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Grounded-In-Biblical-Truth | |
Sovereign Grace Doctrine
Concerning 'THE GOSPEL' - JESUS CHRIST
Christ's Presence In Bethel (1)
GENESIS 28:19
Good News From The Redeemer
DANIEL E. PARKS, PASTOR
SEPTEMBER 11, 1999 - RADIO MESSAGE #284
Jacob the patriarch was blessed to dream of a ladder, or staircase, stretching from earth to heaven (Genesis 28:10-15). This ladder was a type of Christ (John 1:51; see preceding message). To memorialize this event, “he called the name of that place Bethel” (v.19), which Hebrew name is translated “house of God” (v.17). Bethel is a type of the church of Christ, the congregation of saints.
The presence of Christ in Bethel had various effects.
The presence of Christ made Bethel “the house of God” (v.17b). Jacob recognized this place as a special residence of God on earth, saying “Surely the LORD is in this place” -- in the person of Christ typified by the ladder, and of the Father at its top; “This is none other than the house of God” (vv.16f).
God is everywhere present in a general sense: that of His omnipresence, in which He as Creator oversees and maintains the worlds. But God was present in Bethel in a special sense: that of His abiding presence, in which He as Savior is a constant companion with those with whom He has entered into a covenant relationship. Jacob therefore acknowledged Bethel as “the house of God,” the earthly residence of God, the place where Christ dwelt.
Jacob memorialized the house of God by erecting a “pillar” there (v.22).
Likewise, the presence of Christ in His church makes her “the house of God” (1 Timothy 3:15). As God in the person of Christ dwelt first in Bethel, then in the tabernacle erected by Moses (Exodus 25:8; 29:44-46), then in the temple erected by Solomon (1 Kings 6:11-14; 2 Chronicles 7:1f), so does He now dwell in the church which He is erecting (Matthew 16:18; John 14:18-20; Acts 2:1-4). It is therefore the “habitation of God” (Ephesians 2:21). He therefore declares “I will dwell in them” (2 Corinthians 6:19).
And as Jacob identified the “house of God” with a memorial “pillar,” so is the church of Christ identified. In the same text in which we read that the church of Christ is “the house of God,” we read also that it is “the pillar ... of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15). Christ Himself is the Truth of the church (John 14:6). His church serves as His “pillar” by upholding Him as a memorial for all to see.
The presence of Christ made Bethel “the gate of heaven” (v.17c). Bethel was thusly named because it was the earthly entrance into the heavenly abode. Only through Christ, who was typified by the ladder Jacob saw, would one gain access from earth to the heavenly abode. That place on earth where the ladder was situated was therefore rightly called “the gate of heaven.”
Likewise, the presence of Christ in His church makes her “the gate of heaven.” Christ still is, and ever shall be, the only means of access from earth to the heavenly abode. He declares, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). He alone is therefore the “one Mediator between God men” (1 Timothy 2:5).
And Christ identifies Himself with no earthly organization other than His church (as in Matthew 16:18; Hebrews 2:12; contrast Revelation 2:9 & 3:9). We therefore should expect to find none in heaven except those who were identified with the church of Christ on earth. None will in heaven “dwell in the house of the LORD forever” (Psalm 23:6) except those who here on earth confess “One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life” (Psalm 27:4). None will in heaven be a part of the “church triumphant” except those who here on earth were a part of the “church militant.” None will be in the church married to Christ in heaven (Revelation 19:7-9 & 21:1f) except those who were in the church espoused to Him here on earth (Ephesians 5:22-32; 2 Corinthians 11:2). He who desires to enter God’s house in heaven will identify Himself with God’s house here on earth: the church of Christ, where the gospel of God’s free and sovereign grace in Christ is preached, and where works-religion is abominated. The church is in this way the earthly entrance into the heavenly abode. Will you enter therein?
(To be continued.)
Your servant for Jesus' sake.
Address all questions to pastor
Daniel E. Parks (2 Corinthians 4:5) e-mail RedeemerBC@aol.com
Pastor, Redeemer Baptist Church
2801 Cleveland Boulevard, Louisville, KY 40206 / 502.899-9205
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