Questions and Answers

Ques. — I find that some Christians maintain that the Holy Ghost dwells in Christendom. Now I have always thought... that the Holy Ghost dwells exclusively in the Church. I would be so glad if you would give me your thoughts about it.
Ans.—I think that a right understanding of the distinction between the Church as the "Body of Christ" (Eph. 1:22, 23), unto which believers are baptized by the Holy Ghost, (1 Cor. 12:13) and thus united to Christ, exalted and glorified in heaven (1 Cor. 6:17), and the "House of God," a "habitation of God through the Spirit," (Eph. 2:21, 22), in the world, will make the answer to your question simple and plain. When Christ was glorified as man to heaven, the Holy Ghost (not previously given, see John 7:39) descended from heaven and took up His abode in the saints, on the day of Pentecost, as God's house. (Acts 2) The Church thus begun, and set up as God's witness and abode through His Spirit, is styled "the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." (1 Tim. 3:15.) This "House" was, as it were, a co-extensive thing at the first with the "Body," its other aspect, and was the true thing which God Himself fitly framed together; a member of this house was a living one, and in union with Christ the Head, by the Holy Ghost. But we find that immediately after its being set up, men began to build on the foundation wood, hay, stubble as well as gold, silver, precious stones. (1 Cor. 3) As a consequence, the House as man built it, began to assume vast proportions, entirely disproportionate to the Body, the true thing. But still the Holy Ghost did not leave the House. And the House was as far as man's responsibility went, "God's building." "The temple of God and the Spirit of God dwelleth in you" (1 Cor. 3:9-17), that is, collectively as in a temple, which is a different thought from the body of the believer, being the temple of the Holy Ghost, as in 1 Cor. 6:19. The House of God drifted soon into what the Apostle speaks of in 2 Tim. 2:19-21, like to a "Great House" containing vessels to honor and dishonor. This is quite a different state of things from 1 Tim. 3:15, and has characterized Christendom ever since, and at which judgment must begin. (1 Peter 4:17.)
So that we see that the Holy Ghost in the first instance, baptizes all believers since His coming down into one Body, ("There is one body and one Spirit," Eph. 4:4) uniting them to Christ as Head, and God dwells amongst them as a habitation through His Spirit. What a wondrous thought, and what a wondrous privilege. How much has the Church forgotten her calling! But not only so, He dwells in the "House" here below, and professing Christians (as well as true Christians) are responsible for His presence, and are, as far as His presence goes, thus responsible for the presence of the Holy Ghost, although not, of course, "sealed" as the true believer, and indwelt by Him.
A right understanding of the Church as the "Body of Christ," composed of living members, and the "House," or professing church, is the key to much of the teaching of the epistles. F.G. Patterson
FORWARD!
When on the long and dreary way.
Or at the dawn of breaking day,
Or in the damp and chill night air,
Or in the noontide dusty glare.
Lord, as we march, we look to Thee,
To lead us on to victory!

Editorial
Living in Jerusalem at this present time are people who verify the truth of the Lord Jesus' statement in Matt. 24:34: This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled." Generation in this verse means a class of people. Both then and now there were and are Christ-rejecters. The same is true as to Christ-believers.
When Christ came the first time, the nation rejected Him, but a small remnant accepted Him. When the antichrist comes, the nation will receive him (John 5:43) and the godly remnant will refuse him.
Two very interesting groups of people now in Jerusalem have come to our attention in this past year. The first group are those who say, "We have left Jesus and returned to Moses." They are apostates (anti-christ) and come under the condemnation of Heb. 6:6, "They crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put Him to an open shame." They have "done despite unto the Spirit of grace." Heb. 10:29.
Another group in the old city of Jerusalem, working on a project called Treasures of the Temple, are preparing all the objects and utensils necessary for the restoration of the Temple rites. The priestly garments are tediously being made. Some of them are seamless, being made on a computerized loom.
Some of the rabbis say that only after the Messiah comes will the Temple be built. The solid gold menorah (candlestick) plans are ready. The cost estimated is one-and-one-quarter-million dollars.
An ultra-orthodox group of Jews lives near the center of the city in a place called Mea Shearim. They very strictly observe the Sabbath. Women in immodest dress are strictly forbidden. The residents of Mea Shearim are called haredim, meaning God-fearing ones. Counting them and the orthodox Jews living around Mea Shearim, the total number surpasses 80,000. We might ask if these are the very ones who will preach the gospel of the kingdom during the coming tribulation period. The Lord knows and we know He will have those to go forth with this message of His second coming to reign as King. In Matt. 25, Jesus calls them "My brethren," that is, they will be Jews who carry this message in that day. Surely that day is approaching, but it cannot come until the heavenly saints are caught up to their heavenly position. It is at this time that God begins again a work with His earthly people Israel. The Gentiles also will be gathered into Christ's millennial kingdom for blessing around Israel. Very great judgments are necessary to cleanse and prepare the earth and a people for earthly blessing. Now at this time, all blessing is through receiving Christ by faith through the gospel of the grace of God. Such will have part in the heavenly kingdom. Paul's last words in 2 Timothy state this for himself, "The Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto His heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen." 2 Tim. 4:18. Ed.