The body of Christ

When I first started to write this I did not realize how big of an article I was starting.The more I wrote the more scriptures God gave me, sometimes over flooding my mind so at times I felt like saying slow down but was scared to say anything least He stop speaking all together.There is so much more I could say on the many membered body of Christ then what I wrote here but as it is already quite long I have given only that which I first started to see and will leave the rest for God to reveal as He sees fit either by revelation or though discussion.

God bless.

The many membered body of Christ

Genesis 1:26-28 26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

I have often spoken of these scriptures as being a prophesy of Christ and us in Christ.And I would like to explore this a little further to show how it is speaking of the many membered body of Christ and the bride of this many membered body and how they are made one and replenish the earth and subdue it.

In every body there is a head, neck, shoulders, arms, torso, legs and feet etc.These help make up the whole of who Christ is.Jesus Christ of Nazareth is the head of the body, in whom the fullness of the Godhead dwells. There is nothing lacking of God in him, he is the express image of the Father.

He is the Christ and in him are many members, for the scriptures state expressly that Jesus is the head of the body, who is the church, and as head of the church He gave himself for the salvation of His body.

Colossians 1:17-18 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Ephesians 5:2323 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

Now as Jesus is the head of the body then there must needs be the rest of the body, neck, shoulders, arms, torso, legs and feet etc.I believe we are the feet of the body of Christ and will go into this in more detail later.

Paul speak of this here1 Corinthians 12:12-27 12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.Christ is a many membered body not just the Head.Jesus said in Hebrews 10:5 that God had prepared for Him a body.Hebrews 10:55 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: Hebrews go on to say in verses 10, 12 and 1310By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.12But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.

Now I know literally speaking we understand this to be the physical body that Jesus had that he gave once for all. But I believe it speaks of much more then His physical body, and that it is speaking of us who are the body of Christ.Jesus as the head of the body is waiting for the rest of the body to be prepared that we may be glorified together with Him. When we are glorified with Him ( us being the feet ) His enemies are made His footstool.

We see in Romans 8:16-25 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18 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. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

Notice that the whole of creation is still groaning in travail and waiting to be delivered from bondage. Why? Why was it not delivered out of bondage upon His resurrection?Because He waits for the manifestation of the rest of His body that the whole body might be glorified together with Him.

1 Corinthians13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 19 And if they were all one member, where were the body? 20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.

Thus it is by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body, this being the mystical body of Christ. The head of the body, Jesus of Nazareth can not say to the feet I have no need of you. For without the feet the body of Christ would not be complete. 21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. 24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: 25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

Now let’s look at one particular member of the many membered body of Christ.The feet, who I believe we represent.

We read in Genesis 3:1515 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Now we all know that the seed in reference is to Christ.But this is a promise not given just to the head of the body Jesus, but is in reference to the whole mystical body of Christ. For we read inRomans 16:19-20 19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. 20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

We are the feet of Christ that shall shortly bruise Satan under our feet.Hebrews 2:5-11 5 For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. 6 But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? 7 Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: 8 Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.

Why is it that we do not see all things yet put under the feet of Christ?

It is because the feet of the body of Christ have not yet been manifested to the world.The whole world is still groaning in travail waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God who make up the rest of the body of Christ.9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. 10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

What is it we see right now? We see Jesus.Thank God we see Jesus the head of the body, for it is the head of the body that tasted death for every man, bring many sons ( the rest of the body ) unto glory. For it is the head that sanctifieth the rest of the body , and the body is one.

One of the greatest revelation of Jesus Christ being a many membered body can be seen when Saul was going to Damascus to persecute the body of Christ.We read Acts 9:3-63 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

Can we not see by this revelation that Jesus is the head of the body of Christ.Jesus Himself was already at the right hand of God, yet Jesus says to Saul: Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? Jesus said this because when one member of the body suffers the whole body suffers. Jesus was telling Paul that by persecuting His body he was persecuting Him.

What a revelation Saul received when he first came to know our Lord. Surely Paul knew what he was saying when he said he was a son born out of due season.Paul knew he was a member of the body of Christ.

Acts 19:14-15 14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. 15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?

Why would this evil spirit recognize Jesus and Paul and not recognize the chief priest?Because Jesus is the head of the body and Paul was a member of the body of Christ.

Jesus states inJohn 14:12 12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

What are these greater works that the body of Christ are to do?Surely the greatest work is the salvation of man.Yet Jesus says that the body of Christ will do greater works then He did.How can this be possible?I know too many this is going to sound strange but it is because Jesus as the head did not come to save all mankind but left that greater work for the many membered body of Christ. The head together with the body make up the fullness of Christ.

Please stay with me as scripture will bear out what I said above.

Jesus himself states inMatthew 15:24 24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Yet Gods people today say Jesus ( I am speaking of the head, the man Jesus of Nazareth ) came to save all mankind.They are both right and wrong in stating this.Jesus as the head of the body came to save the many membered body, so that the whole body together might save all mankind.

For Jesus as the head was only sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.Yet we see upon His resurrection He sent the members of His body to not only the lost sheep of Israel but also unto the Gentile that He might save all mankind, each in their own order.

Now I know some here may misunderstand me here thinking that I am saying Jesus Christ did not come to save all mankind, but that is not what I am saying at all.Jesus as the head is the saviour of all mankind, for the body cannot do anything unless directed by the head.

Now this principal can be seen in that God is our saviour , yet sent forth His son Jesus Christ to enact His salvation for all men. Jesus as the head of the body of Christ does the same thing, He sends forth His many membered body into the world to bring not all men to salvation but to bring His bride all Israel unto salvation.

The promise to Abraham was two fold.It was not just in thy seed shall all the families of the earth blessed, but it says IN THEE and in THY SEED shall all the families of the earth be blessed.We all know that the seed spoken of is Christ.I believe this is spoken of the whole body of Christ , head to foot so to speak.But who is the IN THEE that is spoken of as part of this promise?IN THEE is speaking of the bride of Christ, natural Israel.Natural Israel is always spoken of as a woman, and that woman is the bride of Christ.

The many membered body of Christ will sit on twelve thrones in the regeneration judging the twelve tribes of Israel ( the bride )Through this judgment , which is righteous judgment for the body only judges that which the head tells it to judge, the bride is made ready for her marriage to Christ.

Once this marriage takes place male and female become one body ( male and female created he them ) and by this union is ushered in the restitution of all things.Where God will be all in all.

The order of the call.

Jesus the head calls His body.

The whole body together calls the bride.

The male and female become one body and together usher in the restitution of all things.

Do we not see here the fulfillment of the prophesy given inGenesis 1:26-2826 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

It is only when Christ and the bride are made one that the earth will be REPLENISHED and SUBDUED.


The third day

Matthew 16:2121 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

We all know that this is speaking of our Head Jesus Christ, but I also believe that it is speaking of His body as well.Just as Jesus rose on the third day the many membered body of Christ will also rise up on the third day.

One day is with the Lord a thousand years and a thousand years as one day.We are fast approaching the third day ( 3000 years) from the time of our heads crucifixion.It is when this day dawns so to will the appearing of the manifestations of the many membered body of Christ.

Jesus states inLuke 13:32 32 And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected. Our head was perfected on the third day and so will the many membered body of Christ be perfected on the third day.

For the last 2000 years the body of Christ has been doing the same thing that Jesus did, healing the sick , casting out devils and raising the dead, but on the third day , the day of their manifestation to the world they are perfected.

Acts 10:40-41 40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; 41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.

When Jesus was raised on the third day He was shown openly , but not to all the people, He revealed himself only to the many membered body of Christ, chosen witnesses before by God before the foundation of the world.In like manner when the many membered body is raised up on the third day they will be shown openly , but not to all the people , but unto the bride, for they must be made one before the restitution of all things commences.

Acts 1:1-2The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, 2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:

We see here how Jesus only began His ministry and that he left the rest of the ministry of which he started to the many membered body of Christ whom he had chosen.

Hawtin has this to say concerning the above scripture.

Quote
“The wonders he wrought during his ministry on earth were only the things which he began to do and to teach, as we are told by Luke when he wrote “The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, Until the day in which he was taken up”. Jesus Christ did not complete his ministry, he only began it, but the fullness of the gospel of the kingdom will spread over the whole earth through the ministry of the sons in his likeness when the law shall go forth from Zion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. Micah 4:2 there is coming a day when the knowledge of the Lord shall fill the whole earth as the waters now fill the seas. In that day no man will say know the Lord for all shall know him from the least to the greatest.”End quote.

Brothers and sisters it is the many membered body of Christ that will fulfill the ministry that Jesus began.

God bless