|
|
 |
"COMPLETE IN HIM" Co1.2:10
"As many" as were given of the Father (Jn.17) and were called and drawn
to Christ, to confess with their mouth unto salvation & believe with their
heart unto Christ's righteousness (Rom.10:10)--were those such as did
enter initially into their salvation. So it is today, "the same Lord over all is
rich unto ALL THAT CALL UPON HIM. FOR WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL UPON
THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED." Ro.10:13. He truly was, NOW
IS, and ever shall be "the author of ETERNAL SALVATION UNTO ALL THEM
THAT OBEY HIM.'' Heb.5:9. This "eternal salvation" and the obedience it
brings, comes only through genuinely believing and actively confessing
Christ is your lifestyle. But you cannot even truly begin to obey Him in the
way He desires unless you ARE SAVED by His Spirit & willing to be led by His
Spirit - Psa.143:
10; Isa.63:14.
Through the obedience of Christ & the grace of God, "the free GIFT came
upon ALL MEN unto justification of life. '' Ro.5:18. "For the GRACE of God
that bringeth SALVATION HATH APPEARED TO ALL MEN." Tit.2:11.
Salvation is not only a free GIFT, but is also "A PERFECT GIFT...from above."
Jas.1:17. Through God's grace & benevolent sovereignty in the greatness of
His power, eventually it shall come to pass that "ALL FLESH SHALL SEE
[from a word meaning more than voluntary observation with the natural
eye]..the salvation of God." Lk.3:6.
At this present time, WE WHO HAVE RECEIVED A MEASURE OF SALVATION
THROUGH GRACE "should not trust in ourselves but in God which raiseth
the dead: WHO DELIVERED US [in our spirit] from so great a former
spiritual] death, and DOTH DELIVER [our present sinful soul]: in whom we
trust that He will YET DELIVER US from our imperfect corruptible bodies].''
2Cor.1:10.
There is an effective saving deliverance available for spirit, soul, and body.
"He that spared not His own Son, but DELIVERED HIM UP FOR US ALL, how
shall He not with Him also FREELY GIVE US ALL THINGS." Ro.8:32. He
initially begins His saving work through divinely imparting to our human
spirit the true "knowledge of salvation." Lk.1:77. When because of Him, &
through nothing of our corrupt selves (Eph.2:8,9) we begin to believe this
truth through acting upon it, it begins its divine work to set us free in all
areas of our soul - Jn.8:32.
All those "who WERE once ENLIGHTENED, and HAVE TASTED of the heavenly
GIFT, and WERE MADE PARTAKERS of the holy Ghost and HAVE TASTED the
good word of God, and the powers of the world [age] to come" (Heb.6:4, 5)
are all those who obviously HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED these blessings of
their very present salvation. Its not something that's only available in the
future if you work faithfully toward it. Some large religious organizations
actually believe that it is not for now! Regardless, all ye who now have
been made partakers of this "common salvation" (Jude 3), let us through
obedience to His word & Spirit, continually allow God to do of His good
pleasure as we faithfully "work out this salvation" that we have with fear
(holy reverence) & trembling - Phil.2:12, 13.
Let us give continuous praise & thanks unto the "Father of lights"
(Jas.1:17) for His "unspeakable GIFT" (2Cor.9:15)...'WHO HATH DELIVERED
US from the power of darkness [that once held our whole spirit captive to
the earthy realm], and HATH TRANSLATED US into the KINGDOM of His dear
Son: In whom WE HAVE [progressive] REDEMPTION through His blood, even
the forgiveness of sins." Col.1:13, 14. Jesus, "the true light" (Jn.1:9) said,
"He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of
life." Jn.8:12. In completeness of truth, "the spirit of man is the candle of
the Lord" (Prv.20 :21) which only He can light - Jn.8:12; Lk.11:36.
In your spirit, positionally through God's eyes after the principle of Ro.4:17,
"YE ARE COMPLETE IN HIM...in whom ALSO YE ARE CIRCUMCISED.by the
[spiritual] circumcision of Christ: [YE ARE] BURIED WITH HIM in [SPIRIT]
baptism, wherein also YE ARE RISEN WITH HIM through the [imparted
righteous] faith of the [spiritual] operation OF GOD.."Co1.2:10-12.
Initially, you ARE SAVED through the complete operation of the imparted
"faith OF Jesus Christ." Ro.3:22. In the days of Noah, "eight souls WERE
[physically] saved by [natural] water. The like figure whereunto even
[Spiritual] baptism [into the body of Christ-1Cor.12:13] doth also NOW
[initially]SAVE US...by the resurrection of Jesus Christ." 1Ptr.3:21.
All the operations of this faithful salvation are IN EFFECT NOW for the
present believer. Christ IS THE SAVIOUR OF ALL MEN and this salvation is
especially true and made evident in those who at this time have been given
to believe - 1Tim.4:10. These portions of the kingdom of heaven are here &
operational right NOW. The preaching of this very real and present
salvation is the basic foundation of the gospel of both the present and the
coming kingdom. Belief in personal salvation comes wholly as a result of
the "power of God" (Ro.1:6) & not through the will power of man (Jn.1:13;
Eph.1:5, 11; Jas.1:18; Zec.4:6) lest any man should boast.
Yes, as believing Christians, "we trust in the living God who is [now, was in
the beginning, & will be in the end, the Almighty - Rev.1:8] the saviour of
ALL MEN, SPECIALLY OF THOSE [of us] THAT [are now given to] BELIEVE."
1Tim.4:10. Whether one believes it or not, their salvation is not at all of
themselves - Matt.16:17; Eph.2:9. These things we are to assert & to
teach -1Tim.4:11. Only "OF HIM ARE YE IN CHRIST JESUS" (1Cor.1:30), &
not of yourselves "who by Him do believe." 1Ptr.l:21. You should know
that YE WERE NOT REDEEMED with corruptible things such as your own
fallen mind or self will ..but [YE WERE REDEEMED] with the precious blood
of Christ, as a Lamb without blemish." 1Ptr.1:18,19. Nothing other than
"the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus..HATH MADE me [us] free." Ro.8:2;
Jn.3:27.
Any man who has accepted the revelation of personal salvation, is now "in
Christ" & HAS a portion of redemption. "If ANY MAN BE IN CHRIST HE IS a
new creature." 2Cor.5:17; Ga1.6:15. The old previous moral & spiritual
condition HAS PASSED AWAY and NOW he has "newness of life." Ro.6:4.
He has begun the process of renewal and is on the road to a manifest
completion. "But if any man HAVE NOT the Spirit of Christ, he is none of
His." Ro.8:10. He has not realized nor experienced the truth and
understanding of the life giving Spirit of Christ until he has received the
revelational GIFT. This divine gift empowers one to know of His personal
salvation & provides the necessary grace to begin to walk in it.
When one is in Christ & has received the first "measure of faith" (Ro.12:3),
it is only then "the Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that WE ARE
the children of God." Ro.8:16. Jesus once told the unbelieving religious
crowd, "Ye are of your father the devil." Jn.8:44. Even these devoutly
religious ones, rejected the teachings & miracles of Him who was to be their
salvation & remained "by nature the children of wrath, even as others."
Eph.2:3; Jn. 4:36. And so it remains of a truth today.
Paul wrote "to the saints which are at Ephesus, & to [all] the faithful in
Christ Jesus", [even us who are afar off], revealing this wonderful truth...
that even before the foundation of the earth "He HATH CHOSEN US IN
HIM... He HATH MADE US ACCEPTED in the beloved. In whom WE
[now]HAVE REDEMPTION THROUGH His blood,..in whom WE HAVE
OBTAINED an inheritance.." Eph.1:1-11. We have purposely emphasized
the past and present tense verbs of all these divine operations of our
present salvation as there are millions of religious ones who are deceived by
their organization that this salvation which we preach is not attainable now,
but only in a 'kingdom of God" which is yet to come.
However, 2Tim.1:9,10 presents us all with the real truth this way regarding
He "who HATH SAVED US...WHO HATH ABOLISHED death & HATH BROUGHT
LIFE.." to the spirit of man. The truth is, men can bein to be saved NOW!
When you believe it, you will have received it! Only through the knowledge
of the saving revelation of Jesus Christ Himself is the way opened into the
beginnings of your salvation. He is also the manifest truth of your present
salvation & He is the resurrection life that shall be in the completion of
man's salvation. No man can come to the Father except it be through His
living salvation - Jn.14:6. "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there
is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be
saved." Ac.4:12.
Any man who is now in Christ already has the beginnings of His quality of
resurrection life. Eventually, just "as in Adam all die, EVEN SO in Christ
shall all be made alive.'' 1Cor. 15:22. This is a future and much greater
aspect of salvation which we shall touch on in chapter two. In the
meantime, through the divine operating process of His present grace, "you
that WERE alienated & enemies,...NOW HATH HE RECONCILED." Col.1: 21.
"And ALL things [pertaining to your salvation] are OF God WHO HATH
RECONCILED US to Himself by Jesus Christ." 2Cor.5:18. Can you hear that?
It's all of God! Only you who NOW ARE RECONCILED are "NOW THE
PEOPLE OF GOD: which HAD NOT OBTAINED mercy, but NOW HAVE
OBTAINED mercy." 1Ptr.2:10. Is this because God gives you a CHANCE and
you decide of your OWN FREE WILL to accept HIm? Is it because you willed
it? No. It is simply because God willed it for you personally at that time!
That is true grace. You were saved purely by grace. It has nothing at all to
do with CHANCE or SELF WILL. Self will is nothing more than iniquity!
Salvation is a progressive process both in its universal application and its
personal application. Therein, "BEING RECONCILED WE SHALL BE
[progressively] SAVED BY His life." Ro.5:10. Only "in times past..YE WERE
by nature the children of wrath." (Eph.2:3; Jn.4:36) but through His
choosing you become children of His blessing (Eph.1:3-5) "to the praise of
the glory of His grace,wherein HE HATH MADE US ACCEPTED in the
beloved." Eph.1:6.
Paul said to the church, "You HATH HE QUICKENED who WERE DEAD
in..sins." Eph.2:1. Jesus said, "He that heareth my word and believeth on
Him that sent me, HATH EVERLASTING LIFE, and SHALL NOT COME into
condemnation; but IS PASSED from death unto life. Verily I say unto you,
the hour is coming & NOW IS...They that hear shall live" (Jn.5:24,25),
"having promise of THE LIFE THAT NOW IS." 1Tim.4:8. Our spirit HAS BEEN
resurrected from the dead. "You being dead in your sins...HATH He
QUICKENED" (Col.2:13) in a resurrection of your spirit in the heavenlies.
However, a greater more complete resurrection is yet to come.
"God, who is rich in mercy...even when we WERE dead in sins, HATH
QUICKENED US together WITH CHRIST, (by grace YE ARE SAVED)" Eph.2:4,
5. "And Hath RAISED US UP together & MADE US sit together [with Christ]
in heavenly places IN Christ Jesus (vs.6): ...For by grace ARE YE SAVED
through faith; & that not of yourselves: It [your initial grace: salvation &
faith] is THE GIFT OF GOD: not of works, lest any man should boast. For
WE ARE His workmanship.." (Eph.2:8-10), and "not by works of
righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy HE SAVED
US, by the washing of regeneration & the renewing of the holy Ghost."
Tit.3:5. The love of Jn.3:16 was mercifully & sovereignly "shed abroad in
our hearts by the holy Ghost." Ro.5:5. It is all a result of what God does &
not at all what you do!
The Bible declares, "the preaching of the cross is to them that perish
foolishness, but unto US WHICH ARE SAVED, it is the power of
God."1Cor.1:18. Yes, "It is the power of God UNTO [PRESENT] SALVATION
to EVERY ONE THAT BELIEVETH.'' Ro.1:16. For "it pleased God by the
foolishness of preaching TO SAVE THEM THAT BELIEVE." 1Cor.1:21. "He
that believeth on the son HATH everlasting life: and He that believeth NOT
the Son shall not see life: but the wrath of God abideth on Him." Jn.3:36.
So then, "BEING NOW JUSTIFIED by His blood, WE SHALL BE SAVED from
wrath [the condemning wrath we once abode in - Jn.3:18, 36; Eph.2:3]
through Him." Ro.5:9. As true elect believers, "God hath not appointed us
to wrath [of the old nature any longer], but to obtain salvation by our Lord
Jesus." 1Ths.5:9. You believe because He enable you to see your salvation
in Him. You do not first believe in order to obtain your salvation! You can
believe only after the Spirit reveals the Saviour unto you - Matt.16:18.
"God loves the world, so that He gives His only begotten Son, that everyone
WHO IS BELIEVING IN HIM SHOULD NOT BE PERISHING, but may be having
life eonian." Jn.3:16 [Conc. Literal]. "And this is the record, that GOD HATH
GIVEN US eternal life and this life is IN His Son. He that HATH the Son
HATH LIFE, & He that HATH NOT...HATH NOT LIFE. These things have I
written unto you that believe; that YE MAY KNOW THAT YE [NOW] HAVE
ETERNAL LIFE." 1Jn.5:11-13. Yes, if you have been given to believe now,
you will have a portion of His Spirit & life throught all remaining ages and
beyond.
It begins now! Jesus said, "I AM the resurrection & the life." Jn.11:25.
'WHOSOEVER WILL, let him take of the water of life freely." Rev.22: 17. "If
ANY MAN thirst let him come unto me & drink." Jn.7:37. Once again, in
fulness of truth, it is only the Spirit of the Lord that can CAUSE (Nu.16:5;
Isa.61:11; 66:9; Jer.30:21; Ezk.36:27; 37:5) one's willingness and thirst
(Jn.6:44,65), whereby "WHOSOEVER shall call an the name of the Lord
SHALL BE SAVED." Ac.2·:21; Ro.10:13. Therefore, "AS MANY AS RECEIVED
HIM, to them GAVE He power to BECOME THE SONS OF GOD, even to them
that believe on His name: which WERE BORN...[sovereignly] of God."
Jn.1:12, 13.
''Beloved, NOW WE ARE the sons of God" (1Jn.3:2), "for AS MANY AS are led
by the Spirit, they ARE the sons of God.'' Ro.8:14. "Because YE ARE sons,
God HAS SENT FORTH the Spirit of His Son INTO your hearts, crying Abba,
Father'' (Ga1.4:6) wherein, "AS MANY AS were ordained to eternal life
believed." Ac.13:48. "YE HAVE RECEIVED the Spirit of adoption, whereby
we cry, abbe, Father.'' Ro.8:15. "Now He that HATH WROUGHT US for the
selfsame thing is God, who also HATH GIVEN unto us the earnest of the
Spirit." 2Cor.5:5. NOW, '"YE ARE WASHED,...YE ARE SANCTIFIED,...YE ARE
JUSTIFIED in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."
1Cor.6:11. Ye are now of "them that ARE SANCTIFIED." Heb.10:14; Ac.
20:32; 26:18.
Just before death, Jesus told one of the malefactors with Him at Calvary,
'TODAY SHALT THOU BE WITH ME in paradise." Lk.23:43. You who seek
truth, "NOW IS THE ACCEPTED TIME: NOW IS THE [Grk."A"] DAY OF
SALVATION." 2Cor.6:2. Even today,"the Spirit and the bride say, come.''
Rev. 22:17. The Giver of the GIFT has not, and will not, stop giving. In
this age, and even this day, "the grace of God, & the GIFT by grace, HATH
ABOUNDED UNTO MANY.'' Ro.5:15. Through activated grace, "the election
HATH OBTAINED." Ro.11:7. "NOW BEING MADE FREE from sins & become
servants of God, YE HAVE your fruit unto holiness, and THE END everlasting
life. For the wages of sin is death: but the GIFT of God is eternal Life."
Ro.6:22, 23. "He that believeth ..HATH ..LIFE." Jn.6:67.
As believing servants of God, "WE KNOW that WE HAVE PASSED from
death UNTO LIFE, because we love the brethren" (1Jn.3:14) and
"EVERYONE that loveth IS BORN OF GOD, and knoweth God" (1Jn.4:7) "and
EVERYONE that loveth Him THAT BEGAT, loveth him also that IS BEGOTTEN
of Him." 1Jn.5:1. "Except YE BE CONVERTED, and become as little children,
ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.'' Matt.18:3. To be converted
is to be "born of God", "begotten of Him", "born again" from above.
In order to see & enter into the realms of the kingdom, "YE MUST BE BORN
AGAIN...BORN OF THE SPIRIT." Jn.3:3-8. "BORN not of blood, nor the will
of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but OF GOD." Jn.l:13. Jesus said,
"Flesh.hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven."
Matt.16:17. The true church and the understanding of the salvation of man
is built upon this revelation - Matt. 16:18.
You who have now, do you realize what you have? You who have not, do
you not now realize what you can now have? This new birthing can begin
NOW! 'Whosoever IS BORN OF GOD overcometh the world...Who is he that
overcometh [is a potential overcomer].but he that BELIEVETH that Jesus is
the Son of God." 1Jn.5:4. The word of God says, "BELIEVE on the Lord
Jesus Christ and thou SHALT BE SAVED (Ac.16:31) for 'WHOSOVER
BELIEVETH that Jesus is the Christ IS BORN OF GOD." 1Jn.5:1.
Salvation is "BEING BORN AGAIN not of corruptible seed, but of
incorruptible by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever."
1Ptr.1:23. 'WHOSOEVER IS BORN OF GOD does not [habitually] commit
[practice] sin; for His seed [Christ's incorruptible word, spirit, seed of life]
remaineth IN him: and he cannot sin [practice sinning], because he IS
BORN [BEGOTTEN] OF GOD." 1Jn.3:9; 5:18. "OF HIS OWN WILL BEGAT HE
US" (Jas.1:18) and "he THAT IS BEGOTTEN OF God keepeth himself."
1Jn.5:18. "And hereby we know THAT HE ABIDETH IN US, by the Spirit
which He hath given us." 1Jn.3:24. How much greater is He that is within
us than he that is in the world - 1Jn.4:4.
If there be any that read this who may have not yet truly believed, we
would ask them these questions. Would you personally desire to be
"quickened", "born again", "begotten of the Spirit", "saved"? Would you
like to receive "the GIFT OF COD which can be your's right now in
understanding and experience if you can believe? Are you a sheep? Are
you hearing the voice of His word? Then you are now at this appointed
time hearing His perfect and present will for you - 2Ptr.3:9.
The next step is to "repent, & be baptized EVERY ONE OF YOU in the name
of Jesus Christ for the remission of sin and YE SHALL RECEIVE THE GIFT of
the holy Ghost...for the promise is UNTO ALL.." Ac.2:39. Jesus said,
"Repent ye, and believe the gospel"(Mrk.1:15) "and BE CONVERTED."
Ac.3:19 . This gospel of the kingdom is truly "the power of God TO EVERY
ONE THAT BELIEVETH." Ro.1:16. And whether you believe it or not,
God..NOW is in the process of commanding ALL MEN EVERYWHERE TO
REPENT - Ac.17:30; Psa.90:3) and so they shall, "every man in His own
order." 1Cor.15:23-28. "With God all things are possible." Matt.19:26. "So
shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto
me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and shall prosper in the
thing whereto I sent it." Isa.55:11.
The first chapter of this writing has expounded mainly on some basic, yet
pertinent scriptural truth which reveals the very BEGINNINGS of the divine
spiritual operation of personal salvation. This INITIAL WORK, exclusively
implemented of the holy Spirit, is very often expressed in its biblical term as
"the GIFT OF GOD." Jn.4:10; Ac.8:20; Ro.6:23; Eph.2:8; 1Cor.7:7;
2Tim.1:6. It is also spoken of as "the GIFT of Christ" (Eph.4:7), "the GIFT
of the holy Ghost" (Ac.2:38; 10:45), "the GIFT of the grace of God"
(Eph.3:7), "the GIFT of righteousness" (Ro.5:17), "a free GIFT"
(Ro.5:15,16, 18), "a heavenly GIFT" (Heb.6:4), and a "good" and "perfect
GIFT." Jas.1:17. But there is something beyond this of which we now wish
to speak.
Although personal salvation has its BEGINNINGS as a free GIFT it
conversely has a FULFILLED ENDING, which is to be no less than an earned
"PRIZE." Though we may NOW be COMPLETE in Christ in essence, He
desires to be FULLY FORMED & COMPLETE in us! There are many more
basic terms used in the Bible which deal with a further work of salvation
beyond this experience as a GIFT.
The scriptures which we will proceed to touch upon describe and deal with
the increasingly progressive stages of salvation and not necessarily its
beginnings. The wholly divine process of the Spirit which begins in the
inner man with the GIFT of God as a new birth, shall eventually find its
designated END in the glorious objective of a MATURE and COMPLETE
SALVATION; an ultimate salvation that includes final incorruptibility and
immortality which (1Cor.15: 53, 54) is reserved for an appointed time to
come.
The Lord's saving works function in three dimensions of the heavenlies;
three major realms, aspects and experiences of personal salvation. His
healing Spirit of life works progressively in man in often unseen and diverse
operations in the spirit, soul, and body. Many truths of these operations
are revealed in beautiful types & shadows of such things as: the three main
divisions of Noah's ark; the tabernacle in the wilderness; Solomon's
temple, Egypt-the wilderness-the promised land; the three major feasts of
Israel, the three main garments of the high priest, three main sacrificial
offerings, three main mountains etc. These are all natural things that
speak to us of spiritual realities.
We see these principles of the salvation experience as stages of growth
unto spiritual MATURITY in the parables of Matt.13 and Lk. 4. We see this
in the word Seed that "did yield fruit that sprang up and INCREASED; and
brought forth fruit [expressed in comparative degrees or percentages], so
me thirty, same sixty, and some an hundred fold." Mk.4:8, 20;
Matt.13:8,23. Some actually brought "NO fruit to PERFECTION." Lk.18:4.
By this, we can see that the biblical term "perfection" involves degrees of
maturity, growth and change. In a parallel to spiritual truth, we find that
"the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade [1-30 fold], then
the [unripe] ear [31-60 fold], after that the FULL corn in the ear [61-100
fold - even to full stature and ripeness]. But when the fruit is brought forth
[fully ripe & mature] immediately He putteth in the sickle, because the
harvest [time] is come." Mk.4:28, 29. Not until the FULL corn is ready does
the time of harvest come.
"Alas...for the day of the Lord is at hand, and as a [fiery] destruction [to
the tares] from the Almighty shall it [even the Lord's sickle] come. Is not
the meat [the strong revelation of the word] cut off from before our eyes,
yea, joy & gladness from the house [New Test. church] of our God? The
[majority of the] seed [even the word which should be bearing fruit unto
perfection) is rotten under their clods [trampling], the garners [places of
sterile religious gathering] are laid desolate, the barns [large religious
organizations] are broken down [through tradition and carnal teachings];
for the [growth of the] corn is withered...yea, the flocks of sheep are made
desolate." Jl.1:15-18. This part of God's separating judgment is already
burning in the house of the Lord - Mat.3:11; Heb.12:29; Mk.9:49;
1Ptr.4:17. He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith today unto
the church!
Though there be desolation all around us, some of it even very obvious to
the natural eye, & though there appears little hope of much improvement,
there is yet the promise of a FULL ear of humanity soon to be revealed in
the earth, even as a firstfruit "harvest of the earth.'' Rev.15:5. Paul calls
the revealing of this harvest "the manifestation of the sons of God."
Ro.8:19.
These shall be mature ones who have grown & ripened in the harshest of
conditions, rising from the seed stage and developing slowly but surely
through the realms of "fruit", "more fruit", and "much fruit.'' Jn.15:2,8,16.
They have come through water baptism, spirit baptism and have endured a
cleansing fire baptism. They have come forth through "justification",
"sanctification" & unto full and complete "glorification." That this third and
finer step has not yet been completed in the earth, though it is a sure fact
even now in the heavenlies...is obvious in the evidence that the intense
longing of the creation is still in the final stage of groaning and travailing,
earnestly longing for this glorious revealing of the sons of God. "Even we
ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, namely THE
REDEMPTION OF OUR BODIES." Ro.8:23; 2Cor.5:4.
This is to be the first early harvest of "the first of the firstfruits" (Ex.23:19)
of the church, which are themselves as a whole, a kind of firstfruits of all
God's creatures - Jas.1:18. This first harvest, is the first of several of
spiritual Israel's harvests or resurrections which are to appear in due
season and in the divine order of the Almighty Sower and Harvester of
humanities seed. This first harvest is also known as "the first resurrection"
(Rev.20:5,6) and the ripeness of the fruit of the Spirit is as a result of its
drinking in much of the "latter rain" as well as the "former rain" of the
Spirit from on high - Jl.2:23; Hos.6:3; 10:12; Jer.5:24. "These were
redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and the Lamb."
Rev.14:4.
Those to he found in the first resurrection will be them "that overcometh"
(Rev. chptrs.2 & 3), "the saviours...on Mt. Zion'' (Obed. 21; Rev.14:1) who
shall in their overcoming, "be counted worthy" (2Ths.5:5) of the kingdom
for which they suffer. All are fruitful and faithful in their calling in
whatever level of glory that calling may be. They are of the "wise"and not
of the "foolish virgins" (Matt.25:2), "which were not defiled with women"
[soulish relations with any of the "great whore's" earthly corruptions or
affections - Rev.19:2 ; Jas.4:4; Prv. chptr.7]. "These are they which follow
the Lamb withersoever He goeth" (Rev.14:4; Ezk.1:20), and those "who
follow on to know the Lord."(Hos.6:3) loving not their own lives even unto
the death of their own carnal minds - Rev.12:11. They have 'WHOLLY
followed the Lord" (Nu. 32:11, 12), being sanctified "WHOLLY.. spirit, soul
and body..PRESERVED BLAMELESS unto the coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ." 1Ths.5:23.
It is these ones also who shall be first "caught up [not physically but in
power and authority] unto God and His throne" (Rev.12:5), and in this
realm of complete dominion & glory shall be wholly "WITHOUT FAULT
before the throne of God'." Rev.14:5; 3:21. They shall be judged
"FAULTLESS before the presence of His glory" (Jude 24), '"not having spot
or wrinkle...holy and WITHOUT BLEMISH" (Eph.5:27), fully redeemed from
"all iniquity." Tit.2:4.
"THEY THAT WERE READY went in with Him to the marriage.'' Matt.25:10.
"The marriage of the Lamb is come and His wife hath MADE HERSELF
READY... blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the
Lamb." Rev.17:7-9. Truly these are "a people PREPARED for the Lord.''
Lk.1:17. "And they sang as it were, a new song before His throne"
(Rev.14:3; 15:3)...a song of experienced victory and of FULLY COMPLETED
REDEMPTION, of which Exodus chapter five is a good type & shadow.
With God is "plenteous redemption" (Psa.130:7), enough for the COMPLETE
REDEMPTION of the individual, enough for the fulness of the Gentiles
(Ro.11:25), enough for all of Israel (Ro.11:26), even enough for the whole
of this groaning creation - Ro.8:21; Eph.1:1O. Redemption begins as a
GIFT of salvation "in the inner man'' (Eph.3:16) [beginning in the womb of
the spirit and progressing throughout the soul] and if we endure (Matt. 24
:13; Heb. 3:6,14) in bringing forth much fruit unto PERFECTION, it ends in
having the WHOLE man COMPLETED "in ALL the FULNESS of God." Eph.3:19.
"If the Spirit that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised
up Christ from the dead shall also QUICKEN YOUR MORTAL BODIES by His
Spirit that dwelleth in you." Ro.8:11; Phil.3:21.
The initial GIFT of salvation beginning in the inner man is "the earnest of
our inheritance." Eph.1:14. "The redemption of the purchased possession,
unto the praise of His glory" (Eph.1:14) is the FULL and COMPLETED
salvation of our spiritual and physical bodies which were bought and
redeemed with a price - lCor.6:19,20. This COMPLETE and TOTAL
redemption which is for "the called, chosen, AND FAITHFUL'' (Rev.17:14;
Jb.13:15), includes a gloriously redeemed body fashioned "like unto His
glorious body.'' Phil.3:21.
"When CHRIST who is OUR LIFE shall appear, then shall ye also appear
with Him in glory." Co1.3:4. Yes, "when He shall appear, we shall be like
Him; for we shall see Him as He is." 1Jn.3:2. Until that time, it is "Christ IN
YOU", not Christ coming from heaven out of the sky, which is your true
"hope of glory.'' Co1.1:27. The Spirit of Christ being born & "formed" in us
(Ga1.4:19) in order that we "may be MADE PERFECT IN ONE" (Jn.17:23) is
the divine truth of man's present and "blessed hope." Tit.2:13.
In the "first resurrection", He is bringing not all but "many sons unto glory''
(Heb.2:lO) even "to the OBTAINING OF THE GLORY of our Lord Jesus
Christ." 2Ths.2:14. "When the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven
[the inner spiritual realm], He shall come to be GLORIFIED IN His saints.''
2Ths.l:7,10. And those firstfruits then who have borne the image of the
earthy..."shall also bear the image of the heavenly." 1Cor.15:49. This body
"is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body." 1Cor.15:44. "So also
is the resurrection of the dead." 1Cor.15:42.
Before this FINAL glory of the body can be obtained, there must first be a
continual sanctification and cleansing of the garments of the spirit and soul.
There needs to be a working out of our salvation (Phil.2:12) in order for the
spirit man to be changed from a lesser glory to a greater glory (2Cor.3:18;
Prv.4:18) that will ultimately outwardly manifest a glorious church in the
earth,"not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing." Eph.5:27. It was
none other than this perfect and complete temple that the Lord spoke of
when He said, "I will FILL this house with glory." Hag.2:7. And soon He
shall!
The Lord has always had "a remnant" (Isa.20:21; Jer.37:31, 32) of Israel,
a church within a church, even "a few names" whose works "have not
defiled their garments" (Rev.3:2-4), "hating even the garment spotted by
flesh.'' Jude 23. It is these ones who shall first walk with Him and rule
with Him in the coming earthly kingdom, "clothed in white raiment."
Rev.3:4,5; 19:14,15.
To His body of "just men MADE PERFECT (Heb.12:22), "the general
assembly and church of the firstborn" (Heb.12:23; Jas.1:18) who shall be
joint heirs with Christ at His coming (1Cor.15:23) as the "first begotten of
the dead" (Rev.1:5), "was it granted that she should be arrayed in fine
linen, clean and white." Rev.19:8; Zec.3:4. Even Solomon in all his earthly
glory was not arrayed as one of these shall be!
When Jesus "was made flesh and dwelt among us, we beheld His glory, the
glory of the only begotten of the Father FULL of grace and truth." Jn.1:14.
During His earthly ministry, the Father had given "not the Spirit by measure
unto Him." Jn.3:34. "It pleased the Father that in Him should ALL FULNESS
dwell." Col.1:19. All the FULNESS OF DEITY now dwells in a heavenly
body of glorified flesh.'' Co1.2:9; Lk.24: 39, 40.
Just as the natural earthly body of Jesus was prepared to carry out all the
Father's will (Heb.10:5-7), so is another corporate body being prepared
(Lk.1:17) and "made ready" (Rev. 19:7) to receive the fulness of deity in
order to carry out the perfect will of the Father in the earth. Now it is in
the Father's progressively expanding will, that the faithful earthly portion of
His spiritual body who "have GROWN UP into Him in all things" (Eph.4:15),
soon come "unto A PERFECT MAN [even a completed corporate body], unto
the measure of the stature of the FULNESS of Christ." Eph.4:13; Psa.138:8.
"Love is the FULFILLING of the law" (Ro.13:10) even "the law of the
Spirit.in Christ Jesus." Ro.8:2. "Whoso keepeth His word verily in Him is the
love of God PERFECTED." 1Jn.2:5. This is why the scripture exhorts us..
"Put on charity which is the bond [controlling and uniting principle] of
PERFECTION." Co1.3:14. "Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness
and let us put on the armour of light...Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ and
make not provision for the flesh, to FULFILL the lusts thereof." Ro.14:12-14.
Rather, let us completely "FULFILL the royal law [of love] according to the
scripture" (Jas.2:8) by abiding in "the perfect law of liberty." Jas.1:25.
"Let us go on UNTO PERFECTION (Heb.6:1), cleansing ourselves "from all
filthiness of the flesh & spirit, PERFECTING HOLINESS in the fear of God."
2Cor.7:1. May "The God of peace...make you PERFECT in every good work
to do His will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight,
through Jesus Christ." Heb.13:20, 21; Col.4:12; 2Tim.3:17; Jas.2:22; 3:2;
1Ptr.5:10; 1Jn.4:17, 18 etc.
To do this, "He must INCREASE & we must decrease - Jn.3:30. It is to this
END "that He may establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before
God..at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints." 1Ths.3:13;
1Cor.1:8. He is first coming in them and WITH them for the fullness of His
glory shall be mainifest within them.
"Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints" (Jude 11), with
His "good & faithful servants (Matt.25:23), to make them "ruler over all His
goods." Matt.24:47. "He that overcometh & keepeth my works UNTO THE
END, to him will I give power over the nations: and he shall rule them with a
rod of iron.." Rev.3:26,27. These shall receive "the END of their faith", the
salvation of their souls -1Ptr.1:9.
This is "an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled"(1Ptr.1:4), reserved as
an experientially COMPLETED "salvation ready to be revealed in the Last
time." 1Ptr.1:5. This is the fulness of "grace that is to be brought at the
revelation of..Christ" (1Ptr.1:13) and the salvation of which Paul was
speaking when he said, "Now is our salvation nearer than when we
believed." Ro.13:11. This is when Christ shall appear "the second time
without sin UNTO SALVATION.'' Heb.9:28.
Peter connected this salvation with that part of the kingdom which was yet
to come saying, "Give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for
if ye do..ye shall never fall: for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you
abundantly, into the everlasting kingdom..''2Ptr.1:10; Rev.3:20,21. This
was not a free gift of entrance into initial salvation, neither was Jesus
speaking of the initial GIFT of life when He said, "strait is the gate and
narrow is the way, which leadeth unto [abundant] life and few there be
that find it." Matt.7:14.
Rather, this is a salvation "to the UTTERMOST"(Heb.7:25), the benefits of
which must be faithfully & responsibly entered into and wholly possessed
(Nu.13:30)...and "the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom."
Da.7:22. Jesus put it this way, "In your patience, possess ye your souls."
Lk.21:19. There is a purifying (1Ptr.1: 22) which must take place in the
"saving of the soul." Heb.10:39; Jas.1:21.
Paul spoke of endurance required "to obtain the [fulness] of salvation which
is in Christ." 2Tim.2:10. He spoke of "a good fight of faith" & "laying up in
store..a good foundation against the time to come, that they may LAY HOLD
of eternal life." 1Tim.6:19,12. He also spoke of an ultimate "rest"
(Heb.4:9) and taught what kind of spiritual labour was required to enter
therein -Heb.4:10,11. Jesus taught that only he that endured and overcame
unto the end of his calling would receive this salvation - Matt.24:l3; 10:22;
Mk.13:13.
In other places in the scriptures Paul described this final salvation as "THE
PRIZE" that one receives upon running a race 1Cor.9:24. "I press toward
the mark of the PRIZE of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Phi1.3:14.
"That I may WIN Christ" (Phil.3:8).."that I may know Him and the power of
HIS RESURRECTION & the fellowship of His sufferings...If by any means I
might ATTAIN unto the [first] resurrection (out) from the dead." Phil.3:10.
Paul had a revelation that he "might OBTAIN A BETTER RESURRECTION"
(Heb.11:35), even that first resurrection which is not for God's servants-
which knew their Lord's will but "prepared not..neither did according to His
will" Lk.12: 47. For in the Father's great "spiritual house" (1Ptr.2:5) "there
are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood & of earth; and
some to honour & some to dishonour." 2Tim.2:20. Which will you be?
This first and best PRIZE of coming kingdom reign is not for dishonorable
"wicked servants" (Matt.18:32), "evil servants" (Matt.24:48) or "servants
of corruption" nor is it for any "slothful" (Matt.25:26) nor 'unprofitable
servants" (Matt.25:30) who are "lukewarm, & neither cold nor hot."
Rev.3:16. Rather, it is for purged vessels, "vessels unto honour, sanctified
& meet for the Master's use, and prepared unto every good work."
2Tim.2:21. Only these shall receive the benefits of the "FULL REWARD"
(2Jn.8), even that "exceeding GREAT REWARD" (Gen.l5:1) of such an
exceedingly "great salvation." Heb.2:3.
Many are hearing the calling to receive the GIFT of salvation but there are
comparatively few who shall be in a place to hear a loud voice saying in the
spirit, "Now is come [complete] salvation and strength and the kingdom of
our God; and the power of His Christ" (Rev.12:10; 11:15-17)... "that thou
mightest be my salvation unto the end of the earth." Isa.49:6. "Behold the
Lord hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, say ye to the daughter of
Zion, Behold, THY SALVATION COMETH; behold His REWARD is with Him,
and His work before Him, & they shall call them the holy people, the
redeemed of the Lord: & thou shalt be called, sought out, a city not
forsaken." Isa.62:11, 12. "And the kingdom and dominion, and the
greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven shall be given to the
(holy) people of the (overcomer) saints of the most High whose kingdom is
an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve & obey Him."
Dan.7:27.
"Of the increase of His government and peace there shall no end." Isa.9:7.
The kingdom of God is present in earth even now. It is within our earthen
vessels - Lk.17:21. God is about to release its full power & manifest its
results to the earth, beginning in and through a people who have willingly
allowed Christ to have all rule in their lives regardless of personal cost.-
Rev.12:11
At present, the Lord Is in the midst of creating "new heavens" [new
creation spirits - 2Cor.5:17], beginning with his gracious GIFT from heaven
which shall ultimately culminate in a COMPLETE salvation in a "new earth"
even a new body of celestial or terrestrial glory - Isa.65:17. This glorious
salvation is nearing completion in a firstfruits remnant of the church
(Ro.8:18,19) that will "stand PERFECT & COMPLETE in all the will of God."
Co1.4:12. Yet, if you can receive it, this in itself is merely a beginning of an
even greater purpose.
The range and scope of salvation's ultimate fulfillment reaches out in the
unlimited power of divine love, in omnipotent "expectation that the creation
itself, also, shall be freed from the slavery of corruption into the glorious
freedom of the children of God." Ro.8:21 [Conc.Lit]. Not only the
foreknown reconciliation and salvation of all men but also the restoration of
the whole creation, was willed, predestined and foreordained to a divine
order before the foundation of the earth - Heb.4:3; Ac.15:18; Isa.46:9,10.
This is already completed truth. In the church it has only begun. In Him it
is finished.
The work of God's Spirit in providing a salvation for all whom Christ died for
(2Cor.5:14,15), and for all whom He willed to be ultimately saved
(1Tim.2:4), was a PERFECT work, completed by Christ at Calvary. "His
work is PERFECT." Deut.32:4. In this sovereign work their is no possibility
of imperfection nor failure or He would not be our Lord God Almighty.
The work of the cross was not just a stationary event of the past. It was
not merely a hoped for provision for all but was also the unfailing guarantee
of a perfect result and outcome for all; a fulfillment that will in its
perfection, have experientially provided salvation to all--to be made evident
(1Tim.2:6) at the glorious consummation of its ongoing application.
Jesus, through the cross, not only made personal salvation a possibility or a
hope for all, but He who is salvation was made "a surety" and a guarantee
of a better and perfect testament - Heb.8:18-22. To Yahweh be all the
glory, for Christ the perfect One has guaranteed a work of perfection for the
whole of His creation. That which He planned and determined in the
beginning of His natural universal creation, He shall complete to the full
glory of God the Father. And that which he has begun in you His church He
shall also surely complete - Phil. 1:6. After all, He is the great Potter and
humanity but His clay and what vessel could ultimately resist His will? -
Our sovereign Creator's all powerful, all conclusive plan of the ages could
never fail in His loving desire and pleasure to eventually be "all in all" (1Cor.
15:28; Eph.1:11) and COMPLETE IN HIM. Only then, shall the ultimate
climax of Christ's glorious saving work planned from the foundation of the
ages (Eph. chptr. 1; Rev.13:8) be fulfilled in all its transcendent glory...
"Whom he did predestinate, them He also called: and who He called, them
He also justified: and whom He justified, them he also glorified." Ro.8:30;
1Cor.15:22-28.
"Now the God of peace, that brought
again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that
great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood
of the everlasting covenant, make you PERFECT in
every good work to do His will, working in you that which
is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to who be glory
for ever and ever. Amen."
Heb.13:20, 21
K. Ross McKay
|
|
|
|