In connection with the high and holy truth which the Holy Spirit designates “the MYSTERY” and “the UNSEARCHABLE RICHES of Jesus Christ,” we call your attention to several verses of Scripture.

Concerning the Open Door:

“WITHAL PRAYING ALSO FOR US, THAT GOD WOULD OPEN UNTO US A DOOR OF UTTERANCE, TO SPEAK THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST, FOR WHICH I AM ALSO IN BONDS; THAT I MAY MAKE IT MANIFEST, AS I OUGHT TO SPEAK.” Colossians 4:3 and 4.

Concerning the Open Mouth:

“AND FOR ME, THAT UTTERANCE MAY BE GIVEN UNTO ME, THAT I MAY OPEN MY MOUTH BOLDLY, TO MAKE KNOWN THE MYSTERY OF THE GOSPEL, FOR WHICH I AM AN AMBASSADOR IN BONDS; THAT THEREIN I MAY SPEAK BOLDLY, AS I OUGHT TO SPEAK.” Ephesians 6:19, 20.

Concerning the Open Mind:

“THAT THE GOD OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, THE FATHER OF GLORY, MAY GIVE UNTO YOU THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND REVELATION IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIM; THE EYES OF YOUR UNDER STANDING BEING ENLIGHTENED; THAT YE MAY KNOW WHAT IS THE HOPE OF HIS CALLING, AND WHAT THE RICHES OF THE GLORY OF HIS INHERITANCE IN THE SAINTS.” Ephesians 1:17 and 18.

So far as this blessed and glorious truth of Ephesians and Colossians is concerned, it is still a mystery with a great majority of Christians, including the so-called leading Fundamentalist Bible teachers. Most of these seem to be as ignorant of this Divine mystery concerning the Body of Christ, and the two-fold inheritance of the Head and members of that Body, as though it had never been declared in the Word of God. There is no limit to Satan’s opposition to the truth designated “the Mystery”. Undoubtedly he is responsible for the blindness that seems to be upon the minds of so many of the Lord’s redeemed people in this day and age. This evil one must be responsible for having kept the mystery of grace and glory covered up by the man-made religious creeds and sectarian religious mixtures down through the past eighteen centuries. It is rather pitiable and deplorable that even the present-day servants of the Lord, who are supposed to be messengers of the grace of God, are so blind and prejudiced as to confuse the hope of Israel with the blessed hope set forth in the Prison Epistles of the Apostle Paul. And the sad fact is that these messengers are the ones who are most bitterly opposing the very message that they think they are preaching; that is, the message of pure grace and the one Body, in which there is an eternal, inseparable union of the Lord Jesus Christ and sinners saved by grace, both Head and members seated in the upper heavenlies in Christ Jesus.

Apart from Satan it is most difficult to account for the bitter antagonism to the highest, the most blessed and most glorious truth in all of the Word of God. Quite significant it is that these servants of the Lord, who seem to hate this blessed truth with a vicious hatred, must resort to foul methods and carnal weapons in their vain and futile endeavors to discredit the Lord’s messengers rather than intelligently use the Sword of the Spirit to disprove the teaching of the “Body truth” as revealed in Paul’s final epistles, and expounded by the servants of the Lord who would faithfully obey Ephesians 4:3 and Ephesians 3:9. But let us bear in mind that this bitter and unholy opposition, these unjust and unscriptural methods, began in the days of Paul. But God, knowing the end from the beginning, has given us full warning and encouragement and He has left us instructions as to how to carry on with this glorious message. He has told us what to expect in the way of opposition from religious Bible teachers who are either unwilling or unable to rightly divide the Word of truth. Of course we all realize that men are naturally religious and so prejudiced by the creeds and traditions of Christendom that it is next to impossible for most of them to be a true Berean.

CONCERNING THE OPEN DOOR

We have observed from the reading of Colossians 4:3 and 4 that God alone can open doors for the truth concerning the believer’s position and possessions in Christ, independent of any of Israel’s covenants, the believer’s identification with the risen and glorified Christ in death, burial, resurrection and glorification, all by one Divine baptism which has nothing to do with Israel’s hope or Israel’s kingdom baptism. Certainly to mix the hope of the Body of Christ and God’s inheritance in the members of that Body, the mystery among the Gentiles, with the hope and inheritance of Israel is a great blunder, and seemingly inexcusable disobedience to II Timothy 2:15. Let us then, who are rejoicing in this glorious truth, pray earnestly that God will open doors that this message may be presented. Even ninety-five per cent of the assemblies, made up of Christians called Fundamentalists, are closed doors to this truth. But perhaps we have some reason to be encouraged because new doors are being opened, as new messengers are being equipped by the Holy Spirit to proclaim that secret which was hid in the mind of God from the foundation of the world until it was revealed from glory to the Apostle Paul, who was a special messenger of the glorified Christ, the ambassador with the ministry of reconciliation and custodian of the mystery. To his trust was committed the ministry, commission and deposit which not only supplemented but Superseded the revelations of God to His servants before the call of Paul.

CONCERNING OPEN MOUTHS

Because of the unpopularity of this blessed truth, many servants seem to lack boldness and liberty to proclaim it. Many of them are even persuaded and influenced by their very best friends to compromise for the sake of human unity and Christian fellowship. Some of these true friends are well meaning and they are willing to have peace and harmony among those who are agreed concerning the great fundamentals of the Christian faith even at the sacrifice of Divine truth and the surrender of Holy Spirit conviction. What option has the Spirit-led and Bible-taught grace preacher under such circumstances? His duty is plain; and for his stewardship he must give an account to the Lord. It is not our God-given duty to endeavor by means of compromise or religious diplomacy to establish unity or a church program. We must advance with God’s truth and do our utmost to complete the task of wholly ridding God’s message of grace of the religious entanglements and ecclesiastical traditions that have so long kept it hidden from the people of God.

We must pray that God will open the mouths of His servants, to whom this message has been revealed, that they may speak it forth with Holy Spirit boldness, speaking the truth in love, wholly disregarding either the praise or fear of man. Let us unite in this important prayer.

CONCERNING OPEN MINDS

We would impress upon our readers that they diligently study Ephesians 1:17 and 18 and meditate prayerfully this holy desire of the Lord concerning every member of the Body of Christ. Let us not forget that the human heart is desperately wicked and deceitful, and that the god of this age is accused of the crime of deceiving the whole world. We repeat that he is especially antagonistic to the Body truth and will use every effort to keep believers from understanding this truth. In the spirit of meekness we should confess our ignorance and the darkness of the natural mind. If even the simple doctrines of the Bible are spiritually discerned how can we expect to comprehend these profound truths of Ephesians and Colossians apart from God’s own way set forth in these two verses and several other verses in the Epistle to the Ephesians? The Father of glory is the one who is able to give to the believer the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Himself, and thereby enlighten the eyes of the understanding.

In connection with this prayer let us read also the prayer of Ephesians 3:16 to 19, which we quote

“THAT HE WOULD GRANT YOU, ACCORDING TO THE RICHES OF HIS GLORY, TO BE STRENGTHENED WITH MIGHT BY HIS SPIRIT IN THE INNER MAN; THAT CHRIST MAY DWELL IN YOUR HEARTS BY FAITH; THAT YE BEING ROOTED AND GROUNDED IN LOVE, MAY BE ABLE TO COMPREHEND WITH ALL SAINTS WHAT IS THE BREADTH, AND LENGTH, AND DEPTH, AND HEIGHT; AND TO KNOW THE LOVE OF CHRIST, WHICH PASSETH KNOWLEDGE, THAT YE MIGHT BE FILLED WITH ALL THE FULNESS OF GOD.”

I am sure after prayerfully considering these Scriptures we shall not expect the member of the Body of Christ to appreciate or appropriate his riches of grace and glory, which are likewise Christ’s richest, except as his mind and heart are opened by the power from above.

Let us unite then in our prayer that God will give open doors, open mouths and open minds that many of the saints of Christ shall come into the knowledge of the glorious truth of the Mystery given to us by Christ through His chosen vessel, Paul. Let us be wholly satisfied with Christ, without religion, knowing that the Father of glory was so well pleased with His perfect life and perfect sacrifice that naught but the precious blood of the spotless Lamb of God is required for acceptance by Him, and that none of Israel’s religious program will aid us in a holy walk and spiritual life.

We all realize that the pure grace message is the need of the hour. Such a message presents the all sufficiency of Christ. Yet the popular message today is “Christ plus this” and “Christ plus that.” These added things we are warned against by the Holy Spirit in Colossians 2:8. God help us to be satisfied with Christ alone.

The majority of believers have not been taught to understand, obey and practice II Timothy 2:15. For this reason many honest, God-fearing people are seeking to follow the teachings of Jesus, trying to duplicate or perpetuate the miracles, signs and wonders wrought by the Twelve, forgetting to distinguish between the gospel of the kingdom and the gospel of the grace of God. These gospels have some things in common, but in other respects they greatly differ.

We find John the Baptist, the last of the Old Testament prophets, baptizing with water and preaching “the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt. 3:1 to 12). His water baptism was to manifest Christ to Israel. He was followed by Jesus, who began to preach and say, “repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand .” All through His earthly ministry the Lord Jesus Christ made a distinction between the Jew and the Gentile as He “went about all Galilee teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.” He was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Jesus of Nazareth, the man approved of God among the Jews by miracles and signs which God did by Him in the midst of His people, was delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, and taken by wicked hands and crucified and slain. Acts 2:22 and 23.

Just before His crucifixion He said, “I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit, when He, the Spirit of truth, is come He will guide you into all truth.” As Christ closed His earthly ministry, He instructed His followers concerning the Holy Spirit who was to come “not many days hence.” The Galileans watched Him as He was taken by the cloud out of their sight. Then they returned to Jerusalem to tarry for the coming of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit came just ten days after the Lord ascended to the right hand of the Father. The prominent preacher at the beginning of the dispensation of the Spirit was Peter. As he and the Eleven went forth in their ministry, filled by the Holy Spirit they preached a kingdom message, and delivered it to Jews only. Acts 2:22; Acts 5:26 to 33. We find that as late as the persecution that arose about Stephen they were preaching to “none but unto the Jews only.” Acts 3:26; Acts 11:19.

When God sent Peter to the house of Cornelius he said unto them, “Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of an other nation.” Acts 10:28. Yet God showed Peter that he should not call the Gentiles common or unclean, and Peter gave forth his ministry to this one Gentile household. Compare the message of Acts 10:34 to 43 with Ephesians 2:7 to 10. So far as the record goes, neither Peter nor the Eleven ever preached to another Gentile. And to Cornelius Peter preached concerning Jesus of Nazareth in the land of the Jews, sent by God to the children of Israel. Acts 10:36 to 42.

After Peter opened the door to the Gentiles at the house of Cornelius God sent His chosen vessel, the Apostle Paul, who was to become the preacher, apostle, and teacher to the Gentiles (II Timothy 1:11; Romans 11:13). As Paul began to minister, in the thirteenth chapter of Acts, He went forth “to the Jew first”, extended to Acts 28:28, where he emphatically says, “The salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and they will hear it.” This should be studied with Acts 18:6 and Romans 11:8; 1 Romans 1:11; and Romans 11:25.

Paul’s letter to the Romans, to the Corinthians, to the Galatians, and to the Church at Thessalonica were written during that period of time between the thirteenth and twenty eighth chapters of Acts and consequently bear the mark of the “Jew first”. After Acts 28:28 Paul wrote Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, I and II Timothy, Titus, Philemon, and probably Hebrews. In these epistles we find the middlewall of partition between the Jew and the Gentile is not recognized. The believers from among the Jews and the believers from among the Gentiles have been placed into one Body, forming the “New Man” of Ephesians 2:15. In this portion of the Word we find believers, saved by grace alone, are seated in the highest of the high heavens with our risen and exalted Lord. We are identified with Him as members of His Body, the Church. There is no place in these epistles for the carnal ordinances which were nailed to the cross; no place for the signs, miracles, and wonders which were wrought along with the kingdom message given by Jesus and the Twelve, and also performed by Paul while he was going to the Jew first. The emphasis is placed upon the one Body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in all. And surely the one baptism is the identification of the members of the one Body in death and resurrection with the one Lord by the one Spirit; by one Divine baptism.

As we thus follow through from John the Baptist to the Apostle Paul we must recognize a period during which there was the overlapping of the kingdom message with the gospel of the grace of God mentioned in Acts 20:24. Some teach that John the Baptist started the Church. Others try to prove that Christ started the Church during His ministry. While others are convinced that the Lord Jesus only promised to build the Church and that it began when He had gone to glory and the Holy Spirit had descended on the day of Pentecost.

There are still others who hold that the Church, which began on the day of Pentecost, is not one and the same as the Church which is spoken of as His Body. The big question among these believers is, when did the Pentecostal Church end and the Church, which is His Body, begin? This question is causing the brethren much study. Let us apply the Berean test instead of following the commentaries of great and worthy leaders. According to Galatians 1:13 the Church of God was in the early chapters of Acts. Let us not be highminded and condemn Christian brethren who may disagree with us.

As we honestly and prayerfully study this great question of the transition period let us keep in mind the statement of Galatians 2:7 to 9: The gospel of the UNCIRCUMCISION was committed to Paul; The gospel of the CIRCUMCISION was committed to Peter.

In the light of this statement let us study several marked contrasts between the testimony of Peter and that of the Apostle Paul.

Peter said, “It is an UNLAWFUL thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company or come unto one of ANOTHER NATION” (Acts 10:28). On the other hand, Paul said, “I am appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher of the GENTILES” (II Timothy 1:11). Did Peter become as one without the law to Gentiles? I Corinthians 9:20 to 23.

As far as the record goes, Peter was sent to ONLY ONE household of the Gentiles (Acts 10). But the Lord commanded Paul and his co-workers saying, “I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ENDS OF THE EARTH” (Acts 13:46 and 47). “That all the Gentiles might hear”, (II Timothy 4:17), “I will send thee far hence to the Gentiles.” Acts 22:21.

Peter did not eat with the Gentiles at Antioch when the Jewish brethren from Jerusalem were represent because, “he feared the circumcision”. But Paul boldly withstood Peter to his face, saying, “he was to be blamed” (Galatians 2:11 and 12).

Peter preached to the Jews a crucified and risen Saviour (Acts 2:36) PLUS “repent and be baptized” (Acts 2:38),. But Paul preached to both Jews and Gentiles in Ephesians, Colossians, Timothy and Titus the same crucified and risen Saviour MINUS the “repent and be baptized”; a message of pure grace unmixed with religion. He even says “Christ sent me NOT to baptize, but to preach the gospel” (I Corinthians 1:17). Compare Acts 15:17 with Acts 14:27. Then develop Gentile salvation to Ephesians 3:8 and 9 and you will know that Peter’s Kingdom of Heaven keys will not fit Paul’s Dispensation of Grace “for us Gentiles”. Ephesians 3:1 and 2. Matthew 16:18.

These simple statements cannot be harmonized apart from the application of II Timothy 2:15. We must accept God’s truth as to the difference between the Jew and the Gentile, between Israel and the Church, and between the Gospel of the Kingdom and the Gospel of the Grace of God. This can only be done as we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us into an impartial unprejudiced study of the whole counsel of God, and the eternal purpose of God in Christ. Never once must we forget, or overlook the significance of Ephesians 3:3, 5 and 9, and Colossians 1:24 to 28.

In Luke’s Gospel we have one of God’s records of the words and works of His Son “on earth”. In the Epistle to the Ephesians we have something of the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ “in the heavenlies”.

Let us compare two verses: “The Son of man hath power `upon earth’, to forgive sins.” Luke 5:24. “Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings `in the heavenlies’ “. Ephesians 1:3. The blessed ones in Ephesians 1:3 have already been delivered from the power of darkness and have been translated into the kingdom of the Son of His love. Colossians 1:13. Their citizenship is in heaven; and they are waiting for Christ to call them on high in bodies like unto His glorious body. Philippians 3:20 to 22. The people of Luke’s Gospel, to whom the Son of man was preaching on earth, were instructed to strive to enter in at the straight gate and to pray “Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth.” Luke 13:24 and Luke 11:2.

You will recall Paul’s instructions in Philippians 1:10, “test the things that differ” (R. V.) To even the superficial student of the Word of God it must be apparent that there is a great difference between “on earth” and “in the heavenlies” “In the heavenlies” is found five times in the Epistle to the Ephesians. Ephesians 1:3; Ephesians 1:20; Ephesians 2:6; Ephesians 3:10; Ephesians 6:12.

The Greek word translated, “heavenly places” or “high places”, “epouranios”, means literally the “super heavenlies”, that is, “the highest heavenlies.”

The expression “on the earth” is used about ten times in Luke’s Gospel. In Luke’s Gospel Christ is on earth. There He is instructing people to be meek and thereby inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5. There He is promising His faithful disciples that they will be rewarded by sitting with Him on earth when He shall return in glory. They are going to sit with Him, eat with Him, drink with Him„ and reign with Him. Luke 22:28 to 30.

In the Ephesian ministry the sinners, saved altogether by grace, are members of the Body of Christ; and they are waiting for the manifestation of Christ, to be manifested with Him in glory. Colossians 3:3 and 4. “On the earth”, is the key to Luke’s Gospel; “the King and the kingdom”. “In the super-heavenlies”, is the key to Ephesians ; “the Head and the Body,” “the fulness of Him that filleth all in all.” Ephesians 1: 20 to 22.

In Luke’s Gospel the Prince of Peace is born in the city of David, in the house of David, of the seed of David, to take the throne of David. Luke 1:28 to 33. This was in fulfillment of Isaiah 9:6 and 7. Therefore, the government is to be upon His shoulder, when He is upon the throne of David. Of the increase of His government and peace there is to be no end. Hear the announcement sent to earth from heaven “Peace on earth, good will toward men.” Luke 2:14. Israel rejected the Prince of Peace, saying, “we will not have this man to reign over us;” “we have no king but Caesar.” They crowned their King, with the emblem of the curse, the thorns that came as the result of the sin of the first man. The first man brought the thorns; the Second Man wore the thorns. The first man (Adam) brought the curse; the Second Man, Christ, bore the curse.

The Man at God’s right hand is the only man now living, or who will yet live, that has the right to David’s throne. But that Man’s present ministry has nothing to do with David’s throne; or with bringing peace to this earth. The Father of glory is now engaged in making One New Man. Ephesians 2:15. This New Man is made up of the Head, who at present is not on David’s throne, but far above principality, power and dominion in the highest heavenlies. Ephesians 1:19 to 22. The members of this Body were once dead in trespasses and sins, by nature the children of wrath, alienated from the life of God, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers of the covenants of promise, in the world having no hope. Ephesians 2:1 to 4 and Ephesians 2:11 and 12 and Ephesians 4:18. Then comes those two glorious “Buts”. Hear them: “BUT GOD” and “BUT NOW”. Ephesians 2:4 and Ephesians 2:13. Never forget them. “But God” . . .”But now”. “But God who is rich in mercy, for the great love wherewith He loved us … hath made us alive … and raised us up to sit together with Christ in the highest heavenlies.” “BUT now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” What a transformation! What a change! Sinners who were once walking according to the course of this world forgiven for Christ’s sake. Ephesians 4:32. Saved by grace through faith; not of works. Ephesians 2:8 and 9. All for the glory of God. That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:7. Every spiritual blessing that believers enjoy, and shall forever continue to enjoy, is through Christ Jesus and in Christ Jesus. The free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23. Grace reigns through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 5:21. Who shall deliver us from the body of this death? Romans 7:25. I praise God through Jesus Christ our Lord. We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Romans 8:27.

If you are a believer, have you permitted God to do for you what He longs to do? God longs to give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him: The eyes of you understanding being enlightened: that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what is the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints and what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward. “The hope of His calling”; “The riches of the glory of His inheritance”; “The exceeding greatness of His power.” This is all because Christ is the believer’s peace. Ephesians 2:14. On the cross the Lord Jesus Christ made peace by the blood of His cross. Colossians 1:20. He was foreordained before the foundation of the world to be the spotless Lamb of God, for the redemption of sinners. I Peter 1:18 to 20. It was then that our high, holy and heavenly calling was in the mind of God, with our salvation, not according to our works; but according to His grace and purpose which was given us in Christ before the foundation of the world. II Timothy 1:9.

What has the hope of God’s calling or the riches of the glory of God’s inheritance in the saints of Ephesians, or the exceeding greatness of God’s power that raised Christ to His own right hand far above, which placed members of the Body to the same high and exalted place, to do with “peace on earth”? The members of the Body of Christ are already completely justified, at peace with God, and every day conscious of the peace of God that passeth understanding. But we know full well that peace on earth is only in spots and that there will be wars and rumors of war until the horseman of Revelation 6:4 shall come and do his deadly work: “to him was given power to take peace from the earth.”

The question which the Lord Jesus asked in Luke 18:8, “when the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth”, demands, by the Greek construction, the negative answer. The Son of man will not find faith on the earth when He comes to the earth. The Son of man is coming to the earth; but He will not come as long as the Church, which is His Body, is in the making. The Lord Jesus Christ is not the Son of man to the Church which is His Body. He is the Head of the Body. He is not coming to the earth to judge His Body. But the Son of Man is going to sit as the King on the throne of His glory. All nations will be gathered before the Son of man when He is again on earth on the throne of His glory. Matthew 25:31. The Son of man will not only judge Gentiles, but He, together with the Twelve Apostles, will judge the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Matthew 19:28.

James, one of the Twelve, wrote to the Twelve Tribes: “the coming of the Lord draweth nigh;” “the judge standeth at the door.” James 5:9 and 10. The arrival of the Son of man will be when there is no faith on the earth. What will be on earth? And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and UPON THE EARTH distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring: Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming ON THE EARTH: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.” Luke 25 and 26.

It will be at such a time that the Son of man shall arrive to bring peace on earth. “And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory!” “So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.” Luke 21:27 and 31.

When we compare Luke 2:14 with Luke 12:51, we are again reminded of the importance and necessity of applying II Timothy for the intelligent understanding of the Word of truth and for .the elimination of the seeming contradictions in God’s Book. The declaration of Luke 2:14 is, “peace on earth.” Therefore, when the question is asked by the Son of man in Luke 12:51, “suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth,” we would promptly reply “yes”; for that is what the heavenly messengers proclaimed to the shepherds keeping their flock by night. But note the Lord’s answer to His own question; “I tell you, Nay.” If Israel would receive Him as the Prince of Peace, as their promised King and Deliverer, He would take the throne for which he was born. But His sufferings must precede His glory; so He must be despised and rejected. His kingdom must be postponed. With the postponement of Christ’s kingdom on earth, world peace, peace on earth must be postponed. The King will be rejected. Pilate is to ask Israel, “shall I crucify your king? What then shall I do with Jesus which is called Christ? Their answer is to be, “away with Him; crucify Him.”

Peace on earth cannot be, and will not be, while the King is away from the earth. Christ’s presence on earth, actually reigning as the King on the throne of His glory, is necessary, in order that there shall be peace on earth. As long as David’s throne is unoccupied, world peace is impossible. The prince of the power of the air, the usurper, is still the god of this age and the prince of this world. He will not be reigning when God’s King is on David’s throne. When God’s King shall occupy David’s throne, Satan will be a prisoner in the bottomless pit. Israel will be a scattered people and Jerusalem will be a city trodden under the feet of the nations until the times of the Gentiles shall be fulfilled. Luke 21:24.

Instead of peace on this earth while the King is away, the times. of the Gentiles is to come to an end with much distress and great sorrow. This is the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it. Jeremiah 30:7 to 11. Israel is to be saved, by the coming of their Deliverer out of Sion. Romans 11: 26. It will be at the time of their greatest distress that they are to lift up their heads and know that their redemption is nigh, by signs in the heavens and on the earth; and then the Kingdom of God will be at hand. During that time of sorrow surely Israel will pray, “thy Kingdom come” and “give us this day our daily bread.”

Thus we do see that “on earth” is the key to Luke’s Gospel. Christ was on earth. At first peace was announced; “peace on earth.” Then the King was to be rejected; and He would go away. “Peace on earth?” “I tell you, Nay.” When the Son of man comes back, will He find faith on the earth? Nay. What will the Son of man find on the earth “Upon the earth, distress of nations, with perplexity … men’s hearts failing them for fear, looking after those things which are coming on the earth; for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.” Luke 21:25 and 26. Surely we have in these Scriptures anything but “peace on earth.” And then what?

“They shall see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Luke 21:27.

In comparing the truth of Luke’s Gospel, the Son of man “on earth,” with the truth of Ephesians, “the Lord Jesus Christ in the super-heavenlies,” surely we can see how essential it is to obey II Timothy 2:15. There is real spiritual progress from Jesus of Nazareth in the land of the Jews, proclaiming His kingdom message to the people of God, protected and preserved by God’s covenants, to the proclamation of the dispensation of the grace of God to the Gentiles, who had been aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and to the revelation of the dispensation of the mystery to you Gentiles who were strangers of the covenants of promise.

In Luke’s Gospel the unfortunate diseased woman was healed, because she was the daughter of Abraham. Luke 13:16. In Luke’s Gospel sinful Zaccheus received salvation, because he was a son of Abraham. Luke 19:9 and 10. The only Gentile to receive a blessing of healing, according to Luke’s Gospel, was a centurion, who loved Israel and built them a synagogue. Luke 7:1 to 11.

In Ephesians the good news is proclaimed, that on the cross of Calvary the Son of man, who confined his earthly ministry to Israel, broke down the middle wall of partition between Israel and the Gentiles, then and there made peace. Any advantage or preference previously shown to Israel, by virtue of covenants, has been done away with. The uncircumcised Gentiles, in Ephesians, if there is any difference, have the advantage over Israel, because that Nation had received a judgment of blindness from the hand of God. Acts 28:25 to 28.

In Ephesians, the richest spiritual blessings of the Lord are available for any and every member of the Body of Christ; the mighty power of God and the inexhaustible riches of God’s grace are at the disposal of the believer. The grace message of Ephesians is a free-for-all message. It is no longer a kingdom blessing for the sons and daughters of Abraham, or for one special Gentile of great faith who had built a synagogue for Israel which Nation he loved. No; here is the contrast: “But God Who is rich in mercy; for the great love wherewith He hath loved us when we were dead in trespasses and sins, aliens from the Commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise.”

We have observed that the twelve apostles are to sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel, when the Son of man comes to sit on the throne of His glory. Most assuredly, this is an earthly scene and a reward in the kingdom for faithful discipleship. But in Ephesians 2:6 we have learned that members of the Body of Christ are already seated with Him in the superheavenlies. While the kingdom was in view, the apostles of Christ were to testify to Israel that He was the Messiah. This they could do by reasoning out of the scriptures, for as Christ said, “they are they which testify of me.” The members of the Body of Christ are to make all men see what is the dispensation of the Mystery, which from the beginning of the world had been hid in God. “And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the Mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, Who created all things by Jesus Christ;

“TO THE INTENT THAT NOW UNTO THE PRINCIPALITIES AND POWERS IN HEAVENLY PLACES MIGHT BE MADE KNOWN BY’ THE CHURCH THE MANIFOLD WISDOM OF GOD.” Ephesians 3:9 and 10.

We learn by Ephesians 1:11 that this is according to the eternal purpose which God purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Surely there is a difference between that which God foretold in the Scriptures, concerning the Kingdom, and that which He did not foretell in the Scriptures, but which He did purpose before the foundation of the world, concerning the Church which is His Body. No prophet ever wrote concerning Christ’s present position and concerning the Body of which He is Head.

When the Saviour was on earth He was tempted by Satan the prince of this world. But in Ephesians 6:11 to 20 we read that members of the Body of (Christ are wrestling against the rulers of darkness in the super-heavenlies. Surely the adversary who transforms himself into an angel of light is opposed to the message of Ephesians. He will use every effort to keep members of the Body of Christ from obeying the two commands mentioned in Ephesians 4:3 and Ephesians 3:9, which we quote:

“Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:3. “And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the Mystery which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, Who created all things by Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 3:9.

The modernists’s slogan is “back to Jesus”. Let us remember that Jesus was on earth proclaiming the kingdom of heaven. The kingdom was at hand for Israel. The kingdom was taken away from Israel. But the kingdom will be given to Israel when the Son of man returns with His angels in the clouds, in power and great glory. He will come to the earth to establish His kingdom. He is in the highest heavenlies, Head of the Church which is His Body. Surely those who know the high and holy truth of Ephesians, the exalted place and privileges of sinners saved by grace, identified with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection, seated with Him in the super-heavenlies and blessed there with all spiritual blessings, will not exchange their inheritance in Christ and His inheritance in them for the inheritance of the kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world.

“Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD.” Matthew 25:34.

God has given to members of the Body of Christ the highest place among all of the redeemed, the most glorious hope and calling, the choicest blessings and the richest inheritance which He has had or will have for any people. It is the will and desire of the Father of glory that we should appreciate and appropriate the riches of His grace and know the hope of His calling. Certainly the Father of glory would not have us go back to the Son of man on earth, to Israel’s hope and calling. But rather we should search diligently for the meaning of Paul’s words in Philippians 3:10 to 14, which we quote:

“That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death:

“IF BY ANY MEANS I MIGHT ATTAIN UNTO THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, If that I may apprehend that, for which also am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

“I PRESS TOWARD THE MARK FOR THE PRIZE OF THE CALLING ON HIGH OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS.” Philippians 3:10 to 14.

Shall we go back to the earthly ministry of the Son of man, leaving our high and holy place, privileges and possessions in Christ in the super-heavenlies? Shall we go back and hear the Son of man say, “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel?” Shall we go back the other side of Calvary back to the ignorance of the Twelve? Read these two verses:

“And they shall scourge Him, and put Him to death: and the third day He shall rise again;

“And they understood none of these things; and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.”

The Son of man on earth did not suggest that there was to be a joint-Body, the One New Man of Ephesians seated with Him and in Him in the super-heavenlies. This blessed truth came by means of Christ’s revelation through Paul. Where is our blessing, “on earth” with the Son of man or in the heavenlies with Christ our Head?

That we may see another example of “testing the things that differ” we quote several verses of Scripture for comparison and contrast.

“THESE TWELVE JESUS SENT FORTH, AND COMMANDED THEM, SAYING, GO NOT INTO THE WAY OF THE GENTILES, AND INTO ANY CITY OF THE SAMARITANS ENTER YE NOT:

“BUT GO RATHER TO THE LOST SHEEP OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL.

“AND AS YE GO, PREACH, SAYING, THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND. “HEAL THE SICK, CLEANSE THE LEPERS, RAISE THE DEAD, CAST OUT DEVILS; FREELY YE HAVE RECEIVED, FREELY GIVE,” Matthew 10:5 to 8.

“AND YE SHALL BE HATED OF ALL MEN FOR MY NAME’S SAKE: BUT HE THAT ENDURETH TO THE END SHALL BE SAVED.” Matthew 10:22.

“And they departed and went through the towns, preaching the Gospel, and healing everywhere.” Luke 9:6.“According to the glorious Gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.” I Timothy 1:11.

“Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities”. I Timothy 5:23.

“WHO HATH SAVED US, AND CALLED US WITH AN HOLY CALLING, NOT ACCORDING TO OUR WORKS, BUT ACCORDING TO HIS OWN PURPOSE AND GRACE, WHICH WAS GIVEN US IN CHRIST JESUS BEFORE THE WORLD BEGAN, “BUT IS NOW MADE MANIFEST BY THE APPEARING OF OUR SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST, WHO HATH ABOLISHED DEATH, AND HATH BROUGHT LIFE AND IMMORTALITY TO LIGHT THROUGH THE GOSPEL.” II Timothy 1:9 and 10.

The Scriptures quoted from Matthew and Luke tell us of the Gospel message and Gospel program of the twelve apostles while their King and Messiah was in their midst. The Gospel which they were commanded to preach is called, in Matthew and Luke, “the Gospel of the kingdom.” “And they departed and went through the towns, preaching the Gospel and healing everywhere”. The Gospel, was the fact that Israel’s King had arrived with kingdom blessings and national deliverance for that people, preserved and protected by the Abrahamic Covenant.

The covenants that God made with Israel guaranteed to them peaceful possession of Canaan, under the reign of the true King David. The people were to have new hearts, and enjoy temporal prosperity, and physical health. According to the 35th chapter of Isaiah, that kingdom was to be inaugurated with mighty signs, by the hands of the Messiah. Therefore, the Twelve were to say, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” And they were to prove it by healing the sick, raising the dead, casting out demons, cleansing the lepers. They were to be saved by enduring to the end.

After these Messengers had been proclaiming this kingdom message for two years, their Messiah told them of His death and resurrection, recorded in Luke 18:31 to 34, which would be the basis of the Gospel of the grace of God which was to be preached later on by the Apostle Paul. By reading these verses, in the eighteenth chapter of Luke, you will observe that the twelve apostles had not the slightest understanding of the things spoken by Christ concerning His death, burial and resurrection.

Let us compare the statement in Matthew 10:5, the words of the Lord Jesus to the Twelve, “Go not into the way of the Gentiles”, with the statement of the Lord Jesus to the Apostle Paul, recorded in Acts 22:21, “I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles”.

Now let us note carefully the fact in I Timothy 1:11, Paul’s words in connection with the Gospel of glory. He said, “Committed to my trust”. We should never fail to catch the significance of the “my”. It does not say “our trust”. In other Scriptures Paul uses the expression, “my gospel”. In II Timothy 2:2 we learn that Paul was committing to Timothy the Gospel and the Mystery truth which the Lord had committed to him. But Timothy did not go as did the Twelve, preaching the Gospel everywhere and healing, for he, himself, was told to take a physical remedy for his own sickness. I Timothy 5:23. And Timothy could look at Paul himself suffering with his physical infirmities and know that there had been a change in the Gospel message and Gospel program since the days of the Twelve on earth with Christ. Timothy was not instructed to preach, “the kingdom of heaven is at hand”, for it was not then at hand as it was in Matthew 10:7. He was not proclaiming a message of national deliverance to Israel. Neither was Timothy instructed to tell any one to endure unto the end in order to be saved. He was told that they were saved not by enduring unto the end; not by any of their works; but by the grace and purpose of God given them in Christ Jesus (before the foundation of the world. II Timothy 1:9.

In the Gospel according to Luke we cannot find a message which Christ spoke directly to a single Gentile until He stood before Pilate. The Roman centurion, in the seventh chapter, received a physical blessing for His servant, because he had built a synagogue for Israel. And the elders of Israel interceded in his behalf. Luke 7:1 to 8.

In the Book of Matthew the word “grace” is not found. It is difficult in that Book to find the Gospel of the grace of God for an individual Gentile sinner. In that Book the Lord Jesus Christ was under the law with His Nation, with a ministry of confirmation, in accordance with Romans 15:8. The message of salvation is covered with so much Judaism that it takes an expert exegete to uncover it. Whereas, the message of pure grace is so clearly set forth in Paul’s Epistles to Timothy, that it seems a spiritual crime for any preacher to present the mixture of the two messages to a poor lost sinner, who must be saved by grace, and grace alone.

From this we see the importance of obeying Hebrews 6:1, which we quote:

“Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection”.

“If by grace, it is no more of works.” Romans 11:6.

Since our October edition was sent out, we have received many letters from Christians expressing their gratitude to God and thanks to us for the teaching we are setting forth, helping them to understand and enjoy their Bibles, by “rightly dividing the Word of truth.”

Concerning the eternal Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, His sacrificial death, providing an all-sufficient remedy for sins, His glorious resurrection and God’s all-sufficient grace for the believer’s walk and godly life, all orthodox Christians are agreed, whether they are numbered with the Postmillenarians or the Premillenarians. We have no controversy with Bible teachers concerning these Christian fundamentals, but we have a decided controversy with our Premillenarian brethren who are teaching “Plymouth Brethren” dispensationalism and with the Bible Institutes and Fundamentalist Bible teachers who make no distinction between the ministry, message and program of the Church during the “Acts” period and in Paul’s Prison Epistles.

We regret exceedingly that too often these differences in Scriptural interpretations cause ungracious criticisms and unpleasant divisions among the members of the Body of Christ, who are instructed to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:3. This unity can be kept well pleasing to God only on the basis that God has set forth in Ephesians 4:3 to 5. One Divine condition is “one baptism.” One baptism is not two baptisms. If water baptism identifies the sinner with the glorious Christ, that is the one baptism. If that identification is accomplished by a Divine baptism not made with hands, then the water baptism of the “Acts” dispensation is eliminated. Satan has used water baptism more than any one thing to divide the Body of Christ, whom God instructs to keep unity on the basis of one baptism.

As to the One God, one Lord, one Spirit, all grace preachers are agreed. They are all agreed as to the one hope and one faith of Ephesians and Colossians, but they are not agreed that Paul preached two hopes, the hope of Israel and the hope of the Body. There is more than an element of uncertainty with some faithful saints of God as to whether the Body of I Corinthians and the Body of Ephesians are identical. There needs to be much searching of the Word to settle this. Be a Berean.

Many Bible teachers who have been mixing the two hopes, thereby corrupting the Scriptures and confusing Christians, are either unwilling to be convinced as to their blunder, or unable to distinguish between things that differ, by separating Israel’s hope and calling from the hope and calling of the Body of Christ in Ephesians and Colossians.

No careful, intelligent student of the Word of God can deny that the hope and calling, the position and possessions, the blessing and administration of the members of the Body of Christ in Ephesians and Colossians, given by special revelation from Christ in heaven to Paul, were not clearly presented either in the Book of Acts or in Paul’s Epistles, written during the “Acts” period.

As we continue to study to show ourselves approved unto God, let us manifest the fruit of the Spirit and be careful to maintain good works, remembering that love worketh no ill to his neighbor. Let us by all means refrain from ungracious and uncharitable condemnation of other brethren.

J. C. O’HAIR, Pastor and Editor