Six Precious Revelations From Christ in Glory

1. The Believer Justified From All Things
The first time we hear the inspired voice of Paul preaching is in Acts 13. In verse 39 Paul reached beyond that which had heretofore been preached and communicated the precious truth that “in Him [JND] all that believe are justified from all things.” Paul alone teaches that the believer is “in Christ” (Rom. 8:11There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:1)). Peter tells us of forgiveness of sins and coming glory, but Paul tells us that Christ is our life (Col. 3:44When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:4)), that Christ is our righteousness (1 Cor. 1:3030But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (1 Corinthians 1:30)), that we are “risen with Christ” (Col. 3:11If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. (Colossians 3:1)), and that even now we are made to “sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:66And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: (Ephesians 2:6)). In a future day, we shall also be “glorified together” with Him (Rom. 8:1717And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Romans 8:17)).
2. Truth of the One Body
There was no revelation of the church as the body of Christ in the Old Testament. The church as the body of Christ was formed at Pentecost, when by one Spirit all believers were baptized into one body (see 1 Cor. 12:12-1312For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13For 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 12:12‑13)). The word “church” simply means “called-out ones,” and in that sense all believers in every dispensation were “called-out ones” (Acts 7:3838This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us: (Acts 7:38)), but when the church is viewed as the body of Christ, we must always remember that it was formed as such at Pentecost. Paul received this wondrous revelation from Christ in glory (see Eph. 3:1-61For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, 2If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: 3How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 6That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: (Ephesians 3:1‑6)). The other apostles doubtless learned it from Paul.
3. Special Significance of the Lord’s Supper
Previous to Paul’s revelation, they were breaking bread, thus commemorating the Lord’s death (Acts 2:4242And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. (Acts 2:42)). Now Paul gives them the added blessedness of the truth that the one loaf is a precious symbol of our oneness with Christ. He received it “of the Lord” — that is, by revelation (see 1 Cor. 10:15-1715I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. 16The 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 10:15‑17) and 1 Cor. 11:23-2623For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come. (1 Corinthians 11:23‑26)). The first day of the week (the Lord’s day) is the Christian’s day, for it is the sign of new creation, and we are part of that new creation (2 Cor. 5:1717Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)).
All believers are now members of the body of Christ, and before the loaf is broken it symbolizes this precious, glorious truth, so that we (if intelligent) do not break bread just as forgiven sinners, or even as saints, but as members of the body of Christ. After the loaf is broken, it speaks to our hearts of His death. Oh, how it touches our hearts as we think of the Lord of glory in death for us!
4. Coming of Christ for His Bride
The coming of Christ for His bride, in its proper Christian character, is given us only in Paul’s revelation. Every time the Lord’s coming is spoken of in the Old Testament, it is His coming in judgment and for the setting up of the kingdom on earth.
The first intimation of His coming in its proper Christian character (the rapture) is in John 14:1-31Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:1‑3). Now note there is nothing said there about war, pestilence or famine, for these things precede the Lord’s coming to earth to set up the kingdom, but they are not mentioned as preceding His coming for His heavenly saints.
5. Absent From the Body  ... Present With the Lord
The dying thief was the first believer to have the revelation of this precious truth, that to depart from this life is to be “with Christ.” This was an individual revelation for himself alone, but now Paul has given us this glorious truth in Philippians 1:2323For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: (Philippians 1:23) and 2 Corinthians 5:88We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:8) for all saints. In Luke 16 the curtain is brushed aside a little, but “Abraham’s bosom” is the figure used, and we are not told where Abraham was.
6. Resurrection Body of Glory
Paul alone gives us the precious revelation that in resurrection we shall have bodies of glory, like Christ (see Phil. 3:2121Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. (Philippians 3:21) and 1 Cor. 15:51-5451Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. (1 Corinthians 15:51‑54)). Those departed to be with Christ wait, in a brighter waiting room than we here on earth, for the glorious resurrection morning, when “the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thess. 4:16-1716For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:16‑17)). Then we shall be escorted by the Lord Himself to the Father’s house and introduced there with these words: “Behold I and the children which God hath given Me” (Heb. 2:1313And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me. (Hebrews 2:13)).
H. E. Hayhoe (adapted)