Building: May 2022
Table of Contents
Building
God tells us of a building that is built with living stones. “To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, ye also, as lively [living] stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. ... 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. ... 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 marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:4-9).
There never has been a building constructed in this world, other than that mentioned here, which was built with “living stones.” This building is built of living stones to show what is going on within. It is to “show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” Normally when you build a building, it is for the sake of privacy, but here is one that is to show forth the praises of Him who has called you. It is only by using living stones that this can be done.
J. L. Erisman
The Silent Building of Solomon's Temple
When Bishop Heber read his beautiful poem, “Palestine,” in manuscript to Sir Walter Scott, his friend remarked that in speaking of the temple of Solomon he had forgotten to refer to the silence which prevailed during its erection. The poet immediately retired for a few minutes and introduced the following beautiful lines:
“No workman’s steel, no ponderous axes rung;
Like some tall palm, the noiseless fabric sprung.”
This very remarkable circumstance has been frequently noticed. It is regarded as an indication of the deep sense which Solomon had of the sacredness of the work, and it has given rise to many pious and useful meditations. Another comments in this way: “It was to be the temple of the God of peace, therefore no iron tool must be heard in it: Quietness and silence both become and befriend religious exercises. God’s work should be done with as much care and as little noise as possible; the temple was thrown down with axes and hammers; they that did it roared ‘in the midst of Thy congregations’ (Psa. 74:4,6), but it was built up in silence. Clamor and violence often hinder, but never further the work of God.” These thoughts are well worthy of consideration, especially of those who can never assert their own opinions without violently assailing those of others. Nor do they do anything for God without inviting the multitude to come and see their zeal for the Lord of Hosts.
The Quarries at Jerusalem
The fact itself, however, has lately received a remarkable confirmation of its truth. Mr. Douglas, a Scottish gentlemen, writing to the Athenaeum on May 3 last, states that during a recent visit to Jerusalem he learned from a very intelligent Hebrew that there were extensive quarries beneath the city and that there was abundant evidence that from those quarries had been obtained the stones employed in the building and rebuilding of the temple. He had visited them some time before, with two Englishmen, and discovered that the quarries had contained materials sufficient for building the walls and the city of Jerusalem. We extract the following statement:
“When fairly inside, we found ourselves in an immense vault and standing upon the top of a pile which was very evidently formed by the accumulation of the minute particles from the final dressings of the blocks of stone. On descending this pile, we entered through a large arch, into another vault, equally vast, and separated from the first by enormous pillars. This vault, or quarry, led by a gradual descent, into another and another, each separated from the other by massive stony partitions, which had been left to give additional strength to the vaulted roofs. In some of the quarries the blocks of stone which had been quarried out lay partly dressed; some of the blocks were still attached to the rock; in some the workmen had just commenced chiseling, and in some the architect’s line was distinct on the smooth face of the wall of the quarry. The mode in which the blocks were got out was similar to that used by the ancient Egyptians, as seen in the sandstone quarries at Hagar Tilsilis and in the granite quarries at Syene. The architect first drew the outline of the blocks on the face of the quarry; the workmen then chiseled them out in their whole thickness, separating them entirely from each other, and leaving them attached by their barks only to the solid wall. We spent between two and three hours in these quarries. Our examinations were, however, chiefly on the side towards the Valley of Jehoshaphat. Our guide stated that more to the west was a quarry of the peculiar reddish marble so commonly used as pavement in the streets of Jerusalem. From the place where we entered the descent was gradual; between some of the quarries, however, there were broad flights of steps, cut out of the solid rock. I had no means of judging of the distance between the roofs of the vaults and the streets of the city, except that from the descent the thickness must be enormous. The size and extent of these excavations fully bore out the opinion that they had yielded stones enough to build not only the temple, but the whole of Jerusalem.”
The Laborers of Solomon
“The situation of these quarries — the mode by which the stones were got out — and the evidence that the stones were fully prepared and dressed before being removed, may possibly throw light upon the verses of Scripture in which it is said: ‘He [Solomon] set threescore and ten thousand of them to be bearers of burdens, and fourscore thousand to be hewers in the mountains, and three thousand and six hundred overseers to set the people a work’ (2 Chron. 2:18). And again: ‘The house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building’” (1 Kings 6:7).
It could scarcely have been anticipated that at a period so remote from that in which the temple was erected, any evidence should arise, thus to confirm the statement concerning the silence observed in the building. Yet this testimony has come forth, as it were, from the dead to verify the word of truth.
Bible Treasury, Vol. 1 (1868)
Remnant Recovery
The book of Ezra relates the history of the returning Jews to their homeland after 70 years of dominion under the kings of Babylon. It demonstrates the ways of God with a remnant that returns after general failure in what had been entrusted to them. The process began with the commission of Cyrus, king of Persia, for the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the house of their God. In the second verse of Ezra, Cyrus states that the God of heaven had given him the kingdoms of the earth and had charged him to build a house in Jerusalem. He invited the people of the Jews to go to Jerusalem “and build the house of the Lord God of Israel.” The invitation was individual and many responded together with their families. Others helped them with goods but stayed in Babylon. Close to 50,000 went back, but it was only a partial return — a remnant. Cyrus sent with them vessels from the temple that had been kept in Babylon since the captivity. Each person was entrusted with something to carry back to Jerusalem.
They Build an Altar
The first thing they did when they arrived at the ruined city of Jerusalem was to build an altar to the Lord. They celebrated the feast of tabernacles and commenced the daily burnt offerings, with other sacrifices and offerings. They praised the Lord and began building the foundations of the temple. We read of no opposition in chapter 3, but that was not to last long. The enemies in the land weaken the hands of the builders and hire counsellors against them. The sequel in chapters 4-6 is a lesson on how God works with the rulers of the world concerning the remnant of His people for their preservation and testimony to His name.
The Order to Stop
The adversaries of Judah raised up opposition throughout the successive reigns of the kings of Persia. During the short reign of Ahasuerus (Smerdis), a letter was sent to him from the adversaries of the men of Judah, which in turn resulted in the king’s issuing an order for the building to stop. The adversaries promptly went up to Jerusalem and made the men of Judah cease by force and power. So the building ceased until the second year of the reign of Darius (Hystaspes). Though the historical order of events regarding these kings is not clearly evident, it is clear that God allowed sudden changes of kings in the Medo-Persian empire at that time. Among other reasons, it was for the sake of the remnant of Israel at Jerusalem.
Now we may ask why the Lord would allow a difficulty such as this order from the king to stop building? Why this change from the original decree? Had not God moved Cyrus to open the door for the Jews to return and build the temple? Were they to submit to the authority of the Gentile kings? This was a test from God. He was searching their hearts to prove them and to strengthen their faith in Him. It was not sufficient for the Jews to build only according to the directives of Cyrus. The rebuilding of the temple must be on more solid ground. They must act in faith to Jehovah. They were God’s people, representatives of Jehovah. He was reestablishing them as His priests in Jerusalem, but the Gentile kings would continue to rule. God was over them all. The Jews, being a remnant seeking to recover what had been lost, could not just return and carry on from where things were before the captivity. God had chastised them and removed them from their privileged place because of sin and failure. These things must be addressed. God was using their adversaries to cause them to address these issues. He allowed the king to order a stop in the work. They must buy the truth.
The Prophecies of Haggai and Zechariah
At that time Haggai and Zechariah prophesied in the name of the God of Israel to those in Jerusalem and Judah. Haggai told them, first of all, to “consider your ways” (Hag. 1:5). They had continued building their own houses but not the Lord’s. Then Haggai conveyed the message from the Lord, “I am with you” (Hag. 1:13). After going through these exercises of soul, they received a mandate directly from the Lord. It was proper for them to obey and proceed with the building. God communicated to them through the two prophets. He could give orders through the prophets as well as through the kings of the Gentiles. This begs the question: Should they obey the king? Or should they obey the prophet? Zerubbabel and Jeshua together with the prophets began to build again.
“What Are the Names?”
Tatnai the governor of the adjoining region heard of it and came to ask who had commanded them to build. They wanted to know the names of those who were building, no doubt, so they could be reported. The answer given to the question shows the fruit of the exercise they had gone through. They simply leave it as it had been stated: “What are the names of the men that make this building?” In other words, the names of the builders were insignificant. No names are given. The real issue was the order to build. In order to substantiate this, the men of Judah must go back and recognize their past history. So they say, “We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that was builded these many years ago, which a great king of Israel builded and set up. But after that our fathers had provoked the God of heaven unto wrath, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house, and carried the people away into Babylon. But in the first year of Cyrus the king of Babylon the same king Cyrus made a decree to build this house of God” (Ezra 5:11-13). This was a recognition of their relationship to God and of their past failure in that relationship which brought the judgment of God on them. The little remnant did not take high ground concerning their own righteousness; rather, they took the ground of servants of the God of heaven and earth. He was the One who had caused Nebuchadnezzar to carry them away. Now they had returned under God’s authority and that of Cyrus. This is the position every remnant should take.
The King’s Response
When these matters were sent in a letter to King Darius, who had been recently made ruler, the king called for a search in the house of the rolls. It was found that indeed Cyrus had made a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem. The decree was made about 17 years previously. The king then sent a response back to Tatnai the governor. Tatnai was told in no uncertain terms to allow the Jews to build; additionally he was ordered to help with the expenses. Provisions also were to be given for the building, including animals for the “burnt offerings of the God of heaven, wheat, salt, wine, and oil, according to the appointment of the priests which are at Jerusalem” (Ezra 6:9). “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord,” and the Lord turned his heart to allow the building to continue.
Remnant Position
The remnant of Jews took their proper place in recognizing their past failure and in turning to the Lord. He gave them His word through the prophets to build, and they began building, even without another order from the king. He honored their faith. How often we like to take matters into our own hands when things go wrong. But they did not send a letter to the king to contradict the letter of their enemies. On the other hand, when adversity comes, we may just give up, doing very little, or nothing. They rose up and built when everything was contrary. The little remnant demonstrated their faith in the Lord, having judged in themselves what their forefathers had not judged. The command to stop building was allowed to bring all this to fruition.
Our place in the Christian testimony today is like that of the remnant of the Jews who returned to Jerusalem. Such a place cannot be based on the premise that we are better than others, or have better teaching and piety. Nor should we give up building because of lack of help from others. God would have us build His house. He has called us to build (1 Cor. 3:9-10; 2 Tim. 2:15). When opposition comes, we must look to Him in faith. He has said, “Where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matt. 18:20). Individually, when we hear Him saying, “I am with you,” we can count on Him to open the doors, as He said to those who kept His word and did not deny His name in Philadelphia. “I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it” (Rev. 3:8).
D. C. Buchanan
A Grand Building
Luke 21:5-20
The disciples spoke to Jesus of the beauty of the temple stones, which must have been very splendid to see, although not the same or perhaps as perfect as those in the first temple, for which King David prepared the most costly and durable material.
This temple (Herod’s temple) was built on the same foundation, had taken many years to complete, and was greatly admired by all people. All its strength and beauty were to teach the greatness of God, whose wisdom and power had first placed the rock, gold, silver and copper in the earth.
Those solid rocks reminded the people that the One who had formed them was their strength and refuge and that they were to trust Him. The high shining pillars spoke of His holiness and glory, as also all the ornamenting of gold, silver and very costly precious stones, such as are used in jewelry. More gold and silver were on the inside.
The golden ark, a beautiful chest made of wood covered with gold both outside and inside and with a pure gold piece on the top on which were the wonderful carved figures called “cherubim,” seems to have been lost when the first temple was spoiled. But copies of the words of God to all the prophets were still kept, and from those, the people could learn still more than from the temple itself.
Beautiful Building but Ugly Heart
But the men who had charge in the temple did not believe the words of God or think of His glory and holiness. They taught their own laws to the people instead of God’s (Matt. 15:9) and were dishonest, making money for themselves and taking from the poor (Luke 19:46). They gave no honor to Jesus, the Son of God, whom they should have crowned as King and worshiped.
Because of such wickedness, Jesus could not admire the beauty of the building. He knew all must be destroyed, and He said to the disciples, “As for these things which ye behold, the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, which shall not be thrown down” (Luke 21:6).
Those were very sad words to those men who valued the temple so much, but they knew Jesus told them what was true, and they asked Him when that would happen. It is not written that He told them the time, but only that He said, “When ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh” (Luke 21:20). God gave them time to repent, but at last He let armies surround Jerusalem and break down the great temple, as Jesus had said.
Since Christ was rejected in that temple, God has not told anyone to build Him a grand building, yet He has a “house,” but His is very different. It is made of all the people in the world who believe in His Son. He is called the “Living Stone ... chosen of God and precious.” Those who come to Him are “built up a spiritual house,” and by the Holy Spirit they are to give Him praise, that more may know His love and power than could know Him by that Jewish temple (Acts 17:24; 1 Peter 2:4-5).
Messages of Love, Bible Talks
The House of God
The Word of God presents the church under the figure as a building — the house of God. When it comes to the house of God, there is a continuum between the Old and New Testaments. God dwelt among His people Israel, and the place of His dwelling (whether the tabernacle or the temple) was called the house of God: “All the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came unto the house of God, and wept, and sat there before the Lord” (Judg. 20:26). Whereas these were physical buildings, set down at a geographic location, the church is a spiritual building: “Yourselves also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house” (1 Peter 2:5 JND). There is still a foundation and stones, but not of this earth. “Ye ... are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone” (Eph. 2:20). In writing his epistle, Peter no doubt recalled the words of the Lord: “That thou art Peter [a stone], and upon this rock I will build My church” (Matt. 16:18). The church is now the house of God. It is the habitation of God on earth for the present time, and she supersedes all other dwellings. “Ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit” (Eph. 2:22). We also note that the Apostle Paul refers to the church as the temple of God: “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1 Cor. 3:16). The same building is in view, but with this expression the holiness of God is emphasized.
God Dwelling Among Them
It was not until the children of Israel were redeemed from Egypt that we have any thought of God dwelling among them (Ex. 15:17). It was necessary that they be delivered from that idolatrous country and its prince. In the wilderness, on Mount Sinai, God gave Moses the blueprint for the tabernacle — a pattern from which they were not to deviate (Ex. 25:40; Heb. 8:5). Although built by men, their ability was given by God through His Spirit (Ex. 31:2-3). Human ingenuity played no part in its construction. All these things foreshadowed what was to come. “The first [covenant] therefore also indeed had ordinances of service, and the sanctuary, a worldly one ... which is an image for the present time” (Heb. 9:1,9 JND). These principles, gathered from the Old Testament, are helpful in our understanding of the New. Throughout the book of Hebrews, the Apostle contrasts the earthly figure of the tabernacle with the present reality we have in Christianity.
The Building as Built by God
In considering the church as the house of God, we must distinguish, as Scripture does, between the building which God is forming (which will ultimately be seen in all its perfection and beauty) and the church’s present testimony here on earth — that which we currently see. As to the former we read: “Built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord” (Eph. 2:20-21). This building is perfect. It is of this building which Christ spoke to His disciples: “Upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18). Christ is not only the foundation and chief cornerstone, but He is also the builder. Nothing contrary will be added to God’s building. We see that building in her heavenly splendor at the close of Revelation: “Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife. 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” (Rev. 21:9-10).
The Building by Men
In contrast to this perfect building, the Apostle Paul presents us with another perspective: “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; every man’s work shall be made manifest” (1 Cor. 3:10-13). Although the foundation remains sure, men have added to this building materials that are seriously defective. As with her grand cathedrals, Christendom has become an impressive edifice, but not according to the Word of God. Much has been added which God will ultimately judge and destroy.
The Testimony of God
Whereas the body connects us with Christ in the heavenlies, the house, as the habitation of God through the Spirit, is here on earth. The believers, of any given time, form the house of God (Eph. 2:22). As such, it is the vessel of God’s present testimony to this world. Peter describes our function in this spiritual house, both Godward (1 Peter 2:5) and manward. Of the latter he says: “That ye might set forth the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness to His wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9 JND). There is a conduct suited to God’s house, even as there was in the Old Testament. Paul gives instruction to Timothy concerning proper behavior in the house of God: “These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: 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” (1 Tim. 3:14-15). The church should uphold and display the truths of Christianity.
As something committed to the responsibility of man, the house of God is subject to judgment: “The time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God” (1 Peter 4:17). Christ is Son over His own house (Heb. 3:6). We have a responsibility as to the house, not because it is our house, but rather because the house is not ours. It is to Christ’s authority that we are to be subject.
N. Simon
A Great House
In looking back over 2000 years of church history, we ask ourselves, How has the church fared? Has she been a testimony to the one body in practice? Has she faithfully executed her responsibilities as to the house of God? We will examine what Scripture has to say as to these two questions. Nevertheless, if our eyes are opened to the condition of things, we must confess that the church has failed miserably. The church has not faithfully represented herself in this world — indeed, failure entered very early in her history. The ruin of the church is complete in this modern world, with its multiplicity of sects and range of doctrines.
The Part in Ruin
Before we proceed, it will be necessary to be clear as to what we mean when we speak of the ruin. It is also just as necessary to know what we do not mean. Some reject the expression, the ruin of the church, not so much because of what it describes, but rather, because of how it is expressed. By the ruin, we refer to the church’s testimony in this world — what people see and call the church; that which professes to be the body of Christ. We do not refer to that which God is establishing, which is perfect in His sight. J. N. Darby, who was opposed by many on this subject, wrote: “In one sense it is impossible that the church can be ruined; but there is confusion in some minds between the purposes of God, and present dispensation in which man is placed under responsibility. In speaking of the ruin of the church, we speak of it as down here, set to manifest Christ’s glory in unity on the earth, and we must remember that there we are placed, and as in this responsibility, there we must stay.”
The Perfect Part
Take a moment to consider the church as the body of Christ. That body is perfect, undivided, and Christ is its head. And yet, in practice, has the church represented this before the world? Has the church honored Christ’s headship? Has the church been diligent in keeping the unity of the Holy Spirit in the uniting bond of peace? (Eph. 4:3). When Paul writes: “That there might be no division in the body” (1 Cor. 12:25 JND) does that not carry with it responsibility? Paul is careful to say body, not assembly—the latter might have been ambiguous if one chose to make it so. No, it is that body of which he earlier spoke: “As the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body” (1 Cor. 12:12).
We earlier saw that Paul in his first letter to Timothy, his young companion and co-worker, gave instruction regarding conduct suited to the house of God (1 Tim. 3:15). In that letter Timothy was directed to address the errors which were making inroads (1 Tim. 1:3-4, etc.). There was a good warfare and an earnest striving in the good fight of faith (1 Tim. 1:18; 6:12). The character of Paul’s second letter is strikingly different. Paul had fought the good fight and his course was almost over (2 Tim. 4:7). Timothy was now in need of encouragement (2 Tim. 1:4-6); he was in danger of being overwrought by the difficulties of the day. Profane babblings were leading to greater ungodliness; teachers had strayed from the truth, and the faith of some had been overthrown (2 Tim. 2:16-18). There was a form of godliness but the power of it was denied (2 Tim. 3:5). The house of God had become a great house admitting both doctrines and persons dishonoring to God: “In a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour” (2 Tim. 2:20). There is no instruction now for purging the error from the house, but, rather, Timothy was to purge himself from all that was contrary to sound doctrine and godliness. We cannot leave the house of God, for we are a part of it; but we can find a quiet place, as it were, on the rooftop in the presence of the Lord. “It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house” (Prov. 21:9).
The Failure During the Apostles Days
Failure began in the time of the apostles, and they documented it as a warning and for our instruction. Both the Apostles Paul and John had to counter false teachings—while some were seeking to blend legal, Judaizing principles with the gospel (Galatians), others were introducing the philosophical and mystical teachings of the Gentiles (Colossians, John’s epistles). Bad doctrine leads to a moral decay (1 Cor. 15:32). The parties and schisms created by false teachers resulted in conflict and, in the end, division (1 Cor. 1:10; 11:18). Ultimately, the house of God became the abode of truth and error, reality and profession, and a practical expression of the unity of Christ’s body was gone.
In exposing the impending ruin, the apostles did not intend to discourage us; nor did they write so we might have an excuse, but, rather, so we might have direction in an evil day. It is not our place to take up with vain religious debates which foster contention and doubts (1 Tim. 1:4; 2 Tim. 2:23). And yet again, the believer is not to yield to the rising tide of error. There is a positive path of obedience laid out for us in the Word of God. Timothy, for his part, was to rekindle the gift that had lain dormant (2 Tim. 1:6); he was to teach faithful men so they could teach others (2 Tim. 2:2); finally, he was to purge himself from the vessels of dishonor. For himself, he was to flee youthful passions—a path of obedience cannot be maintained while we are pursuing our natural lusts—so that he might be free to walk a path of righteousness, faith, love and peace with others who likewise called upon the Lord out of a pure heart (2 Tim. 2:22).
N. Simon
Good and Bad Builders
Every Christian is building, and in 1 Corinthians 3 he is exhorted to “take heed how he buildeth.” The Spirit of God here uses the figure of building to express the testimony of Christianity in this world. The workmen do not all do good building; some of them evidently build with enthusiasm and zeal, but they put very poor materials into the building. We can easily see that this is not the building that our Lord spoke of in Matthew 16 when He said that upon the rock of Peter’s confession—“Christ, the Son of the living God”—He would build His church. Christ will never place any bad materials into His building, and nothing shall ever destroy what He builds. He is building His church, and that work is entirely in His hands. It is composed of every true believer in Himself, in this age.
Now, there is that other building which men build in the world—Christianity as entrusted to the hands of men. There is no other foundation but Jesus Christ (vs. 11). To depart from that foundation would be to leave Christianity itself. Each believer is within the scope of Christianity in this world, and each is building something into that testimony. We may not have seriously weighed it before, but we are adding something to that building. Now the scripture before us is, “Let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon” (vs. 10). Why should there be any need for such an exhortation? Verse 12 supplies the answer by listing some of the materials being put into the building; these fall into two classes—“gold, silver, precious stones” and “wood, hay, stubble.”
The Test of Fire
The standard by which to test the building materials is a divine standard—the test of fire. Every bit of material that goes into that building is going to pass through the fire, for we read, “The fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is” (vs. 13). So then, only fireproof materials will be of any account.
It is a solemn thought that each of us is, day by day, building something that is going to be tested by fire—God’s fire that will consume everything that is not according to His mind and His Word. Such being the case, we may well inquire how we can build things that will withstand the heat of His discerning judgment in that day. We may ask, Just what are the “gold, silver, precious stones” with which we should build? And what are the very combustible materials which we should avoid placing in this building of Christianity on earth?
In order to answer this, we may notice first that the things that will stand the fire test are—comparatively speaking—very small in bulk. A bale of hay would make a sizeable contribution to any wall. Hay is very good in its place, and some hay is much better and higher priced than other hay, but none of it is suitable fireproof building material. Wood also builds quickly and soon makes an appearance before the eyes of man, but it is no good in this building. Gold, silver and precious stones make little bulk, but after the fire has passed, they will be left, and their builder will receive a reward.
According to His Word
O fellow-Christian, whose approval do we want? Do we want to make a show and impress men, or simply to please God and leave the results with Him? Let us not seek popular appeal or that which has human approval. Let us seek to communicate “spiritual things by spiritual means” (1 Cor. 2:13 JnD). Men may act on the principle that the results justify any means used, but God’s Word says, “A man ... is not crowned, except he strive lawfully,” or in other words, “wood, hay, stubble” will be burned up and only “gold, silver, precious stones” survive the fire. The one who built with the latter will receive a reward, or be “crowned,” as in the illustration of an athlete (see 2 Timothy 2:5).
May the Lord grant us each grace to seek more and more to witness for Him in this world, and in everything to do all according to His Word and in devotedness to His name. Then it will not be a matter of seeking to do great things before men, even ostensibly for His sake, but doing all in view of the day which shall soon declare of what “sort” the work was—not how “much.” Each of us can seek to encourage others and to speak often of Him.
P. Wilson, adapted from Christian Truth, 1:134-139
Building up Yourselves
Believers instinctively feel the need of being edified or built up. Their souls look for food, and they are conscious that their inward man requires renewing; they therefore desire to know the things of God as set forth in the Scriptures of truth for their profit and blessing. But all have to learn on the principle that God is the Giver, and we are only receivers; that we have nothing in ourselves, and yet possess all things in Christ.
There are three ways in which edification or building up is presented to us in the epistles:
1. We have gifts of teachers, pastors, etc., from an ascended Christ in glory, for the perfecting of the saints, with a view to the work of the ministry, and to the edifying or building up of the body of Christ (Eph. 4:12).
2. We have the healthful exercises of the different members of the body, fitted together, and connected by every joint of supply as from the Head, making increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love (Eph. 4:16).
3. We have self-edification, or building up, on our most holy faith (Jude 20). It is this third character of building up which we judge to be of such importance at this time that we propose to offer a few remarks.
Self-Edification
It is often the case that where there has been the most faithful and most spiritual ministry of the truth there are those who have profited but little by such advantages. Now why is this? Is it not because they have trusted to be built up by others, and neglected self-building up? Few of us gather up lasting profit from any ministry unless we receive the truth from the mouth of God. When there is the absence of such exercise of soul before God, it often indicates some carnal confidence instead of a lowly state of dependence on the Lord. We do well to lay it to heart as to whether we are intellectually dealing with divine truth, or being led and taught by the Spirit of God.
It should be a daily question as to how much we are occupied in building ourselves upon our most holy faith. We all know the need of continual cleansing, and taking in frequent supplies of nourishment for our bodies, but what about our souls? Are we carefully seeking to keep ourselves unspotted from the world? Is self-judgment before God habitual with us? Do we go to the Word of eternal truth morning by morning, and take it in as food for the renewal of our inner man? If so, then it may be that we are building up ourselves on our most holy faith. And we may be quite sure that those who are building up themselves will greatly value being built up by others, and be profited by their divinely-given ministrations.
Moreover, this exhortation as to building ourselves up, occurring in Jude, seems to carry with it a loud voice to us, for Jude traces the ruin of the church from its commencement, and at the close he addresses himself to such as are standing for God in this time of declension and failure. He says, “Ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith.” A people true to the Lord in an evil time are thus recognized, and called to be diligent in building up themselves.
Your Most Holy Faith
The faith too is not spoken of here, as at the beginning of this epistle, as “the faith which was once delivered unto the saints,” but as “your most holy faith.” It is not merely that we should be holding a set of principles or doctrines; but taking into our hearts the ministry of the exceeding riches of divine grace. We are thus delivered from the authority of darkness, translated into the kingdom of the Son of His love, and by the Spirit united to Him where He now is. A work has been wrought by Him that has delivered us from our old standing in Adam, and has made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. We are thus brought into a totally new position, so that now, in Christ Jesus, we who some time were afar off are made nigh by the blood of Christ, brought into favor in the Beloved, and blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ. How true it is that we have received abundance of grace, and the gift of righteousness, and shall reign in life with Christ.
From this mere glance at the truth, is it any marvel that it is called “your most holy faith?” Can any blessing known on earth exceed this? Every step too of our onward path has been considered so that we can rejoice in hope of glory as heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ, and wait for God’s Son from heaven. No doubt “the faith” is the common property of all — “the faith which was once delivered unto the saints,” for their common blessing. And it is our faith, that which more particularly concerns us, and ministers to us — “your most holy faith;” that wonderful revelation of divine grace, which was made known when Jesus came and declared the Father, and, according to His counsel and purpose, accomplished redemption.
Divine Testimony Mixed With Faith
It is then on our most holy faith we are to build ourselves up, by meditation on the word of God, under the guidance and teaching of the Spirit, and making it our own, by mixing faith with this divine testimony. The oft-repeated question therefore should be with every believer, “How much have I been occupied today in building up myself?” for “the inward man is renewed day by day.” No doubt such will be prayerful too, for it is added, “Praying in the Holy Ghost.” And where there is reality, those who pray will be satisfied with nothing less than praying according to the leading and desires of the Holy Spirit, which we know will always be according to the truth. Keeping ourselves also in the love of God is indispensable; for all our peace and strength flow from the consciousness that we are objects of divine love. Finally we can be “looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” (vs. 21). Where there is the absence of building up ourselves, we must not be surprised if prayer declines, if the enjoyment of the love of God is little known, and the expectation of our Lord’s mercy becomes dim. It is easy to go on in a routine of outward order, but what is it all worth if the Lord has not our hearts, and we are not building up ourselves on our most holy faith?
Separation
We are not really building ourselves up if we are careless as to obedience to the Word of God. For example, are not those who are God’s children to refuse to be yoked with unbelievers? But what of those who do not take this place of separation, but are more or less “yoked” with those they know are unbelievers? Is it not often manifest that instead of God’s blessing, they find many of their plans frustrated and their expectations never realized? They have been hoping to have the Father’s blessing without walking in obedience to His will.
The same thing is true as regards the world. We are told, “If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15). Even a child of God will not have the enjoyment of this precious relationship with the Father, if his heart loves that which is under His judgment. But where there are those who refuse to be “yoked with unbelievers, not only as regards marriage, but also as regards everything else (while always ready to do good unto all men), but come out from among them, and refuse all unclean associations, then such consciously enjoy their Father’s blessing. They find those precious words fulfilled in their happy experience, “I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty” (2 Cor. 6:17-18).
H. H. Snell (adapted)
An Unfinished Building
In other articles in this issue of The Christian we have seen various aspects of building, as outlined in the Word of God. One of those types of building concerns the building up of ourselves on our “most holy faith” (Jude 19). We find a related but slightly different illustration of building in Luke’s gospel, which reads as follows:
“Which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish” (Luke 14:28-30).
In this passage the Lord Jesus is speaking solemnly to the crowds that followed Him when He was here as a Man in this world, for many were impressed with His gracious words and His miracles. He is pointing out to them that while salvation is a gift from God, discipleship has a cost involved. Those who wanted to follow the Lord Jesus would be following a rejected Christ, and they must be prepared to give up everything else, if necessary, in order to give Him the first place in their lives. They must be ready to “hate,” not only their own closest relatives, but their own lives also, if they would be His disciples (Luke 14:26). No doubt some found this a high price to pay, and we read in John 6:66 that, after the Lord Jesus had clearly revealed to the people that He must suffer and die, “many of His disciples went back, and walked no more with Him.”
The Testimony Given
In the passage before us in Luke 14, the Lord Jesus uses two illustrations to show what was involved in following Him and the dangers that it would entail. The first of these illustrations is in building, while the second is warfare. We will not discuss warfare for the moment, but concentrate on building. Building here refers to one’s own life, and how our Christianity appears to the world around us. Will what we build be consistent with what our Lord and Master taught? Will we be seen by the world around us to be following the One whose name we claim to bear? It is instructive to notice that the building described here is a tower — something that can be seen from a long distance away. In Scripture a tower is sometimes a picture of testimony to this world.
In Luke 14, great multitudes followed the Lord Jesus, no doubt attracted by His miracles and His grace, and this brings the gospel before us. Our Lord did not come to condemn the world, but that “the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:17). However, as we have already mentioned, He must then bring before those multitudes the cost of following One who was rejected.
A Good Finish
Perhaps we have all seen a house or a building of some kind that was started, but then not finished. As we read in our chapter, people usually know who started the building, and man being what he is, they begin to mock those who began but were not able to finish. The sight of an unfinished building brings shame and disgrace on those responsible.
In the same way, many dear believers start out well on the Christian pathway, but then find out that the cost is high. The reproach of this world, the lack of respect, and the loss of opportunities all combine to cause the building to be abandoned. I remember such a situation. It concerned a young man who grew up in a local assembly and who started out well. He was much older than I by at least 45 years. He was involved in a Christian book room, preached the gospel, and in every way walked well as a Christian. But he was good looking, clever, a good businessman, and above all, had exemplary manners and social graces that brought him into favor with this world. He eventually abandoned his Christian service, ceased attending the local assembly, and for 40 years immersed himself in the business and social activities of this world. I am happy to tell you that later in life, when the Lord allowed him to get a serious illness that gave him only a couple of years to live, he was happily restored. But what a loss for those 40 years! I remember well how he urged his adult children not to follow the same path.
The Lord’s Strength
The question arises, Can we have sufficient resources to finish the building in our own strength? The answer is clearly, No. If we attempt in our own strength to walk the pathway the Lord has marked out for us, we will always fail. We will always leave the tower unfinished, and the world will mock. The Apostle Peter had to learn this the hard way, when he said so confidently that even if he should die with the Lord, he would never deny Him. We all know what happened, for Peter had to learn that his own resolve and strength would never stand up in this world.
What then is the answer? We need the Lord’s help and the Lord’s strength. Only He could go through all that man did to Him and remain faithful. Now He wants to give us His strength, so that we can complete the building. Peter learned this, and later in life he gave up his life for the Lord, because he walked in his Lord’s strength, not his own. Many other dear believers have finished their course, as the Apostle Paul did, because, as he said himself, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil. 4:13). He could also tell us that the Lord said to him, “My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9). When we realize our own weakness, we look to the Lord for His strength, and then we can complete the building, for His glory.
W. J. Prost
Chaos and Anarchy on the Horizon
As I write this on February 7, 2022, an interview with Avigdor Liberman, the finance minister of Israel, has just been published in the Jerusalem Post, a prominent English-language daily newspaper based in Jerusalem. His comments are starkly pessimistic, and while many others may share the same thoughts, we must give him credit for having the courage to state his views publicly. The substance of this interview is most thought-provoking, and his conclusions may well resonate with believers who are familiar with prophecy. I realize that this article will not appear in The Christian for several months, but it is doubtful that the truth of what Liberman has said will change during that time, unless perhaps for the worse.
The interview was full of dire warnings. The world, he told the interviewer, needs to wake up immediately, because if it does not, it will be thrown into a dark period of chaos and anarchy. He explained that there were four catalysts behind this threat.
Artificial Intelligence
First of all is the emergence of more technology driven by artificial intelligence. There are young hackers, he said, who are capable of doing things with their computers and cellphones that were unimaginable just a few years ago. Within a decade, he said, young kids will have software like NSO’s Pegasus (spyware developed by a group in Israel) on their phones to be able to use as they desire. “These are technological developments that have no oversight or coordination,” he said. “There is no form of global regulation and they take us to places that are potentially frightening.”
Cryptocurrencies
The second catalyst is the rise of cryptocurrencies across the globe. There are, he noted, 15,000 different types of cryptocurrencies today. “Every few people get together and make a digital currency,” he said. “There are crypto markets in Iran to evade sanctions and to launder money and it can be used to finance terrorism and crime.” Many countries in the world have no way of coping with this. What happens, he cautioned, if massive multinational corporations come out with their own currency? Citizens will lose trust in their economy, their leadership and the state itself. There is no single monetary entity that can regulate 15,000 different digital currencies, especially when countries are doing with them what they want.
The Darknet
The third catalyst, according to Liberman, is what is happening on the Darknet, a gathering place for criminals and terrorist activities. Liberman said that he became familiar with the Darknet from his roles as defense minister and chairman of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.
“This becomes all the more complicated with far-reaching consequences due to the ability to spread fake news and conspiracy theories,” he said. “What we are seeing on conventional networks is child’s play compared to the Darknet where there is a concentration of criminal psychopaths, terrorists and spies sitting on the same network.”
International Order
The fourth catalyst, he explained, is the breakdown and collapse of international order and systems. An illustration of this, he said, can be seen in Vienna, where the world superpowers continue to negotiate with Iran in pursuit of a new nuclear deal. They speak to the Iranians at the same time that Iran is supplying the Houthis in Yemen with ballistic missiles and drones and ordering them to attack the United Arab Emirates. “No one is accountable anymore. You see a weakness of the global superpowers and their ability to create order and values.”
When he was asked what he would do, Liberman said that “we need to rise above the regular daily problems in each country to stop these trends. There is only one chance and that is to regulate and coordinate together with all of the big players working in unison.” What that means, he explained, is getting the G7—an inter-governmental political forum consisting of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States—to work with Russia and China to find ways to regulate a new world order and to stop the slide toward global chaos. He freely admitted that he is not sure that this will work.
Prophecy
While we know that prophecy does not properly apply to the church period, and thus will not actually be fulfilled until after the church is called home at the Lord’s coming for us, nevertheless, when we hear an interview like this, it almost seems as if prophecy were being fulfilled before our eyes. Most of us never expected to see the condition of this world go quite so far before we were called home.
Space will not permit us to go into many details, but we know from Revelation 6 that after the church is taken to be with Christ, God will allow events that systematically “take peace from the earth” (vs. 4). There will also be shortages of food (vss. 5-6), and eventually a breakdown of government and authority (vss. 12-13). The sun represents supreme authority, the moon represents derived authority, and stars perhaps represent individuals who are prominent in government. These events will likely take place during the first 3½ years of the tribulation week and will be more providential in nature. They are intended as warnings to man, for later, under the trumpet and finally the vial judgments, man will see the direct hand of God in the complete disruption of government, trade and commerce, and in the allowance of a flood of Satanic power to engulf this world.
Liberman’s concerns should not be taken lightly; they are a solemn appraisal of the condition of this world and are based on sound observations by someone who has been in government for many years. Sadly, he did not mention the Lord in his interview or give Him credit for allowing all these things to exercise our hearts and to warn man of judgment to come. But believers today can look at world events and, in the light of prophecy, can see how the Lord is bringing home to man the awful reality of what lies ahead.
The Great Powers
However, his remedy of getting the great powers to work together to bring order and accountability back to this world is, simply put, not going to happen. There may be some temporary measures put in place, but the great powers today are too occupied with their own interests to work together for the common good. Russia has its own agenda, seeking to bolster its global influence, and, as I write, it is massing troops on the border of the Ukraine, seeking to force NATO to agree to its demands. China is systematically acquiring control over smaller countries by so-called “debt-trap” diplomacy. By extending huge loans with strings attached to financially vulnerable states, it has not only boosted its leverage over them but also ensnared some in sovereignty-eroding debt traps. The United States is torn by internal polarization, and it is most unlikely that the G7 group will be disposed to act together to stabilize the situation. The COVID-19 virus has further complicated the whole situation by causing nations to be occupied with their own health and welfare.
The Bitter and Sweet
All this simply points to the fulfillment of prophecy, and while we should feel for this world and the awful judgments that are ahead, yet, on the other hand, we can “look up ... for your redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:28). This same principle is illustrated in Revelation 10:9-10, where the little book of judgment was in John’s mouth “sweet as honey,” yet after he had eaten it, he could say, “My belly was bitter.” The joy of being taken home to be with the Lord is tempered by the sorrow at the judgment that will follow. But out of it all our blessed Lord and Master will have His rightful place. In this way we can “love His appearing” (2 Tim. 4:8), for “when Thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness” (Isa. 26:9).
W. J. Prost
The Building of Living Stones
God owns that building and He has taken up His abode there through the Spirit. There is one thing that I would like you to notice, whether we look at it as the body of Christ, the assembly, or as the building; I would like to emphasize the One who is there. When it is a question of looking at it as the body, the Lord Jesus has said, “There am I in the midst.” This is said of the body, as the assembly. When it is a question of looking at it as the building, then it is spoken of as the habitation of God through the Spirit. There is a difference between the two. That is, the Lord being in the midst and the Holy Spirit being in the building. The reason I feel pressed to mention these things is that I believe it is often lost sight of.
J. L. Erisman
Christ's Building and Man's Building
There is a difference between Christ’s building and man’s building, even where the men were God’s ministers. In these days it is a very important distinction where church questions have come in from Rome to brethren, if you please, on all hands. Christ says, “Upon this rock will I build my church:” there I have Christ’s building. Of course Satan cannot prevail against that, but it is not all built yet, for it is going on; therefore Peter, who alludes to it (1 Peter 2:4-5), does not mention anybody at work. Paul says, “Groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord.” There it is Christ building, but here it is man working; and directly we see responsibility we have possible failure. “Let every man take heed how he buildeth.” That never could be said of what Christ is building. But what has been done by the system of popery and all church doctrine is to identify with Christ’s building, that which is connected with man’s building. Against His work the gates of hell shall not prevail; whereas, when it is the thing set up on earth, we have “let every man take heed how he buildeth,” where he does not say the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
J. N. Darby
Building up and Progress
Note both 2 Peter and Jude insist on our building up and progress, in presence of the decay of the Church and coming judgment. So that it is, as judging the outward state, a more close entering into relationship with God, in communion with what He is, and His ways in Christ as Lord. We have the precious promises as precious faith, but look forward as called by glory, and so are growing up, but that in the knowledge of God who has called us. We have all things necessary to life and godliness, but it is by that according to which we are called, that there is intelligently a partaking of the divine nature, i.e., a forming of our souls morally into what it is — its likeness. Positive evil we have escaped from.
J. N. Darby
The Living Stone
On Christ salvation rests secure;
The Rock of Ages must endure;
Nor can that faith be overthrown
Which rests upon the “Living Stone.”
No other hope shall intervene;
To Him we look; on Him we lean;
Other foundations we disown,
And build on Christ, the “Living Stone.”
In Him, it is ordained to raise
A temple to Jehovah’s praise,
Composed of all the saints, who own
No Saviour but the “Living Stone.”
View the vast building; see it rise;
The work how great! The plan how wise!
Oh wondrous fabric! Power unknown!
That rears it on the “Living Stone.”
But most adore His precious name;
His glory and His grace proclaim:
For us, condemned, despised, undone,
He gave Himself, the “Living Stone.”
S. Medley