Difference between revisions of "Fifty-two Kingdom Concepts 7"

Latest revision as of 01:29, 19 January 2026

Fifty-two Kingdom Concepts, 7

I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. (John 17:23—NIV)

It seems there are some truths of the Scripture that were given to the Apostle Paul alone. It is clear that the transition from Moses to Christ was explained only by Paul. This may be true also of the concept that the Church is the Body of Christ.

I capitalize "body" on occasion, although realizing we are human and not Divine, because of our relationship to Jesus Christ. We are not God; that is certain. But because we are being made an integral part of Christ, as close to Him as our body is to our head, it seems reasonable to once in a while point out that the Church is more than merely human. It is the lampstand of God, that is, it partakes of the Divine Nature through the Lord Jesus Christ.

We need to think much about the idea that the Word of God is being enlarged. He who was with the Father from the beginning is being added to. Branches are growing out from the Vine.

The holy city, the new Jerusalem, is the Church. This means it also is the very Body of Christ. This signifies in turn that the city is a living entity which, although being installed for eternity on a high mountain of the new earth, nevertheless has the power of multiple presence, as is true of God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

Perhaps we need a more exalted vision of the Church. We are so accustomed to thinking of the churches primarily as social groups which are endeavoring to do the will of God in the earth.

But the Church—the Bride of the Lamb—the Body of Christ—the eternal Tabernacle of God—is the revelation of God; the incarnation of God. How could it be otherwise in that it is the Body of Christ?

The name of God, the name of the city of God, the new name of Jesus Christ—all will be inscribed on us. Whoever of the saved nations sees us will understand this is the seed whom Lord has blessed; these are the priests, the ministers of our God. The peoples of the earth will come to our light, which actually will be the light of Christ and of God in Him. Then we shall inherit nations of people whom God has determined to save from destruction.

Truly the Church Age might be termed "the Age of Presumption." We have taken matters into our own hands. Instead of waiting for our directions from the Head we have gone forth in our own wisdom, strength, and talents to do the work of the Kingdom of God. We are as an individual afflicted and handicapped by a severe motor dysfunction. On the one hand we are paralyzed. On the other hand our movements are uncontrollable. This is not too harsh an indictment on us. It is the truth!

Continued. Fifty-two Kingdom Concepts 8

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+I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. (John 17:23—NIV)
-Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. (Hebrews 2:11—NIV)
+It seems there are some truths of the Scripture that were given to the Apostle Paul alone. It is clear that the transition from Moses to Christ was explained only by Paul. This may be true also of the concept that the Church is the Body of Christ.
-Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor gives birth and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites. (Micah 5:3—NIV)
+I capitalize "body" on occasion, although realizing we are human and not Divine, because of our relationship to Jesus Christ. We are not God; that is certain. But because we are being made an integral part of Christ, as close to Him as our body is to our head, it seems reasonable to once in a while point out that the Church is more than merely human. It is the lampstand of God, that is, it partakes of the Divine Nature through the Lord Jesus Christ.
-Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" (John 20:17—NIV)
+We need to think much about the idea that the Word of God is being enlarged. He who was with the Father from the beginning is being added to. Branches are growing out from the Vine.
-We were not from the beginning, as is true of Jesus Christ. But by the will of God we are coheirs with Him of all the works of God's hands.
+The holy city, the new Jerusalem, is the Church. This means it also is the very Body of Christ. This signifies in turn that the city is a living entity which, although being installed for eternity on a high mountain of the new earth, nevertheless has the power of multiple presence, as is true of God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
-"Go tell My brothers I ascend to My Father and your Father; to My God and your God." This is what Jesus said to Mary Magdalene. There are awesome implications in this statement!
+Perhaps we need a more exalted vision of the Church. We are so accustomed to thinking of the churches primarily as social groups which are endeavoring to do the will of God in the earth.
-One hindrance to our full grasp on the promises of God is an understandable sense of reverence when we are approaching Divinity. We are not God, not as holy as God, and we know this. It is well that we do.
+But the Church—the Bride of the Lamb—the Body of Christ—the eternal Tabernacle of God—is the revelation of God; the incarnation of God. How could it be otherwise in that it is the Body of Christ?
-But when our reverence causes us to stagger at the promises of God it becomes a hindrance. The angels understand we have been made in God's image. We can relate to God and one another in a manner impossible to angels. They are not male and female.
+The name of God, the name of the city of God, the new name of Jesus Christ—all will be inscribed on us. Whoever of the saved nations sees us will understand this is the seed whom Lord has blessed; these are the priests, the ministers of our God. The peoples of the earth will come to our light, which actually will be the light of Christ and of God in Him. Then we shall inherit nations of people whom God has determined to save from destruction.
-We laugh, we cry, we trudge along wearily under the pressures of life. We are dust, and to the dust we return when our feeble frame expires. None of this is true of the angels.
+Truly the Church Age might be termed "the Age of Presumption." We have taken matters into our own hands. Instead of waiting for our directions from the Head we have gone forth in our own wisdom, strength, and talents to do the work of the Kingdom of God. We are as an individual afflicted and handicapped by a severe motor dysfunction. On the one hand we are paralyzed. On the other hand our movements are uncontrollable. This is not too harsh an indictment on us. It is the truth!
-There is no evidence that angels are capable of love, and love is the single most defining characteristic of man. Satan and his followers wish they could love, but love forever is denied them. They exist in hate, corruption, and destruction and inspire people to exist in the same manner.
+Continued. [[Fifty-two Kingdom Concepts 8]]
-We have been made in God's image, but to attain that image fully we have to be born twice—the first time of Adam and the second time of God.
-The angels have been reduced (or exalted!) to the role of the servants of Jesus Christ and His brothers. However we are not, as currently is being suggested, to attempt to tell the angels what to do. Jesus Christ alone is the administrator of the Kingdom of God at this time. Whether He chooses to share this administration when He returns remains to be seen.
-One of the dangers of our day of increased revelation is presumption! We had better cease trying to do "great things for God" and look to Jesus before we attempt to control the Holy Spirit and the angels!
-Christ, Head and Body
-Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations. (Isaiah 42:1—NIV)
-The Book of Isaiah tells us of the Servant of the Lord, the Anointed Deliverer who is to come and establish justice on the earth. The Servant of the Lord is Christ—Head and Body.
-The purpose of the Church Age is to call out from the nations of the earth an elect. Each of the elect is to be ministered to by the gifts and ministries given by the Holy Spirit until he or she comes to maturity as measured by the stature of the fullness of Christ.
-Continued. [[Fifty-two Kingdom Concepts 7]]