The Future Expectation of the Body of Christ

Excerpts from Unsearchable Riches, Vol 102, No. 3 – May 2011

Many in the church today confuse things that pertain to different people groups. A failure to “rightly divide” the Scriptures (2 Timothy 2:15) results in a failure to correctly understand what God has revealed. Israel has been promised a future expectation upon the earth. But the body of Christ does not have an expectation upon the earth … it is instead in the heavens. The following excerpts come from two articles within the aforementioned volume of Unsearchable Riches magazine.

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The expression, “the expectation [which is] reserved for you in the heavens” (Colossians 1:5), combined with the opening strain of the Ephesian epistle, “every spiritual blessing among the celestials” (Ephesians 1:3) is the crowning and concluding glory of the secret of the resurrection (cf 1 Corinthians 15:51). We have heard of a tryst with our Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18), and of the change of our bodies from soilish to celestial (1 Corinthians 15:49-53), but until we come to Paul’s perfection epistles of Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians, we have heard nothing of the place for which such a body prepares us, nor of the company for which it fits us.

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The city descends to them (Israel). We ascend to our allotment. But it was not until the present administration was fully revealed, after Israel’s temporary but definite setting aside, that Paul could come out clearly and make known the great truth that our future is not on earth but in the heavens, among the celestials. [Note: The temporary setting aside of Israel is discussed by Paul in Romans 11:25-26).

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The prophets had made it plain that He will be Head over all the earth when Israel is redeemed. But they did not give the slightest hint that He would be Head of the universe when an elected group out of the nations will be glorified. This is the secret made known in the opening of Ephesians (1:9-12).

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“How are the dead being roused, and with what body are they coming?” (1 Corinthians 15:35). The objector probably had no thought of heaven, but it furnished an opening for explaining the secret of 1 Corinthians 15:51, that those who received his ministry would not reappear as they had been in this life, but would enjoy a great and glorious transformation. … For Israel there is no need for much change except immunity from death. For the celestial saints, that is not enough.

Unsearchable Riches is published six times annually by Concordant Publishing Concern, 15570 Knochaven Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91387 (661-252-2112).

Believing is not a Mere Human Decision

Excerpts from an article by Jim Coram (from Unsearchable Riches, Vol 102, No. 2 – March 2011)

We who believe in what God has said are referred to as believers. We are a part of the body of Christ. We have been given assurances as to what lies ahead for us in the ages to come. But do we believe because we have made the free choice to do so? Are we therefore smarter than those who have heard the same gospel but do not believe? Consider these words from a recent article in Unsearchable Riches Magazine.

“Believing the evangel does not result from some sort of mere human decision, but from the powerful operations of God. “Faith” (or “faith[fullness],” cf Galatians 5:22) is a fruit of the spirit; not a “requirement” of salvation. It is “in the grace of God,” then, that we believe (cp 1 Corinthians 15:10,11), being “graciously granted … to be believing” on Christ (Philippians 1:29).

Thus “God parts to each” – that is, to each member of the ecclesia, which is to say, to each one whom He calls – “the measure of faith” which each one enjoys (Romans 12:3).”

 

Unsearchable Riches is published six times annually by Concordant Publishing Concern, 15570 Knochaven Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91387 (661-252-2112).

Old Testament Law Today

Are we to observe and obey the Old Testament Law today? Following is a great excerpt from "Unsearchable Riches" magazine, Volume 102, No. 2 (March 2011). This article was written by Jim Coram, and I reprint excerpts here with Jim's permission.

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God’s law (i.e. the “law of the Lord”), given through Moses, is afforded a place in modern Christianity quite foreign to God’s purpose. It is not realized that the law was given to Israel (and to Israel alone) not to show what man can do but what he cannot do.

Nonetheless, many a modern movement seeks to promote the observance of the law even today. For most, the main idea seems to be that man is obliged to keep God’s “moral law,” which they take to be the Ten Commandments. While these particular precepts had a central place within the Mosaic system, it is altogether unscriptural to suggest that they comprise the essence of abiding morality, or that all who would be moral today must yield to their demands.

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On account of the flesh, effectually speaking, the law was “infirm” (Romans 8:3); thus its precepts were “weak and without benefit; for the law perfects nothing” (Hebrews 7:18). Consequently, to be Israel, under law, does not bring blessing, but condemnation and death.

Believers today are not under the corpus of law given to Israel of old. God has not imposed these laws upon us, notwithstanding the excellence we may perceive in them or any supposition of our own as to their perceived appropriateness for our obedience today.

One may not “pick and choose” which of Moses’ precepts he will take to himself and which he will not, according to his own speculations and reasonings to the effect that certain of these laws have been “done away” while others yet remain. Intrinsically, the entire law – even in its most minute particular – was holy, just and good, even ideal; and the Israelite under law was required to heed it.

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It is both false and foolish to claim that if we would be holy and do what is just and good, we must do what Moses declares.

 

Unsearchable Riches is published six times annually by Concordant Publishing Concern, 15570 Knochaven Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91387 (661-252-2112).