QUESTION:
As for Eph. 3:1-3,5,6 how can we claim that we will be
fellow heirs of the same body, if we then claim that “WE ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST”
and then there is the nation ISRAEL? Did Jesus not die for all of us? Are we
not all Children of God partaking in the PROMISE OF CHRIST? How then can we
claim that we are different?
ANSWER:
There are a whole lot of individual questions in your
paragraph above. I will attempt to deal with each question individually.
To all those who have turned their hearts to God by
believing in His Son, they become the children of God and will partake in a promised
inheritance. This is the guaranteed outcome for all who have responded in faith
to Jesus Christ. However, this promised inheritance is detailed, and in order
to understand the correct context of the promises of God, regarding heirship
and inheritance within His full redemption plan, it is very important that we
understand the details.
In the great redemption plan of God, there are different
heirs and different inheritances. We must bear in mind that the redemption plan
of God is dealing with two realms, heaven, and earth. God is
redeeming two people groups; one to receive heirship in an earthly inheritance,
and one to receive heirship in a heavenly inheritance. So, when we read of
topics like inheritance and heirship, we must identify which people group is in
focus and understand scripture in this context.
Who inherits the earth?
Rom 4:13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
The covenants that God made with Abraham and as recorded in
Israel’s prophetic scriptures, refers to Israel inheriting the earth. They will
be the kings and priests of the earth, under Christ, their Messiah and King of
Kings. The promises of God to them, and their inheritance, will be of the
earth. The ultimate purpose of those under God’s earthly redemption will be to
bring all of earth back under the reign and glory of Christ, who is the
possessor of all things.
Who inherits the heavens?
Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Php 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
2Tim 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
The grace program that God initiated through Paul’s
commission was to call out a people group that would inherit the heavens. This
people group is called the Body of Christ, and the ultimate purpose of this
body will be to inhabit the heavens and bring this realm back under the reign
and glory of Christ.
What is the purpose of both programs in God’s great redemption plan?
The purpose is to bring both realms back under the reign of
Christ and restore creation to its original form and intent, to the glory of
Jesus Christ.
Eph 1:10 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:
Col 1:19-20 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; (20) And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
Eph 3:15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
Did Jesus not die for all of us?
Yes. Jesus died for all humanity, but the purpose for his
death is different for the two people groups. For the Jews, Jesus’ death was
more a legal matter than a sin matter, Luke 22:20; Hebrews 9:13-17. The
covenant itself dealt with the matter of sin, so Jesus’ death was for
activating the covenant that would bring salvation to the Jews. As for the
Gentiles, they did not have a covenant that legally dealt with sin and
salvation, so Jesus’ death was for a whole other purpose; it was a payment for
redemption, it was propitiatory, it was taking our place in order to exchange
sin for righteousness and wrath for grace.
How then can we claim that we are different?
Although all believers ultimately will be joined together as
one before God in the dispensation of the fulness of the times, while these two
programs are in operation, the inheritance of those who inherit the earth and
those who inherit the heavens is different. We have different purposes,
different destinations, different glories and different vocations. See 1Co
15:12-58 for details. These two programs and the two people groups that occupy
them can never be merged. Blending them will always skew scripture and corrupt
doctrine. It is up to us to study the scriptures and rightly divide these
doctrines to remain workmen that handle the Word correctly and remain approved
unto God in adherence of this command, 2Tim 2:15.
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