New Jerusalem
Pastor Byron Richardson
(Now
Home with the Lord)
The
New Jerusalem has been for the most part a greatly neglected subject.
It is seldom mentioned from the pulpit, in spite of its importance in
God's estimation. Could the reason be reticence or ignorance? One of
the most common offenses has been to consider the earthly millennial
reign as the zenith of God's plans for the ages. The glorious climax
will not have been reached until the New Jerusalem will have been
suspended, as a satellite, between the Heavens and the Earth. Then
all of its related components will be assembled into place.
Satan's
ulterior motive is to divert attention from a higher to a lower
dispensation, or from a perfect setting to an imperfect one. Most of
the contention centers around the questions, as to the identity of
the New Jerusalem. It is often confused with the Body of Christ. Thfrgivable since everything indicates that it is of an entirely
Israelitish background.
Jerusalem
has never been associated in any way with the Body of Christ.
Invariably it has been related to Israel. If the heavenly hope, under
the New Covenant be ruled out, Israel as a nation would have to
forfeit everything, except her earthly blessings Heb 3:1; 9:23;
10:34.
It
would be paradoxical to maintain that the Body and the Bride are one
and the same. They will, however, coexist finally as two entities in
their respective domains. Paul never once mentioned either the Bride
nor the bridegroom. He referred to the Husband and Wife relationship
as an example of the union, which exists between the Body and the
Head.
The
Bride and Bridegroom are mentioned in other portions of Scripture,
Isa. 54:5, 8; Jer. 3:8,14,20, 31:32; Hos. 1:2-6; Matt. 9:15; 25:1, 6,
10; Jno 3:29; Rev. 21:2,9. The fact that all of these references
occur before and after the Pauline writing is, in itself, most
revealing.
The
passage most frequently quoted to support the Church-Bride theory is
Eph 5:22-32. It does not seem to occur to the advocates of that
position that such an application ignores the obvious fact that
neither the Bride nor the Bridegroom is found once in the entire
passage.
It
is stated definitely that the question under discussion is a Mystery.
Eph. 5:32. Since the Bride and the Bridegroom were subjects of
prophecy they could not be classified as a mystery. This bars their
being considered at all in this connection, without wresting the
Scriptures, for which some seem to have no compunction.
Paul
resorted the only precedent at his disposal to prove the relationship
between the Body and the Head. He wisely referred to Adam and Eve,
since they were initially husband and wife, not bride and groom. Eve
was never a bride, since she was created a wife The Body analogy
continues, since members of Christ's Body are His spiritual flesh and
bone.
Likewise,
Eve was physically a part of Adam's body, vs. 30. When the Body and
Bride are combined an anomaly presents itself. It raises the moot
question as to how a person could marry himselThe husband and wife
status is a settled fact, whereas the bride and bridegroom
relationship is problematical, that is, it is contingent upon future
developments. The instant that one is baptized spiritually into the
Body of Christ, an indissoluble union is effected. That is not the
case with the bride and bridegroom status, which may be broken at the
whim of either party Rev. 19:7.
Paul
referred to the Heavenly Jerusalem in connection with the New
Covenant, but never associated it with the Body of Christ. Gal.
4:24-26. He stated that a difference existed between the Old and New
Covenants, namely: as to Conditions, bondage and freedom; Place,
earth and heaven; Time, past and present. Under these circumstances
Paul could refer correctly to the Heavenly Jerusalem as his Mother.
It is most probable that at that time Paul had not progressed far in
his knowledge of the Mystery Church.
The
identity of the Bride has been established in the Bible, beyond any
reasonable doubt. The New Jerusalem, which pertained to Israel is
unquestionably the Lamb's Wife. That should settle forever the
question of her identity. There is no appeal from the Word of God Rev
21:2,10. John, the Revelator, was precluded from revealing the Body,
so what he saw bore no direct relationship nor resemblance to it.
A
fact which has been overlooked generally is that an Israelitish
Church is to be located in the New Jerusalem Heb. 2:12; 12:23. This
is in all prob- ability the church which the Lord predicted. Matt
16:18. The Gates of Hell are playing havoc with the present day
church, but that church will prevail against all odds. This fact
alone separates it from the Body of Christ, which is being persecuted
beyond measure. The New Jerusalem is identified clearly with the New
Covenant in the context. Not a scintilla of Body truth is contained
in Hebrews.
Furthermore,
a Kingdom, consisting of at least twelve thrones, is also associated
with the New Jerusalem. This Kingdom will act as a liaison between
Christ's throne and the earth, Matt. 16:19; 19:28; Heb 12:28. Christ,
no doubt, had in mind the New Jerusalem Kingdom, when He offered to
overcomers the right to share His throne Rev. 3:21. Of course this
would be delegated power, since all sovereign authority will be
vested in Him. Matt. 28:18; Phil 2:9.
The
finite mind is incapable of grasping the omnipresence of Deity.
Christ, for a brief time did possess a physical body and consequently
it is difficult for the uninformed to disassociate Him from it. 2
Cor. 5:16. As an antithesis he omnipresence of the Holy Spirit,
although beyond finite comprehension, is usually accepted without
argument. Christ, in His preincarnate and post-resurrection states
possesses the same inherent qualities as the Father and the Holy
Spirit, since they are inseparable in the spiritual world. Jno 20:26;
Jer. 23:24.
The
Lord's spiritual body could never be made subject to natural laws.
After the resurrection His spiritual body could not be contained as
evidenced by the resurrection, , ascension, etc. Jno. 20:19. Attempts
to localize Deity must end in failure, as God. being Spirit, cannot
be circumscribed even to space or time.
Therefore,
Christ's throne and the Apostles' thrones will be unified, yet they
will remain distinct in purposes. The secret is that they must be
viewed from a spiritual angle. The mystery of the Trinity provides an
example as to how impossible it is for man, in the flesh, to enter
into a full appreciation of a total spiritual environment. 1 Cor.
15:48, 49; Phil 3:20,21; 1 Jno 3:2.
After
he Lord's ascension the Bride aspect faded out. However, it was
resumed in Revelation. Paul did refer to Zion by quoting Old
Testament Scriptures, which related to Israel. Rom. 9:33; 11:26. Paul
also called attention to the free Jerusalem from above, in connection
with th NeCovenant, but not with the Body, Gal. 4:26. This identifies
the New Cnant positively with the New Jerusalem, the Holy City.
The
consecutive order of the citations to the bride also offers
irrefutable proof that the New Covenant is identical with the New
Jerusalem, Holy City and the Bride. Heb. 11:16; 12:22; Rev. 3:12; 21
How God Saves Men
Believing Christ DIED, that’s HISTORY.
Believing Christ DIED for YOU SINS and Rose again that’s SALVATION.
Read Romans 1:16, Romans 10:9-10 and 1. Corinthians 15:1-4
(A 10 Minute Video)
Posted By Cecil and Connie Spivey
cspivey1953@gmail.com
cspivey1953@gmail.com
Share this Bible Message with your friends
