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Behold, I will show you the Bride -Made Perfect in One
1) The Church that Jesus is building
He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, theSon of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him,Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and bloodhath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I sayalso unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build mychurch; and the gates of hell shall not prevail againstit. (Mat 16:15-18)
Two absolute essentials define the church. First, without question, isthe fact that the church is built upon faith in God. Knowing that He is,and knowing who He is. Second, but of no less importance, the ever essentialknowledge that it is God building the church. It is not an operation of man.The church exists and thrives by the will of God, and for the glory of God.The very definition of the word church: the called out, indicates that Godis calling and we must answer in coming out, separating ourselves and fulfillingGod’s will for us.
1577. ekklesia, ek-klay-see'-ah; from a comp. of G1537 and a der. of G2564;a calling out, i.e. a popular meeting, espec. a religious congregation(Jewish synagogue, or Chr. community of members on earth or saints in heavenor both):--assembly, church.
Ultimately, the church will include all the saved from every generation,Old and New Testament Saints. The Bible has always used the term church toindicate that group of people that God has called out to be partakers ofHis heritage.
The Church - The Bride - The New Jerusalem
The Old Testament Church:
He brought them out, after that he had showed wonders and signs inthe land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shallthe Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shallye hear. This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness withthe angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: whoreceived the lively oracles to give unto us: (Acts 7:36-38)
We all are called to be separate and holy:
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowshiphath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light withdarkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath hethat believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of Godwith idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, Iwill dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shallbe my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate,saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saiththe Lord Almighty. (2 Cor 6:14-18)
The New Testament example of Church activity:
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiarpeople; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called youout of darkness into his marvelous light: Which in time past were nota people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, butnow have obtained mercy. (1 Pet 2:9-10)
And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And soldtheir possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every manhad need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breakingbread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singlenessof heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lordadded to the church daily such as should be saved. (Acts 2:44-47)
2) Purposes of God - To Eliminate Conflict
One of the great joys of Heaven will be the absence of conflict. Sincethe introduction of conflict by Satan, God has been actively and effectivelyrestoring His order and rule over mankind. Mankind has suffered the plaguesof being out of order and in constant turmoil. Towards the goal of restoringour peace, we find the principle of “Oneness” used by God. Thedevil separated us from God through sin. God is now calling us to be made“one” with Him. Such a bond of unity, that in the end, all thatwill be, will be God in all, and all in God.
Then cometh the end, when he (Jesus) shall have delivered up the kingdomto God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authorityand power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death..... And when all thingsshall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subjectunto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. (1 Cor 15:24-28)
This promise of hope is offered to all, but it is only those who haveheard the voice of God calling, and have obeyed the command to be separate,to be clean, to be holy, to be obedient to all the instructions of God’sword. These people are the church, the called and chosen of God. These arethe people of God that He is building. Eliminating conflict necessitatesthe elimination of the “will of man” in all things, including ourthoughts on what the church is and should be. All defining factors must besolidly founded on the rock solid truth of the Word of God. To the willingheart God has made it easy to know all we need to know. “Line upon line,and precept upon precept” our knowledge grows, allowing us to literallyfeel the awesome solidity of that Rock we serve, that Rock upon which He,and we build our eternal lives together. Going further into His Word, thisstudy will function to further solidify our scriptural definition of whowill be “The Bride of Christ”. The Book of Revelation gives usa vision of this Bride, there she is to “behold” leaving us withno doubt as to what God is building. His signature of approval is plainlyvisible in each element of the building process. Behold with me what Godhas wrought.
Elements of the Kingdom
And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vialsfull of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither,I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. And he carried me away inthe spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that greatcity, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, Having the gloryof God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasperstone, clear as crystal; And had a wall great and high, and had twelvegates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which arethe names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: On the east threegates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the westthree gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in themthe names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. And he that talked withme had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and thewall thereof. And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large asthe breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs.The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal. And he measuredthe wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to themeasure of a man, that is, of the angel. And the building of the wall ofit was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. Andthe foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner ofprecious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; thethird, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth,sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz;the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl:and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. AndI saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the templeof it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shinein it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: andthe kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. And the gatesof it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. And thereshall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoeverworketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb'sbook of life. (Rev. 21:9-27)
3) The Bride = The Church = TheCity
The Elements:
1) The Great Mountain = Jesus Christ
2) The 12 Foundations = The work of the Apostles
3) The Walls = The Church Fitly Framed
4) The City = The Habitation of God
The Rock = Jesus Christ = The Great Mountain
He saith unto them, But whom say ye that Iam? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ,the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him,Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and bloodhath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I sayalso unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build mychurch; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Mat 16:15-18)
The prophet Daniel gives us a word concerning the final destruction ofSatan's kingdom. He mentions that it is a stone that comes, destroys thiskingdom, and then that stone becomes a great mountain. We know that thatstone is of course Jesus.
Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smotethe image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces.Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, brokento pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors;and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: andthe stone that smote the image, became a great mountain, and filled the wholeearth. (Dan 2:34-35)
All truth is important, but the greatest truth is knowing who Jesus Christis. Simply because without this essential knowledge, you have not built yourhouse on the rock as is commanded in scripture.
Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine,and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upona rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew,and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shallbe likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And therain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon thathouse; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. (Mat7:22-27)
We are building our eternity. Jesus used a natural illustration to showus the ultimate importance of the first step towards that eternity. Choosingthe site ( Jesus Christ the Rock) upon which to place all of our trust, faith,hope, allegiance, and obedience. He is worthy of our all because in our desireto build our eternity, logically it stands to reason that we should buildupon that One that is Eternal. That Great Mountain immovable! Andwe know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding,that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even inhis Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. (1 John5:20) And this is life eternal, that they mightknow thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hastsent. (John 17:3) Eternal life rests on the immovabletruth that there is One True God. That God, manifested Himself in the fleshof Jesus Christ for the express purpose of purchasing Himself a Bride andthat Bride cost the very precious blood of our Savior. Take heed thereforeunto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hathmade you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased withhis own blood. (Acts 20:28) In whom (Jesus) we have redemptionthrough his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of theinvisible God, the firstborn of every creature: (Col 1:15) Againstthis truth the gates of hell cannot prevail! Upon this truth I built myeternity!
The Bible gives us vivid examples. One of the advantages of being a NewTestament Saint is that we can learn from the mistakes of the Old Testamentchurch, Israel. One of the greatest mistakes they made was not remainingfaithful to that Rock that saved them.
Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto ourGod. He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment:a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he. (Deu 32:3-4)
But Jeshurun (another name for the nation of Israel) waxed fat, and kicked:thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness;then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of hissalvation. They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominationsprovoked they him to anger. They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to godswhom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers fearednot. Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten Godthat formed thee. And when the LORD saw it, he abhorred them, because ofthe provoking of his sons, and of his daughters. And he said, I will hidemy face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a veryfroward generation, children in whom is no faith. (Deu 32:15-20)
Old Testament:
Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock inHoreb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it,that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders ofIsrael. (Exo 17:6)
New Testament:
Jesus answered and said untoher,If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it isthat saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, andhe would have given thee living water. (John 4:10)
Take heed:
Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant,how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through thesea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And didall eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink:for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rockwas Christ. But with many of them God was not well pleased: for theywere overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, tothe intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. (1 Cor 10:1-6)
I want to make it clear that it wasn't that literal rock that Mosessmote that followed them. It was presence of God amongst them working signsand wonders and miracles. Who then, manifested His presence as a Cloud byday and a Pillar of fire by night. That very same God robed Himself in fleshand came to His own...and they knew Him not... They rejected Him in thewilderness, and they again rejected Him as their Messiah. They forsook theirRock twice! Jesus saith unto them, Did ye neverread in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same isbecome the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellousin our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be takenfrom you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.Matt. 21:42-43
The fruits thereof.... The fruits of knowing who Jesus is, and buildingyour life according to His word places you on That Great Mountain.
Building Your Eternal Habitation
The Foundation = The Works of the Apostles
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizenswith the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon thefoundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chiefcorner stone; (Eph. 2:20)
It absolutely astonishes me how many supposed Bible scholars I come acrosswho are clue less to the reality of Apostolic Authority. When I hear thingslike: I would rather take the word of Jesus over that of the Apostles, or:The Apostles were stubborn and ignorant, or all sorts of less than respectfulremarks, I then know that person has no part in the Kingdom of heaven. TheBible very clearly teaches that receiving Apostolic Authority is equal toreceiving God, and rejecting Apostolic Authority equals rejecting God.
Jesus taught them:
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receivethwhomsoever I send, receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him thatsent me. (John 13:20)
I have manifested thy name unto the men which thougavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; andthey have kept thy word. Now they have known that all things whatsoever thouhast given me are of thee. For I have given unto them the words whichthou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely thatI came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.(John 17:6-8)
Jesus prayed for them:
Sanctifythem through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into theworld, even so have I also sent them into the world. Neither pray I forthese alone, but for them also which shall believe on me ((through theirword;)) (John 17:17-18, 20)
Jesus sent them:
Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: asmy Father hath sent me, even so send I you. (John 20:21)
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing themin the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teachingthem to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo,I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Mat 28:19-20)
Definition: of the word sent: 649. apostello, ap-os-tel'-lo;from G575 and G4724; set apart, i.e. (by impl.) to send out(prop. on a mission) lit. or fig.:--put in, send (away, forth, out),set [at liberty]. (From which we get the word Apostle.)
They obeyed!!
"For this cause also thank we God withoutceasing, because, when ye received the word of God ((which ye heard of us,))ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word ofGod, which effectually worketh also in you that believe." (1 Th2:13 KJV)
The New Testament Church unfailingly adhered to the teachings of theApostles:
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day therewere added unto them about three thousand souls.And they continued steadfastlyin the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, andin prayers. (Acts 2:41-42)
God Himself hand picked these men. God Himself taught and prepared thesemen. God Himself equipped, and authorized these men to do the work they did.God Himself qualified their work by resting His own precious Bride firmlyin their hands. The whole purpose of their work was as Paul put it: ....for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chastevirgin to Christ. (2 Cor 11:2) A chaste virgin without spot or blemish.We have the epistles written to the churches. These were written to keepthe church holy and faithful to God. These were written to keep the churchwithout spot and without sin. These were written to keep the church strongin their love for their Bridegroom. These were written to keep their lovestrong for one another. God trusted them to equip us as brides to be. IfGod trusted them shouldn't we trust them.? Who are we to reject, or judgetheir fitness to literally prepare our souls to be married to God. Rejectingjust one jot or tittle of whatever they instructed the church means you area harlot, and not fit for the kingdom.
To reject the full council of God’s Word = Lawlessness (iniquity)
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have wenot prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and inthy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them,I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Therefore whosoeverheareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wiseman, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floodscame, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: forit was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine,and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built hishouse upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and thewinds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fallof it. (Mat 7:22-27)
And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense, even to them which stumbleat the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. (1Pet 2:8)
Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures,The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of thecorner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes? Thereforesay I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given toa nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on thisstone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind himto powder. (Mat 21:42-44)
In the above passage, the phrase: and whosoever shall fall on this stoneshall be broken, in the original Greek carries the idea of going to Jesusin humility, and letting Him rebuild our lives, in contrast to the end ofthe passage which indicates being crushed and destroyed by the judgment ofGod. Let’s not repeat the example of the Israeli rejection, and heedin humility to the unmistakable direction given to us in God’s word.Let us continue steadfastly in the Apostles doctrines as taught in the Epistles,and let us be the chaste virgins waiting for our Bridegroom.
The Walls = The Lively Stones = The Saints
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, whichGod hath them. before ordained that we should walk in. Wherefore remember,that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcisionby that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; Thatat that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth ofIsrael, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, andwithout God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were faroff are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath madeboth one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Havingabolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments containedin ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, havingslain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afaroff, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by oneSpirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners,but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And arebuilt upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christhimself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framedtogether groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are buildedtogether for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (Eph2:10-22)
Ye also, as lively stones, are built up, a spiritual house, an holypriesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by JesusChrist. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay inSion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on himshall not be confounded..... But ye are a chosen generation, a royalpriesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forththe praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellouslight: (1 Pet 2:5-6,9)
Relationship, relationship, relationship. Christianity is all about restoredrelationships. We are restored to the family of God. We are restored as brothersand sisters. Joy, love, unity and noise, the four hallmarks of a fully restored,fitly framed Saint of God. To illustrate this reality all we have to do isexamine the phrase fitly framed. The word for word literal Greek of Eph.2:21
21 . hos:G3739 pas:G3956 . oikodome:G3619 sunarmologeo:G4883 auxano:G837. . hagios:G40 naos:G3485. . kurios:G2962
The phrase fitly framed is one composite Greek word made up from threewords as follows:
4883. sunarmologeo, soon-ar-mol-og-eh'-o; from G4862 and G719and G3004 (in its orig. sense of laying); to render close-jointedtogether, i.e. organize compactly:--be fitly framed (joined) together.
4862. sun, soon; a prim. prep. denoting union; withor together (but much closer than G3326 or G3844), i.e. by association,companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, additionetc.:--beside, with. In comp, it has similar applications, includ. completeness.
719. harmos, har-mos'; from the same as G716; an articulation(of the body):--joint. 716. harma, har'-mah; raised or fitted together (as in harmonious)
3004. lego, leg'-o; a prim. verb; prop. to "lay" forth, i.e.(fig.) relate (in words [usually of systematic or set discourse; by impl.to mean:--ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth,say (-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
The Saints are members of His body or temple. We are called out, cleansedby His blood and Word, and brought into the closely compacted family of God,sharing God's heritage and praising His Name. Just a look at the church thatwas born on the day of Pentecost, fully restored to God, full of the HolyGhost, and fully adhering to the Apostles Doctrine, and you will see theBride of Christ. We can plainly see the love and unity, the gladness andjoy, the togetherness and caring, the praising God and witnessing to allthe people. This is the church that Jesus began building!
And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And soldtheir possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man hadneed. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breakingbread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singlenessof heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lordadded to the church daily such as should be saved. (Acts 2:44-47)
With a church building on every corner and thousands of denominations,what is prevalent in the world today is disunity, discord, self-proclamation,self-advancement, self-righteousness, feel good, get rich, sin all you want,don’t tell me what to do, religions. I have news for you, Satan is prettygood at building churches! Thank God that God is faithful to His purposes.Thank God that we don’t have to be left guessing as to which churchis the right one. Here’s a hint, church has nothing to do with buildings,cathedrals or the such like. Church is people willing to manifest the fruitsof the kingdom, For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; butrighteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. (Rom 14:17) Godis looking for individuals wanting no compromise, there is One God, One Faith,One Heaven, and one way there, the Bible way. Don’t take my word forit, here, let God Himself tell us what He is looking for:
Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool:where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place ofmy rest? For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things havebeen, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that ispoor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. (Isa 66:1-2)
Contrite means humble, God is looking for humble, moldable people whoare obedient to His word. Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirsis the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall becomforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessedare they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall befilled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed arethe pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: forthey shall be called the children of God. (Mat 5:3-9)
4) That God may be All, and in All = No More Conflict
Satan's willfulness caused division in Heaven and mankind's division fromthe commonwealth of God. This division has caused all the pain that you andI and all mankind have had to endure. God created us in His image with theexpress purpose of us having fellowship with Him. Because of our disobediencethat fellowship was interrupted. Fortunately for us, God in His mercy andgrace, has provided a cure for this division, and is offering to all thosewilling to obey God, the unfathomable promise of a fellowship so close thatwe are "One in Him, and Him in Us". The following prayer of Jesus revealsto us this intimate desire, and it lays out "The Plan" to bring all thisabout. He prayed for His Apostles, and He prayed for those who would believein Jesus through their word. Jesus gave full authority to "Their word".We have the record of their word in the book of Acts, where the "SalvationPlan" is fully put into operation. To those who obey "Their word", God promisesthe eternal joys of being reunited in "ONE".
These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said,Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thySon also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh,that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And thisis life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ,whom thou hast sent. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finishedthe work which thou gavest me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thoume with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee beforethe world was I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest meout of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they havekept thy word. Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast givenme are of thee. For I have given unto them the words which thou gavestme; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came outfrom thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me. I pray for them:I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for theyare thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorifiedin them. And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, andI come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thouhast given me, that they may be one, as we are. While I was withthem in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I havekept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripturemight be fulfilled. And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in theworld, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have giventhem thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not ofthe world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldesttake them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them throughthy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, evenso have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctifymyself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. Neitherpray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me throughtheir word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I inthee, that they also may be one in us: that the world maybelieve that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me Ihave given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect inone; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, andhast loved them, as thou hast loved me. Father, I will that they also, whomthou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory,which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of theworld. O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have knownthee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. And I have declared untothem thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast lovedme may be in them, and I in them. (John 17:1-26)
Conclusion: A house dividedagainst itself cannot stand (Mark 3:25) A house builton the Apostolic foundation, set on The Rock, Christ Jesus is eternal! Anindividual who submits to the Apostolic authority is the individual who willbe made one with God. This is the Bride of Christ. Let him who has an ear,hear what thus saith the LORD.
One Rock - One Door - One Way - One God - One Faith - One Church = Peaceon earth, good will towards all men. Come out of the confusion, come outof the lies, come out of the wickedness of this world, the Spirit and theBride say come. God Bless.
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