L:4 THE SPIRITUAL CHURCH PART 12 D – ENTERING INTO LIFE

THE SPIRITUAL CHURCH ~ ONE PEOPLE CONSECRATED TO GOD

Eph_4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

L:4 ENTERING INTO LIFE (D)

Mat_18:8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.
Mat_18:9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

Mat_19:17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

THE RESURRECTION

The Child of GOD undergoes Stages of Development which progresses from Sinner, Disciple, and Believer to finally the Over-comer. The Spiritual Process of Reconciliation to GOD includes Justification through JESUS CHRIST, Sanctification (Consecration) through the HOLY GHOST/SPIRIT, and Glorification which is Entering into an Exalted Eternal Life with a Glorified Body and Being At One with GOD and JESUS CHRIST.

The Glorified Life will become Manifest at the Believer’s Resurrection and the Ascension. A Carnal, Natural, Corruptible Body cannot Inherit the Kingdom of GOD/Heaven. Believers/Overcomers need a Spiritual Glorified Body to inhabit the Place that JESUS CHRIST is Preparing for HIS People, (Disciples, Believers and Over-comers). The Glorified Body will be as the Body of CHRIST after HIS Resurrection and Believers will become Sons of GOD.

Joh_1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

The total Process of Salvation and the receiving of the Glorified Body is all based on the >> Person << and >> Efficacious Work of the Lord JESUS CHRIST. << The Believer is Saved through Grace which allows them to follow the Commandments of GOD through the Gift of the Empowering HOLY GHOST/SPIRIT. Believers do not Work for their Salvation or to be Saved, they are Saved by GOD to do the Works.

Joh 6:27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
Joh 6:28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
Joh 6:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

In future articles we will be discussing each of the steps the Disciple/Believer/Over-comer undergoes while developing through the three (3) Stage Process of:

Justification

In Theology Justification is the remission of sin and Absolution from Guilt and Punishment; or an act of Free Grace by which GOD Pardons the sinner and accepts him as Righteous, on account of the Atonement of JESUS CHRIST.

Sanctification

For the purpose of Theology Sanctification is the act of making Holy. In an Evangelical sense it is the act of GOD’S Grace by which the Affections of men are Purified or Alienated from Sin and the World, and Exalted to a Supreme Love to GOD. It is the act of Consecrating or of Setting something apart for a Sacred Purpose; Consecration.

Glorification

Glorification, according to Theology, is the Exaltation to Honor, Dignity; and Elevation to Glory; as the Glorification of JESUS CHRIST after HIS Resurrection and Ascension to the Right of GOD’S Throne and Majesty on High.

This Process will Culminate at the Apex of the Spiritual Evolution of Mankind which will be the Event of the Return of JESUS CHRIST which will be HIS Second Coming. HE will return to the Planet’s Atmosphere to take HIS People (Disciples/Believers and Over-comers) to the place HE has Prepared for them. At this Appointed Time Events will Commence as the >> Resurrection, the Transformation to the Evolved State of the Spiritual Glorified Body and the Ascension.

1Co 15:44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
1Co 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

1Co 15:46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
1Co 15:47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
1Co 15:48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.

1Co 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

THE SPIRITUAL GLORIFIED BODY

Believers will have a Glorified Body

“Let us make Man in our Image”…

1Co 15:49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

1Co 15:51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
1Co 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1Co 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

1Co 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
1Co 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

1Co 15:56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
1Co 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

1Co 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

The Eternal Manifold Work of JESUS CHRIST

One Sheepfold

The Life of JESUS CHRIST on Earth from Birth was to Consummate a Work for GOD the FATHER. HE came to Earth because the FATHER Commanded HIM to Seek the Lost Sheep of Israel, (the Remnant of Israel) and join them to HIMSELF. This was to include all of the Sheep of GOD as JESUS told the Jews. HE declared HIS flock was of two sheepfolds which HE would bring into “ONE Sheepfold” under “ONE Shepherd“. This was witnessed to as CHRIST Ministered to many Gentiles during HIS Earthly Ministry. No one who came to HIM for help was ever refused or turned away without being Ministered to.

Joh_10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

THE JUDGMENT

CHRIST delivered the Admonishments of GOD to Israel as a Prophet and as the Son of the King of the Universe, GOD. HE warned Israel of GOD’S Wrath to come and implored them to Repent of Sin and turn back to GOD. But, except for the Remnant of Israel, they ridiculed and rejected CHRIST just as their ancestors had rejected other Prophets and the Messages of GOD in their past.

CHRIST told HIS Disciples and Apostles of the Destruction of the Temple and the Dispersion of the Jewish Nation of Israel throughout the World because of their Rejection and Sin. He used the Parable of the Rich Man and the Wicked Husbandmen to depict their Judgment. This Parable was also Emblematic of HIS own Mission and HIS own Death. CHRIST told the Jews that since they had rejected HIM/GOD the Kingdom was taken away from them and would be given to another Nation (Gentiles) to accomplish the Work which GOD had given them to do which was the Great Commission (Fruits): to Teach the World the >> Gospel of the Kingdom of GOD/Heaven. << and >> the Testimony of JESUS CHRIST. <<

Mat_21:43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

As JESUS CHRIST Abrogated the Law of Moses and as the Mosaic Dispensation came to an end, it ushered in the Spiritual Reformation which is the – >> Spiritual Church Age << of the >> Messianic Jews <<, >> Messianic Judaism << and the >> Christians. << See also – >> A:2 The Spiritual Church Part 1B – Israel’s Judgment <<

THE HOLY GHOST/SPIRIT & THE CHURCH AGE

Mat_16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Act_1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

As the Earthly Ministry of CHRIST was coming to a close, HE began telling HIS Disciples and Apostles that HE was going to have to leave them. It was a part of HIS Work that HE came to Fulfill as the FATHER had so Commanded.

A Facet of the Grand Design was GOD’S Commandment for JESUS CHRIST to Lay down HIS Life as the Lamb of GOD. This too was dependent upon CHRIST and HIS >> Perfect Obedience << to HIS FATHER, the Obedience even to the Death of the Cross.

Joh_10:15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
Joh_10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.

Joh 10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

1Jn_3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

Php_2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

THE COMFORTER – THE HOLY GHOST/SPIRIT

The Advent of the Spiritual Church began on the Day of Pentecost. JESUS CHRIST declared HE would send the Comforter (the HOLY GHOST/SPIRIT) who would teach the Disciples and Apostles and remind them of everything HE had taught them. HE would also Empower them with Spiritual Gifts as they Witness to the whole World, while building HIS Church.

Joh 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
Joh 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

Joh 16:9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;

Joh 16:10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;

Joh 16:11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

See the articles >> The HOLY GHOST/SPIRIT I & II

See the >> Names, Titles and Descriptions of the HOLY GHOST/SPIRIT I & II <<
See >> Spiritual Gifts of the HOLY GHOST/SPIRIT << | >> Categories of Spiritual Gifts <<
See >> Spiritual Fruit of the HOLY GHOST/SPIRIT <<

THE END OF THE EARTHLY MINISTRY OF JESUS CHRIST

The Last Sufferings and Work of JESUS CHRIST on Earth included the Suffrage of the Betrayal by Judas, HIS Passion and the Turmoil in the Garden of Gethsemane, the Abandonment by all Disciples and Apostles (except John), HIS Sacrificial and Agonizing Death, Finishing the Work GOD gave HIM to do, the Powerful Resurrection, and finally the Exaltation of HIS Celestial Ascension.

Joh_4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

Joh_17:4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

During the final Stages of HIS Work CHRIST did the most Suffering and the most Work of HIS Divinity. HE Bruised the head (Authority) of the devil and destroyed his Works (All Sin). As HE laid down HIS Life for HIS People HE was both the Lamb of GOD and the Lion of Judah.

Php_2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Col 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
Col 2:15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

Eph_4:8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

Heb_2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

1Jn_3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

See the article – >> Destroying the Works of the devil <<

GOD IS PREPARING A PEOPLE FOR HIMSELF

Gen 1:3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
Gen 1:4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.

JESUS CHRIST is the Light of the World and the Light of men. Through HIM >> GOD is Preparing a People for HIMSELF << they are the Disciples, Apostles, Believers, the Over-comers and the Children of Light.

Joh 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

Jas_1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Joh_1:9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

Mat_5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Joh_12:36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.

Eph_5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

1Th_5:5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

GOD Draws the individual who hears HIS Voice, HIS Call. GOD Delivers HIS People out of the World and from the Power of Darkness and Delivers HIS People out of the Bondage of Slavery in Sin just as HE had called Israel out of the Bondage of Slavery in Egypt. After Spiritual Transformation (Born Again) GOD Translates Believers into the Kingdom of HIS Dear Son while they are still on Earth. This is the Spiritual Church. All of the above is a Picture, Emblem or Pointer to the Collective Call when JESUS CHRIST will shout with the Voice of an Arch Angel and those who can hear HIS Voice will arise from their graves.

Col_1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

Joh_5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
Joh 5:29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

Come out of her my people

Rev 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

Joh_6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
Joh_6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

AT ONENESS – THE VINE & THE BRANCHES

The >> 15th Chapter of John << depicts a Discourse by JESUS CHRIST to HIS Apostles/Disciples as HE uses the Metaphor of the Vine and the Branches as the Symbiotic Relationship of “Oneness” between GOD, HIMSELF and the Believer. HE explains to them that the Strength of the Believer is Realized through Dependence upon HIM as the Proverbial Vine and they as the Branches. The connecting Tendrils is the Obedience to >> HIS/GOD’S Commandments << and Abiding in HIS Love through Grace and Truth. Through this >> Relationship << Believers/Disciples will produce >> Spiritual Fruit << to the Glory of the FATHER who is the Proverbial Husbandman who Prunes and Purges the “Branches” through the Operation of the HOLY SPIRIT/GHOST. You may view the entire 15th Chapter >> here. <<

Joh_15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Joh_17:11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.

Joh_17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

1Co_8:6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

Eph 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
Eph 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Eph_4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

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