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).
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.
"For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how 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.
There were WITNESSES of the Resurrection of Christ, to that there is no doubt. AND in the following passage from 1 Corinthians 15, the Apostle Paul CITES Peter and the eleven apostles who saw the LORD after His resurrection, and then he further states, "After that, He was seen of more than FIVE HUNDRED brethren at once. He was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all, He was seen of me also as one born out of due time" 1 Corinthians 15:5-8.
That Christ was "raised again the third day" is of the UTMOST importance because it is the receipt from God, Himself, that our sins have been paid in full, signed in His own blood, as it were.
Death and Hades could not keep the Son of God in its icy grip. Unlike you and me, the LORD Jesus Christ had no sin, He is "holy, harmless, undefiled, [and] separate from sinners" Hebrews 7:26...and possessing "the spirit of holiness" God "declared [Him] to be the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead" (Romans 1:4).
Pay very close attention...The Father raised Christ from the dead. Galatians 1:1. The Holy Spirit raised Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:18. The LORD Jesus Christ raised HIMSELF from the dead. John 10:18. In the resurrection of Christ, God shows "what is the exceeding greatness of His power to usward who believe". Ephesians 1:19.
Now, another important point...Christ's appearance to Paul was VERY different than His appearances had been unto all those other saints. The Apostle Paul saw the RISEN, EXALTED, and GLORIFIED, LORD JESUS CHRIST in the glory of His Grace. Listen to Paul's own testimony, "And when I could not see for the Glory of that Light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus. And one Ananias said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know His will, AND SEE THAT JUST ONE, and shouldest hear the voice of His mouth" Acts 22:11-14.
So in the Apostle Paul's Gospel when he focuses upon the "crucified" One, 1 Corinthains 1:23, he proclaims "Jesus Christ according to the Revelation of the Mystery" (Romans 16:25). In our endeavors, therefore, to keep our congregations informed of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ may we NEVER forget that we "who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the BLOOD of Christ". Ephesians 2:13. What love, and what Grace, that should compel our worship, our praise, and our adoration of our wonderful LORD and Savior Jesus Christ. And it all begins at Calvary.
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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.
To start this study, here is Matthew 7:12, where it says, Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
For this study we want you to read in your Bibles...Exodus 25:17; Exodus 26:34; Exodus 30:6; Exodus 40:26; Leviticus 14-17; Exodus 25:22; and of course Matthew 7:12
This is a study of "The Golden Rule" and "The Golden Mercy Seat". First let us read from Exodus 25:17, where it says, "And thou shalt make a mercy seat of pure gold; two cubits and a half the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof. And thou shalt make two cherubim of gold.". Next let's read Exodus 26:34, where it says, "And thou shalt put the mercy seat upon the Ark of the Testimony in the most Holy Place."
Now we read Leviticus 16:15, where it says, "Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the veil, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat". And now Exodus 22:25, where it says, "And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel".
The mercy seat was NOT UNDER the Law, but the Law was under it. God is both just and the Justifier. Romans 3:24-26. We know that Matthew 7:12 has been called "The Golden Rule". But now, concerning the Golden Rule, note the statement where Christ says, "This is the Law."
OK...now, with this let us read Galatians 3:10, where it says that the curse of God upon those UNDER the Law. Referring to the Law, note what the Apostle Peter said to his fellow disciples in Acts 15:10, "Why tempt ye God to put a yoke on the necks of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?" And now look at James 2:10, "For whosoever shall keep the WHOLE Law, and yet offend in ONE point, he is guilty of ALL."
Then concerning the Law note what the Apostle Paul said in Romans 7, "For what I WOULD, that do I NOT; but what I HATE, that I DO. For the good that I WOULD I do not: but the evil which I would NOT, THAT I do. Now if I DO that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me". Because of inherent, indwelling sin the natural man is not subject to the Law of God. However, the spiritual man, by the Law of the Spirit of life, CAN WALK in the Spirit and FULFILL the righteousness of the Law. Romans 8:4.
We read in Exodus 26:34 that the mercy seat of pure gold was placed ON TOP of the ark. The Ten Commandments, the Law, was placed IN the ark. This was not by accident! And, the ark and the mercy seat were behind the veil, in the most holy place in the tabernacle. Note Hebrews 9:7 where it says, "But into the second went the high priest ALONE once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the errors of the people". Christ entered within the veil (in Heaven) by His Blood. Hebrews 9:12.
God is Just and the Justifier of every one who trusts in the blood propitiation of Jesus Christ. Romans 3:24-27. The Law is just. Romans 7:12. True justice knows no mercy. But because of Christ and Calvary, God can be just and merciful and do what He could not do by the deeds of the Law, which is to justify the believing Law-breaker. Romans 3:19-20; Romans 8:3; Acts 13:39.
Remember the Law was UNDER the golden mercy seat. The Law worketh wrath. Romans 4:15. The Golden Rule is the Law. Christ made peace through the blood of His cross. Colossians 1:20. Read Galatians 2:21 and Galatians 3:21.
The Law condemned the Pharisee. The blood sprinkled mercy seat justified the publican, who went down justified. Luke 18:10-14. The Law is the ministration of condemnation. 2 Corinthians 3:9. Believers are justified by the Blood of Christ. Romans 5:7-10. In Christ Jesus there is no condemnation. Romans 8:1; Romans 8:32-35; John 3:18. The place of safety is not under the Law, but under the Blood...and under Grace...Romans 6:14...IN Christ.
Just THINK of the foolish, religious person who prefers "under the Law" TO "in Christ".
Then think of those who have been to the blood sprinkled mercy seat (Calvary) and there received the Divine Nature and now want to keep the Golden Rule by yielding to the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus and obeying Romans 8:4.
Sinners, though moral, religious, conscientious, and sincere, can NOT get near to Salvation and Heaven by struggling with or following the Golden Rule. The blood sprinkled mercy seat is FIRST.
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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.
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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.
“And He is the Head of the Body, the Church; Who is the beginning, the first born from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence.”Colossians 1:18 .
We can only touch on the glories of our LORD Jesus Christ and the eternal relationships between this One who is called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, and the redeemed sinner who is already seated with that glorious Savior in the heavenlies.Ephesians 2:6 . Isaiah 9:6 .
When we learn that The LORD Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is mentioned by noun and pronoun more than sixty-nine hundred times in the New Testament Scriptures, you see the impossible task of me trying to describe Him in our relationships in one short article. According to John 21:25 ,“even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written” concerning this One, who is called:
He was in the form of God. Philippians 2:6 . He was with God. He was God. John 1:1-2 . The Father said, “Let all the angels of God worship Him.” “Unto the Son He saith, ‘Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever'”Hebrews 1:6-7 . “Christ came, who is over all, God blessed forever”Romans 9:5 . And Thomas said unto Him (Jesus), “My LORD and my God”John 20:28 .
“He is before all things and by Him all things consist”Colossians 1:17 . By Jesus Christ, God made the world and all things. Ephesians 3:9 . In Him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. Colossians 2:9 . All judgment is committed into His hands. John 5:22 . He knows all things.John 21:17 . God hath appointed The LORD Jesus Christ heir of all things. Hebrews 1:2 . Therefore the Son could truthfully say, “All things that the Father hath are mine.”John 16:15 .
All of the promises of God are yea and amen in Christ Jesus. 2 Cor. 1:20 .
This is the Savior who was made after the power of an endless life. Hebrews 7:16 . This is the LORD of Glory who for sinners was crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:8 . Is it any wonder He could say, “I am He that liveth, and was dead; and behold I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and death”Revelation 1:18 . “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the LORD, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty”Revelation 1:8 .
The Scriptures, the Written Word, testify of Jesus Christ, the Living Word. John 5:39 .
This Christ is the Head of the Body, the Church. Sinners saved by grace are members of that Body. “And they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery; but I speak concerning Christ and the Church”Ephesians 5:31 .
The LORD Jesus Christ is the true vine and sinners saved by grace are the branches. John 15:1-8 .
“Our LORD Jesus Christ who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him”1 Thessalonians 5:10 . This Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 . He is:
“The Shepherd and Bishop of our souls”1 Peter 2:25 .
“The Author and Finisher of The Faith”Hebrews 12:2 .
“The Apostle and High Priest of our confession”Hebrews 3:1 .
This is the Christ who died that “He should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad”John 11:52 . “That in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him”Ephesians 1:10 . The believer is in Christ. Romans 8:1 . 2 Cor. 5:17 . Christ is in the believer. Galatians 2:20 . Colossians 1:27 .
The believer in Christ is accepted in the Beloved; he is complete in Him; is a new creature in Him and is free from condemnation in Him.Romans 8:2 . Ephesians 1:6 . Colossians 2:9 . 2 Cor. 5:17 .
The believer is a Joint‑Heir with Christ. Romans 8:17 . So, if God hath appointed Christ heir of all things, what does it mean to be a Joint‑Heir with Him? Take a look:
He Himself said, “I am the Resurrection and the Life” “I am the Bread of Life” “I am the Light of the World” “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” “Before Abraham was, I am.” “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father.”
He is the one Mediator between God and men. 1 Timothy 2:5 .
He is the Good Shepherd; He is the Great Shepherd; He is the Chief Shepherd. John 10:11Hebrews 13:20 . 1 Peter 5:1-3 . Therefore Christians say along with the Apostle Paul:
“But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our LORD Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”Galatians 6:14 .
All of the Eternal Purposes of God are centered in that Only Begotten and Well Beloved Son with Whom He was well pleased; that One who was ever the eternal bosom‑companion of His Father; and not only that, but they are centered in that cross of Calvary where that Son, obedient unto that cruel death, was made sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.
We will be singing His praises for all eternity and will never tire of hearing of His glories. “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom and strength, and honour and glory and blessing”Revelation 5:12 .
So we are rejoicing in the fact that we are serving and worshiping a living, resurrected, glorified Saviour, who is our Advocate at God's right hand, where He ever liveth to make intercession for those who are saved. But let us remember that it is one thing to know Him as the Saviour from the penalty of sin, while it is something different to daily acknowledge Him as LORD, knowing Him with Paul in the fellowship of His sufferings and in the power of His resurrection. Philippians 3:10 .
As Disciples of Christ, we are not to be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. And surely no Christian can consistently be a member of any fraternal organization whose members dishonor our LORD and/or deny His Deity.
“All men should honor the Son even as they honor the Father”John 5:23 .
Let us never receive the teaching of any man or woman, that the eternal Christ was the “creation” of the eternal Father before the world began. The LORD Jesus Christ of the Bible said, “He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father”John 14:9 . After the order of Melchisedec, Christ is without father or mother, beginning of days or end of life. Hebrews 7:3 . He is pre‑existent, co‑existent with the Father and self‑existent. He was called “God” by the Father.Hebrews 1:8 . Romans 9:4-6 , 1 John 5:20 . Isaiah 9:6 . John 1:1-3 .
“Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:” “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:” “And he is before all things, and by him all things consist”Colossians 1:15-17 .
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved”Acts 16:31 , while there is still time!
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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.
“For ye are the children of God by Faith in Christ Jesus”Galatians 3:26
Only Christians are the children of God, and only because of the Faith in and of, the LORD Jesus Christ. Children of God!
God is not some impersonal principle, or some unknown inanimate force. God is a living, personal God. Some religious people know Him as the Supreme Being, but His children know Him as God the Father. Ephesians 1:3 , 1 Peter 1:3 and 2 Cor. 11:31 .
“Neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him”Matthew 11:27 . “God is Spirit”John 4:24 . “God is light”1 John 1:5 . “God is love”1 John 4:8 . “Our God is a consuming fire”Hebrews 12:29 .
“This is life eternal that they might know Thee, the ONLY true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent”John 17:3 .
This excludes all other gods. The ONLY true God is known as “The God of Peace”Hebrews 13:20 . “The God of all Comfort”2 Cor. 1:3 . “The God of all Grace”1 Peter 5:10 . “The Father of Mercies” 2 Cor. 1:3 . “The Father of spirits”Hebrews 12:9 . “The God of Hope” Romans 15:13 . This same God is known in the Old Testament Scriptures as the “God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” “The Lord which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.”
When we believe and receive Christ, we are instantaneously born of God and become the children of God. John 1:12-13 . Then we belong to the Household of God. Ephesians 2:19 . “For which cause He (The LORD Jesus Christ) is not ashamed to call them brethren.” Hebrews 2:11 . The LORD Jesus Christ said, “Go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father, and to my God, and your God.”John 20:17 .
The Bible is very clear in its teachings that a person has to be born into the Family of God. One of the lies of Satan is that ALL men are the children of God. To be sure all have their being in God; for there is no life apart from the living God. BUT, it is one thing to be born of blood, the will of the flesh and of man; but something ENTIRELY DIFFERENT and separate to be born of God. John 1:13 .
Now, for example, the Prodigal Son had departed FROM his father’s house: some saints do, in this way, depart from God’s House and return. But NO UNSAVED one was ever IN God’s House. Remember, through unbelief, Adam departed from God and took the whole human race with him.
Now, to those religious “enlightened” men who rejected Him, the LORD Jesus Christ said, “Ye are of your father, the devil.”John 8:44 . To another the Apostle Paul said, “Thou child of the devil.” Acts 13:10 . Also, “In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil.”1 John 3:10 . Therefore, we see there are two kinds of children in the world, and the cross of Calvary stands between them.
What a sad day it will be when the great multitudes of religious people who are asserting sonship without obtainingRegeneration, will stand with all their guilt and sin uncovered before the true and Holy God in that awful Day of Judgment! Some religious self-righteous sinners are trying to behave like children of God without having experienced regeneration, without having received His Divine nature, the new birth which is the imperative for Divine sonship. Read Titus 3:5-7 .
Remember, it is one thing to be born of human parents within the natural law of procreation; it is another thing to be born of God by the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. That which is born of the flesh is flesh. “Ye must be born again, ‘from above,’ of the Spirit” How? By believing and receiving Christ, as your LORD and Savior. John 1:12 .
“He that hath the Son hath the Father.”1 John 3:1-7 .
“And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying ‘Abba Father.”’ Galatians 4:6 .
“The Spirit Himself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God; and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ.”Romans 8:17 .
“The Father Himself loveth you, because ye have loved Me.”John 16:27 .
When the Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians these words, “my God shall supply all of your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:19 , he was confirming the statement of The LORD Jesus Christ, “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him.”Matthew 7:11 .
“Pray to thy Father”Matthew 6:6 . This is the instruction of the Son, our LORD and Savior. So prayer should be directed TO the Father, THROUGH the Son, with the Holy Spirit making intercessions for us. Romans 8:26 . God delights to be addressed as“Almighty God, Our Heavenly Father, the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved”Acts 16:31 , while there is still time!
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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.
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.
