The spotless church for which Christ died.
“I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine: he feedeth among the lilies.” S. of Sol. 6:3.
The Foundation Of The Church.
“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor. 3:11. “And [pg 143] are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone.” Eph. 2:20.
A quotation here from the Old Testament will only add strength and beauty to this subject: “Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation.” Isa. 28:16.
God here gives promise of establishing Zion—the church—upon a sure foundation; namely, Christ in the great salvation day.
The Kingdom Of God.
Frequent reference is made throughout the New Testament to the “kingdom of God” and the “kingdom of heaven.” When the “God which is in heaven” was “revealing the deep and secret things” unto Daniel concerning Nebuchadnezzar's dream, he also revealed unto him that in the days of those kings he would set up a kingdom which should never be destroyed, consequently would stand forever. Dan. 2:44.
When John, the swift herald of the gospel day, came preaching, he said: “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Mat. 3:2. The first words in the ministry of the Son of God were, “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Mat. 4:17. The kingdom which Daniel saw was to be set up. Great was the speculation throughout Jewry concerning the kingdom of God in John's days. They [pg 144] were expecting a kingdom to excel in temporal pomp and glory the grandeur of the kingdom of the Cæsars. The Savior in conversation with some Pharisees on one occasion astonished them by saying, “The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” Luke 17:20, 21.
Jesus one night explained to a ruler of the Jews how to enter this kingdom. He said, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he can not enter into the kingdom of God.” John 3:5. Again he says, “Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Mat. 18:3. The inspired apostle in Rom. 14:17 explains the nature of this kingdom: “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” In the process of the mysterious birth of the Spirit the soul experiences a translation from a “power of darkness” into the kingdom of God's dear Son. Col. 1:13.