Building Jerusalem Part I

Building Jerusalem Part I

Psalm 147:2,3

The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the out casts of Israel. He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: The Jerusalem that is here spoken of, with respect to the eternal purpose of God, is the Jerusalem which is above. “But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.” (Galatians 4:26). It must be abundantly clear that the Jerusalem which is here spoken of as: “the mother of us all” cannot be speaking of the universal congregation of men for that includes the seed of the serpent, (Genesis 3:15). But this epistle is written to the “churches of Galatia” (Galatians 1:2) who were of the elect of God, and this is common to all the Bible which is written to the people of God, and not to the entire world of men, “us all” then here, as well as many other places of scripture means all the chosen people of God. This particular must be kept in mind as the Bible is read in order to avoid the confusion of Arminianism.

This Jerusalem is the city of, the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, “But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than than of Abel. (Hebrews 12:22-24). This Jerusalem was seen of the Apostle John “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth was passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” (Revelation 21:1-2). This Jerusalem is, the bride the Lambs wife “And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, and I will show thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife. And carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal” (Revelation 21:9-11). The Jerusalem that is here held forth to view, as being built; is the church of Jesus Christ, His called-out assembly, who are written in heaven, and ordained to eternal life from eternity past, (Acts 13:48) chosen of God and beloved in Christ Jesus (I Peter 2:1-10).

He gathereth together the outcasts of Israel: the outcasts here, are, of Israel; not geographic or national Israel but, spiritual Israel, the Israel of God (Galatians 6:16); who are the spiritual seed of Abraham; as it is written: For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.” (Hebrews 2:16). The seed of Abraham are they who are of faith; as it is written “Therefore it is of faith, that it might be of grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, (the Jew) but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; (though they be  Gentiles, writers parenthesis) who is the father of us all,” (Romans 4:16). It will be pointed out that “us all” in the above sited verse is all the spiritual seed of Abraham: for they are the subject of the verse, and it is to the saints at Rome that the epistle is written (Romans 1:7). These gathered ones are the children of Abraham spiritually; “Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, (those who are given faith to believe the gospel, writers Parenthesis) the same are the children of Abraham.” (Galatians 3:7). And again it is written “He is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: but he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter, whose praise is not of men, but of God.” (Romans 2:28-29). And these that are the spiritual seed of Abraham are the seed of Israel also, for “In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be Justified and shall glory.” (Isaiah 45:25) These are the chosen of God from everlasting, (Ephesians 1:4; II Thessalonians 2:13; II Timothy 1:9) they were beloved of God without beginning, and without end, (Jeremiah 31:3; John 17:23) they are accepted in the beloved (Christ) from old eternity (Ephesians 1:6) and from everlasting has been sanctified (set apart) in Christ Jesus (Jude 1; I Corinthians 1:2), and all this assembly have been perfected forever in Jesus Christ, by His one offering; only once offered to God, (Hebrews 10:14).

He gathereth the out casts of Israel. These gathered ones of Israel are out casts, for in all their generations they are hated of the world, but it is primarily of the religious world that they are hated. It was the religious world that joined hands with the political powers of the world to crucify the Lord of glory, as it is written “For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, for to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.” (Acts 4:27-28). “I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” (John17:14). “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.” (John15:18). The true preachers of the gospel should expect to be rebuked by the religious world; by preachers and pastors who do not know and believe the truth; and true preachers of the gospel are many times verbally rebuked while they are preaching the truth of the gospel. “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.” (John 15:19) “Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not (therefore the world hateth us John 15:18,19, writers parenthesis) because it knew him not.” (I John 3:1). The religious world, who knew not God, called the Master of the house of God Beelzebub, (Matthew 12:22-28) His faithful preachers should expect no different treatment from this lost religious world. Our lord Jesus Christ suffered without the gate, treated, of this world as though He were not fit to be among the society of men; so must the true people of God “go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.” (Hebrews 13:13). False worship, in a false gospel which is centered on man’s choice and not the election of God, is an abomination to God. “When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts? Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble into me; I am weary to bear them. And when you spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make your prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood,” (Isaiah 1:12-15). Those who are of free-will-works religion believe their choice, their decision, their work of repentance, their faith, these, are the things that brought salvation to their soul; and believing that their salvation is brought about by their choice, their decision, they mix their works with God’s grace,  which demonstrates that their heart is not fixed on Christ alone for all salvation, that they are not submitted to the righteousness of God, (Romans 10:3) nor the word of God, for they have not obeyed the gospel (Romans 10:16; 6:17; II Thessalonians 1:8). Those who believe the gospel of Jesus Christ believe that the Father purposed all those things for His elect and secured them for His elect in the everlasting covenant of grace; (II Samuel 23:5; Genesis 17:7 compared with Galatians 3:16, 29; and Hebrews 2:16) and that all those things were purchased for the children of God by the blood of Jesus Christ; (Acts 2:33-36; Matthew 27:50-51) and that all those things are the free gifts of God’s grace applied to the hearts of the children of the covenant by the Holy Ghost, (John 3:3-8; compared with Ezekiel 36:25-27; Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 8:10-11; 10:16-17; Philippians 2:13). See the writers blog at www.hebrews915.blogspot.com  hear the true gospel preached at www.13thstbaptist.org  webcasting live at listed service times.  A.J. Ison  

 

Building Jerusalem Part II

Building Jerusalem Part II

Psalm 147:2-3

The Lord doth build Jerusalem: he gathereth together the out casts of Israel. He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

In part I it was stated that the Jerusalem here under consideration is the Jerusalem which is above, the heavenly Jerusalem (Galatians 4:26). It is that Jerusalem which the Lord doth continually build up by adding “to the church daily such as should be saved.” (Acts 2:47). It was also pointed out that the out casts are, of Israel; that is, they are the spiritual seed of Abraham and the seed of Israel, being the children of the everlasting covenant of grace (Hebrews 2:16 considered with Galatians 3:16 and 29; Isaiah 45:25; II Samuel 23:5). They who are of this Israel are outcasts from the world, because hated for the truth they hold, (John 15:18). And it is evident that the Lord buildeth this Jerusalem by gathering the out casts together, that is, in Christ.

The out casts are gathered together in Christ Jesus, these out casts have been sanctified (set apart: see Exodus 13:2 and compare with Ex. 13:12) in Christ Jesus from everlasting by the Fathers eternal decree of election of grace (Jude 1; I Corinthians 1:2) having chosen the objects of His love in Christ before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4; Jeremiah 31:3). They have been set apart in Christ, as members of His body which is the church (I Corinthians 12:12, 13, Ephesians 5:30, Colossians 1:18) and in time, according to the faithfulness of God, they are gathered together in vital union of life; which union is manifested by faith in Christ, In whom they have fellowship with the Father and the Son. (John 10:28; I John 5:11; 1:3).  These who are, of the world out cast, are gathered together in one body in Christ, for “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” (Ephesians 4:4-6) There is but one faith common to this body of believers, and that faith is called the doctrine of Christ (II John 9) and that truth is presented in the gospel. Therefore those only who adhere to this doctrine are of the one body of Christ for it is written “ Whosoever transgresseth, and  abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: for he that bideth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” (II John 9-11).

He gathereth together the outcasts of Israel: The Father draws His own, whom he had sanctified in Christ before the foundation of the world to Christ Jesus, for “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:44). And no one comes to Christ unless it is given him of God “Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given him of my Father.” (John 6:65). Our Lord Jesus said “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6). They to whom it is given of the Father, to come to the Father, do come to the Father: in and by Jesus Christ and only in that way and no other. These to whom it is given of the Father to come to the Father in Christ must be washed in the blood of Christ, freed from sin by Christ and made perfectly holy in the Fathers sight before they are allowed to approach the Living God. This was accomplished virtually in the everlasting covenant: which covenant is between the Trinity of persons in the Godhead so that the Lamb was virtually slain according the covenant from the foundation of the world (Revelation 5:6; 13:8).

The justice of God, however, requires actual satisfaction; in order that mercy and truth may meet together; and righteousness and peace may kiss each other: that is, in order that God remain just, while He justifies the ungodly (Psalm 85:10; Romans 3:26; 4:5) and in order that God remain “a just God and a Savior” (Isaiah 45:21). The sin of God’s covenant people must be, actually punished; and put away forever, God must be actually reconciled to His elect, and Christ Jesus is the propitiation (satisfaction of the requirements of divine law and justice for the people of God) for our sins. And not just the sins of Jews but of the sins of His people wherever they are in the whole world (I John 2:2). Without shedding of blood there is no remission of sin; therefore one approved and appointed of God must die as the suitable substitute for the children of God. That someone is Jesus Christ, Christ Jesus is one approved of God because sent of God from everlasting (Micah 5:2; Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 53 throughout; Acts 2:23) and Christ Jesus is the one appointed of God to all the offices of the Messiah for He is Messiah (John 4:25-26; Hebrews 5:1-6). Therefore Christ Jesus must die as the approved and appointed surety of the New Testament (Hebrews 7:22), the divinely appointed substitute who made satisfaction to the law and justice of God for the people of God.

Since the Surety must die instead of the people, God used the wicked of this world to bring about the execution of the Surety of the children of God. God used religious lost men to carry out the divinely appointed program. How very ironic it is that God was pleased to use the seed of the serpent, of the Jews to accuse Christ Jesus, and of the Gentiles to crucify the Lord of glory when, He crushed the serpents head “(Genesis 3:15; Hebrews 2:14; I John 3:8) And it was accomplished in the following Manner.“Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? For this man doth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation. And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. And this he spake not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; and not for that nation only, but that he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.” (John 11:47-52). The law and justice of God considers the body of Christ, and Christ the Head of the body, one. Therefore when Christ Jesus was crucified all the members of the body of Christ were crucified in Him, (Galatians 2:20) they were in Christ from everlasting, in immutable covenant union, and in the eyes of God’s law and justice they have therefore suffered all the wrath of the law of God for sin, all their sins have been put away (Hebrews 9:26) their sins are no more; and the children of God are not guilty, they are declared not guilty and righteous, and are made the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus because they are one with Christ (II Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:13; I Peter 2:24; Isaiah 53 throughout; Jeremiah 50:20). “He gathereth together the out casts of Israel” “That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; evening him;” (Ephesians 1:10). “And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:” (Colossians 1:22). Christ Jesus came into this world to gather together, in particular, “the children of God that were scattered abroad” (John 11:52). Christ Jesus came into this world to gather together a particular, chosen, predestinated, and everlastingly beloved people, He came to “save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). They who are the children of God hear God’s word, for it is written “He that is of God hearth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.” (John 8:47). Reader do you, hear, as to understand these things; though these things are so simple  “that he may run that readeth it: (Habakkuk 2:2) yet they who are not of Christ’s sheep believe them not (John 10:26) but Christ’s sheep hear His word, so as to understand and believe them, they hear his voice (John 10:27); the eyes of their understanding being enlightened that they may know the things that are freely given to the children the covenant, (Ephesians 1:17; I Corinthians 2:12). See the writers blog at www.hebrews915.blogspot.com  Hear the truth of the gospel preached at www.13thstbaptist.org  webcasting live at listed service times.  A.J. Ison  

Building Jerusalem Part III

Building Jerusalem Part III

Psalm 147: 2-3

The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the out casts of Israel. He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

In articles one and two of this title it was discussed that: (1.) It is the Jerusalem which is above that is here spoken of. (2.) The out casts gathered are of Israel. (3.) Those who are gathered are out casts. (4.) The out casts are gathered together, that is, in Christ Jesus. In this article it will be declared, that it is the LORD, that doth build Jerusalem.

The Lord doth build Jerusalem: this Jerusalem is not in the process of building herself. The stones and timbers of this city of God, are not gathering together by themselves, for, it is the LORD that doth build Jerusalem. The LORD doth build Jerusalem, the LORD doth build Jerusalem continually, before the foundation of the world the LORD was then in the building of this city of God, by establishing her foundation in the everlasting covenant of grace, in Christ, who is, Himself the Covenant (Isaiah 42:6; 49:8). The LORD doth build Jerusalem: for it is He who doth gather the out casts together, which out casts the world knows not (I John 3:1) these out casts “are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:22). Each of these gathered ones are themselves the objects of the everlasting, immutable, and infinite, love of God: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and are living stones in the house of God; “Ye also, as lively (living) stones are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable unto God by Jesus Christ. (I Peter 2:5). These gathered stones are prepared for their position in the building of the city of God by the hammer of the word, (Jeremiah 23:29) “and this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.” (I Peter 1:25).  When the stones are brought to the house of God in Christ; they are perfectly fitted to their position in the house and city of God. They are members in particular (I Corinthians 12:27) of the body of Christ. “For by one offering he (Christ) hath perfected forever them that are sanctified.” (Hebrews 10:14). So that nothing of the world is seen on or in them for they are perfected in Christ; not in anything that is of themselves. This city of God, which is the Lambs wife (Revelation 21: 9-10; I Corinthians 6:15-20) is of infinite beauty in the comeliness which Christ Jesus has put upon her (Ezekiel 16:14): Christ’s glorious righteousness is imputed to her and is her clothing; the beauty of Christ’s holiness is upon her, for, Of God “are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:” (I Corinthians 1:30) . As it was in Solomon’s temple, the stones and timbers were prepared in the field, fitted to their place in the temple and so polished that no mark could be seen in the stones, and no hammer, nor saw was heard in the house when the house was in building (I Kings 6:7).

 He healeth the broken in heart: the outcasts of Israel whom the LORD gathereth together in Christ; come to the LORD broken in heart. The living stones for the house and city of God, are the sheep of His pasture, His elect from among the children of men; these the Lord in wonderful grace teaches of their own evil nature, their unworthiness of their position in the house and city of God.  “What prayer and supplication soever be made by any man, or by all thy people Israel, which shall know every man the plague of his own heart, and spread forth his hands toward this house;” (I Kings 8:38). Every man that is of the spiritual seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, are made to know the absolute plague of their own heart; with the Apostle Paul they shall be made to cry “O wretched man that I am” (Romans 7:24) observe reader; it is not, O wretched man that I was before conversion, but O wretched man that I am. With Isaiah they shall be made to cry “But we are all as an unclean thing” and “Woe is me! for I am undone: because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.” (Isaiah 64:6; 6:5). When, in God’s light, the children of the covenant are made to see light (Psalm 36:9) they declare with Daniel “there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.” (Daniel 10:8). The children of God are made sensitive to their own wicked nature; and they say: “I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.” (Psalm 51:3) and are made to say: “I know O LORD that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.” (Psalm 119:75). The children of God are made to understand the damage of sin to their own soul; that the damage is unto the eternal destruction of their soul; and say with David “O LORD, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. For thine arrows (the arrows of conviction of sins: writer’s parenthesis) stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore. There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin. For my iniquities are gone over my head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me. My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness. I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long. For my loins are filled with a loathsome disease: and there is no soundness in my flesh. I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of me heart. Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hide from thee.” (Psalm 38:1-9). Sins are seen as wounds, stinking, open and running sores, broken bones, to the wounded spirit of a man under the conviction of sin from the Almighty. Sins committed are seen to be foolishness, for they yield no lasting pleasure but bring on great destruction to the person of the offender. Therefore the one who is made to see his offense to God is greatly bowed down for he is made to understand that God will be his judge at the last day. Our Lord Jesus said “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4). Truly blessed is the man who is made to mourn after the fashion of the one recounted above, because according to the word of Christ Jesus he shall be comforted, but how?

Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.” (Psalm 65:4). “There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after the God.” (Romans 3:11); and therefore God saith “I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not:” (Isaiah 65:1) and it is written “I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.” (Romans 10:20). Since there is none that seeketh after God: therefore God seeks out His own covenant people; and in the day of visitation breaks their hearts by showing them the spiritual wounds with which sin has deformed the image of God in them, in which image our first parents were created. In the deformed image of Adam there can none please God, for it is written, “So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” (Romans 8:8). Therefore “Ye must be born again” (John 3:7). Spiritual life must be imparted to those who by nature of Adam are spiritually dead in trespasses and in sins (Ephesians 2:1). In the degenerated and deformed image of Adam in which all natural men are born there can be no fellowship with the thrice holy One; therefore God breaks the hard and stoney heart of His people by the hammer of HIs word, and melts their heart with the fire of the word, bringing His people to Himself as suppliants bowing at the feet of Jesus Christ the Lord of life and glory; (Jeremiah 23:29). In all these things the active agent is God the Holy Ghost, man is merely the passive object of the operation of God. Though the man feels the spiritual force of the operations of God, yet he is only the building material which the Almighty is pleased to form into that, that is pleasing to Himself. It is written “Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean; (this is justification, and the warrant of eternal life: for it is written “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and enter in through the gates into the city.” [Revelation 22:14]. And again it is written, ”Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD.” (LEVITICUS 18:5) from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments and do them.” (Ezekiel 36:25-27). This is the sanctification of the Spirit or the new birth; which is consequent upon justification; and the result of it; though justification is manifested at the same time as sanctification yet in order of nature, sanctification is the consequence of justification, for again “Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do he shall live in them: I am the LORD.” [Leviticus 18:5). The right to enter into the gates of the city, (Revelation 22:14), and the right to life, (Leviticus 18:5) both were earned by the Lord Jesus Christ through His death at Calvary; and the right is inherited by the members of His body the church, because they were, in the eye of God, one with Christ in all He did and suffered as Mediator, Surety, and Head of the body of Christ, His church.  

“He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” The broken in heart are made to see that in themselves they have no righteousness, that in themselves they stand condemned in the court of heaven. And in themselves they are aliens and strangers from the house hold of faith. But though they be broken in heart, they are made to understand that it is only the children of the covenant that are taught of their nothingness in themselves, and that Christ Jesus is their all sufficient head, and that He in union with them doth supply all their need according to His riches in glory. The children of the covenant are first stripped of all self righteousness in order that they may be clothed in the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ, through the imputation of His righteousness to their account.  They find that they have, and have had covenant interest in Christ. They find they are interested in His blood and righteousness, that it is for them in particular that Christ Jesus fulfilled and thereby satisfied the law and justice of God, and that in Christ they “that were sometimes alienated and enemies in mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:” (Colossians 1:22). See the writers blog at www.hebrews915.blogspot.com hear the truth of the gospel preached at  www.13thstbaptist.org webcasting live at listed service times.  A.J. Ison