There is a great deal of interest in the Millennial Kingdom which is to come to the earth in many Christian churches today. For the first time, the I am aware of, a strong emphasis is being placed by some on preparing the saints to become trained or educated so that they will be participators in that coming earthly Kingdom. But my confusion on the kingdom issue lies not only in that idea, but in the fact we are told in the Word of God to; "Set your affections on things above, not on the things on the earth" Col.3:2. So just what is it must we do?
I do understand from the Word in Rev. 20 that there is a role for saints to play in the rule of that coming earthly kingdom; Christians participating with Christ. I also recognize if the Lord's prayer or the sermon on the mount from Mathew is applied to new testament church doctrine [it should not be as it is earthly/Jewish/law] one could make a case for thy Kingdom come and the church working in its stead or under it's covering. In my studies however there is a dispensation wall between the Synoptic Christ Jewish law teachings and the heavenly Pauline grace gospel teachings. A Godly transfer at Christ's rejection, from things earthly to a New Spiritual Life, a Christ union heavenly life for all who except Him as Lord ministered by grace and found by faith only. The mystery Held in God's mind from before the foundation of the world revealed. Paul said; "That by revelation the mystery was made know to me" Eph. 3:3.
In my positional/heavenly/identification studies we are not now members or need prepare ourselves for this earthly kingdom. In fact the word is clear "we are not of this world", but heavenly. Free of earthly connection. As Christians we are strictly heavenly[not active members of a kingdom to come] but" hid in Christ". Where are we then now? It could only be in heaven "we are one Spirit with Him". After all He is there. The problem is we see and live out this truth only by faith! I do realize this is a very difficult Pauline biblical doctrine for most to understand. Why?
Because human being will always seek the understanding of the natural Adam man. In other words they [all of us] want to devise a way to feel truth and know it comprehensively in ourselves. Or see it from our view. This my friends is simply Adam going his own way. He always does. However this truth [heavenly union with Christ] is only accessed by the gift of faith and by God's sovereign will. His view is the one that counts! Not ours. Faith in His heavenly view of all of the Churches creatures contained in His Son. This is God's designated view of us as to the the heavenly church life incorporated in Christ. It's application to us here and now seen by us, by faith only. "Without faith it is impossible to please God".
The coming Kingdom is seen by God as earthly/Jewish/Israel in my studies. Jesus Christ taking His throne there in the future as promised by God. Returning to a world from which He was rejected while on earth. God now however in positional/identification doctrine sees all Christians as heavenly creatures "citizens of heaven" contained in His son who is there. This truth should be our chief concern. The Word tell us Jesus said; "because they are not of this world" Jn. 17:14. They are not of the world even as I Am not of the world" Jn. 14:16.The word world here is the Satanic world system we live in. But the oneness He prayed about in Jn. 17 is all inclusive and spiritual, centered in us being where He is with Him as only oneness can be, so then we are heavenly. From the Fathers standpoint anyway.
To be honest I am having enough trouble simply coming to know my lord as life and my heavenly position in Christ on this plain of existence. Let alone to prepare myself for a earthly Kingdom rule. Which in my mind is simply works. I think the most important thing for the saint to discover is Christ as life first. According to the Word all things will be added to us by the Holy Spirit we need not strive in the Adam mans works to obtain adequate standing for a future Kingdom role. "Faithful is He that calls you, who will also do it" 1 Thess. 5:24.
As I said in my last blog. He has overcome the world, sin and the Adam man. We are "hid in Christ". This is the great need to know. He is seen by the Father "as our very life". It is His life which dwells in us, by Spirit providing/substituting His life as ours. Found/established in us by faith of our heavenly presence with Him. Co-mingling us together by faith, for our experience of it. This is our heavenly position and our union with Him sitting at the right hand of God in heaven. What freedom what assurance. "Rejoice in Christ and have no confidence in the flesh" Phil 3:3.
Any rule, role, work or life as the Body on earth or in the millennial Kingdom must come from and be in our oneness of Spirit with Him. The by faith Christ identification positional life leaves the natural Adam man [which we all seem to be so busy working to improve] with nothing but himself as dead/annulled, as his position. "We died with Christ". There is no place for the Adam man in defining a Christian life, here or in the here after. "For our commonwealth [citizenship] exists in the heavens from which [a present tense] we eagerly await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ" Phil. 3:20. Only faith will see this as life. Only faith will live this truth out here on earth. "Study [the Word] to show yourself [faith motivated] approved".
We, living in Him as our defined existence, is found/applied, held close to the individuals heart, in a quiet restful faithful attitude. Trusting and knowing God's Word in our heart to be true. Then once made sure by the Holy Spirit in us is shown in the corporate body life by His power. We simply only need wait upon the Holy Spirit. He then provides all the experience we will need to manifest and magnify Jesus Christ on this plane of existence. He will also see to it the next is known to us by the faith He builds in us. Of course this requires waiting patiently, sometimes suffering and all the while standing on the one and only God pleasing platform FAITH! "I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ" Phil. 3:12.
The heavenly Church is presented as a mystery by Paul having never before been imagined by man. Kept secret in the heart of the Father in heaven from before time, our predestined place in Him made sure. It is wholly heavenly. We are wholly heavenly. A all inclusive life which Christians participate in equally. Unlike the Kingdom which is earthly a Jewish messianic restoration for 1000 years to come in the end time. "Which [the heavenly position of the church] in other generations [dispensations] was not made known to the sons of man, now revealed by His holy apostles and prophets by spirit" Eph.3:5
Yes I know Christians will be involved in that marvelous age. But, I believe we should not be so deeply concerned with it in the now as we so desperately need to establish Christ as our life positionally, in union with Him before the Father in heaven in our conscience first. Our role in its rule [the kingdom] will come quite naturally very normally in God's will and timing, without effort, no preparation is necessary. Remember we will be transfigured "like Him". Could there be a more worthy position for every Christian insuring our participation in all that God has for us in the coming age and all of eternity. If Paul is correct "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord" then surely He will make us up to any task he may have for us in the next life, earthy kingdom or otherwise.
Because we are Christ's Body, a unshakable heavenly position, we are "hidden in Him". He is our life. He has taken up that life in identification with us in heaven and has included His life in our spirit here; and presented it all to the Father in heaven. Where we are held in His supernatural life inclosed, imbedded and consecrated/sanctified in Christ with God in heaven. We can be sure of this my dear friends, if we are in fact in that place by His power and choice, all which is to be applied to every saint by God will be, "it is finished". We can be sure also He will use us to His full pleasure in all worlds, new and old, to come, mature or immature, first or last! "If then you are risen with Christ seek those things which are above, where Christ sits at the right hand of God" Col. 3:1.
Ask yourself could it be possible for the Father to exclude us from any part we might play in heaven or any Kingdom rule because we have not trained the Adam man enough? Us who are interwoven with His beloved Son right now. The virgin bride of Christ. The very inheritance of all that the Son is for God. We seen in the same estimation of love as the Son. Him living/resting with the Father in Heaven in a exact identification with man for the purpose of including us in all that He is to the Father. "Not by might, or power [natural effort], but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts" Zech. 4:6.
No my brothers and sisters this is our firm immoveable, rock solid position. Founded/experienced in us by our faith that this is true. All else is simply the good Adam in training. We are made alive on earth as Christians in actualization /experience, by our heavenly factual union with Him. Drawn upon in faith. We are therefore always held in full unchangeable security in the heart and mind of God. "The God of peace working in you that which is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ Heb. 13:20,21.
Abiding in His place as alive in heaven "Hidden in Christ" involves a choice. But we must know the difference! We can train the old natural man or rest by faith in the risen Lord. In Romans seven is depicted a war between the two. But then the Word says, "The Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death" Rom. 8:2. How then do we abide in His heavenly Life? " Of God are you in Christ" 1 Cor. 1:30. Saints it is the work of God to provide your living place. We simply have to stay there [in recognition] by faith in His Word to experience it, once we discover our heavenly position fully secured in Christ Jesus.
He is the very source of your Christian life. He has placed you in eternal union with His Son the moment you believed. We have no work to do! It is for Him to make good on His glorious promise to form you and not allow sin [the natural Adam man]to have dominion over you, Rom. 6:14. Paul taught that we ourselves were taken through the death of the Lord Jesus. The past was then blotted out, the pardoned sinner counted crucified with the Lord. Too be henceforth joined in heaven as a new creation hidden in the Lord Jesus Christ. Now sharing His life. "Your life is hidden in Christ in God" Col. 3:3.
My brothers and sisters there is no higher life which we must accomplish on earth in Adams struggling works. Nothing to overcome except lack of faith; in the positional, union we have firmly established in Him. The Lord Jesus is all that we need for all that we are, new, old, first, last, immature or mature. We are as He is, fully formed in Him fully matured in Him in heaven. Our God gives no preference to man, pope, priest, elder, overcomer, all are judged and treated equally."It is finished" in His Sons life, held there in perfect security and equal status for all. "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace. and not of evil, to give you an expected end" Jer. 29:11.
We need not for a moment worry about the degraded Christian churches. His will for us will be accomplished and them also. Our Adamic cooperation is not necessary. It is our faith in the heavenly positional God inspired truth doctrine of Paul that completes us. Let the Holy Spirit do the work in the Body. Him unencumbered, by our lack of faith in Christ total sufficiency for all things. Abide above with: " He that has raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus" Eph. 2:6. Heavens mystery revealed by faith.
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