| We earnestly hope that a careful study of the foregoing pages,
together with the diligent effort to compare them with the Scriptures themselves will
enable us to see the importance of using the proper terms and applying them in the
Scriptural way. As an illustration, there is no such expression in the Word of God as the bride of Christ. While it is undoubtedly true that the Scriptures teach that Israel, once the wife of Jehovah, but given a bill of divorcement because of unfaithfulness, will become the bride of the Lambkin, this in no way refers to the church which is His body. The bride of the Lambkin will be on earth with her glorious Saviour, while the body of Christ is to be in the heavenly allotment, a place which was prepared for these saints before the disruption of the world. This destiny of the church which is His body is unfolded in unmistakable terms in Ephesians and Colossians. The Greek word ekklesia, translated "church," refers to a called-out company, and may be applied according to context. But the body of Christ is presented distinctly and separated from the teaching regarding the future destiny of Israel. In this joint body, there is to be no distinctions as to race, color, social prestige, etc. In the coming kingdom, Israel will again have the preference -- to the Jew first. When it is understood that all the writers of the Scriptures, except Paul, wrote to or about the Circumcision. it will be evident that the Little Flock, the 144,000, the wise and foolish virgins have to do with the kingdom truths and the relationship of Israel to her Lord and to the nations, not to the present grace. The selection and development of the body of Christ occurs during a parenthesis in God's plan, when Israel is cast off; and when this body has been glorified and stationed in her allotment, the celestial destiny, then Israel shall be restored and the nations shall be judged and dealt with according to the promises in the Word. |
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