Matthew 16:15

He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

"Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God" was Peter's answer to that question (Matt 16:16). The Christ is the Anointed One, the Messiah of Israel. And how did Peter know? The Lord said to Peter in the next verse, "Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My Father which is in heaven." Although the Lord had partaken of flesh and His blood was from above (Heb 2:14), He had not revealed this to Peter. Actually, no teacher can teach the I AM of Jesus Christ; neither can any teach The Mystery. Hidden wisdom is not taught in schools and seminaries but is revealed by The Holy Spirit.

"This is Jesus, the King of the Jews." This was the Roman's estimate (Matt 27:37). Pilate found no fault in Him, so He asked Him if He were the King of the Jews. To which The Lord Jesus answered him, "Thou sayest." Pilate was undoubtedly convinced of this truth, but his political life found it expedient to turn the King of the Jews over to the executioners.

"Rabbi, Thou art the Son of God; Thou art the King of Israel" (John 1:49). This was the verdict of Nathaniel in whom there was no guile, or in other words, he was not a politician. He did not say one thing and act another for selfish reasons.

"Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). This was the witness of John the Baptist. This was a broader view than the others because it was made by one who was looking into the future, even beyond Jewry. John the Baptist preached primarily about The Kingdom, but no doubt saw something of the impact The Kingdom would have on the world. This taking away the sin of the world is explained in 2 Cor 5:19.

"This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased" (Matt 3:17). This is the witness of The Father. It is repeated in Matt 17:5.

"Where is He That is born King of the Jews?" This is the object of the search of the wise men in Matt 2:2 . Wise men still seek Him.

"If Thou be the Son of God" (Matt 4:3). This is Satan's way of addressing Him. Satan and his agents are still putting out the propaganda, either questioning or denying the Sonship of Christ.

"Jesus, Thou Son of God." This was the estimate of the devils (Matt 8:29).

"We have found the Messiah" (John 1:41). This was Andrew's testimony to his brother Simon.

"This is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world." After the woman's testimony and hearing the Lord Himself, this was the conclusion of the men of Sychar (John 4:42).

"I believe that Thou art the Christ, the Son of God." This was the testimony of Martha, even though her brother lay dead in the tomb (John 11:27).

"My Lord and My God" (John 20:28). These are the words of Thomas when he saw the wounded hands and feet and the side where the spear had pierced.

"He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son" (Rev 21:7). These are the words of the Lord Himself.

And what is our answer today to this question asked by The Great God and our Savior Jesus Christ over 1900 years ago?

Ephesians 1:1

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,
to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

There has been some controversy about what these words mean. Some think that there are two classes: the saints and the faithful. And some think that there is only one, the faithful saints. If the latter were true, there would be little need for the warnings and exhortations of the last three chapters of Ephesians.

In the first place, saints are made. Upon believing, they are saved by Grace through faith, nothing of themselves (lest they should boast), but it is a Gift from God.

A saint is one who is sanctified or cleansed. This happens at the time of believing, not some time afterward. God does not put believers on probation for life but gives it to them at the moment of their belief.

But a faithful one is something different. Faithful means full of faith. One is not counted faithful till he has walked in the good works which were before ordained for him. In The Kingdom age, a faithful servant was one who made use of the talents or pounds that were entrusted to his care.

So here in Eph. 1:1, we have those who have accepted The Truth of The Mystery and have believed it. And we have also those who not only believed it but worked according to it. Hence the two classes, saints and faithful.

These two groups are mentioned in 2 Tim. 2:11-12. Those who have died with Him shall live with Him; those who suffer or endure shall reign with Him. Those who have died with Him are the saints; those who endure or suffer are the faithful.

Again, in Phil. 3:18-19 we find some saints falling into error, making their god their belly and minding earthly things. They will suffer loss for it. But in Phil. 3:14, in the same chapter, you find a faithful one seeking the prize of the high calling.

The last three chapters of Ephesians are taken up with instructions on how to be faithful. The very first exhortation covers all the rest: Walk worthy. This includes such things as keeping The Unity, putting off the old man with his deeds, putting on the new man, and putting away lying (the lie). Also, the three-fold walk, in love, in light, and circumspectly. Being faithful involves the relationship of husbands and wives, parents and children, and servants and masters. Being faithful also involves being able to stand, to withstand, and, when salvation has been worked out, to stand still, all this while fully armed with the whole armor of God. This is how saints become faithful.

Remember this: a believer can do anything an unbeliever can do. He still has the old nature in him. That is why chapter 2 of Colossians warns us with "BEWARE." Even the apostle Paul was very concerned lest he should be unapproved (1 Cor. 9:27).

We must recognize that, in general, there are three classes of believers in the world today. We cannot realize the force of the words above, saints and faithful unless we know this.

1. Those who have life according to John 3:16. These are children (John 1:12, margin). They have not attained the adoption spoken of in Ephesians. No works are ordained that they should walk in them. No such responsibilities are given to little children. So far as we know, these will be in the new earth, paradise, with Adam and others who have not been members of some family of God, either on earth or in heaven. John's Gospel was written after Israel was set aside at the time of Acts 28:28, after their complete fall. So, these believers can have no part with Israel and her Kingdom, which has been closed to membership for almost 2000 years.

2. A second class is those who imagine that The Kingdom is still open and that they are to carry out the great commission of Israel in relation to the world and the nations (Matt. 28:19-20). They practice the rituals and ordinances of Israel and pretend that they are Jews (Rev. 2:9; Rev. 3:9). And the sad part is that they imagine that their Kingdom is to be in heaven, whereas Israel was never told that they would go to heaven, but that their Kingdom would be here on earth. Now, these folks are mostly believers, as they have the gift of life. But their works are built of the wrong materials. They will not stand the fires of testing, for they know not, and do not, the will of God for this age. And since The Kingdom is not open to them, they must have their part with the first group, paradise, or the new earth.

3. This third class comprises those who have heard The Gospel of The Dispensation of The Mystery and have believed it. We have shown how these are divided into two groups: the saints and the faithful. Having a sonship, they have a responsibility and are created unto good works which were before ordained that they should walk in them. Those who believe but walk according to their own will are saints. Those who believe and walk worthy of the calling are faithful. It is not that some may reject the truth, but they have neglected it. That is the prevailing condition in Christendom today. People who believe are all too satisfied to stay in the wilderness.

Manna did sustain life, which was what it was for, but it was not to be compared with the milk and honey in the promised land. In fact, some of Israel would have preferred the fare in Egypt to that manna, so they grumbled about it.

As a nation, Israel had a great commission. The Church of The One Body has a great commission. Those who learn the mysteries of their calling and do the good works associated with that calling are not only saints but faithful saints.

Hebrews 2:6

. . . What is man, that thou art mindful of him?
or the son of man, that thou visitest him?

From His Word, we conclude that at the heart of the Divine Purpose of God for man is that the One Creator of all might be manifest to all - that God might be All and in all.

"He made known His ways unto Moses, His acts unto the children of Israel" (Psalm 103:7). The real reason for this was that all nations might learn to know Him. Yet He was unknown of all; even Paul, nearing the end, said "that I may know Him (Phil. 3:10)."

And those we might think to be close to Him, even in the heavens, have not seen Him, nor yet know Him.

Keep in mind those things John saw in Revelation have not happened yet but will happen on The Lord's Day. The Lion and the Lamb have yet to come into view. He, Who was dead and is alive, has yet to set on His throne. And when He does, those in that place will begin to behold Him - which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty God.

Some students of Right Division who know and believe in The Dispensation of the Mystery understand that the principalities and powers in Heavenly Places spoken of in Eph. 3:10 are now - at this time learning about the manifold wisdom of God. These Heavenly beings are witnessing the work God is performing regarding The Church, which is His Body, as its members, through the wisdom and acknowledgment of The Head of The Body, grow up into Him.

The great portion of revealed Truth for which "Man" was first designed goes to the core of The Divine Purpose of this Age. The invisible Almighty Creator took unto Himself the outward form of "The Son." This was His first act of creation so His many created sons could know him. His son Adam was made in the likeness of that Image so that all creation, Heavenly and Earthly, might know the Invisible Creator.

There is another who aspired to this unparalleled position (read Isa. 14:12-17 and Eze. 28:11-19). Although he "sealed up the sum, was full of wisdom, and was perfect in beauty," he could not even begin to qualify for this job. So he entered the garden again to bring disqualification to "Man," for a moment, it seemed he had succeeded, but he had no success with the Second "Man" - Christ Jesus.

As we have borne the image of the first man, Adam, so too, those in Christ shall also bear The Image of the Second Man, The Lord from Heaven.

In the hour of His Manifestation as "The Head," the members of that great Body shall also appear with Him. Now "Seated together in the Heavenlies," shall they make known unto all the intelligent beings throughout the ages the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us and the Infinitely Diversified character of this most Glorious Person.

Bowing in awe before HIM, Who made us as we are, that we might be what He has decreed us to become, and fearing lest we be misunderstood by those we wish to help enlighten, we are attempting to offer our answer to the question, "What is Man? And to what purpose is he made?"

Man is to be filled with all the fulness of God. That God may be All in all.

Secondly, but perhaps even more importantly, we see man is to "manifest his Maker." How far-reaching this might be must again be determined by Him whose desire it is to be known, "For I desired mercy and not sacrifice, and (I desire that you have) the knowledge of God (or that you come to really Know God) more than burnt offerings" (Hosea 6:6).

Again and again in His Word, that One Sovereign Deity of all expresses His great desire to be known. Read Jer. 9:23-24 and note the margin of the Companion Bible (also note Jer. 22:16; Hosea 2:20; and Prov. 9:9-10).

Yes, we need "the knowledge of the Holy," and the most Holy One desires to be known. Yet, being absolute Deity, He is unknowable, as God He is and must remain beyond time, space, and matter. As the Creating One He is beyond any and all created beings' personal comprehension for He is invisible and incomprehensible.

And yet He revealed in His Own Word the Divine Purpose He had in view from the beginning "In the Image of God created He him" (Gen. 1:27). Also, we read "And the Lord said, the man is become as one of Us, to know good (right) and evil (wrong)..." (Gen. 3:22).

This invisible, incomprehensible God took unto Himself a form, a seeable Image which is the "Son." It was this Image which Adam was made in the likeness of. Yes, the unknowable God became knowable in the form of the Son. Of all creatures, great and small man alone is said to reflect the image that the invisible God embraced. To that end He is seeable and knowable.

"I have said, ye are gods; and all of you are children of the Most High" (Psalms 82:6).

John 10:34-35 "Jesus answered them "Is it not written, ye are gods?" If He called them gods, unto whom The Word of God came, The Scripture cannot be broken."

We must then conclude that man was made after the likeness of the Image of God, even The Lord Jesus Christ, to the end that He might manifest and declare to other forms of intelligent beings their Creator and Most High God. Read again, Eph. 3:10.

Ephesians 1:4

According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world. . .

Unfortunately, the word foundation has been used to translate katabolee, which is a combination of a prefix meaning down and bolee, which is cast as used in Luke 22:41. This bolee comes from the word ballo which is usually translated cast, but also thrust and throw. Kataballo is twice translated cast down.

This overthrow is first mentioned in Genesis 1:2. The result was waste and emptiness; hence, the words "without form and void" translated from tohu va bohu. That the overthrow is the result of judgment is clearly seen in the other references to tohu va bohu in Jeremiah 4:23 and in Isaiah 34:11. See Companion Bible notes.

Although Genesis 1:2 speaks only of the earth being overthrown, 2 Peter 3:6-13 says that the heavens and the earth were overthrown. As we read through the reconstruction process in Genesis 1:3-31, we see that it includes the heavens. And Genesis 2:1 speaks of the heavens and earth that are now after they were reconstructed in the six days.

Before the overthrow, Satan defied God and lost. The earth trembled and rocked to and fro, and darkness was upon the face of the deep. There was a long era of this darkness on the earth. The stars were also sealed up so that there was not a glimmer of light during that long period of waste and emptiness, read Job 9:6-7. Now, if light could not shine on planet Earth, what would happen? Yes, it would get dark, but it would also get very, very cold. If there was a long period of the planet being frozen, what might scientists today call this period? The Ice Age, well, that makes sense. How this was done, we are not told; by intense cloud or particulate covering or by some other force, we do not know, but scientists today believe at one point, the earth had rings like Saturn. Could these have formed from ice and dust that, for eons, covered the outer atmosphere?

In the days of reconstruction, God spread out the heavens, the firmament of Genesis 1:6. He trod on the heights of the sea, the water above even the mountains, for all the earth was then covered with water. And when the lights in the heavens shone again, there were the Bear, Orion, and the Pleiades. The mention of the stars here shows that the stars were unsealed Job 9:8-10. It is interesting to note that this Book of Job was written before Moses began to write about the creation and reconstruction in Genesis.

The Psalmist (Psalm 104:5-9) tells us some of the same story on The Truth about the reconstruction. Psalm 104:5 tells of the creation of the earth that then was, Psalm 104:6 tells of the overflow of water, even above the mountains, and Psalm 104:7 tells us that these waters fled at The Word of God. They hastened away. The mountains rose, and the valleys sank to the place ordained for them to rest. Bounds have been set so that they cannot again cover the earth. This is speaking of the seas, not of rain that came down and covered the earth in the time of Noah.

"For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh" (Philippians 3:3). This is in connection with The Salvation that was sent to us Gentiles (Acts 28:28). This reminds us of the question of the woman of Samaria in John 4:20, as to where was the right place to worship. The Lord replied, "Woman, believe Me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him" {John 4:21-24}. Let us not be too hasty to put John's account, and Paul's together as meaning the same thing. The woman was being told of something that would happen because both temples in Samaria and Jerusalem would soon be destroyed, and Israel would have no place to worship except in spirit and in truth. But Paul is talking to us Gentiles who never did have a place of worship designated.

Now, this should take us back a little to see what has been happening and what God desires. God desired man's fellowship and walked and talked with him in the garden. This did not last long. Then we find God dwelling in the midst of His people in a Tabernacle in the wilderness, followed later by a Temple of similar design in Jerusalem. This was finally destroyed in A.D. 70.

As we look forward in prophecy, we find that someday the Tabernacle of God will be with men (Revelation 21:3). But this is a promise made to Israel. This is not the pinnacle of what is to be accomplished. In Ephesians 2:22, we discover that right now, in these days, a Temple is being built in which God dwells by The Spirit. And this Temple is The Body of believers of which Christ is The Head. It is a habitation of God.

So we do not seek a place to worship or for a priesthood, nor a ritual. We have no place where our enemies can destroy and stop our worship. Since all rituals and ordinances are in and of the flesh, we have no need of them, for we have no confidence in such. They are a snare so no one can prescribe a way of worship for us today. Members of The Body are equal, so no priest or Levite can do our worship for us. Because there is no temple, very few Jews today worship, for true worship must be in spirit and in truth. And also, because the flesh cannot enter in, there are few in Christendom today who also worship in spirit and in truth. They seek a fleshly way and material means. But God is still seeking true worshippers in whom He can dwell.