it is NOT because they are determined to obey Jesus, but because they are determined to minimize that which God has "magnified", and that is, the authority of the Apostle Paul as "the apostle of the Gentiles" (Romans 11:13).
They seek to exalt the teachings of Jesus during His earthly ministry above those of the RISEN Jesus through the Apostle Paul BECAUSE they have closed their ears to the often repeated and Holy Spirit inspired teaching of the Apostle Paul that the glorified RISEN Christ spoke from heaven, to and through him, committing to him "The Dispensation of the Grace of God". THE program for the day in which we live (Acts 20:24; Acts:22:6-10, Acts 22:17-21; Acts 26:12-18; Romans 11:13; Romans 15:15-16; Romans 16:25-26; 1 Corinthians 3:10; 1 Corinthians 11:23; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 2 Cor. 5:16; Galatians 1:1, Galatians 1:11-12; Galatians 2:7-9; Ephesians 3:1-9; Ephesians 6:18-20; Philippians 4:9; Colossians 1:23-27; 1 Thessalonians 4:15; 2 Thessalonians 3:14; 1 Timothy 2:5-7; 2 Timothy 2:7-9; Titus 1:2-3).
But MORE than this, they have forgotten the STERN rebuke the Galatians received for failing to recognize the Apostle Paul's teachings as a message from the RISEN, Glorified, Exalted Christ (Galatians 1:6-12). They have taken lightly Paul's words to the Corinthians, "if I come again I will not spare: since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me" (2 Cor. 13:2-3).
These hypocritical fundamentalists and modernists have, as well, distorted the Holy Spirit's admonition through the Apostle Paul as to His own writings, "If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is proud, knowing nothing, from such withdraw thyself" (1 Timothy 6:3-5).
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In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.
So There You Have it!
Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.
Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.
Some may suppose that it would require little boldness today to proclaim the Grace of God in all its purity. Who is ever persecuted now, at least in free, “enlightened lands”, for preaching God's Grace?
Ah, but do not be deceived. Satan was no less active in his opposition to the truth when Constantine exalted the professing Church to prominence than when his predecessors persecuted the Church and sent its members to death by fire and sword. Indeed, Satan, was doubtless, more successful in Constantine's day than he had been when persecution raged.
Does any believer in the Word of God suppose that Satan has relented in his opposition to the truth today, just because men, at least in this land, are not burned at the stake or thrown to the lions? Do not be misled. Satan's enmity against God and against His Word continues undiminished. His hatred of "the Gospel of the Grace of God," is as bitter, and his opposition to it as determined as it ever was. AND, well does he know that the constant discouragements connected with being in the minority often succeed in silencing those who would stand against physical persecution.
Today Satan uses the new evangelicalism with its highly- organized highly-financed campaigns, and its woeful lack of doctrinal and dispensational teaching of the Word...to neutralize the saints.
Multitudes are attracted to these neo-evangelical extravaganzas, at which the participants are for the most part performers, and those who stand for the truth often feel very small as compared to the vast unthinking majority. But let us never forget that God uses "things that are not" to accomplish His work (1 Corinthians 1:26-29).
Let us, who know and love the truth, then, determine by God's Grace that nothing shall make us unfaithful to our glorious commission; that, whatever the cost, we shall faithfully and boldly proclaim to others the unadulterated Gospel of the Grace of God, "the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery." Romans 16:25
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In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.
So There You Have it!
Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.
Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.
Christ is BORN! You Gotta Believe for Salvation, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
If we are going to base our knowledge of God's salvation upon God's Book, the Bible, if we are going to act for time and eternity in this most important of all transactions and receive from God His salvation, THEN let us BELIEVE the fact...that is, "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. Therefore, the redemptive work of Christ is a finished work so far as the salvation of man's soul is concerned; and we must KNOW that He will return for the redemption of the body; to save man, soul and spirit. Now...by BELIEVING, we are going to receive this last statement AND this next statement at full face value, without discount, without even the shadow of a doubt, without question or criticism..."By His own blood He entered in ONCE into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us."
The fact is, that by the work of God, (the Father, Son and Holy Spirit), there has been accomplished and there is available: for any and every sinner who BELIEVES the record that God gave of His Son, an accomplished redemption, a perfect salvation. And we shall see by the same Divine authority the further fact that this perfect salvation can be had by the believing sinner without any additional work, religious endeavor or church ceremony.
Christ is BORN! You Gotta Believe for Salvation, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
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In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.
So There You Have it!
Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.
Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.
Members of the Body of Christ are the Church of the Mystery. A secret that was hid in God. His Body, to be to be joined with its Head, called home at the Rapture, the GLORIOUS meeting in the air, before the "Day of the LORD" begins.
In Revelation 21 we have the New Heaven and the New Earth; we have the Twelve Tribes of Israel; and Twelve Apostles of the Lamb. So, we have to ask, What has all this to do with the Body of Christ, the Church of the Mystery? OBVIOUSLY this has to do only and solely with the Holy City and with the Bride of the Lamb.
Christians, in their selfishness, intrude themselves into the place of others as the Bride, and thus lose the blessed enjoyment of their own place which is theirs as part of the Bridegroom!
The Bride and the Bridegroom, though in a sense are one, are yet distinct. And it is clear from all the scriptures relating to the Mystery, that the members of Christ's Body are part of the Bridegroom Himself. Whereas the elect Old Testament saints will form the Bride. See Isaiah 12:6, "Cry out and shout, thou Inhabitress of Zion: For great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee." In Revelation 22:3, we read "The throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it." Of the glory of this Holy City other scriptures speak. Take a look at Isaiah 60:3, Isaiah 60:14, 1and Isaiah 60:9-20; Revelation 21:23-24, and Revelation 21:27; Isaiah 54:11-12.
A Chaste Virgin - Husbands and Wives
True, the Apostle Paul might address the saints concerning his desire to present them "as a chaste virgin to Christ" (2 Cor. 11:2). But this no more declares that the Church IS the Bride of Christ than that the Apostle himself was their father (1 Corinthians 4:15); or that he was their mother (Galatians 4:19). In the one case he spoke of the painful anxiety of a mother; in another of the loving care of a father; while, in 2 Cor. 11:2, he spoke of the jealousy of the friend of a bridegroom. The "Mystery" was a totally different thing.
Then in Ephesians 4:28-29, the argument is that husbands "ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself, for no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord, the Church, for we are members of His Body," That is, AS Christ loves HIS OWN BODY (Himself (the Head) and the Church (the Head's Body)); so ought husbands to love their wives. Thus "the Mystery" is employed as an argument as to the reciprocal duties of husbands and wives. In NEITHER case is it said that the Church IS the wife, or that Christ IS the husband. But that AS Christ loves His Body (Himself and the Body of Christ), SO husbands ought to love their own bodies (that is, themselves and their wives).
What Have We Learned
The one thing that is clear, is that the Church of the Mystery is the Body of Christ; and that the members of that Body being "in Christ," are PART OF THE BRIDEGROOM. They cannot possibly, therefore, be the Bride herself as separate and distinct from the Bridegroom.
Another thing that is certain is that the mystery of the Church was not revealed in the Old Testament, but was "hid in God" (Ephesians 3:9) and "kept secret" (Romans 16:25); "hid from ages and from generations" (Colossians 1;26).
And Here is The Mystery
Before Israel was created for God's glory, before all of the promises concerning Israel's coming glory and the millennial reign of Christ on earth, even, before Adam had sinned, or was created, God PREDESTINATED that members of the Body of Christ should be conformed to the image of His Son. (Romans 8:28-29). They would be SEATED in the Heavenlies in Christ.
God's eternal purpose is to have a company of redeemed sinners SEPERATE and DISTINCT from ALL OTHER companies. Dwell on this.
These predestinated and justified believers are to be JOINED to Christ as ONE flesh, to make ONE New Man, the Perfect Man, with HEAVENLY citizenship, to appear with Christ in glory. (Ephesians 2:6; Ephesians 5:31-32; Ephesians 2:5; Ephesians 4:13; Philippians 3:20-21; Colossians 3:1-4).
THIS the Father wants every Christian to make known (Ephesians 3:9). And, of course, Satan hates this message with a vicious hatred.
It is one thing to see an illustration of the Church in the Old Testament; but it is quite another thing to say that this is there revealed, which God distinctly declares was not revealed!
At the First Resurrection, following Christ's return to the earth in power and great glory, those of the Heavenly Calling will be resurrected, made ready as a Bride, to be married to Christ, both Head and Body, (the Body which was Raptured, and united in glory with the Head prior to the going forth of the Antichrist). THIS will be the time of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
***
In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.
So There You Have it!
Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.
Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.
Some may suppose that it would require little boldness today to proclaim the Grace of God in all its purity. Who is ever persecuted now, at least in free, “enlightened lands”, for preaching God's Grace?
Ah, but do not be deceived. Satan was no less active in his opposition to the truth when Constantine exalted the professing Church to prominence than when his predecessors persecuted the Church and sent its members to death by fire and sword. Indeed, the devil was doubtless more successful in Constantine's day than he had been when persecution raged.
Does any believer in the Word of God suppose that Satan has relented in his opposition to the truth today, just because men, at least in this land, are not burned at the stake or thrown to the lions? Do not be misled. Satan's enmity against God and against His Word continues undiminished. His hatred of "the Gospel of the Grace of God," is as bitter, and his opposition to it as determined as it ever was. AND, well does he know that the constant discouragements connected with being in the minority often succeed in silencing those who would stand against physical persecution.
Today Satan uses the new evangelicalism with its highly- organized highly-financed campaigns, and its woeful lack of doctrinal and dispensational teaching of the Word…to neutralize the saints.
Multitudes are attracted to these neo-evangelical extravaganzas, at which the participants are for the most part performers, and those who stand for the truth often feel very small as compared to the vast unthinking majority. But let us never forget that God uses "things that are not" to accomplish His work (1 Corinthians 1:26-29).
Let us, who know and love the truth, then, determine by God's Grace that nothing shall make us unfaithful to our glorious commission; that, whatever the cost, we shall faithfully and boldly proclaim to others the unadulterated Gospel of the Grace of God, "the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery."
***
In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.
So There You Have it!
Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.
Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.
There are many attributes of God which humanity does not possess...such as the fact that He is eternal, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, perfect, incomprehensible, infinite, etc. There are also attributes of God that can be reflected in the lives of believers, His love, mercy, justice, kindness, longsuffering, faithfulness, humility, etc. One of the outstanding characteristics of God (which humanity imperfectly reflects from time to time through the control of the Holy Spirit) is the matter of His Faithfulness.
Proverbs 20:6 says, "Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?" It is indeed a rarity. Moses, however, was called "faithful in all his house, as a servant" Hebrews 3:5, and Hanani, the brother of Nehemiah in Nehemiah 7:2 was called "a faithful man, and feared God above many." Of course, the Messiah of Israel, our blessed LORD Jesus was "faithful to Him that appointed Him" according to Hebrews 3:2.
Notice the following facts about the wonderful Faithfulness of God:
1. His CALLING reveals His faithfulness!
1 Thessalonians 5:24 says, "Faithful is He that calleth you." 1 Corinthians 1:9 adds, "God is faithful, by Whom ye were called unto the fellowship of His Jesus Christ our Lord."
2. His COMPASSION reveals His faithfulness!
Lamentations 3:22-23 says, "It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness!" Hebrews 2:17 says of Christ, "Wherefore in all things it behooved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people."
3. His COVENANT reveals His faithfulness!
Deuteronomy 7:9 teaches the real reasons behind God's choice of Israel as a "special people...above all people that are upon the face of the earth" and says, "Know therefore that the LORD thy God, He is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him and keep His commandments to a thousand generations."
Psalm 89:1 speaks of the faithfulness of God, and in Psalm 89:8 we read, "O LORD God of hosts, who is a strong LORD like unto Thee? Or to Thy faithfulness round about Thee?" In Psalm 89:33-34 the Bible says, "Nevertheless My lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer My faithfulness to fail. My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of My lips."
4. His CHARACTER exalts His faithfulness!
Psalm 119:86 says, "All Thy commandments are faithful" and verse Psalm119:90 adds, "Thy faithfulness is unto all generations." Psalm 119:138 says, "The testimonies that Thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful."
Now, consider at least four things about His wonderful character that reveals the Nature of His Faithfulness:
(1) He will FORGIVE our sins!
1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, HE IS FAITHFUL and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
(2) He will HELP us in our trials!
1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us, "There hath no temptation (or trial) taken you but such as is common to man: but GOD IS FAITHFUL, Who will not suffer you to be tempted (tested) above that ye are able; but will with the temptation (trial) also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."
Psalm 119:75 adds, "and that Thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me." Psalm 143:1 says, "Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in Thy faithfulness answer me."
(3) He will PROTECT us from the evil one!
2 Thessalonians 3:3 says, "But THE LORD IS FAITHFUL, Who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil (one)."
(4) He will KEEP His promises to us!
Hebrews 10:23, "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for HE IS FAITHFUL that promised." Hebrews 11:11 says of Sara, "Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged Him faithful Who had promised."
One of the great hymns that believers enjoy is "GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS"
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father. There is no shadow of turning with Thee. Thou changest not Thy compassions, they fail not. As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be!
GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS! GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS! Morning by morning new mercies I see! All I have needed Thy hand hath provided; GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS, Lord, unto me!
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In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.
So There You Have it!
Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.
Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.
A young man waited around recently in a meeting to talk with me. The first question I put to him was, "Are you saved?" He replied, "I hope so." I said, "Do you hope that Christ died for your sins?" He said, "I know He did." Then I asked, "Do you hope that you believe on Him?" He said, "I am sure that I do." I then read to him these words from the Word of God: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth Him that sent me, HATH EVERLASTING LIFE, and shall not come into judgment; but is passed out of death into life." John 5:24.
"Do you truly believe?" I asked the young man. "I most certainly do", was his reply. Then said I, "Are you saved?" He said, "I can only say...I hope so." I said "Forget what YOU say, but what does the Word say? Read it for yourself.""Heareth "believeth" hath everlasting life.""Does it say that if you hear and believe you have the right to hope that some day you might be saved?" "No," he said, "hath everlasting life." Then, I said, "why do you not believe it and have the assurance?" He said, "I wish I could."
Dear friends of the Lion and Lamb Ministry, dear Christians the world over, do not dishonor the LORD Jesus Christ, by doubting his Holy Word.
Satan causes many unsaved religious people to feel that they are perfectly safe and that all is well with their souls; while on the other hand he brings doubt and fear into the minds and hearts of many true believers who are really saved, but who are untaught in the Word of God. Many such believers when asked the direct question, Are you a Christian? or Are you saved? reply "I believe so" "I think I am, or, I hope to be saved when I die."
Many Christians are being taught by ignorant teachers to do all kinds of things to keep from losing their salvation. Others depend very largely for their assurance upon their feelings of their faithfulness in service. The Bible speaks of believers as those: "Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time, Wherein ye greatly rejoice." 1 Peter 1:5.
The sinner is saved by the power of God through The Faith; and receiving the salvation, he becomes a Christian. The Christian is kept by the same power; by the same God; through the same Faith. Let us refer to three verses in the Epistle to the Romans and emphasize the expression "much more" "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. MUCH MORE then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, MUCH MORE, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life" Romans 5:8-20.
Certainly if God loved us when we were the children of wrath, when we were His enemies, out in the world in sin, serving the devil, He will not love us any less, now that we have become His children. Looking moment by moment to our Father for grace and strength and guidance, we should walk worthy of the vocation wherewith we are called. We should seek to please Him in thought, word and deed; that is, we should act like God's children. But we are His children by Faith in Christ Jesus. By grace are ye saved. "Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform (further perfect) it until the day of Jesus Christ."Philippians 1:6.
A Christian should be confident that the same sufficient grace of the same almighty Savior, that saved his soul, will keep him until the day of redemption."Beloved, now are we the children of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall at appear, we shall be like Him: for we shall see Him as He is." 1 John 3:2.
Let us always remember that it is the Gospel of Christ, which is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth. When you believed the gospel of salvation, "Ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession." Ephesians 1:13-14. And furthermore God clearly states that this sealing is "unto the day of redemption,"Ephesians 4:30. "For He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."Hebrews 13:5.
Can you not rest, as the Apostle Paul did, in the gracious promises of the faithful God? Paul said, "in hope of eternal life which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began."Titus 1:2. Therefore he had always sweet and blessed assurance.
Paul was willing to rest his soul in the One who died for him, and who had taken His seat in heaven, where He ever liveth to make intercession for His saints, and who is, therefore, "able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God, by Him." Hebrews 7:25.
It was this same Christ who declared to His disciples in the John 10, that He was the Good Shepherd who would give His life for the sheep. In this chapter He said: "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father which gave them me is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand."John 10:28-29. Eternal life is eternal life. It is not life for a few months, for a few years. It is life that is forever. And remember Jesus said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life." John 6:47. When He entered heaven once for all, He obtained eternal redemption for us. Hebrews 9:12.
Eternal life never depends upon our faithfulness in service; it is the gift of God to believers. Romans 6:23
Our desire always should be to be faithful in service for Him who has done so much for us, and who said, "If any man serve me, him will my Father honor.†But at the same time we should say at all times, “And be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God, by faith."Philippians 3:9. We are not righteous in God's sight, because of our righteous acts, but because of the acts of Christ, the Righteous. We should live righteously because we are on the way to heaven. But we are not on the way because we live righteously, but because we are righteous by The Faith in the One who was made sin on the cross of Calvary that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Cor. 5:21. We are not discounting the value of good works, but want to impress upon your mind and heart that the believer is justified without works. Christians should always maintain good works.
In Exodus 12 is recorded the story of the Passover. The children of Israel were instructed to slay the lamb and sprinkle its blood above their doors and thus escape the wrath of God when He came that night in judgment upon all the firstborn males of Egypt. God said, "When I see the blood, I will pass over you."
"Under the blood" was the only place of safety that dark night. No one was safe because he felt all right, or felt safe.
How many thousands of poor deluded sinners there are today on the road to perdition, to suffer forever the sorrows of the second death, who FEEL all right. They are apparently not the least disturbed about their spiritual welfare or their eternal destiny. "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."
The story has been told of two Hebrew boys, the firstborn sons, who were delivered that night in Egypt. Their fathers had been very careful to see that the blood was placed where God had told them. Therefore, the two boys were perfectly safe and in no danger of judgment. But, according to the story, there were two entirely different scenes in the two homes. The boy in one home went peacefully to sleep, having absolute confidence in God's promise and the assurance that he would rise to see another day. In the other home, the boy spent a sleepless and restless night and continually had to be reassured by his father as to the faithfulness of God and his own security under the blood. When the morning came he was just as much alive as the other firstborn, but he was worn in mind and body, and he was ashamed because of his lack of trust and confidence in the almighty Deliverer. Both boys were equally safe, but they were by no means equally certain and assured. So it is with Christians today. Are you not safe, sheltered under the precious blood of Christ?
It is dishonoring to God for any true believer to doubt his salvation!
"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry Abba Father." Romans 8:15. "The Spirit Himself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God." Romans 8:16. And joint-heirs with Christ. Is it not blessed to be saved for time and eternity? Let us remember that "Jesus having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end." John 13:1.
Do you doubt that God will hear and answer the prayer which Christ made for His own: "Father, I will that they also, whom Thou has given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory?" John 17:24. We believe our Savior. And because we believe Him, we are going to say with Paul: "I am persuaded, that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."Romans 8:38-39.
If you have really surrendered to the Son of God and are trusting in His finished work, if you have thrown yourself on the Grace and merry of God for your salvation, in other words, if you have committed your way unto the LORD and you are also trusting in Him, remember that he will bring it to pass. Do not say, "I think I am saved," "I hope I am saved," "I believe I am saved:" But say, "I know I am saved." God says so. "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may KNOW that ye have eternal life, and that ye may BELIEVE on the name of the Son of God:" 1 John 5:13.
If you know that you believe, then you know that you are saved. Why? Because God's Word says so. And, "He, that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself." 1 John 5:10.
Now, bow and thank God for your assurance!
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In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.
So There You Have it!
Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.
Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.
Will a Child of God fall from Grace if he or she continues in sin? Is there in the Word of God the answer to this question?
The Greek word “Charis”, in the New Testament Scriptures, is translated “Grace” 128 times. Another form of the same Greek word, “Charisma,” is translated “Gift” 18 times. The word “Charis” is translated in the New Testament Scriptures,
The word “Grace” is not found in Matthew and Mark; only once in Luke; and only three times in The Gospel of John, all three occurrences in the first chapter. The word “Grace” is found 79 times in Paul’s Epistles. Inasmuch as the word “Grace” is used 22 times in the Epistle to the Romans and the other form of the Greek word “Charisma” is used several times in that same Epistle, we surely are justified in calling The Book of Romans “the Grace Epistle”. Moreover, we can truly say, that Paul was Christ’s “Grace” messenger, although it was Peter who called God, “the God of all Grace”. 1 Peter 5:10 .
In that wonderful chapter of Romans 5 , where we have the comparison and contrast between the first man, who brought sin and death, and the Second Man, who brought righteousness and life, the climax is reached in that blessed Divine truth: “where sin abounded,grace did much more abound (superabound).”Romans 5:20 .
Thus we learn that God’s grace is altogether sufficient for man’s sin, man’s sins, and for the sins of the whole world, by and through the death of the Second Man. And by careful study of Romans 5 and Romans 6 , Almighty God would have us learn that His super-abounding Grace, through The LORD Jesus Christ, can save the believer not only from the wages of sin, but also from the dominion of sin.
Many have been the controversies between different groups of Christians as to “falling from Grace”. Whether this particular expression has been used, or “the perseverance of the saints,” or “once saved, always saved,” or “the eternal security of the believer,” or “the apostatizing of the saint,” or “losing Salvation,” the arguments generally have been on this one question, “Can one continue in Grace and also continue in sin?” In the Epistle to the Romans, ten times The Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul said, “God forbid.” The literal translation is better, “let it not be.”
“Let it not be” that the believer shall continue in sin that Grace may abound. Romans 6:1-2 . “Let it not be” that a believer shall sin because he is not under the law, but under Grace.” Romans 6:15 .
But here we do not have the answer to the question, “Will a believer fall from Grace if he continue in sin?” Is there in the Word of God the answer to this question? And, whom would you consider the more miserable: the Child of God who insists that once in Grace always in Grace and yet continues in sin, or the Child of God, who, because he has continued in sin, has lost all hope, has given up in despair, and insists that he has fallen from Grace and lost his Salvation. Let’s admit that both are miserable and perhaps should be. But what saith the Scriptures?
“FOR THE GRACE OF GOD THAT BRINGETH SALVATION HATH APPEAREDTO ALL MEN, TEACHING US THAT, DENYING UNGODLINESS AND WORLDLYLUSTS, WE SHOULD LIVE SOBERLY, RIGHTEOUSLY AND GODLY IN THIS PRESENT WORLD; LOOKING FOR THAT BLESSED HOPE, AND THE GLORIOUS APPEARING OF THE GREAT GOD, OUR SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST; WHO GAVE HIMSELF FOR US, THAT HE MIGHT REDEEM US FROM ALL INIQUITY, AND PURIFY UNTO HIMSELF A PECULIAR (acquired) PEOPLE, ZEALOUS OF GOOD WORKS.”Titus 2:11-14 .
Here we learn The LORD Jesus Christ’s purpose in giving Himself for us. “That He might redeem us from all iniquity.” “Purify unto Himself a peculiar people.” “Zealous of good works.” And we learn that the Grace of God that brought us this Salvation through Christ, would teach us how to live.
The sinner saved by Grace is to live a righteous life, a life of good works. For such a life, God’s Grace is sufficient. Hear what the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul says about it “And God is able to make all Grace abound toward us; that ye, always having allsufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.”2 Cor. 9:8 .
And for the believer’s infirmity and temptation, God again speaks in the same Epistle: “My Grace is sufficient for thee.” 2 Cor. 12:9 . Coupled with God’s Grace is God’s faithfulness, and again we have the promise: “God is faithful, Who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way of escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”1 Corinthians 10:13 .
In a message through the Apostle John, the sinner saved by Grace has his word from the Holy Spirit: “These things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”1 John 2:1 .
In the light of these Scriptures, and many others, we say emphatically to Romans 6:1 …“shall we continue in sin, that Grace may abound?” No! And we say emphatically to Romans 6:15 …“shall we sin, because we are not under the law; but under Grace?” No!
Now, we certainly do not want to limit the possibilities of the Grace of God IN the life and FOR the life of any believer. And while we know that the Word of God clearly teaches that God’s Grace is sufficient for every trial, every temptation and every God given task, and is sufficient to keep the believer from sinning, yet we also know that no believer always does what is right, and always refrains from doing what is wrong.
So, question arises…Are we positive in our assurance that the Grace of God delivers from condemnation every Child of God who fails to do right and is guilty of doing wrong? YES!
Wrongdoing is sin. Failing to do right is sin. The wrong-doings and failures of some believers are far more numerous than those of other believers, and perhaps the sins of some believers are worse than those of others. But we have to agree that all Children of God do continue in sin to some extent; and perhaps we further agree that there is a difference in being overtaken in sin and willfully committing a sin; and we know that if we sin willfully after we have “received the knowledge of the truth, that there remaineth no more SACRIFICE for sins.”Hebrews 9:26 .
Thank the LORD Jesus Christ, there does remain Forgiveness!
For not one of us believes that God’s Grace is not sufficient for His full pardon, cleansing and forgiveness for believers who sin, Whether, the sin be willful or otherwise. According to the Word of God, every Child of God needs that cleansing and forgiveness, whether willfully sinning or not. Now some would argue that at the moment of Salvation all of your sins, past AND future, were forgiven, and you were cleansed by the Blood of Christ, and His Righteousness was put to your account. Once, and for all. And to that I say AMEN! And yet we cannot ignore the plethora of Scripture such as 1 John 1:9“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” And this, the Holy Spirit through the Apostle John wrote to “My little children” 1 John 2:1 . That’s Children of God, not unbelievers. So, we can see this is NOT for forgiveness unto Salvation.
Now comes this question…Where do we have in God’s message of Grace the statement, that if a Child of God sins, he will fall from Grace? THEN, if the believer who sins does fall from Grace, and by thusfalling, loses his Salvation, which, in the beginning was BY Grace, this begs the further question…How many sins, and just what kind of sins, must the believer commit in order to lose his Salvation, or fall from Grace? And that leads to…There must be a line over which the believer must step in order to lose his Salvation. See where this leads…to NO GOOD, that’s where! This propaganda propagated by Priests, Pastors, and Preachers (not all, so save your emails), is nothing less than Priestcraft! A methodology to keep you needing the Priest and NOT thinking you need the LORD Jesus Christ!
So then we must ask…Who is sufficient, besides God, to fix that line; and where in His message of Grace hasHe fixed that line? The stupid judgment that some Child of God who is guilty of wrongdoing has fallen fromGrace so far that he has fallen away from Salvation, does not make it true. NOW, what saith the Scriptures…
“Whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from Grace.”Galatians 5:4 .
The Child of God who knows that he is saved by Grace, knows positively that he is not Justified by The Law of Moses; and therefore he is not fallen from Grace; therefore we must apply some Scripture other than this verse. For here we have, rather, the teaching that some of those who would condemn their erring brothers and would teach them how to keep from falling from Grace, by doing this or refraining from doing that, might themselves be guilty of falling from Grace by the preventive they are offering to others!
Look, Salvation is not for sale. Every Child of God should know this fact. Salvation can neither be purchased nor earned. No man deserves Salvation or is worthy of saving. In God’s message of Grace no truth is more clearly taught than the fact that Salvation is never because of man’s good works or religious endeavors. The Child of God is saved to DO good works, UNTO good works, to be zealous of good works, to maintain good works. But…NEVER by, or on account of, or because of, good works, or any works. “IF BY GRACE, THEN IT IS NO MORE OF WORKS.”Romans 11:6 .
"Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness."Romans 4:4-5. And then, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."Ephesians 2:8-9.
Salvation is the gift of God. But, what must the sinner do to obtain that gift? The answer is, “through faith” And even the faith is God’s gift. It is by Grace. "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing (itself), comes by the Word of God." Romans 10:17 . And thus we call out for salvation, "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved" Romans 10:13 , and as the Apostle Paul told the Philippian Jailer "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" Acts 16:31 .
There is a big difference with Almighty God between working sinners and working Saints. And it is not for us to criticize or change God’s saving message of Grace because someone, who claims to be saved by Grace, is not denying ungodly lusts and living soberly, righteously and godly in this present world. The believer’s inconsistent behavior does not change the truth concerning God’s Grace Message of Salvation. It is the man who tries to supplement the Grace of God with works as the means of Salvation, who frustrates the Grace of God. The Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul, “I do not frustrate the Grace of God: for if righteousness comes by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” Galatians 2:21 .
A sinner is saved wholly, solely, altogether without any “if” or “and” or “but”, by the Grace of God, by Faith in the redemptive work of Christ. This is true whether or not the believer does right or wrong. You may condemn your fellowman now and say that his life proves that he does not believe, because he does not live the Christian life. You may be right; you may be wrong. However, “Who can lay anything to the charge of God’s elect?” “Who is he that condemneth?”
“There is therefore NOW no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus.”Romans 8:1 . Now, remember, every sinner saved by the Grace of God,should appropriate, by the gift of Faith, the super abounding Grace for a consistent life of godliness, and, as James has written, he should show his faith by his works; but it is unscriptural and untrue to say that any man can be saved by Grace + works.
Works can never be the factor in Salvation, but invariably the fruit; and, there should be, in every Child of God’s life, the fruit. But, alas, the fruit does not save him. The Grace that saved him will enable him to BEAR fruit; but he is saved by Grace without fruit.
There is perhaps no clearer message of Grace in all the Word of God than Romans 3:24-25 , "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood..."
Then, who is the happy man mentioned in this bit of Good News: “Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.” Romans 4:8 . If that happy man is the man who never does wrong,then that is no happy man! He feels jipped! But, the man who is Justified without a cause...Justified...declared righteous? How?Without a cause! That is pure Grace. And pure Grace is the sinner’s only hope.
It is not man’swork; it is Christ’s work; the death, burial and resurrection of that Perfect Man who wasdelivered for our offenses and raised again for our Justification. From first to last, “Salvation is of the Lord.”Jonah 2:9 .
The Child of God who would try to pay for Righteousness or Salvation through the works of the Law or religion, after he has been saved by the Grace of God, is little better than the religious person who would NOT receive Salvation as the free gift of God, but prefers to work for it.
However Christians, genuine or counterfeit, may use or abuse God’s Grace, no matter if some may give up in despair because they feel they have fallen from Grace by continuing in sin, or if others claim that they cannot fall away from God’s Grace, if once saved, even if they do continue in sin, let us not be guilty of preaching another gospel, a message of Grace and religion mixed.
Neither let us endeavor to mete out the judgment to those who are unwilling to be taught how to live by the Grace of God. Rather let us always teach and preach to ourselves, as well as to others, that Salvation first, last, and all the time, is by Grace and Grace alone, and every man who is in that matchless Grace, and trusting in the Work and depending upon the Worthiness of The LORD Jesus Christ, is SAVED, and should day by day manifest his life in Christ, by a spiritual walk, and testimony.
In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.
So There You Have it!
Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.
Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.
We at the Lion and Lamb Ministry firmly believe that The Bride of Christ and The Mystery, the Body of Christ, belong to different operations in the overall plan of God. Both are formed by Christ, and both are based on the redemptive work of Christ, but there are many differences, leading to the conclusion that they are in fact completely different.
They have different beginnings, different Apostles, different Gospels, there is numerous scripture that pertains to each separately, they each have different members, they each have different governing's, and they have different prophesies to them. What many fail to realize is this: because Israel, the first nation, nation #1, stubbornly rejected Christ the Messiah, God finally set her aside, (albeit temporarily never ever forget that), as a nation, as we read in Acts 28:28, and, in unmatched incomprehensible mercy and love, interrupted the prophetic program, to which it is written, "none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." (1 Corinthians 2:8), ushering in the present parenthetical Dispensation of Grace, the Dispensation of the Mystery, through the Apostle Paul, who had been our LORD's enemy, but was now the appointed herald of His infinite Grace. Isn't that AMAZING!
The Bride and the Bridegroom, though in a sense are one, are yet distinct. And it is clear from all the scriptures relating to the Mystery, that the members of the Body of Christ, the Church of the Dispensation of Grace, The Dispensation of the Mystery, are part of the Bridegroom Himself.
The Three Callings...The Body of Christ, the Bride of Christ, and National Israel
Number 1: The Earthly Calling of Israel or The National Calling
FIRST, We have the earthly calling of Israel, called out from all nations, for blessing in the Land. Israel was the "wife," and is so spoken of all through the Old Testament; and the marriage will be consummated when Revelation 19:8 will be fulfilled.
I am sure we can agree that the great subject of the Old Testament prophecies is a restored Israel and a regenerated earth (Matthew 19). It is surely unnecessary to quote the many prophecies which tell of the time when the earth shall be full of the knowledge and glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea (Numbers 14:21, Psalm 72:9, Isaiah 6:3, Isaiah11:9, Habakkuk 2:14).
That kingdom and sphere of blessing and glory will be on the EARTH; and the new Israel with a heart of stone changed to a heart of flesh and with a new spirit, will bring forth "the fruits of righteousness ". This will be the regeneration when the 12 Apostles will be seated "on twelve thrones judging the tribes of Israel" (Matthew 19:28).This will be the first and lowest sphere of blessing. It will be on EARTH, and under the whole heaven. These are "the people OF the saints of the Most High " (Daniel 7:27). All the nations of the earth will share in this blessing according to God's original promise to Abraham. This is the National Calling of Israel.
Number 2: The Heavenly Calling - The Bride of Christ
THEN, We have "the heavenly calling," distinctly spoken of as such in Hebrews 3:1, of which a certain class of believing Israelites were "partakers." Among these we may put all those whom we speak of as "the Old Testament Saints."
In spite of the earthly promises to Israel, and in the midst of all those who cherished those earthly promises, there was an ELECT "heavenly calling" of those whose hopes were not earthly, but heavenly. They looked for no earthly portion, but they looked forward with a heavenly hope to a heavenly blessing.
As it is written, "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims (Genesis 23:4, 1 Peter 2:11) on the earth".For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a COUNTRY, a better country, that is, an HEAVENLY, wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a CITY" (Hebrews 11:13-16).
And of Abraham it is said (Hebrews 11:10): "He looked for THE CITY which hath FOUNDATIONS, whose builder and maker is God."
When the angel, therefore, says to John (Revelation 21:9), "Come hither, I will show thee the Bride, the Lamb's wife, and he showed me that great CITY, the holy Jerusalem descending out of HEAVEN from God," what can we conclude that here, we have that "better country," and "the City" for which the Old Testament saints belonging to the "heavenly calling" looked?
It will also be noted that the names "on the GATES" of the city are "the names of the twelve TRIBES of the children of Israel" (Revelation 21:12), while the names "in the FOUNDATIONS" are "the names of the TWELVE APOSTLES of the Lamb" (Revelation 21:14).
NOW, if THIS is NOT "the CITY" for which they and the Elect Remnant looked, for what "City" DID they look?
Certainly not for an earthly city; but for this, of which we now see them, it's blessed and happy inhabitants. No other city has these foundations; no other city has apostles and prophets to prophesy concerning God as its builder. God builds one City, His prophets and apostles are all concerned for the building of the City of the eternal ages. Their message concerning this city came from its builder and maker. The builder of it puts their names in the foundations of its walls; and the adornment of its foundations are the names of the twelve apostles. No other city could have such immortal, priceless foundations. Blessed foundations. This was the city; for this alone has foundations, all others will have vanished in smoke; this abides. This, then, is what Abraham, and his seed, by faith, looked for. This is the Holy City.
The Bride, (the HEAVENLY Calling), Abraham and his spiritual seed are "the saints of the Most High " as distinct from "the people" (OF these saints) on the earth (Daniel 7:18, Daniel 7:22, and Daniel 7:25), and occupying a distinct place in the HEAVENLY SPHERE of this SAME Kingdom. From the call of Abraham there have ever been these TWO seeds, the earthly and the heavenly. The one was likened by Jehovah to "the dust of the earth" or "the sand of the sea" (Genesis 13:16; Genesis 22:17); and the other was likened to "the stars of heaven" (Hebrews 11:12; Gen. 15:5). Both expressions suggest multitude, but the former is specially associated with EARTHLY blessing, while the latter points to "the partakers of a HEAVENLY calling (Hebrews 3:1), these are The Bride of Christ!
The Bride is seen all through the Old Testament as being " the church or assembly of God," " partakers of a HEAVENLY calling, "possessing a heavenly hope, and looking for a heavenly sphere of blessing". Then in Romans 11:6 we have the "ELECTION" of Israelites by Grace; the rest of Israel blinded. "AS IT IS WRITTEN" in Isaiah 6:9-10. This blindness is still upon Israel.
ISRAEL WILL AGAIN BE ELECTED. As touching the "ELECTION", when Israel shall be saved, in fulfillment of Romans 11:26, this will be, because they are beloved for the fathers' sake, because the gifts and calling of God are without repentance, because this is God's covenant when He shall take away Israel's sins. (Romans 11:26-29).
Number Three: The HOLY Calling - The Body of Christ
And then, we have the other "calling," of which we read in Ephesians 1:18, Ephesians 4:1. It is a "HOLY calling" (2 Timothy 1:9). It is a Divine calling.HOWEVER, if we identify the calling of the Church of the Mystery, the Body of Christ, with the other callings we cannot but have confusion.
NOW, pay attention, God's ELECT in THIS CURRENT Age and Dispensation of GRACE, the Dispensation of the Mystery (Ephesians 3:9), those of the HOLY Calling, are members of the Body of Christ, and NOT "ELECT ISRAEL"! "Who hath saved us, and called us with an HOLY calling, NOT according to our works, but according to his own purpose and Grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus BEFORE the world began" (2 Timothy 1:9).
Members of the Body of Christ are the Church of the Mystery. A secret that was hid in God. His Body, to be to be joined with its Head, called home at the Rapture, the GLORIOUS meeting in the air, before the "Day of the LORD" begins.
In Revelation 21 we have the New Heaven and the New Earth; we have the Twelve Tribes of Israel; and Twelve Apostles of the Lamb. So, we have to ask, What has all this to do with the Body of Christ, the Church of the Mystery? OBVIOUSLY this has to do only and solely with the Holy City and with the Bride of the Lamb.
Christians, in their selfishness, intrude themselves into the place of others as the Bride, and thus lose the blessed enjoyment of their own place which is theirs as part of the Bridegroom!
The Bride and the Bridegroom, though in a sense are one, are yet distinct. And it is clear from all the scriptures relating to the Mystery, that the members of Christ's Body are part of the Bridegroom Himself. Whereas the elect Old Testament saints will form the Bride. See Isaiah 12:6, "Cry out and shout, thou Inhabitress of Zion: For great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee." In Revelation 22:3, we read "The throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it." Of the glory of this Holy City other scriptures speak. Take a look at Isaiah 60:3, Isaiah 60:14, 1and Isaiah 60:9-20; Revelation 21:23-24, and Revelation 21:27; Isaiah 54:11-12.
A Chaste Virgin - Husbands and Wives
True, the Apostle Paul might address the saints concerning his desire to present them "as a chaste virgin to Christ" (2 Cor. 11:2). But this no more declares that the Church IS the Bride of Christ than that the Apostle himself was their father (1 Corinthians 4:15); or that he was their mother (Galatians 4:19). In the one case he spoke of the painful anxiety of a mother; in another of the loving care of a father; while, in 2 Cor. 11:2, he spoke of the jealousy of the friend of a bridegroom. The "Mystery" was a totally different thing.
Then in Ephesians 4:28-29, the argument is that husbands "ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself, for no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord, the Church, for we are members of His Body," That is, AS Christ loves HIS OWN BODY (Himself (the Head) and the Church (the Head's Body)); so ought husbands to love their wives. Thus "the Mystery" is employed as an argument as to the reciprocal duties of husbands and wives. In NEITHER case is it said that the Church IS the wife, or that Christ IS the husband. But that AS Christ loves His Body (Himself and the Body of Christ), SO husbands ought to love their own bodies (that is, themselves and their wives).
What Have We Learned
The one thing that is clear, is that the Church of the Mystery is the Body of Christ; and that the members of that Body being "in Christ," are PART OF THE BRIDEGROOM. They cannot possibly, therefore, be the Bride herself as separate and distinct from the Bridegroom.
Another thing that is certain is that the mystery of the Church was not revealed in the Old Testament, but was "hid in God" (Ephesians 3:9) and "kept secret" (Romans 16:25); "hid from ages and from generations" (Colossians 1;26).
And Here is The Mystery
Before Israel was created for God's glory, before all of the promises concerning Israel's coming glory and the millennial reign of Christ on earth, even, before Adam had sinned, or was created, God PREDESTINATED that members of the Body of Christ should be conformed to the image of His Son. (Romans 8:28-29). They would be SEATED in the Heavenlies in Christ.
God's eternal purpose is to have a company of redeemed sinners SEPERATE and DISTINCT from ALL OTHER companies. Dwell on this.
These predestinated and justified believers are to be JOINED to Christ as ONE flesh, to make ONE New Man, the Perfect Man, with HEAVENLY citizenship, to appear with Christ in glory. (Ephesians 2:6; Ephesians 5:31-32; Ephesians 2:5; Ephesians 4:13; Philippians 3:20-21; Colossians 3:1-4).
THIS the Father wants every Christian to make known (Ephesians 3:9). And, of course, Satan hates this message with a vicious hatred.
It is one thing to see an illustration of the Church in the Old Testament; but it is quite another thing to say that this is there revealed, which God distinctly declares was not revealed!
At the First Resurrection, following Christ's return to the earth in power and great glory, those of the Heavenly Calling will be resurrected, made ready as a Bride, to be married to Christ, both Head and Body, (the Body which was Raptured, and united in glory with the Head prior to the going forth of the Antichrist). THIS will be the time of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
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In Ephesians 1:13 the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and BELIEVING the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation. Therefore, here, now, is declared unto you the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your Salvation: "that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. BELIEVE today. The time is short.
So There You Have it!
Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide.
Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.
