The Church and the Millennial Kingdom
The second point is: The distinction between the Church and the Millennial Kingdom.
The Christian Church ( eKKArycrta — ekkleesia), meaning assembly or congregation, is distinct from the congregation of the Mosaic dispensation, or Church in the wilderness. For, until after Christ came, it was a thing of the future. This is proved by His assertion in Mat. 16:18, “On this rock will I build my Church,” showing that it had not yet been built.
And, it is likewise distinct from the Millennial Kingdom, which is to follow it.
The Church is a companion of Christ in His humiliation, manifesting His sufferings and filling up the afflictions which are behind.^
The Kingdom is the manifestation of the glory of Christ which shall follow,^ when He “shall sit in the throne of His glory,” and when they who have suffered with Him during this time of the trial shall also be exalted to regal power and authority.* This Kingdom was at hand,^ that
(1) Acts 7:38. This is he, in them did signify, when it that was in the church (ecclesia testified beforehand the suffer- — congregation) in the wilder- ings of Christ, and the gloryness with the angel which spake that should follow.
to him in the mount Sinai, and fA^ ,,„. -m no a j t
with our fathers: who received .^/^ ,^-J^’-^lr /^^”^
the lively oracles to give unto Z’^^ “^^° hem. Verily I say
yg. unto you. That ye which have
(2) Col. 1:24. Who now re- owed me in the regeneration joice in my sulferings for you. ^^°, “f, on of man shall sit and fill up that which is behind ‘” ,*^7°® .«^ ^’^ S^^^^- “of the afflictions of Christ in my ^^° ^^^” «^t upon twelve flesh for his body’s sake, which thrones, judging the twelve tribes
is the church.
of Israel.
Also 2 Cor. 1 :5-6; Phil. 3: Also Luke 22 :28-30.
10; 2 Tim. 1:8. (5) Mat. 3:2. And saying,
(3) 1 Pet. 1:11. Searching Repent ye: for the kingdom of
what, or what manner of time heaven is at hand,
the Spirit of Chri.st which was Also Ch. 4 :17 and 10 :7. is, it came nigh® (or approached, same Greek word),’ when Jesus, the King’, came. So much so, that the three favored disciples witnessed a foretaste of its gioiy and power on the Mount of Transfiguration.^
But the Jews rejected it and slew their King. They were not willing to have this man reign over them, and therefore the Kingdom did not “immediately appear.” It became like a nobleman which “went into a far country, to receive for himself a kingdom and to return.” See Luke 19 :ll-27. By this parable Jesus distinctly taught that the Kingdom was in the future.
The Kingdom Still Future.
It was in the future when Christ said: “I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof (the passover) until it be fulfilled in the Kingdom of God,” and again, “For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fi-uit of the vine until the Kingdom of God shall come.” Luke 22:16-18; also Mat. 26:29; Mark 14:25.
(6) Luke 10 :9. And heal the as the sun, and his raiment was sick that are therein, and say white as the light.
unto them, The kingdom of God 3. And, behold, there appeared
is come nigh unto you. unto them Moses and Elias talk-
10. But into whatsoever city ing with him.
ye enter, and they receive you 4. Then answered Peter, and
not, go your ways out into the said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good
streets of the same, and say, for us to be here: if thou wilt,
11. Even the very dust of let us make here three taberyour city, which cleaveth on us, nacles; one for thee, and one we do wipe off against you: for Moses, and one for Elias. notwithstanding, be ye sure of 5. While he yet spake, behold, this, that the kingdom of God a bright cloud overshadowed is come nigh unto you. them: and behold a voice out
(7) Heb. 10:25. Not forsak- of the cloud, which said. This ing the assembling of ourselves is my beloved Son, in whom I together, as the manner of some am well pleased; hear ye Him. is; but exhorting one another: 6. And when the disciples and so much the more, as ye heard it, they fell on their face, see the day approaching. and were sore afraid.
Also Luke 12 :33. 7. And Jesus came and touches) Mat. 17:1. And after ed them, and said, Arise, and be six days Jesus taketh Peter, not afraid.
James, and John his brother, 8. And when they had lifted
and bringeth them up into a up their eyes, they saw no man,
high mountain apart, save Jesus only.
2. And was transfigured be- 9. And as they came down
fore them: and his face did shine from the mountain, Jesus
It was in the future when the thief cried, “Lord remember me when Thou comest into Thy Kingdom.” Luke 23:42. Joseph of Arimathea, who laid Jesus’ body in the sepulchre, ‘Svaited for the Kingdom of God,” which also indicates that it was still in the future. Mark 15:43.
It was still future when Paul exhorted the disciples to continue in the faith, and said “that we must through nmch tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God.” Acts 14:22. It was in the future while the persecuted Thessalonians suffered, that they’ might “be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God.” 2 Thes. 1:4-5.
It was most assuredly future when, years afterward, Peter gave his exhortations as follows: “Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure; for if ye do these things ye shall never fall. For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.” 2 Pet. 1:10-11. And it has been future during all the long, sad history of the faithful and godly Church, while she has suffered the terrible persecutions of fagot, inquisition, banishment, ridicule and false accusation.^
And it will be future until Jesus, “having received the Kingdom,”^^ shall return to recompense tribulation to
charged them, saying, Tell the This is my beloved Son, in whom
vision to no man, until the Son I am well pleased,
of man be risen again from the 18. And this voice which came
dead. from heaven we heard, when we
Alo Mark 9:1-10; Luke 9: were with Him In the holy
nj .,/, mount.
(9) 2 Tim. 3:12. Yea, and
2 Pet. 1 :16. For we have all that will live godly in Christ
not followed cunningly devised jesus shall suffer persecution,
fables, when we made known (q) Luke 19:15. And it
unto you the po-wer and coming came to pass, that when he was
of our Lord Jesus Christ, but returned, having received the
were eyewitnesses of his maj- kingdom, then he commanded
esty. these servants to be called unto
17. For he received from God him, to whom he had given the
the Father honour and glory, money, that he might know how
when there came such a voice much every man had gained by
to him from the excellent glory, trading. those who have troubled the Church and “sit in the throne of His glory.”^-
Then the Kingdom, which, for these centuries, has been hid in mystery,^^ shall be manifested in power and glory.^*
Then shall “the kingdom of the world become our Lord’s and His Christ’s,” and then shall the Kingdom be given
(11) 2 Thes. 1:6-10. Seein’g
it is a righteous thing with God
to recompense tribulation to
them that trouble you.
7. And to you who are
troubled rest with u&, when the
Lord Jesus shall be revealed
from heaven with his mighty
angels.
8. In flaming fire taking
vengeance on them that know
not God, and that obey not the
gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9. Who shall be punished with
everlasting destruction from the
presence of the Lord, and from
the glory of his power;
10. When he shall come to be
glorified in his saints, and to be
admired in all them that believe.
Also Luke 19 :27.
(12) Mat. 19:28. And Jesus
said unto them. Verily I say
unto you. That ye which have
followed me, in the regeneration
when the Son of man shall sit
in the throne of his glory, ye
also shall sit upon twelve
thrones, judging the twelve
tribes of Israel.
(13) Mat. 13:11. He answered and said unto them. Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
Also Mark 4:11; Luke 8:10.
(14) Mat. 13:43. Then shall
the righteous shine forth as the
sun in the kingdom of their
Father. Who hath ears to hear,
let him hear.
Also Luke 13:25-29.
Rom. 8 :17. And if children,
then heirs; heirs of God, and
joint-heirs with Christ; if so be
that we suffer with him, that
we may be also glorified together.
18. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are
not worthy to he compared with
the glory which shall be revealed
in us.
19. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
20. For the creature was made
subject to vanity, not willingly,
but by reason of him who hath
subjected the same in hope;
21. Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from
the bondage of corruption into
the glorious liberty of the
children of God.
22. For we know that the
whole creation groaneth and
travaileth in pain together until
now.
23. And not only they, but
ourselves also, which have the
first-fruits of the Spirit, even
we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption,
to xoit, the redemption of our
body.
(15) Rev. 11:15. And the
seventh angel sounded; and
there followed great voices in
heaven, and they said.
The kingdom of the world
is become the kingdom of
our Lord, and of his Christ:
and he shall reign for ever
and ever.
Dan. 7 :14. And there was
given him dominion, and glory,
unto the Saints of the Most High.^^ Therefore we pray,
as Jesus taught us,
“Thy Kingdom Come.”
The Church militant, which was begun on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) ends at the Rapture, before the Tribulation.
The Kingdom begins with the Revelation, at the close of the Tribulation.
It is the personal reign of Christ on earth.
He was prophesied to be king of the Jews. Isa. 9 :6.
He was born King of the Jews. Mat. 2 :2.
He said he was the King of the Jews. Mat. 27 :11.
He was ci-ucified as King of the Jews. Mat. 27:37.
He came preaching the gospel of the Kingdom, saying, “The time is fulfilled, the Kingdom of God is at hand.” Mark 1 :14-15.
He said the Kingdom was among them. Luke 17 :21, margin.
He came unto His own, but His own received Him not. John 1:11.
He would have set up the Kingdom (Mat. 23:37-39), but they rejected and crucified Him.
However, God raised Him from the dead and set Him on high.^’^
and a kingdom, that all people, sacrifice for sins for ever, sat
nations, and languages, should down on the right hand of God; serve him: his dominion is an 13. From henceforth expecteverlasting dominion, which shall ing till his enemies be made
not pass away, and his kingdom his footstool.
that which shall not be de- Acts 2 :34. For David is not
stroyed. ascended into the heavens: but
(16) Dan. 7 :27. And the he saith himself, The Lord said kingdom and dominion, and the unto my Lord, Sit thou on my greatness of the kingdom under right hand,
the whole heaven, shall be given 35. Until I make thy foes thy
to the people of the saints of the footstool.
Most High, whose kingdom is an 36. Therefore let all the house
everlasting kingdom, and all do- of Israel know assuredly, that
minions shall serve and obey God hath made that same Jehim. sus, whom ye have crucified, both
(17) Heb. 10:12. But this Lord and Christ, man, after he had offered one Also Mat, 22 :44.
He sent the Holy Ghost into the world, and under His power and guidance the apostles went out preaching the good news of the Kingdom (Acts 2, etc.) to the Jews first/^ but they rejected it, and the disciples turned to the Gentiles.^^ Thus the Kingdom came nigh unto the Jews, who spurned it, and while it waits*-” God visits ‘’the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for His name” (Acts 15:14), breaking down the middle wall of partition to make of twain (all Jews and Gentiles who believe in His name) one new man,^^ that is, the Church, or Mystical Body of Christ.22
*This we believe is the true explanation of this subject. The Kingdom did come “nigh” when Christ came, and had they received Him, it would have been manifested, but now it is in abeyance, or waiting until He comes again.
However the Greek word evytw — engizo, which is translated at hand in Mat. 3:2; 4:17: 10:7, and is come nigh in Luke 10:9-11, does not necessarily mean immediately near. For we find the same word used in Rom. 13:12: “The day is at hand,” and in Heb. 10:25, “as ye see the day approaching” and in James 5:8, “The coming of the Lord draweth nigh,” and in 1 Pet. 4:7, “the end of all things is at hand,” each of which passages are yet unfulfilled.
So we see that the word engizo (is at hand) covers a period of more than 1800 years, and reaches unto the second coming of the Lord.
(18) Acts 3:26. Unto you Also Acts 18:6 and 28:28. first God, having raised up his (20) Mat. 23:39. For I say Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, unto you. Ye shall not see me in turning away every one of henceforth, till ye shall say, you from his iniquities. Blessed is he that cometh in
Rom. 1 :16. For I am not the name of the Lord, ashamed of the gospel of Christ: (21) Eph. 2:14. For he is.
for it is the power of God unto our peace, who hath made both
salvation to every one that be- one, and hath broken down the
lieveth; to the Jew first, and middle wall of partition between
also to the Greek. •”«; ^..
Also Mat. 10:6. 15- Having abolished m his
(19) Acts 13:46. Then Paul flesh the enmity, eveji the law and Barnabas waxed bold, and of commandments contained in said It was necessary that the ordinances; for to make in himword of God should first have self of twain one new man, so been spoken to you: but seeing making peace.
ye put it from you, and judge (22) Eph. 4:12. For the peryourselves unworthy of everlast- fecting of the saints, for the
ing life lo, we turn to the Gen- work of the ministry, for the
tjlgs ’ edifying of the body of Christ:
The Mystery.
Thus the Church came in as a mysteiy, and was but rarely, if at all, spoken of in the Old Testament prophecies. For we read in Rom. 16:25 that it is a “mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,” and in Eph. 3 :3-6,” The mystery.,. which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men,” and in Col. 1 :24- 27... ‘Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest... the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles.”
It was this mystery of the Church which so puzzled the prophets and caused them to inquire and search diligently what the Spirit meant when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ. See 1 Pet. 1 :10-12.23 They could un-
13. Till we all come in the
unity of the faith, and of the
knowledge of the Son of God,
unto a perfect man, unto the
measure of the stature of the
fulness of Christ:
Eph. 5 :23. For the husband
is the head of the wife, even as
Christ is the head of the
Church; and he is the Saviour
of the body.
24. Therefore as the Church
is subject unto Christ, so let the
wives be to their own husbands
in everj’thing.
25. Husbands, love your wives,
even as Christ also loved the
church, and gave himself for it;
26. That he might sanctify
and cleanse it with the washing
of water by the word.
27. That he might present it
to himself a glorious church,
not having spot, or wrinkle, or
any such thing; but that it
should be holy and without
blemish.
28. So ought men to lov&
their wives as their own bodies.
He that loveth his wife loveth
himself.
29. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh: but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
30. For we are members of
his body.
31. For this cause shall a man
leave his father and mother,
and shall be joined unto his
wife, and they two shall be one
flesh.
32. This is a great mystery:
but I speak concerning Christ
and the church.
(23) 1 Pet. 1:10. Of which
salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently,
who prophesied of the grace that
should come unto you:
11. Searching what, or what
manner of time the Spirit of
Christ which was in them did
signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ,
and the glory that should follow.
12. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
derstand the gloi-y of the Kingdom, which should follow, but could not understand the mystery, which has been revealed unto us, and which interested the angels; to-wit, a suffering Messiah and a persecuted Church.
The Church is to he the Bride of Christ, which He is going to present unto Himself. Eph. 5:23-32.
But how she is a Virgin of sorroio and affliction, a companion in suffering with her espoused Husband — the Lord Jesus Christ.-*
He said: “Because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you,” and “if they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:19-20), and “in the world ye shall have tribulation” (John 16:33), and the apostle says, “yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” 2 Tim. 3:12. See also John 17:14; 1 Thes. 3:3.25 And this is perfectly consistent. For this world has murdered the Son of God, and is guilty of His blood, but the Father bears this insult to His matchless love and grace, patiently staying the day of vengeance, being long suffering and not willmg that any should perish.
If He thus bears with the murderers of His Son, will He not bear with the persecutors of His Church?
And this persecution will continue until Jesus comes and takes the Church away,^^ and saves her from the great hour of temptation (or trial), which shall come upon
(24) 2 Cor. 11:2. For I am is not slack concerning his promjealous over you with godly jeal- ise, as some men count slackousy: for I have espoused you ness; but is longsuffering to us to one husband, that I may pre- ward, not willing that any should sent you as a chaste virgin to perish, but that all should come Christ. to repentance.
(25) John 17:14. I have (27) 1 Thes. 4:16. For the given them thy word; and the L^rd himself shall descend from world hath hated them, because heaven with a shout with the ♦TiflTT OT.O r,«+ f +v,« ^^^.1^ «,r«v. voice of the archangel, and with they are not of the world, even the
as I am not of the world. dead in Christ shall rise first;
1 Thes. 3 :3. That no man 17. Then we which are alive
should be moved by these af- «”f remain shall be caught up
flictions: for yourselves know together with then a in the clouds.
.,. 4. J ii. X to meet the Lord in the air:
that we are appointed thereunto. nd so shall we ever be with
(26) 2 Pet. 3:9. The Lord the Lord.
THE CHURCH AlsD THE KINGDOM. all the world,^^ when He shall recompense tribulation to them that have troubled her.^^ And this spirit of rebellion and persecution vv’ill continue, even through the tribulation and up to the very day of the Lord,^^ when Christ shall be revealed in flaming’ fire,^- with His Saints, to
(28) Rev. 3 :10. Because thou
hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from
the hour of temptation, which
shall come upon all the world,
to try them that dwell upon the
earth,
(29) 2 Thes. 1:6. Seeing it is
a righteous thing with Gud to
recompense tribulation to them
that trouble you;
(30) Rev. 16:9. And men
were scorched with great heat,
and blasphemed the name of
God, which hath power over
these.
11. And blasphemed the God
of heaven because of their pains
and their sores, and repented not
of their deeds.
14. For they are the spirits
of devils, working miracles,
which go forth unto the kings
of the earth and of the whole
world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
21. And there fell upon men
a great hail out of heaven, every
stone about the weight of a talent and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail;
for the plague thereof was exceeding great.
(31) 2 Pet. 3:1. This second
epistle, beloved, I now write unto
you; in both which I stir up
your pure minds by way of remem ranee;
2. That ye may be mindful of
the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and
of the commandment of us the
apostles of the Lord and Saviour:
3. Knowing this first, that
there shall come in the last days
scoffers, walking after their own
lusts.
4. And saying, Where is the
promise of his coming? for since
the fathers fell asleep, all things
continue as they were from the
beginning of the creation.
5. For this they willingly are
ignorant of, that by the word of
God the heavens were of old,
and the earth standing out of the
water and in the water:
6. Whereby the world that
then was, being overflowed with
water, perished:
7. But the heavens and the
earth which are now, by the
same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day
of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.
8. But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
9. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to US-ward, not willmg that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
10. But the day of the Lord will
come as a thief in the night; in
the which the heavens shall pass
away with a great noise, and the
elements shall melt with fervent
heat, the earth also and the
works that are therein shall be
burnt up.
(32) 2 Thes. 1:7. And to you
that are afflicted rest with us,
at the revelation of the Lord
Jesus from heaven with the anigels of his power in flaminig
fire,
8. Rendering vengeance to them that know not God, au’d to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus: execute judgment upon the earth. “^^ So we see that there is no place in the whole earthly histoiy of such a persecuted Church, for the Millennial Kingdom. For, in that time, “righteousness and peace” shall kiss each other, “truth shall sprmg out of the earth, and righteousness shall look out of heaven.” Psa. 85.
“A King shall reign m righteousness, and Princes shall rule in judgment.” Isa. 32:1. With righteousness shall He judge the poor. Judah and Israel shall be restored and dwell safely. There shall be no hami nor destiaiction in all God’s holy mountam, and even the animals shall be at peace.^*
Again, from all of these passages, and especially Isa. 60, we see that restored Israel and Jerusalem arc to be the very central glory of the Millennial Kingdom. But God does not restdre Israel and rebuild Zion, or Jerusalem, until He appears in His gloiy.
“When the Lord shall build up Zion, He shall appear in His glory.” Psa. 102:16. And He does not build up
9. Who shall suffer punishment, even eternal destruction from the face of the Lord antd from the glory of his might,
10. When he shall come to be
glorified in his saints, and to be
marvelled at in all them that
believed (because our testimony
unto you was believed) in that
day.
(33) Jude 14. And Enoch also,
the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, behold, the
Lord cometh with ten thousand
of his saints.
15. To execute judgment upon
all, and to convince all that are
ungodly among them of all their
ungodly deeds which they have
ungodly committed, and of all
their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken
against him.
(34) Isa. 11:4. But with
righteousness shall he judge the
poor, and reprove with equity
for the meek of the earth: and
he shall smite the earth with the
rod of his mouth, and with the
breath of his lips shall he slay
the wicked.
5. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.
6. The wolf also shall dwell
with the lamb, and the leopard
shall lie down, with the kid; and
the calf and young lion and the
fatling together; and a little
child shall lead them.
7. And the cow and the bear
shall feed; their young ones shall
lie down together: and the lion
shall eat straw like the ox.
8. And the sucking child shall
play on the hole of the asp.
and the weaned child shall put
his hand on the cockatrice’ den.
9. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain:
for the earth shall be full of the
knowledge of the Lord, as the
waters cover the sea.
Rom. 8 :21. Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
Zion or the tabernacle of David until He has taken out the Church.^’”’
Thus we see a clear distinction between the suffering Church and the glorious Kingdom, which are separated by the Tribulation, to-wit:
THE CHURCH. tribulation p THE KINGDOM.
. See Diagram, page 72.
The Church Shall Be Rewarded.
But, do you ask: “Is the Church always to suffer and be persecuted f
Surely not. For she shall yet be married. And the light affliction shall work out a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory in the thmgs which are not (yet) seen,^^ and the church shall be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God for which she suffers, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven. Therefore we glory in
22. For we know that the 16. After this I will return, whole creation groaneth aad and will build again the tabertravaileth in pain together until nacle of David, which is fallen now. down; and I will build again
23. And not only they, but the ruins thereof, and I will set ourselves also, which have the it up:
first-fruits of the Spirit, even 17. That the residue of men
we ourselves groan within our- might seek after the Lord, and
selves, waiting for the adoption, all the Gentiles, upon whom
to wit, the redemption of our my name is called, saith the
body. Lord who doeth all these things.
Also Jer. 23:3-8 and 32:36- (sg) 2 Cor. 4:17. For our
44; Ezek. 34, 36 and 37 and affliction, which is but for
many others. a moment, worketh for us a far
(35) Acts 15:13. And after yore exceeding and eternal
they had held their peace. James weight of glory
answered, saying, Men and
brethren, hearken unto me
18. While we look not at the
„. ,. XI. J 1 -u things which are seen, but at
P i-?’Tr%^^ ^nln’^’^ft Z t^ tli^S^ re not seen:
God at the first did visit the, ,. +t,:„„„ v- i.
Gentiles, to take out of them a ^°/ *^’°f k / ..,^’^.J^^’’
people for his namie. ““Z ,*^™P°^^V ^”^ things
15. And to this agree the ib are not seen are eternal.
words of the prophets; as it is (^7) 2 Thes. 1:4. So that we
written, ourselves glory in you in the tribulations, knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope. Rom. 5:3-4. And when Christ, who is our hope (1 Tim. 1:1) and our life shall appear, then shall we also appear with Him in glory.^^ If we suifer with Him we shall also reign with Him.^^ We shall reign on the earth. Rev. 5:10. Hence we conclude that the Church shall be recompensed in reigning, with Christ, over the Millennial Kingdom. “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Lu. 12:32; Dan. 7:18-22-27. 0! then, let us pray as Jesus taught us: “T% kingdom come.”
Nominal Christians.
But, do you say, “The Church is not persecuted, and does, even now, enjoy comparative peace”?
We answer, it is because the professing Church (and by this we include Roman Catholics, Greeks and all nominal Christians — in all perhaps 400,000,000) has conformed so largely to the world that the world has little, if any, controversy with her.
Of what avail to God are nominal, cold-hearted, worldconforming Christians’? He wants a separate and holy
churches of God for your pa- 9. Who shall be punished with
tience and faith in all your per- everlasting destruction from the
secutions and tribulations that ye presence of the Lord, and from
endure: the glory of his power;
5. Which is a manifest token 10. When he shall come to be
of the righteous judgment of God, glorified in his saints, and to be
that ye may be counted worthy admired in all them that believe
of the kingdom of God, for which (because our testimony among
ye also suffer you was believed) in that day.
(38) Col. 3:4. When Christ,
xcho is our life, shall appear.
6. Seeing it is a righteous
thing ;^-”God to recompense ^.,,^
tribulation to them that trouble „i„„„
him m glory.
y°”’ (39) Rom. 8:17. And if chil-
7. And to you who are trou- dren, then heirs, heirs of God. bled rest with us, when the Lord and joint heirs with Christ; if Jesus shall be revealed from o be that we suffer with him, heaven with his mighty angels, that we may be also glorified to-
8. In flaming fire taking ven- gether.
geance on them that know not 2 Tim. 2 :12. If we suffer, we
God, and that obey not the gos- shall also reign with hi7n; if we
pel of our Lord Jesus Christ: deny him, he also will deny us.
people, and the command is, “Come out and be ye separate.” 2 Cor. 6 :14-1S.
We believe that the birds of the air and the leaven in the parables of Mat. 13 represent the children of the wicked one, or hypocrites, which have lodged in the Church and the false doctrines which have crept in and so pervaded the professing Church that it has, in the main, become merely formal and nominal.
God wants zealous Christians, in whom the Word of Life shall bum as it did in Jeremiah’s bones. And are not the number of these few, even today*?
The professing Church is luke-warm, and, we fear, almost ready to be sjDued out of the Master’s mouth. But, thanks be unto His name, there are those who are rebuked and chastened, and who are buying gold and white raiment and anointing their eyes that they may see, and who will overcome and sit down with Christ in His throne. Rev. 3:14-22.
The True Church.
There is truly a Church, and it is THE BODY OF CHRIST,^^ one and indivisible,^^ composed of all true believers in Him.*- It may be called a church within, or among the churches — the wheat among the chaff. And let us remember that this true Church of Christ is appointed unto affliction, and that the intervals of rest (Acts 9:31) only strengthen her to endure new and varied forms of persecution. This has been her history, and we may expect it will be her future, amid the scoffers, evil men and seducers of the last times.
(40) Eph. 1:22. And hath whether we be Jews or Genput all things under his feet, and tiles, whether loe be bond or gave him to be the head over all free; and have been all made to things to the church, drink into one Spirit.
23. Which is his body, the ful- (42) Eph. 4:11. And he gaveness of him that filleth all in some, apostles; and some, prophall. ets; and some, evangelists; and
(41) 1 Cor. 12:12. For as the some, pastors and teachers; body is one, and hath many 12. For the perfecting of the members, and all the members saints’, for the work of the minof that one body, being many, istry, for the edifying of the are one body: so also is Christ. body of Christ.
13. For by one Spirit are we (43) 2 Pet. 3:3. Knowing this
all baptized into one body, first, that there shall come in
And yet it is her blessed privilege, in all her affliction, to know that she travails in the birth of souls,^* which are born from above by the Holy Ghost (John 3), and that the gospel (good news) of the Kingdom, which she preaches is the power of God unto salvation unto all who believe.*^
The Bride of Christ.
“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the Church, and gave Himself for it, that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”
In this precious passage (Eph. 5) the Church, as the Bride of Christ, is typified by the most intimate, tender and sacred relationship known among the children of men.
Abraham’s servant went into a far country (Gen. 24) to seek a bride for Isaac, who was the honored type of Christ as a sacrifice. Gen. 22. So has the Holy Spirit come into the world to seek a Bride for Jesus. The servant said, “Hinder me not.” So the Holy Ghost is striving with the world, and pleading with cold-hearted professors, that He may hasten the presentation of the bride to the Bridegi’oom. See Mat. 22:2-10.
Rebekah said, *’I will go.’’ So the Bride should be
the last days scoffers, walking 4. Traitors, heady, highmindafter their own lusts. ed, lovers of pleasures more than
1 Tim. 4 :1. Now the Spirit lovers of God;
speaketh expressly, that in the
latter times some shall depart. •, ^,
ffom the faith, giving heed to ^^ess, but denying the power
seducing spirits, and doctrines thereof: from such turn away,
of devils. Also 2 Tim. 4:1-5.
2 Tim. 3:1. This know also, (44) q 4.-^9 uyig that in the last days perilous children, of whom I travail in times shall come. birth again until ChriPt be
2. For men shall be lovers of formed in you.
their own selves, covetous boast- p.^^
ers, proud, blasphemers, aiso- ,,^, „,. .„
bedient to parents, unthankful. (45) Rom. 1:16 For I ani
unholy,
not ashamed of the gospel of
3 Without natural affection, Christ: for it is the power of
trucebreakers, false accusers, in- God unto salvation to every one
continent, fierce, despisers of that believeth; to the Jew first,
those that are good, and also to the Greek.
*rHE BRIDE OF CHRIST. §7
yearning to go. God has made the wedding and prepared the feast, and all things (except the Bride) are ready for the rapturous meeting, and blessed are they who are called unto the mamage supper of the Lamb. Rev. 19 :9. 0! that the Church would work a hundredfold more earnestly for the conversion of souls and the edifying of the body of Christ, that the bride might be complete, and thus hasten the coming of her Lord,^^ ever listening to catch the midnight cry: “Behold the Bridegroom cometh!” and “so be ready to go out to meet Him.” Mat. 25:6.
“O! I am my Beloved’s, and my Beloved is mine; He brings a poor vile sinner into His ‘house of wine.’ I stand upon His merit — I know no safer stand. Not e’en where glory dwelleth in Immanuel’s land.
The bride eyes not her garment, but her dear Bridegroom’s
face; I will not gaze at glory, but on my King of Grace; Not at the crown He giveth, but on His pierced hand — The Lamb is all the glory of Immanuel’s land.”
(46) 2 Pet. 3 :11. Seeing then 12. Looking for and hasting
that all these things shall be dis- the coming of the day of God, solved, what manner of persons wherein the heavens being on ought ye to be in all holy con- fire shall be dissolved, and the versation and godliness, elements shall melt with fervent beat?