The Church was first formed when the Holy Ghost descended on the day of Pentecost for that purpose. Prior to the death of Christ, the middle wall of partition between Jew and Gentile existed. There could be no such thing, consequently, as their union in one body, neither could that body have any existence until its Head was in heaven and glorified, not until the Holy Ghost was sent down here to dwell in it, and give it its unity. These two things are evidently necessary in order that any natural body should have life: first, it must have a head: secondly, there must be a spirit in it, to animate it and give it the unity of life. Now, during the lifetime of Christ, this unity had not commenced, for it was something far more than a unity of faith in His person.
He says of Himself, "Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit" (John 12:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. (John 12:24)), so that it is in His resurrection, and by virtue of it, that we have this life in Him, and it could not be before His resurrection. (Compare also Eph. 2:5, 65Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: (Ephesians 2:5‑6).) Not only, therefore, was it needful that Jesus should become man, but He must die and rise again, before a single believer could be united to Him in the same life that He has (John 14:1919Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. (John 14:19)), atonement for sin being the basis of everything. It is not, however, life only, but the presence of the Holy Ghost down here that forms the body. Now that there is a glorified and accepted Man as its Head in heaven, this third Person of the Godhead has come to unite us to Him as such, and incorporate all the living saints into one body, by His presence here on earth. "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body." 1 Cor. 12:1313For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:13).
This personal presence of the Holy Ghost on earth is the great characteristic of the present period, and of the existence of the Church while here. When leaving His disciples, Jesus promised to them another Comforter, who should "abide with you forever; even the Spirit of truth." This promise was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost, and then the Church was established on earth so that it could be said, "The Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved." Furthermore, the accomplishment of the previous declaration of Christ, "On this rock [His own person] I will build My Church," commenced. Ever since this time, the Holy Ghost has remained on earth in the Church. All operations in it are carried on by His agency. (1 Cor. 12:1111But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. (1 Corinthians 12:11); Acts 13:22As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. (Acts 13:2), etc.) He builds the Church together as God's habitation. (Eph. 2:2222In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:22).) This presence of God, the Holy Ghost in the body of Christ, and His activity displayed in grace, and power, and blessing, are quite distinct from His providential government in the world, which has subsisted from the beginning, and will subsist after this has ceased, as well as the operations of His grace upon the hearts of individuals, which have been carried on in all dispensations.
In certain parts of the book of the Revelation, (those which precede and follow the visions), we have further evidence of this truth. In the addresses to the Churches, "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the Churches," is often repeated. In Rev. 22, the Spirit down here with the Church is represented as looking up to Christ and inviting His return. "The Spirit and the bride say, Come." In these passages, which apply to the present time, the Church is still on earth, and in them, we see the force of the Apostle's assertion that. "He who now letteth will let until He be taken out of the way.”
While the Holy Ghost is on earth in the Church. His presence is a restraint upon the full manifestation of evil. If the presence of a man of God will act in this way upon a company of ungodly persons, as we have often seen, we cannot be surprised that the presence of the Spirit of God, as well as the light which He diffuses while on earth, should operate in this way. Once the Church is removed, and the Holy Ghost is no longer here, the restraining influence ceases to exist, the evil displays itself without hindrance, and Antichrist appears. Hence the propriety of the expression. "He who now letteth will let until He be taken out of the way," which appropriately describes His sudden removal with the Church, This coincides with what we have already remarked, that it would be inconsistent to suppose that the Holy Ghost could be here when the Son of man comes to take vengeance, and scarcely finds faith on the earth. W. Ord