Comment/Question:
For those who wrongly apply the Old Testament principle of “one place” (in complete and intentional ignorance of what is expounded to us in John 4:21-2421Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 23But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:21‑24)), have them look at Jeremiah 7:1-151The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying, 2Stand in the gate of the Lord's house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the Lord, all ye of Judah, that enter in at these gates to worship the Lord. 3Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place. 4Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the Lord, The temple of the Lord, The temple of the Lord, are these. 5For if ye throughly amend your ways and your doings; if ye throughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbor; 6If ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt: 7Then will I cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers, for ever and ever. 8Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit. 9Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not; 10And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations? 11Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the Lord. 12But go ye now unto my place which was in Shiloh, where I set my name at the first, and see what I did to it for the wickedness of my people Israel. 13And now, because ye have done all these works, saith the Lord, and I spake unto you, rising up early and speaking, but ye heard not; and I called you, but ye answered not; 14Therefore will I do unto this house, which is called by my name, wherein ye trust, and unto the place which I gave to you and to your fathers, as I have done to Shiloh. 15And I will cast you out of my sight, as I have cast out all your brethren, even the whole seed of Ephraim. (Jeremiah 7:1‑15). I'm going to venture a guess that IF (hypothetically, of course) the “assembly” was at one point THE “place,” then it no longer is.
Answer:
But does John 4:21-2421Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 23But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:21‑24) say this? In this chapter, the Lord states that there would be a cessation of an earthly geographical center or worship. Earthly centres such as “this mountain” (Gerizim) and “Jerusalem” would no longer be owned of God (Gerizim never was) because a new order of things was coming in. But the Lord did not say that there wouldn’t be a gathering center in Christianity. If this passage says that there is no gathering center in Christianity, then let our commenter/questioner give us the words of Scripture that state it. Since such words cannot be found, it is clear that it is an assumption or a fabrication on his or her part. It is a serious exegetical mistake to infer things into Scripture.
The Lord mentioned three significant things that would mark the change from the old order of worship in Judaism to the new order in Christianity. He said, “Woman, believe Me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.”
Firstly, there would be a cessation of an earthly geographic center for worship—whether in Gerizim (“this mountain”), or in “Jerusalem.” Hebrews 8:2; 9:11, 23-24; 10:19-222A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. (Hebrews 8:2)
11But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; (Hebrews 9:11)
23It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: (Hebrews 9:23‑24)
19Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21And having an high priest over the house of God; 22Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. (Hebrews 10:19‑22), indicate that Christians worship in spirit in the heavenly sanctuary in the immediate presence of God, but it is not mentioned here.
Secondly, there was a new revelation of the Person worshipped. In Judaism, God was worshipped as Jehovah, but now in Christianity He is to be worshipped as “the Father” of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thirdly, there would be a new character of worship. The worship in Judaism was earthly and tangible, carried out through a system of rituals and ceremonies, but the new order of approach to God in Christianity would be purely a spiritual thing. Believers now worship the Father in “spirit” and according to a new revelation of “truth.”
But notice: in all that the Lord teaches here, He makes no statement that there wouldn’t be a center of gathering in Christianity. He was simply showing that the new Christian way of worship would not be like the old Jewish way, which was aided by mechanical means (music, incense, eating the sacrifices, rituals, ceremonies, etc.). In contrast to those outward things, the Apostle Peter states that our Christian worship would be characterized by “spiritual sacrifices” aided by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit (1 Peter 2:55Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:5); Phil. 3:33For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. (Philippians 3:3)).
As mentioned, the new place of worship in Christianity is in the immediate presence of God in the heavenly sanctuary (Heb. 8:2; 9:23; 10:192A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. (Hebrews 8:2)
23It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. (Hebrews 9:23)
19Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, (Hebrews 10:19)). The Jews worshipped in Jerusalem in the earthly sanctuary, which was only a pattern of that in the heavens (Heb. 9:2323It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. (Hebrews 9:23)); Christians have the privilege of worshipping in that heavenly sanctuary. Since Christians worship “in spirit and in truth,” they don't need outward mechanical means to aid their worship. They can sit quietly on a chair and the Holy Spirit could produce in their souls, true praise and worship to the Father and the Son. This is true heavenly worship. All Christians—those scattered in denominations and those gathered to the Lord’s name—worship “in spirit” in the heavenly sanctuary! But unfortunately, all Christians do not all meet on earth on the true ground of the Church. This is because there has been a great ruin in the Christian profession and much ignorance of the truth of gathering. There is also an unwillingness to receive the truth among many Christians. The result is that there are hundreds of divisions (Christian fellowships) in the outward testimony of the Church that should not exist.
The One Place of Gathering in Christianity
Our commenter/questioner tells us that to hold that there should be "one place" of gathering for Christians is to be in “complete and intentional ignorance.” But yet, Mr. Darby et al speak of it in their writings. He said, “He [Christ] is the only center of gathering. Men may make confederations amongst themselves, having many things for their object or aim, but the communion of saints cannot be known unless each line converges towards the living Center. The Holy Ghost does not gather saints around mere views, however true they may be, upon that which the Church is, upon that which it has been, or that which it may be on earth, but He always gathers them around that blessed Person, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. ‘Where two or three are gathered together in [unto] My name, there am I in the midst of them.’” He also said, “The great part of the collective conflict is with the wilful misunderstanding of the truth of Christ as the one gathering center ... ” Other quotes could be given. It is hard to believe that someone would call this gifted and spiritual man—who was definitely raised up of God to help the Church—“intentionally ignorant.”
The subject of a gathering center in Christianity was taken up in our first volume of “Questions.” Perhaps we can make a few more remarks on this subject here for those who are honestly looking for help.
The word, “where,” in Mathew 18:20, indicates that there is a place that the Lord has chosen to be in the corporate sense that we have been speaking of. The verse indicates that it is a place of His choosing, where He has set His name and where He gathers Christians. As mentioned, this place of gathering in Christianity is not a literal geographic center, but a spiritual ground involving Scriptural principles having to do with how Christians are to meet together for worship and ministry. Those on that ground are not gathered to principles, but to a Person in their midst—the Lord Jesus Christ.
Note: the verse does not say, “wherever”—as the “Phillips Modern English Translation” mistranslates it. Many think that this verse is simply saying that whenever and wherever a group of Christians get together—whether it is at a local coffee shop, or for some recreational purpose, etc.—the Lord is in their midst. Let us be clear about this; such a group would have the Lord’s presence with them—we established this in Chapter Six—but that is not what Matthew 18:2020For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20) is speaking about. They are misapplying this verse as far as interpretation is concerned; other verses would be better served to support their point. “Wherever,” makes it a place of our choosing; “where”—which is what Matthew 18:2020For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20) says—makes it a place of His choosing. This is why it is often called “the place of His appointment.”
The One Place Where the Breaking of Bread Was Instituted
Luke 22:7-117Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed. 8And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat. 9And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare? 10And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in. 11And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? (Luke 22:7‑11), indicates that there was a place on earth “where” the Lord had His disciples meet with Him to eat the Last Supper, and it was there that He instituted the Lord’s supper, which we know in Christianity. The point to get here is that He chose the place where they would meet to have the supper. This strongly suggests that when Christianity would be established, the Lord would have a place of His appointment—a gathering center—where believers would gather to remember Him. In Matthew 187Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! 8Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. 9And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. 10Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. 11For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. (Matthew 18:7‑11), the emphasis is on the Lord's power to gather His own to the place, but in Luke 227Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed. 8And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat. 9And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare? 10And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in. 11And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? (Luke 22:7‑11), the onus is on believers seeking and finding that place of His appointment.
It is significant that while there were many houses in Jerusalem on that night when the Passover feast was kept, and the Lord's Supper was instituted, there was only one room—one place—that had the Lord’s presence.
Philadelphia—the One Assembly Position That Met the Lord’s Approval
The Lord’s addresses to the seven churches in Asia (Rev. 2-3) indicate that there is one ecclesiastical ground (corporate testimony) on earth that He acknowledges. This would have to be where the Spirit of God would lead exercised believers.
These addresses present a prophetic history of the Church. Each assembly, taken consecutively, represents a stage through which the Church would pass in history. It is significant that the Lord’s coming is mentioned in each of the last four churches, but it is not found in the first three. This indicates that what existed historically in the first three periods has passed off the scene, but what is presented in the last four churches continues until the Lord comes. The last four churches (Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea) set forth four existing conditions in the Church today.
The assembly at “Thyatira” represents a powerful system that arose in the Church around 580 A.D. known as Catholicism (Rev. 2:18-2918And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; 19I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. 20Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. 21And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. 22Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 23And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. 24But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. 25But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. 26And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 27And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. 28And I will give him the morning star. 29He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (Revelation 2:18‑29)). It depicts the period when this ecclesiastical system ruled the Church and the world (in Europe). The word “Thyatira” means, “continual sacrifice,” and refers to the Catholic Mass. “Jezebel” represents the wicked teaching of Catholicism. She called herself “a prophetess” and assumed a role in the Church that God had never given to her. She began to “teach and to seduce” her subjects with her evil doctrines and practices. The Catholic system has legislated its dogmas and forced them on the Christian profession and the world.
Since the Lord’s coming is mentioned in His remarks to Thyatira (Rev. 2:2525But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. (Revelation 2:25)), we are to understand that what this church represents will continue until He comes—the Rapture. It will actually continue on after the Rapture until the middle of the seven-year tribulation period—under the figure of Mystery Babylon (Rev. 177How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. (Revelation 18:7)). This great ecclesiastical system is easily identified in the world today.
The assembly in “Sardis” represents Protestantism, which began in 1529 A.D. (Rev. 3:1-61And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. 2Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 3Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. 4Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. 5He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. 6He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (Revelation 3:1‑6)). The word “Sardis” means “those escaping,” and signifies what happened at that time. Just as Jehu of old was used to break the hold that Jezebel had on the kingdom in Israel (2 Kings 9-10), God raised up the reformers and used them to break the power of Romanism. It allowed many of the saints to escape from its clutches. The two chief things that the reformers insisted on were the supremacy of the Bible over the Church, and that salvation was by faith alone.
It is significant that the Lord said to this assembly, “I have not found thy works complete.” What began in the power of the Spirit lapsed into cold, formal, dead orthodoxy. The reformers turned to the State for protection from the persecution of the Church of Rome and established the great national churches in Protestantism that still exist today. The assembly at Sardis represents the condition of things in Christendom after the impulse of the Reformation had passed. It is a description of what the reformers fell into—Protestantism. The reformers came out of Romanism, but unfortunately, Romanism did not altogether come out of them. Hence, the Protestant churches have a lot of Romish principles and practices.
Again, the Lord’s coming is mentioned in Sardis. It is actually His Appearing, which occurs after the Great Tribulation (Rev. 3:33Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. (Revelation 3:3)). It means that many lifeless professors who were once connected with Protestantism will continue on, through the Tribulation period, and will be judged at the Appearing of Christ. Like Thyatira, what Sardis represents in the Christian world is also easily identifiable today in the great national Protestant churches and perhaps the dissenting church organizations that have come out of them.
The assembly in “Philadelphia” represents a movement in the Church that began in 1827 A.D. (Rev. 3:7-137And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; 8I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. 9Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. 10Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. 11Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. 12Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. 13He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (Revelation 3:7‑13)). “Philadelphia” means “brotherly love” and signifies the happy state of a remnant testimony of believers who were exercised to return to first principles in regard to assembly order and practice.
The Lord presents Himself to this church in a three-fold way. In apprehending Him in these characteristics, three great things resulted at that time. First, the Lord said, “He that is holy, He that is true” (Rev. 3:77And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; (Revelation 3:7)). Exercised Christians saw the Lord in His true character and understood that to have fellowship with Him, holiness and truth were required of them. This led them through various exercises in regard to separation from evil, which resulted in them breaking all unequal yokes—secular and ecclesiastical (2 Tim. 2:19-2219Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 20But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor. 21If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. 22Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (2 Timothy 2:19‑22)).
Secondly, the Lord presents Himself as having “the key of David.” This is a reference to the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah and the future of Israel (Isa. 22:2222And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open. (Isaiah 22:22)). At that time, the Lord opened to the saints an understanding of prophetic subjects, and there resulted a general awakening and interest in prophecy in the Christian profession. In learning prophetic subjects, they discovered that the Church had no part in the future earthly blessings of Israel but had its own distinct and heavenly blessings. They were given to see the true nature and calling of the Church, as well as its practical arrangements for worship and ministry while on earth. The full revelation of Christian truth that was once delivered to the saints (Jude 33Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. (Jude 3)) was recovered at this time—including the truth of the Lord’s coming (the Rapture).
Thirdly, the Lord presents Himself to this church as “He who opens and no man shall shut, and shuts and no man shall open” (Rev. 3:77And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; (Revelation 3:7)). This points to the fact that what happened at that time was a sovereign movement of God that no man or devil could stop. Apprehending this gave those connected with this testimony the courage to meet together for worship and ministry according to the simplicity of Scripture, and there was no man that could forbid it (compare Acts 28:3131Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him. (Acts 28:31)).
It is significant that this church is marked by having “a little power.” They had the same spiritual power that the early Church had (Acts 4:3333And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. (Acts 4:33)), but it was “little.” Hence, this revival was not a large-scale movement in the world. It had no great worldly status, as did the Catholic Church and the churches of Protestantism. Keeping His “Word” also marked this church. Historically, those connected with this movement were known for being students of Scripture (Acts 17:1111These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (Acts 17:11)). This church is also marked by not denying His “name.” They forsook all denominational names and titles and were happy to meet simply in His name alone (Matt. 18:2020For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20)).
The seventh and last assembly, in “Laodicea,” represents a condition in the Church that grew out of what took place in Philadelphia (Rev. 3:14-2214And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; 15I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 19As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (Revelation 3:14‑22)). What is described in Laodicea answers to the Church’s testimony in its closing days. “Laodicea” means, “the rights of the people,” and it denotes the modern democratic ideas that have influenced the Church in these last days. Churches choosing their elders and nominating their Pastors is what characterizes the so-called “evangelical” churches in Christendom today.
Laodicea is descriptive of a sector in the Christian testimony that is characterized by self-sufficient greatness that imagines itself to be endowed with spiritual riches and powers, but really, it is “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” Instead of the Lord assessing the state of the assembly in Laodicea, as He does with the previous churches, the Laodiceans put Him outside their door and assume His place and assess their own condition as being right and good! This is quite incredible. This church is marked by gross indifference to the claims of Christ and is content to go on without Him. It’s hard to believe that they had the audacity to excommunicate the head of the Church! Such is the pitiful condition that marks modern Christendom in these last days. The state of those in Laodicea was “lukewarm” and so obnoxious to the Lord that He announced that He was “about to spue” them out of His mouth (reject them). This will occur at His coming—the Rapture.
The last two churches describe two ecclesiastical positions in Christendom, but they also describe two spiritual states among Christians. This means that it’s possible to be connected with Philadelphia’s ecclesiastical position but be in a Laodicean state. Laodiceanism is holding truth recovered in Philadelphian times (or parts thereof) nominally, or intellectually, without it having a moral bearing on one’s life. True Philadelphians are not occupied with themselves and their testimony; they are occupied with the Lord.
It is significant that Philadelphia is the only church of the four last churches in which there was nothing to judge. Unlike the other churches, there was not one word of condemnation given to them. They are not called to “repent,” as was the case with the other churches, because they were already in a state of repentance. They felt the broken and ruined state of the Church and confessed their part in its public failure (compare Daniel 9).
Since what Philadelphia represents goes on to the Rapture we can rejoice that there is an ecclesiastical position, or entity in Christendom today, that meets the Lord’s approval. But note: There are not two or three of these church positions the Lord approves of—there is only one. If He has chosen to put His name somewhere on earth, and He is gathering Christians there, as stated in Matthew 18:2020For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20), Philadelphia would have to be it. We cannot think that the Spirit of God would lead people anywhere but to that which meets the Lord’s approval. This is not to say that the gathered saints are without failure; it is not the state, but the ground on which they are gathered that He approves of. We must not confuse these two things. Nor do we wish to convey that WE are Philadelphia. It has often been said that the moment we say we are Philadelphia; we have just announced that we are Laodicea. Our point here is that there is something that answers to Philadelphia today in the Christian testimony. It is for the exercise of every Christian to be identified with it.
Jerusalem—a Type of the One Gathering Center in Christianity
The Lord told the children of Israel that He had chosen a place in the land of Canaan where He wanted them to bring their offerings and worship (Deut. 126And thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and heave offerings of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks: (Deuteronomy 12:6)). He marked out the place for king David by causing fire to fall from heaven on the spot (1 Chron. 21:2222Then David said to Ornan, Grant me the place of this threshingfloor, that I may build an altar therein unto the Lord: thou shalt grant it me for the full price: that the plague may be stayed from the people. (1 Chronicles 21:22)–22:1). The place was Jerusalem (2 Chron. 3:1; 6:61Then Solomon began to build the house of the Lord at Jerusalem in mount Moriah, where the Lord appeared unto David his father, in the place that David had prepared in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite. (2 Chronicles 3:1)
6But I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there; and have chosen David to be over my people Israel. (2 Chronicles 6:6)).
We cannot think that the divine center of gathering in the Old Testament has no counterpart in the New Testament; it is a type of the spiritual gathering center in Christianity. The Scriptures we have looked at already in the New Testament confirm the veracity of this remarkable type. It is significant that the characteristics that marked the place of God’s appointment in the Old Testament are the same in principle of the place of the Lord’s appointment in Christianity. Some of these corresponding features are:
Jerusalem was the place the Lord had “chosen” for Israel to gather—the people didn’t choose it (Deut. 12:55But unto the place which the Lord your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come: (Deuteronomy 12:5); 2 Chron. 6:66But I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there; and have chosen David to be over my people Israel. (2 Chronicles 6:6)). Similarly, the ground that the Lord has chosen in Christianity for Christians to meet together on, is not wherever they choose to meet, but “where” He has chosen to gather them (Matt. 18:2020For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20); Luke 22:7-107Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed. 8And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat. 9And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare? 10And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in. (Luke 22:7‑10)).
Jerusalem was the place where the Israelites were to offer their sacrifices to God and not in any other place (Deut. 12:6, 11-146And thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and heave offerings of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks: (Deuteronomy 12:6)
11Then there shall be a place which the Lord your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command you; your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the Lord: 12And ye shall rejoice before the Lord your God, ye, and your sons, and your daughters, and your menservants, and your maidservants, and the Levite that is within your gates; forasmuch as he hath no part nor inheritance with you. 13Take heed to thyself that thou offer not thy burnt offerings in every place that thou seest: 14But in the place which the Lord shall choose in one of thy tribes, there thou shalt offer thy burnt offerings, and there thou shalt do all that I command thee. (Deuteronomy 12:11‑14); Lev. 17:1-91And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 2Speak unto Aaron, and unto his sons, and unto all the children of Israel, and say unto them; This is the thing which the Lord hath commanded, saying, 3What man soever there be of the house of Israel, that killeth an ox, or lamb, or goat, in the camp, or that killeth it out of the camp, 4And bringeth it not unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, to offer an offering unto the Lord before the tabernacle of the Lord; blood shall be imputed unto that man; he hath shed blood; and that man shall be cut off from among his people: 5To the end that the children of Israel may bring their sacrifices, which they offer in the open field, even that they may bring them unto the Lord, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest, and offer them for peace offerings unto the Lord. 6And the priest shall sprinkle the blood upon the altar of the Lord at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and burn the fat for a sweet savor unto the Lord. 7And they shall no more offer their sacrifices unto devils, after whom they have gone a whoring. This shall be a statute for ever unto them throughout their generations. 8And thou shalt say unto them, Whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers which sojourn among you, that offereth a burnt offering or sacrifice, 9And bringeth it not unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, to offer it unto the Lord; even that man shall be cut off from among his people. (Leviticus 17:1‑9)). Similarly, Christians are to meet together for worship at the place of the Lord’s choosing (Matt. 28:16-1716Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. 17And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. (Matthew 28:16‑17)).
Jerusalem was the place where the Israelites were to have happy fellowship with their brethren (Deut. 12:7, 12, 18; 14:267And there ye shall eat before the Lord your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein the Lord thy God hath blessed thee. (Deuteronomy 12:7)
12And ye shall rejoice before the Lord your God, ye, and your sons, and your daughters, and your menservants, and your maidservants, and the Levite that is within your gates; forasmuch as he hath no part nor inheritance with you. (Deuteronomy 12:12)
18But thou must eat them before the Lord thy God in the place which the Lord thy God shall choose, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates: and thou shalt rejoice before the Lord thy God in all that thou puttest thine hands unto. (Deuteronomy 12:18)
26And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the Lord thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household, (Deuteronomy 14:26)). Similarly, the center of gathering today is a place for “fellowship” (1 Cor. 10:16-1716The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. (1 Corinthians 10:16‑17) – W. Kelly’s Trans.; Acts 2:4242And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. (Acts 2:42)).
Jerusalem was the place where Israel held their yearly feasts (Deut. 16:2, 6, 11, 15-162Thou shalt therefore sacrifice the passover unto the Lord thy God, of the flock and the herd, in the place which the Lord shall choose to place his name there. (Deuteronomy 16:2)
6But at the place which the Lord thy God shall choose to place his name in, there thou shalt sacrifice the passover at even, at the going down of the sun, at the season that thou camest forth out of Egypt. (Deuteronomy 16:6)
11And thou shalt rejoice before the Lord thy God, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are among you, in the place which the Lord thy God hath chosen to place his name there. (Deuteronomy 16:11)
15Seven days shalt thou keep a solemn feast unto the Lord thy God in the place which the Lord shall choose: because the Lord thy God shall bless thee in all thine increase, and in all the works of thine hands, therefore thou shalt surely rejoice. 16Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the Lord thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the Lord empty: (Deuteronomy 16:15‑16)). Similarly, all assembly meetings are to be held on the same ground of gathering (1 Cor. 5:44In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, (1 Corinthians 5:4)).
Jerusalem was the place where administrative, binding decisions were made (Deut. 17:8-138If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, being matters of controversy within thy gates: then shalt thou arise, and get thee up into the place which the Lord thy God shall choose; 9And thou shalt come unto the priests the Levites, and unto the judge that shall be in those days, and inquire; and they shall show thee the sentence of judgment: 10And thou shalt do according to the sentence, which they of that place which the Lord shall choose shall show thee; and thou shalt observe to do according to all that they inform thee: 11According to the sentence of the law which they shall teach thee, and according to the judgment which they shall tell thee, thou shalt do: thou shalt not decline from the sentence which they shall show thee, to the right hand, nor to the left. 12And the man that will do presumptuously, and will not hearken unto the priest that standeth to minister there before the Lord thy God, or unto the judge, even that man shall die: and thou shalt put away the evil from Israel. 13And all the people shall hear, and fear, and do no more presumptuously. (Deuteronomy 17:8‑13)). Similarly, those at the center of gathering in Christianity have authority to act in the Lord’s name in making binding decisions (Matt. 18:18-2018Verily 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. 19Again 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. 20For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:18‑20); 1 Cor. 5:44In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, (1 Corinthians 5:4)).
Jerusalem was the place where the Israelites brought their tithes. These were material gifts to the Lord (Deut. 261And it shall be, when thou art come in unto the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance, and possessest it, and dwellest therein; 2That thou shalt take of the first of all the fruit of the earth, which thou shalt bring of thy land that the Lord thy God giveth thee, and shalt put it in a basket, and shalt go unto the place which the Lord thy God shall choose to place his name there. (Deuteronomy 26:1‑2)). Similarly, the “collections” of the saints are to be made on the first day of the week and included in the worship offered to the Lord (1 Cor. 16:1-21Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 2Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. (1 Corinthians 16:1‑2); Heb. 13:15-1615By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. 16But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. (Hebrews 13:15‑16)).
Jerusalem was the place where Israel was to gather to hear and learn the truth of God’s Word (Deut. 31:11-1311When all Israel is come to appear before the Lord thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing. 12Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the Lord your God, and observe to do all the words of this law: 13And that their children, which have not known any thing, may hear, and learn to fear the Lord your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it. (Deuteronomy 31:11‑13)). Similarly, the Lord would have believers to be together to learn “the Apostles doctrine” at the place of His appointment (Acts 2:4242And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. (Acts 2:42); 1 Tim. 4:1313Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. (1 Timothy 4:13)).
Jerusalem was the place where prayer was made (1 Kings 8:28-2928Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O Lord my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer, which thy servant prayeth before thee to day: 29That thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there: that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall make toward this place. (1 Kings 8:28‑29)). Similarly, in Christianity we are to have prayer meetings at the place of His appointment (Acts 2:42; 4:23-3142And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. (Acts 2:42)
23And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. 24And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: 25Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? 26The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. 27For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, 28For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. 29And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, 30By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. 31And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:23‑31)).
This clear correlation with the Old Testament place is too plain to deny.
The Fact That There is a Divine Gatherer Means That There is a Gathering Center
In John 16:1313Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. (John 16:13), the Lord said, “When He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth.” “All truth” would include assembly truth. Hence, every exercised Christian desiring to be instructed in the truth of the assembly, and how God would have us to gather for worship and ministry, can count on the Spirit of God to teach them. As mentioned earlier, Matthew 18:2020For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20) implies that the Holy Spirit is the divine Gatherer. Since this is true, would He lead Christians to different centers that are in division from one another? If He does do this, then the Spirit of God is to blame for the Christ-dishonouring divisions in the Church’s testimony! He would be the Author of the divided state in Christendom! Surely no sober Christian would charge the Spirit with such a thing.
Hamilton Smith said, “Is the Holy Spirit gathering all the various divided and independent companies who seek to appropriate this promise [in Matt. 18:2020For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20)]? Such an assumption necessarily involves placing the blame for the existing deplorable and Christ-dishonouring divisions and independency upon the Holy Spirit. Are these multi-centers seen in the professing Church due to the work of ‘the Spirit of truth’ who came to glorify Christ? Far be the thought!”
Now, if God has a divine Gatherer, then He has a gathering center to which the Gatherer is leading Christians. Understanding this, we can see why those who oppose the truth of a gathering center in Christianity want to get rid of any thought of there being a divine Gatherer. It seems that they labour night and day looking for ways to prove that Matthew 18:2020For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20) doesn’t refer to the Spirit’s work of gathering. But “the Scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:3535If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; (John 10:35)).
A Hypothetical Illustration
At the Ottawa General Meetings (1987), the following illustration was given. “I think we need to go back to the very beginning of things—to the day of Pentecost. On that day the Spirit of God came down, and He united about one hundred and twenty by one Spirit into one body. They were all gathered there, gathered to the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. But suppose now that Peter has a quarrel with John, and they decide that they are going to set up separate [fellowships]. Then there would be a company gathered with those who followed in fellowship with John, and those who followed Peter. Could we say that the Spirit of God would equally lead to one place or the other, and that it would make no difference? Wouldn’t that be a denial of what we are reading in this Scripture [Eph. 4], that ‘there is one body and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling?’” “Is the Spirit of God gathering in division? Is He saying, ‘This group of Christians should gather in this company, and this group of Christians should gather in another company?’ That would be denying the fact of what the Spirit of God is actually doing here, in gathering out a bride for Christ, in raising up a testimony to the truth of the one body and exhorting us to keep ‘the unity of the Spirit.’” “We must always recognize that the Spirit of God is not gathering to two centers. I believe, just as in the Old Testament—the Lord chose a place where He would put His Name there, and there was His presence, and there was His authority. So, it is also true today; it is not a particular spot on the earth like Jerusalem was, but it is a Person, and gathered on the ground of the one body. His presence is His approval of the manner in which we gather ... .Let us not deny the fact that the Spirit is gathering to Christ, and that Christ is the Center. His presence is what makes the Place and gives authority for the action in that Place.”
J. N. Darby said, “If there will be one such [local assembly], 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.” If Christians choose to meet on other principles that were divergent to that of the one body of Christ, would the Spirit of God own such fellowships?
Where is God’s Center of Gathering on Earth Today?
So then, is there a divine center of gathering for Christians on earth? Yes, Scripture teaches that there is. Where is it then? Now that is for each exercised Christian to search out. God wants us to be exercised about it and to seek the Lord’s mind for guidance, just as Peter and John asked the Lord “where” that place was in their day (Luke 22:99And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare? (Luke 22:9)). “It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter” (Prov. 25:22It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings is to search out a matter. (Proverbs 25:2)).
Summary:
There is nothing wrong with applying the Old Testament type of the one gathering center (Jerusalem) in Christianity, because the New Testament supports the fact that there is one ground of fellowship upon which the Lord gathers Christians. The center today, of course, is not a geographic center, but a spiritual ground of principles upon which the Spirit gathers Christians. If God has a gathering center on earth, then it could only be in one ecclesiastical position. If the Lord were in the midst of all Christian groups, sanctioning their position in a collective or corporate sense (Matt. 18:2020For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20)), then He would be authorizing or sanctioning the many divisions in the Church’s public testimony. This is something that He would not do, for it would be a denial of the truth that there is one divine center of gathering—which is Christ Himself.