[Biblemat] S) THE SCHEME OF REDEMPTION IN PROPHECY (9)

[J5827Sasser at wmconnect.com]

Brethren and Friends, Jim Sasser here.  Here is the nineth install-
ment of this particular study.  Use to the glory of God.

THE SCHEME OF REDEMPTION IN PROPHECY  (9)

The Univrsality Of The Kingdom Of Christ: -- On no point, per-
haps, does prophecy place greater emphasis in delineating
the distinctive character of the kingdom of heaven than the
catholicity or universality of the reign of Christ.  Without 
appreciatively discerning the character of His reign, many have been misled 
into thinking of it as a political, fleshly, mat-
erial dispensation.

     Failing to thus discern the true character, and looking for
such as is false, and, therefore, unfilled, they yet are expect-
ing a future fulfillment in an earthly reign by Christ.  Too, be-
sides millernarian theories, some have construed these prop-
hecies as teaching an irreconciliability between civil govern-
ments and the government of Christ.  It is to be recognized
that the form of civil power to be broken in pieces by the king-
dom of God was that of universal dominion, and not civil gov-
ernment itself.  Otherwise the recognition Jesus both gave and enjoined on 
others to civil government would be in direct
conflict with this prophecy.  Isaiah gave an insight into how
this universal dominion was to be secured and in what way it
was to exist.  "And it shall come to pass in the last days that
the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the
top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations 
shall flow into it." (Isa. 2:2).  Let us notice the
relative position as to character of this kingdom and the nat-
ions of the earth, and how in their presence it can attain univ-
ersality.

     The supreme exaltation of the church is here affirmed, and
no institution political or otherwise may ever supplant, surpa-
ss or equal it in the character it is to possess, the design it is
to effect, the work it is to perform and the influence it is to
exert.  This concept of the church is fundamental and must 
be jealously guarded and nurtured by all who love the Lord.
Ever to conceive it to be inadequate as divinely designed and
constituted to do all that Christ would have it accomplish is to
reflect on the divine wisdom and power.  To divert its resourc-
es and energies from the noble design for which it was creat-
ed to other and lower fields of endeavor is but to debase and
debauch the bride of Christ.  We must, therefore, out of due
regard for the Lord and a proper interest in our eternal well-
being remain adamant to any prostitution of its purpose, corr-
uption of its constitution or change in its character.

     This kingdom was to be established in the top of the moun-
tains thus not only being exalted above the governments of
earth, but also to exist contemporary with them and apart from them.  There 
is no incompatibility in civil government and divine government so long as each 
operates in its proper
sphere and doesn't impinge on the other.  Catholicism, in
claiming political supremacy, denies the separateness of state and church and 
creates an unholy alliance of the two.
They thereby would make of the church a universal political
power with the governments of this world liege subjects of
Rome.  (Such is plainly shown in the presence of the Catholic
Pope in this country at this time as the head of his own little
state back in Rome, but having headship of all nations of the
earth, both religious and civil, as the vicor of Christ upon the
earth, which has no authority to exist as found in God's Word. JWS).  Hence 
they regard this as being the condition
and relation and method of maintaining and rendering secure
the catholicity of the church.  This is the end sought by force
intimidation and political contriving and intrigue.

     The universal dimensions of the church of Christ are to be
appraised in view of the means Isaiah notes and the extent to
which they are to be employed.  The means are teaching man
the ways of the Lord, and the extent is that all are to be taug-
ht; and being thus taught all men may become subjects, loyal
and devoted, of the Lord Jesus Christ.  The gospel was to be,
and was, preached to all nations and to every creature under
heaven.  As taught the way of the Lord they were, in consequ-
ence thereof, to walk in His paths.  That this happy result
might obtain the law of the Lord went forth from Zion, and the
word from Jerusalem.  Pentecost marks the commencement
of the reign of heaven exercised by Christ through His Word.
Wherever the Word of Christ is heard, believed and obeyed
there the kingly power of the Lord is enforced, and the fact
that this Word is addressed to all men displays the reality and
propriety of all men being dutifully subject to Him.  Those ent-
ering this kingdom are to be born again -- not of blood, nor of
flesh, nor of the will of man but of God.  It is an individual and
not a national, tribal or family action and response.  (More will
be posted tomorrow on this subject, the Lord willing, JWS).   </HTML>
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