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From:
Doctrinal Definitions: A Handbook of Doctrinal Terms & Expressions in the New Testament
By:
Stanley Bruce Anstey
• 8 min. read • grade level: 10
The word translated
"assembly"
(
“church”
in the KJV) is
“eccelsia”
in the Greek. It means
“called out ones,”
and refers to
those who have been called together for a purpose. It is mentioned once in connection with the children of Israel, who were a company of people called out of Egypt into a relationship with Jehovah. While they were in the wilderness on their way to the land of Canaan, Stephen called them
“the assembly in the wilderness”
(
Acts 7:38
38
This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us: (Acts 7:38)
). The word
“assembly”
is also used once in connection with a company of heathen Gentiles (unbelievers) who were called together to make a decision regarding their trade (
Acts 19:32, 41
32
Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together. (Acts 19:32)
41
And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly. (Acts 19:41)
).
Every other reference to the
“assembly”
in Scripture refers to a special company of persons who have believed the gospel and thus have received the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour—i.e. Christians. They have been
“called out”
from the mass of mankind into a special place of favour and blessing before God in relation to Christ, who is
“the Head of the assembly”
(
Eph. 5:23
23
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. (Ephesians 5:23)
). The term is used in
two
ways in connection with Christians:
• Firstly, to describe believers on the Lord Jesus
universally.
This
involves all who will believe on Him and are sealed with the Holy Spirit, from the day of Pentecost to the Rapture (
Matt. 16:18
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. (Matthew 16:18)
;
Eph. 1:22; 5:25, 29, 32
22
And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, (Ephesians 1:22)
25
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; (Ephesians 5:25)
29
For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: (Ephesians 5:29)
32
This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. (Ephesians 5:32)
, etc.).
• Secondly, to describe believers on the Lord Jesus in their
local
setting (in a town or a city), functioning together as a company assembled for worship and ministry (
Matt. 18:18
18
Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (Matthew 18:18)
;
Acts 11:22; 13:1
22
Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. (Acts 11:22)
1
Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. (Acts 13:1)
;
Rom. 16:1, 5
1
I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: (Romans 16:1)
5
Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ. (Romans 16:5)
;
1 Cor. 1:2
2
Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: (1 Corinthians 1:2)
;
Col. 4:15-16
15
Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and the church which is in his house.
16
And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. (Colossians 4:15‑16)
;
1 Thess. 1:1
1
Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 1:1)
, etc.).
It is noteworthy that Scripture refers to the
local
aspect of the assembly far more often (about 90 times) than the
universal
aspect (about 20 times). Distinguishing these two aspects simply requires viewing the context of the passage wherein the term in found.
A common misunderstanding in connection with the local aspect of the assembly is to see it as being merely the sum total of
all
believers in a particular city or town. But this is not right; it would be making the local assembly to be merely a pared down version of the universal aspect. This faulty definition has led to the idea that there is nothing on earth today in any city or town that can be regarded as the local assembly, because the Church in testimony is in irreparably divided state. However, Scripture indicates that there can still be a local assembly in a city or town, even though all believers in that city or town are not present. The first reference to a local assembly in the Word of God clearly shows that it is those who have been Scripturally gathered to the Lord’s name by the Holy Spirit in a given city (
Matt. 18:15-20
15
Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
16
But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
17
And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
18
Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
19
Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
20
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:15‑20)
). The Lord said that, in attempting to clear up problems that might threaten the unity of the saints, there may come a point when they would need to
"tell it to the assembly,"
and thus apprise them of the difficulty. After speaking of the authority vested in the assembly to act administratively in the matter, if need be (
Matt. 18:18-19
18
Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
19
Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 18:18‑19)
), He went on to define what a local assembly is, saying,
"For where two or three are gathered together unto My name, there am I in the midst"
(
Matt. 18:20
20
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20)
). Clearly then, the local assembly is the saints gathered to His name. Even if it were but two or three so gathered, it would still be
"the assembly"
in a particular town or city.
When we look at the other references in Scripture that refer to the local assembly, we see that it is something that comes together and functions practically, regardless of whether all Christians in a given locality are there or not. It comes together to break bread (
1 Cor. 11:18-26
18
For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.
19
For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.
20
When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper.
21
For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.
22
What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.
23
For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
24
And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
25
After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
26
For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come. (1 Corinthians 11:18‑26)
) and to be ministered to from the Word of God (
1 Cor. 14:3-5
3
But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
4
He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
5
I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. (1 Corinthians 14:3‑5)
). Scripture also indicates that the assembly is something that a Christian may not always be in (
1 Cor. 14:18-19
18
I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
19
Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. (1 Corinthians 14:18‑19)
), and something that a person can actually be cast out of! (
3 John 10
10
Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. (3 John 10)
) In fact, unbelievers could even be found in this aspect of the assembly! (
1 Cor. 14:23-24
23
If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
24
But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: (1 Corinthians 14:23‑24)
) These things show that the local aspect of the assembly is different from the universal aspect. Hence, while the local assembly, in principle, embraces all true believers in a city or town, it may not involve all believers in that locality practically.
J. N. Darby said, "It is clear that the Christians of a certain place, being gathered together, were truly the assembly of that place, but it was not only the assembly that owned God, but that which God owned, and which enjoyed exclusively the privileges He could vouchsafe unto it, as being His assembly" (
Collected Writings,
vol. 1, p. 260)
.
W. Kelly said, "Where there are but three meeting upon God's principles (that is, church ground), it is, if I may so say, church, if not
the church.
If there were three thousand real saints meeting, but not on God's principles, they would not be the church" (
Lectures on Matthew,
p. 327). Hence, while most Christians in a given city or town are not gathered to the Lord's name, those that are on the true ground of the assembly in that town or city are owned of God as such by the presence of Christ in their midst according to
Matthew 18:20
20
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20)
.
Having established this point, we hasten to say that it is certainly out of keeping with the whole character of Christianity for those gathered to the Lord's name to formally
call
themselves "the assembly" of such and such a place. How unfitting it would be in a day of ruin for those so gathered to proclaim that they are
the
assembly in a particular city or town, even though they may believe that they are truly on that ground morally. J. N. Darby said, "It is clear that if two or three are gathered together, it is an assembly, and if Scripturally assembled, an assembly of God; and if not, what else? If the only one in the place, it is
the
assembly of God in the place, yet I do object practically to taking the title, because the assembly of God in any place properly embraces all the saints in the one place; and there is a practical danger for souls in assuming the name, as losing sight of the ruin, and setting up to be something. ...but if there will be one such, and another is set up by man's will independent of it, the first only is morally in God's sight
the
assembly of God, and the other is not at all so, because it is set up in independency of the unity of the body" (
Letters of J. N. Darby
, vol. 1, p. 424).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As to the time frame of the calling and forming of the assembly in its
universal
aspect, Scripture indicates that it began with the descent of the Holy Spirit from heaven on the day of Pentecost (
Acts 2:1-4
1
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2
And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3
And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:1‑4)
). It was a new
"beginning"
in the ways of God (
Acts 11:15
15
And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. (Acts 11:15)
). It was not a revival in God’s dealings with Israel, as was the case in Hezekiah's and Josiah's day, but an entirely new thing in the ways of God. This new thing—the Church or Assembly—was formed by the baptism of the Holy Spirit (
Matt. 3:11
11
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: (Matthew 3:11)
;
Mark 1:8
8
I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. (Mark 1:8)
;
Luke 3:16
16
John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: (Luke 3:16)
;
John 1:33
33
And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. (John 1:33)
;
Acts 1:5; 11:16
5
For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. (Acts 1:5)
16
Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. (Acts 11:16)
;
1 Cor. 12:13
13
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. (1 Corinthians 12:13)
). (See
Baptism of the Holy Spirit
.) Scripture clearly indicates that the Church was not in existence before that inaugural moment when the Spirit of God came to dwell in the believers gathered in the upper room. It, therefore, could not have existed in Old Testament times, nor could it have existed in the days of the Lord's earthly ministry. The following
four
points are proofs of this:
• CHRIST'S MINISTRY
—In the days of the Lord's earthly ministry, He taught His disciples that He would build the Church at some future time. He said,
"Upon this rock I will build My Church"
(
Matt. 16:18
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. (Matthew 16:18)
). Clearly, it was not in existence at that time.
• CHRIST'S DEATH
—
Ephesians 2:14-16
14
For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
15
Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
16
And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: (Ephesians 2:14‑16)
states that one of the things that characterizes the Church is that
"the middle wall of partition"
between believing Jews and Gentiles has been done away with, and the
"enmity"
that existed between them has been slain. This, Paul says, has been done in Christ's death on
"the cross."
This means that the Church could not have been in existence before Christ died.
• CHRIST'S RESURRECTION AND ASCENSION
—
Ephesians 1:20-23
20
Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
21
Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
22
And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
23
Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Ephesians 1:20‑23)
and
Colossians 1:18
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. (Colossians 1:18)
indicate that before the Church could be brought into existence, Christ, who was destined to be its Head, first had to rise from the dead and ascend into heaven (
John 7:39
39
(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) (John 7:39)
).
• CHRIST'S SENDING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
—
1 Corinthians 12:13
13
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. (1 Corinthians 12:13)
states that the Church was formed by the coming of the Holy Spirit to dwell in this new company of believers. This did not happen until Pentecost.
The Church can be seen in Scripture in at least
twelve
different figures, depicting its various aspects. They are:
• A BODY
—the oneness that exists among the members (
Rom. 12:4-5
4
For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
5
So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. (Romans 12:4‑5)
;
Eph. 4:1-16
1
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2
With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3
Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4
There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5
One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6
One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
7
But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
8
Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
9
(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
10
He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
11
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16
From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. (Ephesians 4:1‑16)
).
• A HOUSE
—the public testimony of God’s character (
1 Tim. 3:14-16
14
These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:
15
But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
16
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. (1 Timothy 3:14‑16)
;
1 Peter 2:5-9
5
Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
6
Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
7
Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
8
And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
9
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: (1 Peter 2:5‑9)
).
• A TEMPLE
—the holy dwelling place of the Lord (
Psa. 93:5
5
Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O Lord, for ever. (Psalm 93:5)
;
1 Cor. 3:16-17
16
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
17
If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. (1 Corinthians 3:16‑17)
;
Eph. 2:21
21
In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: (Ephesians 2:21)
).
• A FLOCK
—The divine gathering Center (Christ) (
John 10:16
16
And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. (John 10:16)
;
Acts 20:28
28
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. (Acts 20:28)
;
1 Peter 5:2
2
Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; (1 Peter 5:2)
).
• A BRIDE
—Christ’s love and affection for it (
Eph. 5:26-31
26
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27
That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
28
So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
29
For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
30
For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
31
For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. (Ephesians 5:26‑31)
;
Rev. 19:7-9; 21:2, 9
7
Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
8
And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
9
And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. (Revelation 19:7‑9)
2
And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. (Revelation 21:2)
9
And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. (Revelation 21:9)
).
• A WIFE
—Heirship over the inheritance (
Rom. 8:17
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. (Romans 8:17)
;
Rev. 19:7-9; 21:9
7
Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.
8
And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
9
And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. (Revelation 19:7‑9)
9
And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. (Revelation 21:9)
).
• A TREASURE
—The preciousness of each individual to Christ (
Matt. 13:44
44
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. (Matthew 13:44)
).
• A PEARL
—It’s value and collective beauty to Christ (
Matt. 13:45-46
45
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
46
Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. (Matthew 13:45‑46)
).
• A HUSBANDRY
—It’s service (
1 Cor. 3:5-9
5
Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
6
I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
7
So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
8
Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor.
9
For we are laborers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. (1 Corinthians 3:5‑9)
).
• AN INN
—It’s love and care for others (
Luke 10:30-37
30
And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
31
And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
32
And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
33
But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
34
And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
35
And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
36
Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves?
37
And he said, He that showed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. (Luke 10:30‑37)
).
• A CANDLESTICK
—Local assembly privileges and testimony (Rev. 1:12, 20: 3:22).
• A CITY
—It’s administration in the world to come (
Rev. 21:9-22:5
9
And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.
10
And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
11
Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;
12
And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:
13
On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.
14
And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
15
And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.
16
And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.
17
And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.
18
And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.
19
And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;
20
The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.
21
And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.
22
And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
23
And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
24
And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it.
25
And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.
26
And they shall bring the glory and honor of the nations into it.
27
And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.
1
And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
2
In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
3
And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:
4
And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.
5
And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. (Revelation 21:9‑22:5)
).
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