A Seven-Part Study of “the Fellowship of the Mystery”

Concerning “the Body of Christ,”

Those Who are Its Members and Those Who Are Not

 

Part 1 – “The Fellowship of the Mystery”

Today our mission as members of “the church” that Paul called “the body of Christ” is as follows;

“… To Make All Men See [Gk. photizo, Give Light Of] 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: ¹⁰ To the intent that now Unto The Principalities And Powers In Heavenly Places might Be Known By The Church The Manifold Wisdom Of God, ¹¹ According to the Eternal Purpose Which He Purposed In Christ Jesus Our Lord: Ephesians 3:9-11 (KJV)

Today’s unique dispensational age of the “fellowship of the mystery [Gk. mustrion, the secret]” (Eph. 3:9) is like none other. It has no religious laws, rituals, dietary laws, or rites to perform, and no Sabbaths or holy days to keep. Thus Paul wrote: “Let no man therefore judge you in meat [foods], or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:” Col. 2:16 (KJV)

It has no religious fathers but God alone. It has no laws as to external dos and don’ts. It has no prescribed place of worship. Being “heavenly” and not being an earthly people, there are no divisions or religious denominations in this invisible “church, which is His body.” There is no human set above or over another, all members of “His body” are equal. Rather, “His body” is a living organism of “the Spirit” having its life “in Christ,” thus it’s not an earthly religious organization of man’s creation headed by men.

This is the invisible “Church, Which Is His Body” (Eph. 1:22b-23a) it is not distinguished by anything external. It has only Christ Himself as “the Head” of His “body” via “His Spirit of life” (Rom. 8:2) indwelling each member (cf. Rom. 8:9). “His body” has no authority delegated to its members since All authority rests in Him alone as “the Head” of “the body of Christ.”

Its members were ‘foreknown to God before creation’ (Eph. 1:4). They were adopted by God, and placed into “His body” as “sons.” Nobody can ‘join’ “His body” as one might join a manmade religious church organization. You must have to have been chosen by God and ‘joined to’ Christ’s body by the work of God who “worketh all things after the counsel of his own will” (Eph. 1:11) according to “His good pleasure” (Phili. 2:13). Therefore no one can boast of membership in “His body” for we did nothing to earn our way into “His body.” We are of “His workmanship created in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:10).

“For it is God Which Worketh IN You both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Phili. 2:13 (KJV)

There were No trumpets and No shouts, to mark the beginning of “the Fellowship of The Mystery.” It was ushered in with the Acts period ‘fall of Israel’ (cf. Rom. 11:10-11) with the conclusive subsequent simple statement, “Be it known therefore unto you [Israel], that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear [Gk. akouo, hearken to] it.” Acts 28:28 (KJV)

Because none can point back to some great and amazing historical landmark for the Post-Acts formation of today’s church which is “the  body of Christ,” many are inclined to doubt “the Word of truth.” They can’t believe that such an important event could just happen without some outburst in nature or a great battle of world forces to point out a great change. And there is no Biblical evidence that the end of this dispensational age of “the fellowship of the mystery” will be any more spectacular than its beginning. It is likely that even “When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in [heaven’s] glory.” Colossians 3:4 (KJV) it will not make the headlines of the newspapers on earth.

The Lord has been gathering “His body” secretly and silently by the hand of God during all these centuries since Paul as a prisoner first spoke those words of Acts. 28:24-28 to the Jewish leaders in Rome. The great bulk of believers today know absolutely nothing about this. It is still a “mystery” (Grk. musterion, secret), made known only to such as those who are the initiated “faithful” among “the saints” (Eph. 1:1). This revelation knowledge does not become known by a study of the Bible alone. No amount of worldly learning or theological degrees can dispense the  “revelation of the Mystery [secret]” as was planned since it “from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God” (Eph. 3:9). One must have received “the gift of the spirit of wisdom and knowledge,” to thereby have their understanding “enlightened” (Eph. 1:15-18) as seen here by Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians.

“Wherefore I [Paul] also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, ¹⁶ Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; ¹⁷ 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: ¹⁸ The eyes of your understanding 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,” (Eph. 1:15-18)

There are those who might talk about what they call ‘the mystery,’ but that is no guarantee that they really are its members or really know it. Most then fail to recognize the dispensational boundary at the end of Acts, or know what lies beyond to be found in Paul’s 2^nd set of 7 epistles. This is true also of some sects which have agreed that there is a change of dispensation, but they remain unable to clearly define “the Mystery.”

The term “THE Mystery,” at the time Paul was writing his epistles, was a word that had been used among the heathen. It was the degrees or steps by which some were gradually led into the secrets of the idol worship. Paul’s mystery is the “GREAT mystery” (Eph. 5:32) that was ordained of God before the katabole referred to in Genessis 1:2. In any case, a God-ordained mystery was something ‘revealed to an initiate.’

“Whereof I [Paul] am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me [Paul] for you, to fulfil [Gk. pleroo, complete] the word of God;

²⁶ Even [that is] THE MYSTERY which Hath Been Hid From Ages And From Generations, but NOW is made Manifest To His Saints: ²⁷ To whom God Would Make Known what is the Riches Of The Glory Of This MYSTERY Among The Gentiles; which is Christ IN YOU [plural, ‘His body’], The Hope Of Glory:” (Col. 1:26-27)

So “the mystery” is something to be revealed to the initiate in ‘the things of God,’ but very few seek to know these ‘things.’ Few go on toward perfection (completion) at all. One cannot be expected to know the Pauline Post-Acts “mystery” by merely professing to be a saved, regenerated Christian… it takes further ‘revelation.’

There is little likelihood of anyone having part in or reaping benefits of something he does Not Know About and Believe. He cannot receive anything by faith till he has ‘heard about it.’ That is where many are deceived. They erroneously try to make “the mystery” a part of Israel’s kingdom program and Christ’s 2^nd coming to earth. They seem to think they can be ‘meek and inherit the earth’ and yet somehow get to Heaven also. They comingle the things pertaining to Two Different dispensations of God… saying ‘the dispensation of the mystery” will end ‘with a shout, the voice of an archangel, and a trumpeting.’ But these things refer to Christ’s 2^nd coming at the end of the terrible Tribulation period…. not “the Mystery” concerning “the body of Christ,” and “the faithful” whose destiny is to “Appear With Him In [Heaven’s] Glory” (Col. 3:4). This proves they don’t know and believe even the basics of THE “Great Mystery.”

Our mission today is “to make all men see [perceive] what is the fellowship of the mystery” (Eph. 3:9). Yet, we are very limited in that mission. This is because many saved Christians simply do not care to see “THE Mystery” and like Demas forsook Paul, they ‘love the world’ and its religious traditions more than “the word of truth.” Many are entangled in religion so deeply that they cannot escape. But we press on sharing “the word of truth” for today concerning this age of “the church” of “THE Mystery.”

Until the great dispensational divide of Acts 28:25-28, both spiritual and material blessings had only to do with Israel, the earth, the land on earth that was promised to Abraham and to his faith descendants. Ultimately New Jerusalem will come down to the earth to be inhabited by that chosen people. This includes Abraham and those who are children of the ‘promise’ made to Abraham who “sought that city whose builder and maker is God.” (Heb 11:10).

By contrast, we note how abruptly in Eph. 1:3 there is the announcement that a special chosen people will enjoy God’s non-material, non-physical, “spiritual blessings In The Heavenly Places.” This is a part of the “Great Mystery [secret]” (Eph. 5:32) that “was hid in God from ages and generations.”

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:” Ephesians 1:3 (KJV)

All this surely must have been a great surprise to the believers of Paul’s Post-Acts ministry. Not even a hint of such a thing had ever before been uttered until Paul received divine “revelation of the mystery” (Rom. 16:25) from the ascended Lord Jesus in heaven (cf. Gal. 1:12), from which Paul wrote his 2^nd set of epistles beginning with Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians.

 

Part 2 – The Gentiles of the Heaven-Bound “Body of Christ”

We wonder what the believing Gentile Galatians must have thought at Paul’s announcement of the great dispensational divide of Acts 28:25-28, where Paul then quotes these prophetic words of Isaiah;

²⁵ And when they [Jewish leaders of Rome] agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias [Isaiah] the prophet unto our fathers,

²⁶ Saying, Go unto this people [Israel], and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: [cf. Rom. 11:25)

²⁷ For the heart of this people [Israel] is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

²⁸ Be it known therefore unto you, that The Salvation Of God Is Sent Unto The Gentiles, and that they will hear [Gk. akouo, heed] it. Acts 28:25-28 (KJV)

Before Acts 28:28 the Gentile believers of Galatia had been told that by faith they had become “children of Abraham” (cf. Gal 3:6-9) and so they could partake of many of the promises of Israel, … Apart From keeping Israel’s law. For, they as Gentiles and all believers were “not under the Law under GRACE” (cf. Rom. 6:14). Paul’s Acts Period Galatian letter affirms this as seen below. “All men” who received Christ by grace, including the Gentiles, had received “free gift” of the “justification of life [Gk. zoe, sealed by the eternal “Spirit Life” of Christ] that “came upon” [Gk. eis, into] “all men” (read Rom. 5:18). Thus Paul cautioned the Galatians as follows;

¹ STAND FAST therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage [to the curse of the Law]. ² Behold, I Paul say unto you [Galatians], that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. ³ For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. ⁴ Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you [think you are] are justified by the law; ye are Fallen From Grace. ⁵ For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. ⁶ For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. (Galatians 5:1-6 (KJV)

Paul told the predominantly Gentile church at Rome (cf. Rom. 1:5-6, 13) that they had partaken of the spiritual blessings of Abraham and Israel (Rom. 4:1-5). So all these Gentile Proselyte believers, before Acts 28:28, would go to the synagogues or assemblies every Sabbath to hear Moses and the prophets read, and about the blessings that were theirs by virtue of being as a ‘wild olive branch grafted into the true olive tree of Israel,’ which was rooted in Abraham (cf. Rom. 11:17).

The fall of Israel began with the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7) and they proceeded to “diminish” (Rom. 10:12) throughout the book of Acts. But it was not until Paul quoted the prophetic words Isaiah’s 6:9-10, that the fate of the Nation Israel was sealed, becoming fully “fallen” and “cast away” as of Acts 28:28 (cf. Rom. 11:10-12, 15, 25).

¹⁰ Let their [Israel’s] eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway. ¹¹ I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. ¹² Now if [since] the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness? Romans 11:10-12
¹⁵ For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world [all men], what shall the receiving of them [Israel] be, but life from the dead? Romans 11:15
²⁵ For I [Paul] would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery [God ordained secret], lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, UNTIL the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. Romans 11:25 (KJV)

Israel had been called to be a blessing to the Gentile. Yet it was with Acts 28:25-28 that Post-Acts Israel had become fully “fallen.” With that there was no more source for the Abrahamic blessings to come upon the Gentiles who had formerly believed on Israel’s “Gospel of the Kingdom” to come on earth. Israel could not bless anyone in that condition.

But then soon after the Pauline pronouncement upon Israel as of Acts 28:28, there came… the GOOD NEWS of important ‘NEWLY ADDED GOSPEL INFORMATION for ‘All Men,’ that is Jew and Gentile ALIKE’ under a New Calling. It came from to the APOSTLE PAUL as “THE Apostle to the Gentiles” (cf. Rom. 11:13, Eph. 3:1) while he was a ‘prisoner’ of Rome where he had begun to write his last 7 epistles concerning “THE Mystery” church that he calls “the church which is His body”

Therein was Special ADDED “REVELATION” from the ascended Lord Jesus TO Paul … for ALL Believers EQUALLY. Since that day ALL Men [Jew and Gentile] were now considered to be non-Jews, as “Gentiles.”

Ephesians 2:11 (KJV) ¹¹ Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

Ephesians 3:1 (KJV) ¹ For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you GENTILES,

Ephesians 3:6 (KJV) ⁶ That the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs, and of the same body [of Christ], and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

Ephesians 3:8 (KJV) ⁸ Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the GENTILES the unsearchable riches of Christ;

Ephesians 2:5-6 (KJV) ⁵ Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened [made alive] us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) ⁶ AND hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

Colossians 1:27 (KJV) ²⁷ To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this MYSTERY among the GENTILES; which is CHRIST IN YOU, The Hope Of [heavenly] Glory:

After Acts 28 God’s focus clearly shifted, from Israel’s program and Kingdom to come on “THE EARTH” to … a newly formed GENTILE body of People (‘all men’ alike regardless of race) that is destined to dwell eternally in “THE HEAVENLY PLACES IN CHRIST” (Eph. 1:3-4)

This revelation introduced the FURTHER ETERNAL PURPOSE of the “GREAT MYSTERY” (cf. Eph. 5:32) of the Gentile “Body of Christ” to dwell in the realm of “the Heavenly Places;” them to be witnessed by the angelic “Principalities and Powers.” This takes place “Far Above,” in the Heaven “above all heavens” (Eph. 4:10) where believers are “in Christ” and thereby “seated at the right hand of God.”  There they will one day appear with Him in heaven, simultaneously, when He appears.

Colossians 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in [heaven’s] glory.

No man had ever imagined such an astounding blessed thing as ‘spiritually faithful believers,’ from among all races of men, being in perfect union with Christ and the Godhead, being seated with Him where He is seated, at the right hand of the Father.

This means those who went on to “faithfully” believe and receive the Pauline “revelation of THE Mystery” not only have been “quickened [enlivened]” with Christ’s indwelling everlasting resurrected “Spirit of life,” but now they also are positionally seated “IN Christ” and “with Christ” where He is seated “in the SUPER-HEAVENLY PLACES” “FAR ABOVE,” at the right hand of God the Father.”

We must let this sink in and praise Him for the expanded and “exceeding riches of His grace” (Eph. 2:7) that came by Paul 2^nd ministry that came after the Acts period closed.

 

Part 3 – Two Callings to Two Different Spheres – “The Heaven” and “The Earth”

Most believers of Paul’s “Mystery” gospel for today likely know other individual believers who have taken the first step of ‘believing unto salvation’ and the “everlasting life” as Jesus offered it to “whosoever believeth.” We know that most of the saved point to Jesus’ words of John 3:16.

¹⁶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that Whosoever Believeth in him should not perish [Gk. apolymmi, be destroyed], but have [the Son’s] everlasting life. John 3:16 (KJV)

Sadly however, most of these folks go on being untaught or mistaught. They look forward to Israel’s ‘resurrection’ that they call the rapture to “meet the Lord in the air [Gk. aer, atmosphere] 1Thes. 4:17].”

But the fact is that unless these saved saint goes on to “study” [2Tim. 2:15] and believe Paul’s expanded “word of truth” of his 2^nd ministry, now to the Gentiles. They will be surprised to find that their resurrection is to occur with believing Israel in the course of Jesus Christ’s 2^nd Coming TO EARTH. Yes, these believing folks who have “everlasting life” will be resurrected to “meet the Lord in the air (Grk. aer, atmosphere)” and then go in to the Kingdom paradise of “the new earth” – this is NOT Heaven.

Sadly, they will miss out on the present “blessed hope” of “heaven’s glory” only because they have perhaps either not heard of or have not been “enlightened” as to Paul’s “The Revelation Of The Mystery [secret]” (cf. Eph. 1:15-18). They have not understood Paul’s Post-Acts revelation of the Gentile “body of Christ” which in fact is “His body,” which is destined to first be resurrected to dwell with Him eternally “In The Heavenly Places In Christ” (cf. Eph. 1:3, Col. 3:4), to occur years before His 2^nd coming to earth to Save Israel’s remnant, resurrecting the dead and the living at that time.

You see, the resurrection seen in 1Thes. 4:17, 1Cor. 15:51-55 pertains to Christ’s 2^nd Coming to earth to save Israel’s believing remnant, and her Kingdom proselytes, resurrecting the ‘faithful’ of Israel into their place in “The Kingdom On Earth” – Not Heaven. Note that 1Thes. 4:17, 1Cor. 15:51-55 never mention ‘Heaven’ though most assume them to.

These commonly referred to verses of 1Thes. 4 and 1 Cor. 15 were written during the 35-year ‘Judeo-Christian' Acts Period when Paul was going to “the Jew first” (Romans 1:16-17) to convince Israel of Jesus’ resurrection as Messiah and as the giver of “everlasting life.” But National Israel rejected Paul’s message of “the grace of God.” These verses were written Before the great dispensational divide of Acts 28:28, after which (Post-Acts) brought in the “Heavenly” hope of “the Mystery” of the collective Gentile “Body of Christ.” Recall that “His body” consists of believing men of all races (Gentile and Jew alike without racial distinction); all men then being seen of God as lost Gentiles to be saved “by grace through faith [alone]” (cf. Eph. 2:8-9)

Few realize that the often-quoted verses of 1Thes. 4:17 and 1Cor. 15:51-55 refer to the Rev. 20:6 ‘resurrection’ of Israel’s faithful unto the Millennial Kingdom to come ON EARTH. Again. you don’t find any mention of “heaven” in these verses, only of that of being “caught up” to “meet [Gk. apentesis, encounter] the Lord the air (Grk. aer, the atmosphere)” as He returns in His 2^nd coming to earth.

Many Christian believers today are not clear as to their eternal destiny. Some will tell you they will ultimately go to the “Kingdom come on earth” and some say “heaven.” They don’t recognize Paul’s 2^nd ministry that begins with Ephesians as the first of his seven Post-Acts epistles concerning “the Mystery [secret]” of “His body.” They are not enlightened to see and ‘believe’ Paul’s Post-Acts ministry to the Gentile “body of Christ” that is destined for “the heavenly places in Christ” (Eph. 1:3). Thus, they are not qualified to “Appear With Him In [Heaven’s] Glory” (Col. 3:4). We should realize that all blessing comes to us only by ‘faith’ in truth that we know and believe (trust in). Not having heard of it, they cannot believe Paul’s “revelation of the Mystery [secret].”

Some may have read enough Post-Acts Pauline verses of Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians to realize they would prefer the kingdom of “Heaven” as opposed to “thy kingdom come on earth” as their eternal destiny. They need to heard, “see [perceive],” and believe the Pauline “fellowship of the Mystery [secret]” concerning the Gentile church of “the body of Christ.”

Being uncertain, some may want to know how they can obtain membership in the Lord’s little band called the church of “the body of Christ” which is “blessed with all spiritual blessings in the HEAVENLY places” (Eph. 1:3). But this is something that is beyond the will of man. None of us can of ourselves join the invisible spiritual “church, which is His body” (Eph. 1:22b-23a). The fact that a man may desire membership in “His body” may indicate that he may be saved unto “everlasting life” but remains ill-informed of “His body.” All the “whosoever” believers of John 3:16 are chosen to “everlasting life,” having believed to receive ‘Christ as Savior’ which is intended to lead them to the knowledge of “the Mystery [secret]” of “His [spiritual] body” destined to reign [2Tim. 2:12] “in the heavenly places.”

Sadly, most ‘saved’ Christians don’t recognize that God then does the Further Choosing, having predestinated some to Adoption (as seen in Post-Acts Eph. 1:5) of those who will be members of the heaven-bound “Church, which is His body” (Eph. 1:22b-23a).

⁵ Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, According To The Good Pleasure Of His Will, Ephesians 1:5 (KJV)

I can imagine some now saying “How can God adopt some but not all, that’s unfair?” Recall how Paul wrote that how Potter is the one who asserts His will over the clay, creating vessels for His various purposes (cf. Rom. 9:21). We also see God’s choosing in the case of the choosing and calling of Abraham, and the Nation Israel over the Gentiles, and choosing Jacob over Esau.

We must know that God’s will is to ultimately have these Two people groups to function as His agents in their spheres.

1) Redeemed Israel as His agent on the new earth

2) The Gentile “body of Christ” “in the heavenly places.”

In these two agencies at the culmination, the Lord’s authority in will exist “the Heaven and the Earth” restoring both realms from the corruption that came by the fall of Lucifer and deceitfulness of his sin-spirit. Lucifer initiated what we call ‘the conflict of the ages as seen in Isaiah 14:14-27. This then summarizes the big picture of the problem in creation and its ultimate remedy. Thus, our God is purposeful and Sovereign to that end as seen below; Ephesians 1:10 (KJV)That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him [Christ]:

 

Parts 4 – The Eternal Destinies of The Three Kinds of Believers

Today, since Acts 28:28, Israel became Fallen, Blinded, and Set-Aside, for a time, since God’s primary focus through Paul turned to the Gentile “body of Christ” (cf. Eph. 3:2)

The foundational understanding as seen in Parts 4 & 5, establishes the fact that Israel became “LO-AMMI” [i.e., “not My people,” Hosea 1:9] for more than 1,900 years, and unto this present time. Consequently, as a nation, Israel has not been in service concerning the will and purposes of God since “the fall of them [Israel]”’ being ‘set aside’ (cf. Rom. 11:10-12, 15, Acts 28:28). As seen in the verse below Israel will remain as such will until today’s Gentile age of “the Great Mystery” of “the church” which is “the body of Christ” is completed [filled full].

Romans 11:25 (KJV) For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, UNTIL the Fulness Of The Gentiles Be Come In.

With the fullness of “the body of Christ,” “His body” will silently be resurrected to “appear with Him in [heaven’s] glory.” (Col. 3:4)

Before Acts 28:28 God’s focus had long been solely upon Israel who had been destined to bless the whole world, including the Gentiles. Thus we note in Matt. 15:24, some 38 years before the end of Acts, Jesus said “I am come ONLY to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Similarly, Jesus had told His twelve Apostles “Go NOT into the way of the GENTILES,” but Israel ONLY. It was the age of Israel.

“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: ⁶ But Go Rather To The Lost Sheep Of The House Of Israel.” Matt. 10:5-6

Some 20 years after Pentecost the Apostle Paul declared the “the fall of them [Israel]” (Rom. 11:12). This ‘fall’ then was sealed with Paul’s words of Acts 28:26-28, about 35 years after Pentecost.

²⁸ Be it known therefore unto you, [the nation of Israel], that the salvation of God, [meaning the Deliverer Himself, the One Who mediates salvation, the Lord Christ Jesus], is [taken from National Israel and] sent unto the GENTILES, and They Will Hear It.” [they will receive salvation and the One Who brings it]. Acts 28:28

Preliminarily we should note the status of the God’s TWO God-ordained people groups noted in Scripture.

1. The Nation Israel is currently “fallen” due to unbelief, being and out of favor with God as it has been since Acts 28:28 and it will be “until the time of the Gentiles is fulfilled (cf. Rom. 11:25).

²⁵ For I [Paul] would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery [secret], lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. Romans 11:25 (KJV)

2) The Gentile church of “the mystery [secret],” which Paul called “the body of Christ” is now growing to its “fulness” or completion, to then be secretly and silently resurrected to “appear with Him in [heaven’s] glory” (Col. 3:4b), “in the heavenly places” (Eph. 1:3) “far above.” This ‘co-appearing’ of Christ as “the head” with “His body” in heaven’s glory is next on God’s agenda;

 Col. 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in [heaven’s] glory.

We recognize that the faithful of Israel’s Living and Dead believers will one day be ‘resurrected’ at Christ’s 2^nd coming to save Israel and set up His Millennial kingdom on earth (cf. Rev. 20:6). Many of Israel’s believing remnant will be saved Alive out of the Tribulation at Christ’s 2^nd coming when they ultimately “look upon [Him] whom they have pierced” (Zech. 12:10).

Zechariah 13:1 In that day there shall be a fountain [of Christ’s blood] opened to the house of David [the circumcision, Israel] and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for Sin and For Uncleanness.

Then after the 1,000-year Reign of Christ the Nation Israel will reign forever in the paradise of “the New Earth.” (Rev. 5:10, 20:6). This was Promised To The Nation Israel ONLY. This reigning will not include Israel’s Gentile proselytes who were not promised “the Kingdom,” but rather they as the “whosoevers” were promised Christ’s “everlasting life” as seen in John 3:16, in that kingdom

So, Israel today is ‘fallen’ and Israel’s promised Kingdom program is currently SET ASIDE for a time. Israel TODAY of no spiritual consequence to the Jew or the Gentile. With Israel “fallen” there currently is no way of anyone qualifying to participate in Israel’s long-promised Kingdom program to come on earth. Membership in Israel as a Jew was closed over 1,900 years ago. Later I will explain exactly when that door closed. Suffice to say that door will remain closed until sometime after the Gentile church of “the body of Christ” is suddenly and quietly resurrected off planet earth in their spirit-bodies to “appear with Him [Christ] in [heaven’s] glory” (cf. Col. 3:4).

 

Part 5 – The Eternal Destinies of The Three Kinds of Believers (Continued)

(Topic Continued from Part 4 – “The Fellowship of the Mystery”)

Three Classes or Kinds Of ‘Christ Believers’

We should also recognize that in general there ultimately are three (3) classes or kinds of ‘Christ believers’ in the world Today. These three wind up in one of these Two Possible Eternal Destinies.

• There is this group consisting of believing Jews and nominal John 3:16 Gentile believers who are ultimately destined for the “PARADISE” of “The New EARTH.” These Gentiles will be under Israel’s ultimate eternal Kingdom tutelage and Israel’s reign with Christ (cf. Rev 5:10, 20:6).
• But Today, since Acts 28:28, God’s favor is upon the Gentile “church, which is His [Christ’s] body” which is destined to “appear with Him [Christ] in [heaven’s] glory” (Col. 3:4), to reign “in the HEAVENLY places in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 1:3, cf. 2Tim. 2:12) some years before Christ’s 2^nd coming to save Israel.

Now I will address the three kinds of ‘Christ believers’ in the world today. Most perceptive Christians may recognize these.

1. The First kind of believers are those today who have “believed” into Jesus Christ unto “everlasting life” per John 3:16, wherein Jesus refers to these believers as “whosoever believeth.” They are saved from perdition (eternal judgment) and have His everlasting life.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish [Grk. apollymi, not be destroyed], but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 (KJV)

This category of “whosoever” (Gentile or non-Jewish believers) existed from Jesus’ day and many others do unto this very day. They are the traditional believers that go under any of the many broadly named groups such as fundamentalist, evangelicals, Pentecostals, and others. They are saved unto “everlasting life,” believing in the Cross-work of Jesus Christ for their salvation (cf. 1Cor 15:3-4).

They never became intelligized faithful members of Gentile “church, which is His body” never embracing the Pauline truths of “the dispensation of the grace of God” (Eph. 3:2) for the Gentile “body of Christ.” Only this “body” is destined to dwell eternally “in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 1:3) They never grew in the faith and knowledge of PAUL’S Post-Acts 2^ND MINISTRY as we read in Paul’s latter 7 epistles of Eph., Phili., Col., 1&2 Tim., Titus, and Philemon. These letter concern the non-religious men of ALL races (thus to include Jews racially). Theirs is a ‘spiritual walk is inward,’ not involving external rituals, rites, or law-keeping; thus they are non-observant of water baptisms, sabbath keeping, or communion.

Paul’s 2^nd ministry is his POST-Acts 28 ministry is seen in the epistles which he began to write in prison after the total fall, blinding, and “casting away” of the Nation of Israel in unbelief’ for a time. Israels calling and fall was over a 2,000-year process after the Nation of Israel had been begotten with Exodus 19:5-6 while in the Sinai desert.

Exodus 19:5-6 (KJV)v Now therefore, if ye [Israel] will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me ABOVE ALL PEOPLE: for all the earth is mine: ⁶ And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an Holy NATION. These are the words which thou [Moses] shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

Israel had such a special calling, hope, and promise from the time of Abraham. Yet;

1) Israel consistently rejected the Lord God by killing all the prophets He sent them.

2) He then sent “the Son” whom they crucified.

3) Then they rejected the witness of the Holy Spirit expressed in Stephen’s words of Acts 7:51-59 before they “stoned Stephen” [v59) to death.

The book of Acts then is the fulcrum or pivot point, transitioning from of ‘the fall of Israel under the Law,’ shifting to Paul’s “gospel of the GRACE of God” (Acts 20:24) and salvation “by grace through faith [alone] mot of works” (Eph. 2:8-9) … totally apart from One’s religious Performance Under Israel’s Law with its rituals, and rites.

The fall of Isarel was completed and declared with the words of Paul as seen in Acts 28:26-28. Then we come to Paul’s last 7 epistles (as chronologically written). In them we learn of Paul’s added explanation of “the revelation of the mystery [secret plan of God]” that Paul received directly from the ascended Lord Jesus as explained in his Post-Acts epistles of Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon.

There are many ‘believers’ today who are Saved From Perdition … but they Should Have Gone On in “the faith” to gain the Knowledge of and Belief In Paul’s Post-Acts “gospel of the Grace of God” concerning the Gentile church of “The Body Of Christ” … But THEY NEVER DID. Thus they will not “appear with Him [Christ] in [heaven’s] glory” (Col 3:4) “in the heavenly places” (Eph. 1:3). Rather, sadly, being trapped under the false ‘religious dogmas’ of organized manmade man-controlled sectors [denominations] of Christendom, most Christian believers today have NEVER CLEARLY HEARD, and Consequently, THEY HAVE NOT BELIEVED PAUL’S POST-ACTS revelation concerning the “DISPENSATION OF THE GRACE OF GOD.”

These believers are what I call ‘minimalist believers’ who have been saved to have “everlasting life” but they have not grown to attain the “adoption” (Rom. 9:4) or sonship (Eph. 1:5) as would have been necessary for service in Israel’s Kingdom on earth (Rev. 5:10), nor can they “reign with Him” (2Tim. 2:12) in heaven.

So far as we know, these saved folks will ultimately be among those who will eternally dwell “in paradise” on “The New Earth” along with Adam, Noah, the believing thief on the cross, and many others who believed and obeyed God’s words of ‘life’ offered to them in their time. It would help to recall Jesus’ words to the then believing ‘thief on the cross.’ Jesus promised he would one day be with Jesus “in paradise” (cf. Luke 23:43).

Sadly, most believers today have never become intelligized or qualified for what Paul called “the prize of the high [above] calling” (Phili. 3:14) of heaven. All such folks have been ‘saved’ unto “everlasting life” per John 3:16’s “whosoever believeth.” They are not ‘of’ or ‘blessed with’ the ‘Nation Israel’ because today Israel remains “fallen” … nor are they of the Post-Acts Gentile “church” of the “one body” of Christ.

As seen below these believers are disqualified from Israel’s promised Kingdom Reign program, and they are disqualified from the Gentile “church” of “the body of Christ” that is destined to “the heavenly places” of which they have no knowledge or belief.

1. There are many such saved minimalist simple believers’ today who have Not Heard, and so do ‘Not Know Of,’ and therefore Cannot Believe Paul’s Post-Acts “Mystery” gospel that reveals the calling, and hope of the Gentile church of “the body of Christ” … unto “the Heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 1:3). So, they will miss out on ‘heaven.’ This is likely because… they then adhere to the false religious dogmas of man’s religion which has robbed them of the knowledge of the Pauline truth of the heaven-bound Gentile “church, which is His body” (Eph. 1:22b-23a). They have no part in His body’s ‘heavenly’ calling or hope.
2. Then also these ‘minimalist believers’ of today most likely believed Jesus’ Gospel of John 3:16, which was chronologically written AFTER Israel ‘fell’ and was ‘set aside,’ then being NON-OPERATIONAL (cf. Rom. 11:10-11, 15, 25). Note that John’s gospel was written in AD85, long after Israel had fallen in Acts 28:28.

Thus these ‘minimalist believers’ have No Part In The Gentile “Body Of Christ” that is destined for heaven. They also Have NO Part In Israel’s ultimate Kingdom Reign on earth. But they will have a place in “the Paradise” of God on the “New Earth” (cf. Rev 2:7). They will be under Israel’s reign and tutelage.

Isaiah 2:2-4 (KJV)And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. ³ And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. ⁴ And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

NOTE: Membership in Jesus’ “little flock” (Luke 12:32) of water baptized Messianic believers has been CLOSED to ALL men, both Jews and Gentiles, for over 1,900 years, per the outcome of Acts 15 Jerusalem Council meeting. Recall that with that meeting Israel’s Apostles of standing ‘bound’ or limited their ministry to Only the Existing Believing Jews of That Day. Per Gal. 2:9, they ceased adding to their number when they recognized and commissioned Paul and Barnabas to bring Paul’s new ‘Pure Grace Gospel’ to ‘ALL Men’ alike since ‘All unbelievers,’ both unbelieving Jews and unbelieving Gentiles were then seen as lost Gentiles regardless of their race. That is why Paul wrote “there is none righteous no not one” (Rom. 3:1).  See: https://artlicursi.com/articles/key-points-drawn-acts-15-jerusalem-council-meeting)

The setting aside of Israel with Paul’s words of Acts 28:28, then led to Christ revealing to Paul the added “revelation of the mystery [secret]” and “the fellowship of the mystery [secret]” of the Gentile “church, which is His body” as noted in Paul’s latter seven, Post-Acts 28 epistles.

Note that “the revelation of the mystery [secret]” that is first seen mentioned in Paul’s Rom. 16:25 is of Paul’s Roman’s letter Post-Script, added while he was writing his Post-Acts Ephesians letter – see https://artlicursi.com/articles/romans-16-postscript

 

Part 6 – “The HIGH [above] Calling of God in Christ Jesus”

“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high [above] calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14)

Paul wrote; “I press toward the mark for the prize of the HIGH [Grk. ano, “upward”] calling of God in Christ Jesus.” in Philippians 3:14.

Those called and chosen to the high ‘heavenly’ calling “far above” (Eph. 1:21) “in Christ” and now positionally “with Him,” being “seated at the right hand of God.” They may be recognized in this way.

• As soon as any person takes an interest in these spiritual blessings of “the heavenly places” and wants to know how to obtain them, we feel assured that they have been “chosen” from “before the foundation of the world,” (Eph. 1:3), being predestinated to the “adoption” (Eph. 1:5). Heaven is then assured.

“… the Hope [Grk. elpis, confident expectation] which is laid up for you IN HEAVEN, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;” Colossians 1:5 (KJV)

• If however, a believer then takes no interest in or rejects the idea of the “high [heavenly, above] calling” then God must have “foreknown” this, and they are NOT among Chosen and predestinated unto “The Heavenly Places In Christ.”

In Ephesians 1:13-14 Paul talks about one’s initial salvation and being “sealed [saved securely] with that holy Spirit” as the “earnest of the spirit” after first hearing the “gospel of the grace of God.” (Rom. 20:24) as the down payment toward that which is to come,. Then in verse 14 we have the further pledge given, guaranteeing “the redemption [i.e., resurrection] of the purchased possession.”

“[Christ] In whom ye also trusted, AFTER that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also AFTER that Ye Believed, ye were Sealed [saved securely] with that holy Spirit of promise, ¹⁴WHICH IS THE EARNEST [i.e., the down payment] of our inheritance until the REDEMPTION of the purchased possession [by resurrection], unto the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:14 (KJV)

What else but ‘resurrection’ could this “redemption” refer to? Romans 13:11 we have another reference to our ‘resurrection,’ where the Apostle Paul says, “Now is our salvation NEARER than when we believed.” Each day is a step nearer to our resurrection to “appear with Him in [heaven’s] glory” (Col. 3:4).

Ephesians 1:19 is a little understood verse speaking of “The power that RAISED Christ from the dead is to usward who BELIEVE.” In the first place, this makes it clear that the same power that raised Christ from the dead will raise us grace-believers from the dead. That power will not be squandered on any who do not believe. Furthermore, the Post-Acts Ephesian epistle of “the mystery” speaks of resurrection as the “blessed hope” (Titus, 2:5) of the members of “His body.”

Where in all the Word can it be found that man has any hope whatsoever except in ‘resurrection’? So how could any be saved apart from their ultimate resurrection since Only the Saved Will Be RESURRECTED as seen here?

In Colossians 3:3 we learn that the life of the believer is “HID WITH CHRIST IN GOD.” In v4 we note that Christ as “the Head” of “His body” will “APPEAR [Gk. phaneroo, becomes visible]” and the members of “His body” will, logically, simultaneously “APPEAR WITH HIM,” since we are to be “with Him in [heaven’s] glory.”

Thus Paul writes, “If by any means I [Paul] might attain unto the RESURRECTION of the dead” (Phil. 3:11). Thus we read again about Paul’s hoped for his resurrection.

(A question then arises for the unbiblical religionist of today’s Christendom as to how there could be the possibility of resurrection … if, as many claim ‘the dead” are supposedly resurrected ‘immediately’ upon death - which they are NOT?)

Rather, the Bible tells us ALL the dead go to their “grave” [from the Greek, ‘hades,’ or the Hebrew, ‘Sheol’] and are raised in their order from the “grave.”

Then the question comes up as to the time of resurrections for each group of believers. None will be resurrected before the place they are to occupy is made ready. In Philippians 3:20 we note that those of “His body” Already Have A Homestead In The Heavenlies.

“²⁰For our conversation [Old English for, CITIZENSHIP] IS IN HEAVEN; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: ²¹ Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious [resurrection] body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” Philippians 3:20-21 (KJV)

In Paul's last epistle, 2Tim. 2:18, he warns against the lie that says “the resurrection is past already, overthrowing the faith of some.” And he adds in 2Tim. 4:1 that the judging of the dead and living resurrected believers is to be “AT HIS APPEARING,” not some time earlier; and just 5 verses later in 2Tim. 4:6 Paul speaks of the time of his “departure,” that is his time to return to dust in the grave is “at hand.” From these verses we can see why Paul in Phil. 1:23 (below) spoke of his ‘departure’ to “be with Christ” … what Paul had in mind was his ‘sleep in the grave is to come FIRST,’ and his resurrection being LATER… being followed by ‘his appearing’ “with Him in [heaven’s] glory” (Col. 3:4).

“… I am in a strait [torn] betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to BE WITH CHRIST; which is far better:” (Philippians 1:23)

In 2Tim. 4:8 Paul writes of “a crown of righteousness” being given to ALL who “love His appearing” in glory.

“Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at That Day [of resurrection]: and not to me only, but Unto ALL Them Also That LOVE HIS APPEARING.” (2 Tim. 4:8)

Recall: “WHEN CHRIST, WHO IS OUR LIFE, SHALL APPEAR, then shall ye also APPEAR WITH HIM IN GLORY.” (Colossians 3:4)

We also come to a question to be pondered as we note the term “that day” of 2 Tim. 4:8. Is it “that day” of ‘His appearing’ and our appearing “with Him” simultaneously “in Glory”? I think it is since WE ARE “IN HIM” and HE IS “IN US.”

²⁷ To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this Mystery Among The Gentiles; which is CHRIST IN YOU, THE HOPE OF GLORY: Colossians 1:27 (KJV)

⁴ When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in [heaven’s] glory. Colossians 3:4 (KJV)

Part 7 – The Heaven-Bound Church of the “Great Mystery”

Today’s heaven-bound “church, which is His body” (Eph. 1:22b-23a) of “the dispensation of the grace of God” (Eph. 3:2) and “fellowship of the Mystery,” (Eph. 3:9) which is called “the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:16) is different from all other callings in these eight respects.

1. We of “His body” are a people Chosen-Out of humanity without regard to any fleshly, racial, or national distinctions (Eph. 1:4). The believers of “His body” are chosen out of the great mass of believers for the special purpose of service in heaven. Remember that Israel also was a Chosen nation, but they were not the only ones who were believers throughout the ages.

2. We as members of His Gentile “body” are the only people whose ‘sphere of blessing’ is NOT on this earth, but in heaven (cf. Eph. 1:3).

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:” Ephesians 1:3 (KJV)

We are those blessed “in Christ” (not blessed ‘in Abraham’) to ultimately dwell “in heavenly places” (not the earth). Thus we have no prescribed part in Christ’s millennial kingdom or in the New Jerusalem to come on the ‘new earth.’

God’s eternal plan was for His two people groups, much as The US President is Commander and Chief of both the Airforce serving in the ‘high above’ sphere while he has the army serving ‘on the earth.’ Recall that it was the Ascended celestial Christ who called Saul Paul and with this ‘heavenly’ message for His heaven-bound ‘elect’ who will serve Him “Far above” … even while also having His earthly people of the Nation Israel’s called remnant are to serve Him as His agents in “the Kingdom come on earth.”

3. The time of His choosing and the purpose for this Heavenly “body of Christ” is unique. We were chosen from BEFORE The Overthrow (‘foundation’ is the Heb. the ‘katabole,’ ‘the Overthrow’ of Eph. 1:4, Gen. 1:2). No other family of God is of this “before the world began” origination. This put the church of the “great mystery” (Eph. 5:32) in line to have partaken of the promise of “eternal life in Christ” from Before The Ages Began.

“That the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs, and of the same [one] body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:” (Ephesians 3:6 (KJV)

“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of LIFE [Grk. zoe, Christ’s “spirit of life”] which is in Christ Jesus,” (2 Timothy 1:1 (KJV)

“In hope [expectation] of eternal life [zoe], which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;” (Titus 1:2

4. We as the grace-believers of “His body” are people who as members are placed as “sons” (by adoption) according to God’s ‘predestination’ (Eph. 1:5 below). Not all the children of God are placed as “sons.” This position is “by Jesus Christ” “according to the good pleasure of his will.” Again, there are no fleshly racial, or national distinctions in this matter as it was with Israel’s calling.

“Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,” (Ephesians 1:5 (KJV)

5. The “church” of the dispensation of “the Mystery” is a cognomen (i.e., a word for ‘a branch of a family’), which is used of none other assembly of God. This is “The Body” of which Christ is “the Head” (cf. Eph. 1:23). No other body has this distinction. Note that His own “body” is of a closer relationship with the risen Lord than is revealed anywhere else. Consider that your body is closer to you than your spouse – Christ’s own “body” is closer than His “bride [the remnant Nation of Israel].”

6. This people has an identification which transcends that of any other. We have been ‘quickened, raised, and “seated” with and “in Christ’ (cf. Eph. 2:6). And our outlook is to be manifested to “[appear] with Him (cf. Col. 3:4). Otherwise, all dead believers are dead and buried, awaiting their ‘resurrection’ to newness of life’ (cf. Rom. 6:3-4). But now as members of His Gentile “body,” He;

“… hath [already] raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:” (Eph. 2:6) But;
“When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in [heaven’s] glory.” (Col. 3:4)

7. This is a fellowship, dispensation, a household of God which was not revealed to the prophets; “kept secret since the foundation of the world” (Rom. 16:25). It “was hid in God from ages and generations” (Col. 1:26).

Thus, we have this unique commission to proclaim to ALL men of the ‘dispensation [fellowship] of the mystery’ (Eph. 3:9).

“… 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 (KJV)

8. In all other families of God there is only delegated authority, with a difference in position among the various believers. But in this “church. which is the body of Christ” there is a joint relationship among His members in all aspects (Eph. 3:6). No Member Is Above Another. There is no priesthood. There are no judges, no king, or authorities. All are equal. Even the ‘teachers, pastors and evangelists’ have no more authority than you and I have.

Today’s “church, which is His body” is a foretaste of “the dispensation of the fulness of times” when the Nation Israel will serve the Lord God in their sphere upon “the earth,” … while the Gentile “church [assembly]” of “the body of Christ” serves with “the HEAD” of the body “in the heavenly places.”         

¹⁰ … In The Dispensation Of The Fulness Of Times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: (Ephesians 1:10 (KJV)  

- Portions and concepts have been broadly adapted from E.W. Bullinger, Charles H. Welch, and other sources such as  www.believer.com and https://levendwater.org/index.cfm, by Arthur J. Licursi