There is abundant Scripture to indicate that the present divine purpose must be the out calling of the Church from both Gentiles and Jews.
Seven figures are employed in the New Testament to set forth the relation which exists between Christ and the church. All seven are needed to the end that the whole revelation respecting this relationship may be disclosed. In connection with each figure and as its parallel there is a similar truth to be observed regarding Israel.
1. Christ is the shepherd and Christians are the sheep. Israel, too, was the flock of God and the sheep of His pasture.
2. Christ is the vine and the believers of today are the branches. Israel was Jehovah’s vineyard.
3. Christ is the chief Cornerstone and Christians are the building. Israel had a temple but the Church is a living temple for the habitation of God through the Spirit (interdependence; indwelling).
4. Christ is the High Priest and New Testament believers are a kingdom of priests. Israel had a priesthood; the Church in its entirety is a priesthood (Rev 1:6; 5:10).
5. Christ is the Head of the Church which is His body. Israel was a commonwealth, an organized nation; the Church is an organism very much alive by reason of partaking of one Life and being related to its living Head.
6. Christ is the Head of a New Creation and Christians are with Him in that Creation as its vital members. Israel was of the old creation and attached to the earth; the Church is of the New Creation and related to heaven. (This figure dwells upon the believer’s marvels of position and standing since he is in Christ.)
7. Christ is the bridegroom and the Church is the Bride. Israel was the repudiated, yet to be restored wife of Jehovah; the Church is the espoused virgin Bride of Christ.
This relationship for Christians, foreseen in various types, is all of another sphere and figure (from Israel—NC). It sets forth the glory of Christ in which the Church as His Bride will share above. What marvelous things are wrought in this company of believers that they should become suitable as a Bride for the Second Person of the Godhead; and such a One as will ravish His heart throughout eternity!
It is never taught in the scriptures that it as a nation will appear in heaven, though this destiny is open at present to individual believers from among the Jews. The destiny of the nation is earthly, extending on forever into the New Earth which is yet to be (Israel will inherit the New Earth; Christians will inherit the New Heaven—NC).
The destiny of the Church is heavenly. As His Bride and Body, the Church will be with the Bridegroom and Head wherever He goes (Jhn 10:4).
— Lewis Sperry Chafer (1871–1952)
MJS daily devotional excerpt for September 9
“The object of the Christian life is that we may center in the Object of the Father—His Beloved Son.
"If we go on with the Father, sweet as is the assurance that we belong to Him, yet the uppermost thought will in the long run be Himself. We shall come back to His Person. We shall in our praises weave with them what the Lord Jesus has done, suffered, and won for us; but the primary thought in our hearts is, not what we have gained, however true, but what He has been for us and what He is for us, yes, what He is in Himself.”—James Butler Stoney (1814-1897)
"There is usually only occupation with the Lord Jesus for the relief of the conscience, and if so, where does it stop? It stops when the relief is gained. But if He is the object of the heart, you will never be satisfied but in fellowship with Him where He is." -MJS
"I know of no arguments, and I am acquainted with no power, that will move the heart to devotedness except the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Himself and His love. It is possible to read books by the score, and to listen to the most faithful and blessed ministry for years on end, and yet never know the Lord Jesus as a present loving Object in heavenly glory. It is nigh impossible to see and know Him there by faith without a resulting intense desire to be wholly devoted to Him here.
"We have a new Person before us as the Object of our faith and affections; and as we drop ourselves and have the Lord Jesus as our Object, He is formed in us. What has been judicially accomplished at the Cross has its fruition by the Spirit in our souls, and it is by that principle that we grow.”—Charles Andrew Coates None But The Hungry Heart
Seven figures are employed in the New Testament to set forth the relation which exists between Christ and the church. All seven are needed to the end that the whole revelation respecting this relationship may be disclosed. In connection with each figure and as its parallel there is a similar truth to be observed regarding Israel.
1. Christ is the shepherd and Christians are the sheep. Israel, too, was the flock of God and the sheep of His pasture.
2. Christ is the vine and the believers of today are the branches. Israel was Jehovah’s vineyard.
3. Christ is the chief Cornerstone and Christians are the building. Israel had a temple but the Church is a living temple for the habitation of God through the Spirit (interdependence; indwelling).
4. Christ is the High Priest and New Testament believers are a kingdom of priests. Israel had a priesthood; the Church in its entirety is a priesthood (Rev 1:6; 5:10).
5. Christ is the Head of the Church which is His body. Israel was a commonwealth, an organized nation; the Church is an organism very much alive by reason of partaking of one Life and being related to its living Head.
6. Christ is the Head of a New Creation and Christians are with Him in that Creation as its vital members. Israel was of the old creation and attached to the earth; the Church is of the New Creation and related to heaven. (This figure dwells upon the believer’s marvels of position and standing since he is in Christ.)
7. Christ is the bridegroom and the Church is the Bride. Israel was the repudiated, yet to be restored wife of Jehovah; the Church is the espoused virgin Bride of Christ.
This relationship for Christians, foreseen in various types, is all of another sphere and figure (from Israel—NC). It sets forth the glory of Christ in which the Church as His Bride will share above. What marvelous things are wrought in this company of believers that they should become suitable as a Bride for the Second Person of the Godhead; and such a One as will ravish His heart throughout eternity!
It is never taught in the scriptures that it as a nation will appear in heaven, though this destiny is open at present to individual believers from among the Jews. The destiny of the nation is earthly, extending on forever into the New Earth which is yet to be (Israel will inherit the New Earth; Christians will inherit the New Heaven—NC).
The destiny of the Church is heavenly. As His Bride and Body, the Church will be with the Bridegroom and Head wherever He goes (Jhn 10:4).
— Lewis Sperry Chafer (1871–1952)
MJS daily devotional excerpt for September 9
“The object of the Christian life is that we may center in the Object of the Father—His Beloved Son.
"If we go on with the Father, sweet as is the assurance that we belong to Him, yet the uppermost thought will in the long run be Himself. We shall come back to His Person. We shall in our praises weave with them what the Lord Jesus has done, suffered, and won for us; but the primary thought in our hearts is, not what we have gained, however true, but what He has been for us and what He is for us, yes, what He is in Himself.”—James Butler Stoney (1814-1897)
"There is usually only occupation with the Lord Jesus for the relief of the conscience, and if so, where does it stop? It stops when the relief is gained. But if He is the object of the heart, you will never be satisfied but in fellowship with Him where He is." -MJS
"I know of no arguments, and I am acquainted with no power, that will move the heart to devotedness except the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Himself and His love. It is possible to read books by the score, and to listen to the most faithful and blessed ministry for years on end, and yet never know the Lord Jesus as a present loving Object in heavenly glory. It is nigh impossible to see and know Him there by faith without a resulting intense desire to be wholly devoted to Him here.
"We have a new Person before us as the Object of our faith and affections; and as we drop ourselves and have the Lord Jesus as our Object, He is formed in us. What has been judicially accomplished at the Cross has its fruition by the Spirit in our souls, and it is by that principle that we grow.”—Charles Andrew Coates None But The Hungry Heart
