We have finally come to the conclusion of our study of the Sermon on the Mount, the Constitution of the Kingdom of Heaven (on earth) – the literal, physical messianic kingdom. In this sermon Jesus laid the groundwork for his mission and ministry to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. It took 18 weeks, from week 145 to week 162, to study out “these sayings of mine” that Jesus spoke of as he wrapped up his sermon in Matthew 7:24-29. He presented a whole new outlook to the Law of Moses and how it was going to implemented in the kingdom. The subjects of the kingdom were going to be held to a higher standard than those who were currently listening to him.
We traveled through many Old Testament and New Testament books comparing scripture with scripture, allowing the Bible to interpret itself and define itself. We carefully handled several scriptures that are misapplied and misinterpreted in this dispensation of grace we are living in. The last couple of weeks we unpacked the Strait Gate and Narrow Way from the position before the cross, and then we looked at it from our position after the cross. The conclusion is they are not the same. “Things different are alike. Things diferent are not the same.” Before the cross, it was the Law that gave life and light to the nation of Israel (Psalm 119). After the cross, it became the law of sin and death. The death, burial, and resurrection of Christ opened the door of salvation to the whole world without having to journey through the constraints of the law. Believing in the finished work of Christ for our salvation, by grace through faith is how we are justified / declared righteous by our heavenly Father.
Romans 8:1-2: There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Ephesians 1:13-14: In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
We studied the three harvests of the first resurrection revealing how salvation before the cross had the element of obeying the law by faith (Matthew 7:13-14, 19:16-22). After the cross, believing on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12, 16:30-31, Romans 10:9-13, Ephesians 2:8-17) is our way of salvation and eternal life. After the rapture, salvation will come to all who keep the commandments and the testimony of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Revelation 7:9-17, 12:17, 14:1-5, 12-13, 20:4
The first resurrection is pictured in three harvests that are framed by three “Come Up Hither”s found in scripture.
The firstfruits harvest “Come up hither” is symbolized in Proverbs 25:7. This is the resurrection of the Old Testament saints at the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Paradise / Abraham's bosom was emptied when Jesus led them out when he resurrected. Matthew 27:51-53, 1 Peter 3:18-20, Ephesians 4:7-10
The main harvest “Come up hither” is given to the body of Christ, the Church Age saints in Revelation 4:1, which follows immediately after the letters to the seven churches. This is the time of the rapture found in 1 Corinthians 3:11-15, 15:50-54, and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
The gleanings harvest is the calling up of the tribulation saints to be guests at the marriage supper of the Lamb (Matthew 22:1-10). The wedding garments represent the invitation to the wedding. Revelation 11:12 is the “Come up hither” for all the tribulation saints. The two witnesses are directly called, but indirectly, all those under the altar are also called, having been given white robes – Revelation 6:9-11. There is also an untold number of Gentiles who have “washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb, that are in heaven in Revelation 7:9-17. The invitation to the wedding is clearly marked by martyrdom. Only those who die in the Lord in the tribulation are invited to the wedding. Revelation 6:9-11, 7:9-17, 13:15, 19:7-16, 20:4-5
The second resurrection is the resurrection of the dead, who are resurrected to stand before the Great White Throne in Revelation 20:11-15. Looking forward to our next Bible study on July 7th!
