1450. The Church, an Immortalized Organism
The Church, an Immortalized Organism
"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Rom_8:18).
We are using the word "immortal" in its common and not Scriptural sense.
The words "mortal" and "immortal" have to do, Scripturally, with the body only–we use it now particularly to signify "never-dying fame and honor in Christ Jesus."
The work of the Church, so far as its world-evangelism is concerned, may soon be finished, but the Church is destined to live with Christ forever and forever.
The rewards of the Church, await the Second Coming of Christ. During the course of its earth ministry, the Church, true to its name, is a "called out" people; it will remain a suffering minority unto the end.
As the Church walks with Christ down here, it must bear His reproaches, but when it walks with Him "over there," it will bear His glory.
The letters to the seven Churches of Asia bear precious promises to the overcomers. These promises have to do with the rewards which Christ brings with Him when He comes.
To the disciples, Christ said,
"Ye who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel" (Mat_19:28).
To the saints of this age, Christ says, "If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him" (2Ti_2:12). To the Romans, Paul put it this way:
"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Rom_8:18).
Surely our God is not unfaithful, to forget our work of faith, our labor of love, and our patience of hope.
The Church must abide the day of its rewards, until the Lord comes. The minister, who faithfully leads the flock must await the appearing of Christ to receive his "crown of glory" (1Pe_5:4).
Bless God, for the happy anticipation!
We are looking for that Blessed Hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.
The Church, then will be forever with her Lord, glorified and "immortalized"–"immortalized" in the sense the world uses the word–forever honored and crowned by her Lord, "immortalized" in the sense of Scripture, for with bodies changed like unto His glorious body, we shall be where death can never touch us. Sorrow and sighing, tears and tremblings will be forever gone. Unto the ages of the ages we shall live and dwell with Him.
Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR