THE
PHENOMENON OF CHRISTOLOGY
The seventh
phenomenon of Christology is that Christianities keep steadfast in the vision
of New Jerusalem,(in Greek says, “ιερονσαλημ”, in Chinese literally says, “新耶路撒冷”)which is a
new heaven and a new earth and the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its
temple. “The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the
glory of God gives it light and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by
its light.”(Rev.21:22-24). There will be only those whose names are written in
the Lamb’s book of life. In Chinese literally says, “生命冊”. In Greek
says, “της βιβλου της ζωης”. Those who have not defiled their
garments, and overcome will be clothed in “white garments”.(In Chinese
literally says,“白衣”. In Greek
says,“ιματιοις λευκοις”). Those who are overcomers will walk with Lord in white, and
their names by no means erase out of the book of life. Christianity earnestly
pursues to be clothed in “White garments, and ensure their names are written in
the “Book of life”, so that they can part of the “New Jerusalem”. These three
significant biblical words and visions highlight the seventh phenomenon of
Christology. (By Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce 2016)
The seven phenomenon of Christology is that Christianity keeps
steadfast in the vision of New Jerusalem, “The city does not need the
sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light and the
Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light.”(Rev.21:22-24). There
will be only those whose names
are written in the Lamb’s book of life. Those who have not defiled their
garments, and overcome will be
clothed in white garments; they will walk with Lord in white, and
their names by no means erase out of the book of life. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will
anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful. (Rev.21:27). In other words,
those who are unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those
who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars. Their place will be in
the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death. (Rev.21:8).
Apostle John’s vision in Revelation chapter 3 verses 4 to 5
indicates that he who overcomes will be clothed in white garments, and they
will walk with Lord in white because they are worthy. A white garment in Greek
says, “ιματιοις λευκοις”, in
Chinese literarily says, “白衣”. “White”,
it signifies not only purity but also ratification. “Garments” in the Bible, it
signifies what we are in our walk and living. Based on the Biblical interpretation, it
signifies the walk and living that are unspotted by death and approved by the
Lord. It is a prize to the overcomers in the millennial kingdom.
Christianities believe that every follower of Christ Jesus needs
two garments. The first is
the garment of justification
for their salvation; it signifies Christ, the Christ whom they
received, as their objective righteousness. As Luke 15: 22 describes a prodigal
son who received the best robe from his father. By the righteousness garment of
Christ, each Christian has been justified by God. (1 Cor.1:30). The second is the garment of
ratification for their acceptance, signifying Christ, the Christ whom they live
out, as their subjective righteousness. Apostle Paul had laid a good example to
live for Christ, and stated, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”(Phil.1:21).
The white garment mentioned in Revelation 3:5 is refer to the second garment,
which need for us to receive the reward and enter into the kingdom to walk with
the Lord, and reign with Him (2 Tim.2:11-12).
This is the Lord’s promise to those who are overcomers. It will be
fulfilled in the millennial kingdom after the Lord comes back.
God unveils the vision through Apostle John about the church in
Sardis. Sardis in the Greek word means
the “remains”, “the remainder”, or “the restoration”, as a sign, the church in
Sardis from the time of the reformation to the second coming of Christ. The
Reformation was God’s reaction to the apostate Roman Catholic Church, which is
signified by the degraded church in Thyatira. It was accomplished by a minority
of the believers, the remainder. Therefore, it was a restoration by the
remainder. Many have considered the reformed Protestant Church to be living,
but the Lord says, “I know your works, that you have a name that you are
living, and yet you are dead.” (Rev.3:1). Therefore, she needs the
living Spirits and the shining stars. The things which remain are the things
that had been lost and were restored by the Reformation, such as justification
by faith, and the open Bible etc. Through these things had been restored,
they were about to die. Hence, they needed to be revived. This is the actual
situation of the Protestant churches. Since the reformed Protestant churches
are dead, they will be unaware of the Lord’s coming as a thief in His secret
appearing to His seekers. Therefore, there is the need of watchfulness. But the
good news is that the vision also unveils that there are few names in Sardis
who have not defiled their garments, and they will walk with Lord in white
because they are worthy. He who overcomes will be clothed, thus, in white
garments, and the Lord shall by no mean erase his name out of the book of life.
(Rev. 3:4-5)
The book of life in Chinese literally says, “生命冊”, in Greek says, “της βιβλου της ζωης”.
It is a divine record of the names of those who partake of the blessings that
God has prepared for them. The names of all the saints chosen by God and predestined to partake of these blessings are written in this book
(Luke10:20). These blessings are in three stages: first, in the church, second,
in the millennial kingdom, and third, in eternity. The blessings in the stage
of the church such as forgiveness, redemption, regeneration, eternal life, and
the divine nature are the initial portions. All God’s chosen ones whose names
are written in the book of life have a share in these initial portions to begin
their spiritual life. If they cooperate with God’s supplying grace, they will
mature in life in the church age, and this earlier maturity in life will constitute
a prize with which the Lord will reward them as His coming back. That prize
will be the entrance into the millennial kingdom and participation in the
divine blessings in that stage, such as the joy and rest of the Lord
(Matt.25:21, 23:Heb.4:9-11), the reign over the nations.
However, there are many of His chosen people, after receiving His
forgiveness, redemption, eternal life, divine nature, will not cooperate with
His grace and will not go on with Him. Therefore, they are unable to mature in
life in the church age and will not be ready at the Lord’s coming back to enter
into the millennial kingdom and share in the divine blessings of that age as a
prize. Therefore, during the millennial kingdom their names will be erased from
the book of life. After being disciplined by the Lord and growing in life unto
maturity during the millennial kingdom, they will share in the divine blessings
in the stage of eternity, such as the eternal priesthood with God’s eternal
presence, the eternal kingship(Rev.223-5), the New Jerusalem, the tree of life
(Rev.22:14), the water of life (Rev.22:17). At that time their names should
again be written in the book of life. this means that all God’s chosen ones
whose names are written in the book of life and who have been brought into the
participation of the divine blessings in the stage of the church shall by no
means perish forever (John10:28).(LSM1254-1255) .
New Jerusalem in Chinese literally says, “新耶路撒冷”, in Greek says, “ιερονσαλημ Hierosolyma”, literally translate as the name of the city (Mk.3:8) in reference
to its inhabitants (Matt.2:3). But in figuratively, as the spiritual home of
God and his people.(Ga.4:26)(Heb.12:22) (Rev.3:12). It is a new heaven and a new earth and the
Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. “The city does not need
the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light and the
Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light.”(Rev.21:22-24). The Holy
City as the tabernacle of God is for God to dwelling and God and the Lamb as
the temple are for the redeemed saints to dwell in. In the new heaven and new
earth, the New Jerusalem will be a mutual dwelling place for God and man for
eternity. This heavenly city will be the abode of all the saints
(Heb.12:22-24). The bride of Christ (Rev.21:9-10). And the place Christ is
preparing for His people (John14:2).
During the Millennium the New Jerusalem (described in detail in
Rev. 21:9-22:5) apparently will be suspended over the earth, and it will be the
dwelling place of all believers during eternity. As Apostle John saw a new
heaven and a new earth, and heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the
dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his
people. And God himself will be with them, and be their God. He will wipe every
tear from their eyes, there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain
for the old order of things has passed away.”(Rev.21:3-4).
However, in the New
Testament Revelation 21 reveals few factors that not everyone is worthy to be
clothed with white and enter the New Jerusalem. Such as unbelievers, the vile,
the murderers, the sexually immoral, practice magic arts, the idolaters and all
liars. Anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful and the names are not
written in the Lamb’s book of life. The Solomon, son of David, king of Israel in
proverbs 6: 17-19, he pointed out seven things that are detestable to God, such
as “1) haughty eyes, 2) a lying
tongue, 3) hands that shed innocent blood, 4) a heart that devises wicked
schemes, 5) feet that are quick to rush into evil, 6) a false witness who pours
out lies and 7) a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.” And there are
six things the Lord hates in the Proverbs 6:12-15 : 1) “ A scoundrel and
villain, who goes about with a corrupt mouth, 2) who winks with his eye, 3) signals
with his feet and 4) motions with his fingers, 5) who plots evil with deceit in
his heart- he always 6) stirs up
dissension. Therefore disaster will overtake him in an instant; he will
suddenly be destroyed without remedy. This section reveals the characters
of the wicked man, “a lying tongue” and “all the liars”, it will bring
unexpected disaster.
In the book of Jude, he exhorts the saints not to speak abusively against
whatever they do not understand, not to boast about themselves and flatter others for their
own advantage, not to be grumblers
and faultfinders like unreasoning animals, rejects authority and slander celestial
beings. For these men are blemishes, and are harsh words ungodly sinners, acts
ungodly, “shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain,
blown along by the wind autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted –twice dead.
They are wild waves of the sea. Foaming up their shame, wandering stars, for
whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.” (Jude.8-16). In contrary, He
urges the saints to contend
for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints, build
themselves up in their most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep themselves in
God’s love as they wait for the mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ to bring them to
eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt, snatch others from the
fire and save them, to others show mercy, mixed with fear, hating even the clothing stained by
corrupted flesh. (Jude1:20-22).
In the book of James, James also urges brothers be watchful of
their tongues. He states, “If anyone considers himself religious and yet
doesn’t keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion
is worthless.” Every godly brother shall practice “quick to listen, slow to
speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger doesn’t bring about the
righteous life that God desires.” They shall get rid of all moral filth and
the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in them
which can save them.
Moreover, God also revealed His ten commandants to Moses, which indicated,
“you shall not give false
testimony against your neighbor, you shall not murder. You shall not
commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not covet your neighbor’s
house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or
maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor. You
shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in
the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters
below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord our God
, an a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the
third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a
thousand generations of those whosoever me and keep my commandments.”
(Gen.20:3-17). The Lord delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed
those who did not believe. And the angels who did not keep their positions of
authority but abandoned their own home-these he has kept in darkness, bound
with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day. (Jude 1:5-6)
From Old Testament to New
Testament, God unveils His divide vision, holy decrees, demands, laws, and
precepts to His people. And not everyone
call Lord, Lord will enter the heaven, but those who fulfill the will of God. Christianity’s
lives shall reflect the highest moral and ethic demands, and the
characteristics to imitate of Christ. None of impure, deceitful and shameful
will enter the kingdom of God. Although Christians are justified by faith, and
will be clothed with first white garment, however, to be clothed with second
white garment, it requires their work and lives demonstrate as overcomers as
Apostle Paul who lived for Christ, ran the race, endured all kinds of hardship and
persecutions. Ultimately, be regenerated, transformed, and glorified as the
bride of Christ, worthy walk with the Lord and receive the rewards in the
Millennium kingdom as God’s habitation in the New Jerusalem, the tabernacle will
be the eternal dwelling place of God’s redeemed people. In the new heaven and
new earth there will be full satisfaction and rest, there will be no more cause
for tears. The Lord will wipe every tear from their eyes, there will be no more
death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed
away.
These divine visions of New Jerusalem, and
hope of eternal life compels Christians to live a life worthy to be clothed
with white garment (白衣, ιματιοις λευκοις
himation leukos) and walk with Lord as overcomers. And ensure their names are
written in the Book of life (生命冊, της βιβλου της ζωης tes
biblos tes zoe ). These divine virtues are the highest calling and requisition,
it disciplines Christianity to live a life perfectly as scriptures says, “be
perfect, for heavenly father is perfect.” This moral and ethical requisition
makes Christians’ life unique. And these life transformation processions from
sanctification to glorification stage make Christians to be clothed with white
as mature bride for bridegroom Christ. This divine and holy vision highlights
the phenomenon of Christology. It awakens and humble young generation who are followers
of Christ, will you able to be clothed with white and worthy to walk with Lord?
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