- Feb 2, 2015
- 1,796
- 131
Yes, Sir!I believe you have done a good job laying this out.
Can you expand on "Church" aka ecclesia. I think it might put the proper context to your question.
Matthew 16:13-20 (KJV)
13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
church: [from Strong's #1577]
Greek Word: ἐκκλησία
Transliteration: ekklēsia
Phonetic Pronunciation: ek-klay-see'-ah
Root: from a compound of [#1537] and a derivative of [#2564
Part of Speech: noun feminine
English Words used in KJV:
church 115 times
assembly 3 times
[Total Count: 118]
from a compound of [#1537] (ek) and a derivative of [#2564] (kaleo); a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both.)
[emphasis mine: the underlined words in italic are the definitions.]
The Carpenter Himself says "I will build my church." All those that are named in the book of life of the lamb slain shall be born at the appointed TIME, and born again at the appointed TIME, and no one who isn't 'kaleo' or called are not bidden. Christ calls, and Christ builds. It's as simple as that. So, why does the 'church' today send out missionaries to bidden those in the world to become Christian? Christ says HE CALLS. Ah yes, the old Romans 10:9-10 trick! It doesn't work that way. Paul is writing to a people already saved (Rom. 1:7). But the interesting thing I found in the following verse is this:
Matthew 16:18 (KJV)
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail
against it.
I thought about this frequently and then I think I saw the answer. Some take this as the "gates of hell" attacking Christ and the Church.
Early on I did too. Then I began to see "gates" as an implement that is placed in a wall to allow entrance into what's on the other side of the wall, and exit back to where you were. We have gates in our fences and wall that enclose our homes and places of business. But this gate was in a wall that surrounded "hell." I take "hell" as the grave. Thus, the named dead (book of life of the lamb slain...) would be in "hell" for when Jesus said this the Covenant "Jews" were still under the Law. Some may disagree but the Covenant Hebrew of the children of Israel who died and was buried their soul didn't go upward as some think Solomon who said that believe. Maybe it went sideways? At the moment of death the soul goes upward. How high? Does it go past the atmosphere into outer space? Maybe it goes upward past the height of the mountains on its way to where it will be "kept?"
Galatians 3:23 (KJV)
23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
The "faith" that was afterwards revealed was the Holy Spirit. He is Faith. But look at the word "kept" fromStrong's...
from a compound of [#4253] (pro) and [#3708] (horao); to be a watcher in advance, i.e. to mount guard as a sentinel (post spies at gates);
The only thing I can think of that is mounted guard, is be a watcher in advance is where there is a bunch of Cherubims...
Genesis 3:24 (KJV)
24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
The Garden of Eden. But that is the Tree of Life. And it is guarded, but the soul must go somewhere. Maybe Moses and Elijah are ready for the Lord to call them to a Transfiguration?
Where else can a disembodied soul go? Can't go to be with God because atonement hasn't been made yet and man is still filthy as sin.
So, the gates of hell, locked, and Christ comes to take back His Elect people from within its walls, from beyond its gates - which will not prevail in keeping the Lord OUT!
Christ builds His church, His called out people and they all come!
I hope this helps.
