A Memorial

Mary Magdalene

Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her. Mark 14:9

Mary was a giant in discernment of spiritual things. “She hath chosen that good part.”

Mary unconsciously revealed Christ's love by her gratitude to Him.

Mary's sacrifice, to purchase the expensive ointment, illustrates Christ's expensive Sacrifice.

Mary's extravagance shows Christ's all encompassing extravagance.The maximum, not the minimum.

Mary knew that she was the chief of sinners.

Mary gave Christ hope as He went down into hell, the second death. As He smelled the spikenard and thought upon her life, He was happy that she and all believers could be saved.

Mary's faith in Christ “saved her”.

Mary teaches the most precious meaning of the truth of the cross.

Mary did the most beautiful deed ever done by a repentant sinner.

Mary gives welcome evidence that humanity is capable of profound heart application.

Mary's deed cheered Christ's heart in His darkest hours.

Mary's tearful sacrifice brought more comfort than even an angel could have brought.

Mary's act delivered Christ a pledge, that the travail of His soul would be satisfied.

Mary helped Christ to see that many could be made righteous through faith that works by love.

Mary's repentant love was the end to be achieved by His sacrifice.This love alone can justify many.

Mary is owed a debt that has not been fully realised/recognised for encouraging the “sorely tempted One” in His greatest time of need.

Mary was totally unable to defend her mysterious act, that sprung from love only.

Mary's Defender transfers this incident into a lesson on the meaning of the cross and His complete salvation.

Mary teaches the lesson that the church is hungering for today, and the world needs to see.

Mary deserves a sympathetic understanding of her deed, which is essential to understand the gospel and its blessings fully.

Mary's act is for the reverent contemplation of His church in all ages.

Mary did something that was to all appearances irrational, senseless, extravagant and wasteful.

Mary's act was used as a parable of Divine love. 

Mary's broken, alabaster box portrays His body, broken and bruised for us.

Mary's precious ointment, running “to waste”, depicts His blood, flowing freely for all.

Mary's act, her heart broken with repentant love for Himself, is a true reflection of His love for us.

Mary's sacrifice to purchase the ointment, He saw His utter emptying of Himself for us, at any cost.

Mary's apparent extravagance showed Him and us the magnificence of Heaven's offering, sufficient to save the world.

Mary's broken and contrite heart is the only type that the Holy Spirit can find entrance into, to inspire an act of love that seems to be done for no reason.

Mary, a penitent woman, preached a more eloquent sermon than Peter at Pentecost.

Mary shows that acquaintance with historical details is nothing compared to heart appreciation.

Mary's only guide was love alone – a reflection of Jesus' love for sinners.

Mary proved to Christ, and all the universe, that the plan of salvation is a success.

Mary's tender conscience – O how we need it.

Mary's life proved that what Christ came to accomplish could be transferred into the sinner's life – how wonderful.

Mary represents the true church.

Mary shows that love always knows just what to do at the right time.

Mary proves that faith is the human response to Divine love.

Mary was at the end of Christ's earthly ministry and the 144,000 are at the end of His Heavenly High Priestly ministry.

Mary's seven devils portray the complete cleansing from sin that the 144,000 will pass through - then ultimately their Gethsemane.

Mary is a mirror of the 144,000. She points forward to them.

Mary's faith was unique. None seen like it before or since, until the 144,000 (His faith & life being lived).

Mary's story to be told particularly at the ultimate Gospel presentation – the 144,000.

Mary's fruits not fully seen until the end of time – in the 144,000.

Mary's faith and love, as seen in the 144,000, will surpass even those in Hebrews 11.

Mary's contrite love, awakened by repentance, will, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, be revealed in the 144,000, The Bride. The mystery of God will be finished, allowing The Bridegroom to come for His Bride.

How did all of this happen?

Because, always — 

Our love to Christ will be in proportion to the depth of our conviction of sin. FW 96 

He Got It!

And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat. And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace. Luke 7:36-50

Why was this good little innocent girl from Bethany, who had no parents, named after the Galilean town which was the HQ of a Roman garrison? 

Simon [Simon was the one who had led Mary into sin. He was her uncle. See Appendix A.] had been healed of the leprosy, and it was this that had drawn him to Jesus. He desired to show his gratitude, and at Christ's last visit to Bethany he made a feast for the Saviour and His disciples....At the table the Saviour sat with Simon...on one side and Lazarus...on the other. Martha served at the table, but Mary was earnestly listening to every word from the lips of Jesus. DG 60

Those present, thinking of Lazarus, who had been raised from the dead by Christ, and who was at this time a guest in his uncle's house, began to question, saying, “Who is this that forgiveth sins also?” But Christ continued, “Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.” DG 239

No, not “Uncle Shimon”; her guardian, surely not! 

YES! Mary had been defiled by her uncle, leading to her living a shameful life at Magdala, so far away from the family home.

Now note God's timing in action! 

The manner in which Christ approached Simon sounds similar to, “Because 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: I 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. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Rev 3:17-19

From the parable included within our opening Scripture passage we can see clearly that pharisaical, Laodicean sins are 10X worse than “sins of the flesh” in our God's eyes.

Simon “got it”!

Simon was touched by the kindness of Jesus in not openly rebuking him before the guests. He had not been treated as he desired Mary to be treated. He saw that Jesus did not wish to expose his guilt to others, but sought by a true statement of the case to convince his mind, and by pitying kindness to subdue his heart. Stern denunciation would have hardened Simon against repentance, but patient admonition convinced him of his error. He saw the magnitude of the debt which he owed his Lord. His pride was humbled, he repented, and the proud Pharisee became a lowly, self-sacrificing disciple. DA 567

This is why we are counselled to wait on Him, for His timing is always perfect.

Simon’s story gives great hope to every professed Christian.

The purity of Christ's character will expose sin in the darkest corners of our soul, convict us and He will totally cleanse us from all sin.

Our love to Christ will be in proportion to the depth of our conviction of sin. FW 96

Sent of God?

Our Perfect Example in all things waited for His every instruction; word, deed and place to go – no thinking, planning, speaking, acting or claiming anything for Himself, leaving all to the Father at every step. All His followers do the same. We will also wait on Him for our next word, deed and place to go.

This is moment by moment but, especially now!

I saw that...those messengers that God had called to labour in His cause…as they went from place to place, they would be safe from the prevailing pestilence. But if any went that were not sent of God, they would be in danger of being cut down by the pestilence; therefore all should earnestly seek for duty, and be sure and move by the direction of the Holy Spirit. 

What we have seen and heard of the pestilence, is but the beginning of what we shall see and hear. Soon the dead and dying will be all around us. I saw that some will be so hardened as to even make sport of the judgements of God…Those only who have the seal of the living God will be sheltered from the storm of wrath, that will soon fall on the heads of those who have rejected the truth.
PT September 1849.

And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. Isaiah 30:21

Christ, The Great I AM

Fear not, Abram: I AM thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. Genesis 15:1

I AM the Almighty God; walk before Me, and be thou perfect. Genesis 17:1

And, behold, I AM with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of. Genesis 28:15

And God said unto Moses, I AM that I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent Me unto you. Exodus 3:14

I AM the Lord that healeth thee. Exodus 15:26

I AM the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Exodus 20:2

Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily My sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I AM the Lord that doth sanctify you. Exodus 31:13

Ye shall therefore keep My statutes, and My judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I AM the Lord. Leviticus 18:5

Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I AM the Lord your God. And ye shall keep My statutes, and do them: I AM the Lord which sanctify you. Leviticus 20:7,8

Be still, and know that I AM God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalms 46:10

I AM the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it. Psalms 81:10

I AM the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. SS 2:1

Fear thou not; for I AM with thee: be not dismayed; for I AM thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness. Isaiah 41:10

I AM the Lord: that is My name: and My glory will I not give to another, neither My praise to graven images. Isaiah 42:8

For I AM the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour. Isaiah 43:3

Ye are My witnesses, saith the Lord, and My servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe Me, and understand that I AM He: before Me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after Me. Isaiah 43:10

I, even I AM He that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. Isaiah 43:25

Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I AM the first, and I AM the last; and beside Me there is no God. Isaiah 44:6

Thus saith the Lord, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I AM the Lord that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by Myself; Isaiah 44:24

I AM the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside Me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known Me: That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside Me. I AM the Lord, and there is none else. Isaiah 45:5,6

Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I AM God, and there is none else. Isaiah 45:22

Be not afraid of their faces: for I AM with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord. Jeremiah 1:8

Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord; for I AM married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion: Jeremiah 3:14

But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth Me, that I AM the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord. Jeremiah 9:24

Behold, I AM against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the Lord, and do tell them, and cause My people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the Lord. Jeremiah 23:32

For I AM the Lord: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass; it shall be no more prolonged: for in your days, O rebellious house, will I say the word, and will perform it, saith the Lord God. Ezekiel 12:25

And ye My flock, the flock of My pasture, are men, and I AM your God, saith the Lord God. Ezekiel 34:31

And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I AM the Lord. Isaiah 37:6

Think not that I AM come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I AM not come to destroy, but to fulfil. Matthew 5:17

But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I AM not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Matthew 9:13

And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I AM able to do this? Matthew 9:26

Think not that I AM come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I AM come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. Matthew 10:34,35

Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I AM meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matthew 11:29

But he answered and said, I AM not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Matthew 15:24

I AM the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. Matthew 22:32

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I AM with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:20

And Jesus said, I AM: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Mark 14:62

I AM come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled? Luke 12:49

For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I AM among you as he that serveth. Luke 22:27

Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And He said unto them, Ye say that I AM. Luke 22:70

I AM come in My Father's name, and ye receive Me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. John 5:43

And Jesus said unto them, I AM the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst. John 6:35

But I know him: for I AM from him, and He hath sent Me. John 7:29

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I AM the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. John 8:12

Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I AM. John 8:58

As long as I AM in the world, I AM the light of the world. John 9:5

Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I AM the door of the sheep. John 10:7

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I AM come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10

I AM the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. John 10:11

Jesus said unto her, I AM the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: John 11:25

Jesus saith unto him, I AM the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me. John 14:6

Believe Me that I AM in the Father, and the Father in Me: or else believe Me for the very works 'sake. John 14:11

At that day ye shall know that I AM in My Father, and ye in Me, and I in you. John 14:20

I AM the true vine, and My Father is the husbandman. John 15:1

I AM the vine, ye are the branches:He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing. John 15:5

Jesus saith unto them, I AM He. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. John 18:5

And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I AM Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. Acts 9:5

I AM Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. Revelation 1:8

Saying, I AM Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. Revelation 1:11

And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon Me, saying unto Me, Fear not; I AM the first and the last: I AM He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I AM alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Revelation 1:17,18

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. Revelation 2:23

I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I AM the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. Revelation 22:16

HE IS

Robe of Righteousness

This robe, woven in the loom of heaven, has in it not one thread of human devising. Christ in His humanity wrought out a perfect character, and this character He offers to impart to us…Christ was obedient to every requirement of the law. He said of Himself, “I delight to do Thy will, O My God; yea, Thy law is within My heart.” Psalms 40:8, Hebrews 10:7-9. When on earth, He said to His disciples, “I have kept My Father's commandments.” John 15:10. By His perfect obedience He has made it possible for every human being to obey God's commandments. When we submit ourselves to Christ, the heart is united with His heart, the will is merged in His will, the mind becomes one with His mind, the thoughts are brought into captivity to Him; we live His life. This is what it means to be clothed with the garment of His righteousness. Then as the Lord looks upon us He sees, not the fig-leaf garment, not the nakedness and deformity of sin, but His own robe of righteousness, which is perfect obedience to the law of Jehovah. COL 311

No one of us can in our own strength represent the character of Christ; but if Jesus lives in the heart, the Spirit dwelling in Him will be revealed in us; all our lack will be supplied. ST January 4, 1883

When we submit ourselves to Christ, the heart is united with His heart, the will is merged in His will, the mind becomes one with His mind, the thoughts are brought into captivity to Him; we live His life. This is what it means to be clothed with the garment of His righteousness. COL 311

The Mystery of God

In the days of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God shall be finished, as He hath declared to His servants the prophets. Revelation 10:7 

That mystery of God finished is the gospel preached to all the world, that the end may come. That mystery of God finished in the world is the work of God finished in preaching the gospel to the nations. And it is more than that, along with that. The mystery of God is God manifest in the flesh. The finished mystery of God is the completion, the perfection, of the manifestation of God in the flesh, in the believers in Jesus who belong to the church. Thus there are two places occupied in the finishing of the mystery of God. One place is the world itself, to which the gospel is to be preached, the other place is in the lives of the believers of the truth. We might preach and proclaim in words to the ends of the earth, to every soul on the earth in our generation, so that phase of the work would be completed, and would be finished, yet if the manifestation of God in the lives of those who preach that, is not completed also, we could preach that thing ten thousand years, and the end would never come. 

It is not simply that the gospel shall be preached to all the world, and fill all the world, but it is that when that is done, there shall be a people ready to meet Him at the end. Without the finishing of that manifestation of God in the flesh of each believer, there can be no finishing of the mystery of God. That mystery finished, God manifest in the flesh, mark it, means that only God is to be seen in every act of life of the believer, so that in his life God is manifest. 

And again you know that the mystery of God is, “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27. Then the finished mystery of God is the finishing of the growth, the manifesting of Christ in the believers, so that we shall stand in the world in the image of Jesus Christ, reflecting Him, that when the believers shall be seen, only Christ will be seen, everything that is said, everything that is done, every tone of voice, all that we are, will tell only of Christ. Only that is the finishing of the mystery in truth, in the way that it counts. And that is what has to come, before the end can come. That is the church that He presents to Himself.

All that is needed to put this denomination, this whole collection of people, so into the church, and to make us so of the church that the work shall be finished in this generation, is unconditional surrender to Jesus Christ, and that surrender everlastingly maintained. 

And this finishing of the mystery of God is only, in another way, the story of the cleansing of the sanctuary. Any preaching of the sanctuary, any study of the sanctuary, any proclamation of the sanctuary, that does not preach and proclaim the finishing of transgression in the life of him who preaches it, that does not mean, and manifest itself in, the making an end of sins in his life, that does not include the making of reconciliation of iniquity in him who gives the message, that does not bring in everlasting righteousness into the life of him who is preaching, is not preaching the message of the cleansing of the sanctuary at all. 

There is a cleansing of the sanctuary in heaven. That is true. And while that is going on in heaven, and there is the making an end of sins there, and a reconciliation of iniquity there, and finishing of transgression there, and all that, yet if that is not also done in the saints and believers on the earth, then that cleansing of the sanctuary can never end. We never could, in that case, come to the end of this world. So, the cleansing of the church of the saints on earth must keep equal pace, must be exactly in proportion with the cleansing of the sanctuary in heaven, or that church will not be up to date.

That great day cannot come till the sanctuary is cleansed. The sanctuary cannot be cleansed until transgression is finished in your life and mine, till an end of sins is made in your life and mine, and reconciliation made for the sins that have been committed, and then, Oh, then, in place of it all, everlasting righteousness brought in, to hold us steady in the path of righteousness. 

You know what difficulties we have had of keeping righteousness in the life. We love it; we give ourselves to it, in surrender, but this comes up, and that comes up, and the other, and we grow feeble, and fail, and lose the power of that righteousness out of the life that alone can make it everlasting righteousness. Oh, then, there is need of such a cleansing of the sanctuary, such an idea of the cleansing of the sanctuary as will finish transgression in the life of every church member, will make an end of sins there, and will make reconciliation for all the sins that have ever been there, and bring in, Oh, to bring in everlasting righteousness, a righteousness that comes to stay, a righteousness that comes to abide, a righteousness that comes to rule, everlastingly, and to keep us unto that everlasting inheritance, and take us to everlasting mansions. 

Now shall we not truly give ourselves to belong, literally belong, to the church, loving the church, giving ourselves for it, giving ourselves to it, that thus we may be cleansed in this day of the cleansing of the sanctuary, with the washing of water by the Word; that Christ may present it to Himself, as He has been longing, longing all these years to do, a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but holy and without blemish? MPM

While the investigative judgment is going forward in heaven, while the sins of penitent believers are being removed from the sanctuary, there is to be a special work of purification, of putting away of sin, among God's people upon earth. GC 425

The Gift

We are not given the ability to keep the law, but given the Mind that finds delight in doing it.

There is liberty in the life of those who don't have to be watched, but can be trusted everywhere, since their every step is but a movement of God's own, holy law; His will.

The mystery of God has been hid in ages past – “let this mind be in you…” 

Let every soul hear it, that Christ has given deliverance to every captive.

If Christ is not accepted as complete Redeemer, He is not accepted at all. If Christ is not accepted for what He is, He is rejected. He does not share with any other the honour of being my Saviour. No other can.

The faith that works by love, is found only with Christ. The inability to do any good thing leads us to take the cross of Christ and depend solely on Him for everything. This is the abasement of all human pride. Love is the life of God. If that life be in us, and given free course, the law will necessarily be in us, for God's life is the law for all creation. That life was manifested in the gift of Himself to the world. There is no other love but the life of God. The only way to have it is for the Holy Spirit to shed it abroad in the heart.

He is our Saviour, our Christ, our Son. He belongs to us and so all that He has is ours. With Him God freely gives us all things. 

In Christ we may assert our freedom from every bondage. 

He is the only Counsellor we need. Anyone who has ever been to Him have not been disappointed.

Christ does not ask for any help of man to establish His kingdom, the kingdom is His.

It is not by strife, nor by force, nor by human effort but by the peaceful power of God in individual hearts that the kingdom is made ready for the King. Then leave others alone and let the peaceful power of God rule in your hearts. MPM

Belong to Him?

“Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it; That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:25-27. 

That, as says the Word, is the church that Christ will present to Himself when He comes. He loved the church and gave Himself for it, and whosoever will be of that church when it shall be the glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, must love the church, and give himself for it. 

That is the church by whom God will give His last message to the world “in this generation.” But He can not have that church by whom He can give that message, until He shall find a people who will love the church and give themselves for it.

This is the philosophy of things, as well, for is it not written, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” Philippians 2:5. And when that mind in Him led Him to love the church, and to give Himself for it, what will that mind do in any other person? I need dwell no longer upon that. 

The church is the body of Christ in the world, it is Christ manifested in the world, it is Christ Himself incarnate in the world, and that church being His body, being Himself manifested, to love that church and give Himself for it, is nothing less, and can not be anything more, that to love Him and give myself for Him. 

Membership in that church, then, comes not to belonging to the church in order to belong to Christ, but by belonging to Christ in order to belong to the church. And the difference between these two things is the difference between Christianity and the mystery of iniquity. 

The mystery of iniquity exalts the form, the name, the idea, the church, and then calls, and sweeps, and forces, all the world into that church, in order that it may be what the mystery of iniquity designs ... not for salvation, for salvation is not in it, not, for righteousness, for righteousness is not in it. The people are the same as before, though they bear a different name. They conform to different forms of things than they did before, but in character, in life, in all that they ever were, they are the same as though they were not members of the church at all. 

But the church, the church of Christ, is Himself manifested. Therefore to belong to this church we must belong first to Him. And membership in this church depends altogether upon our membership of Him. And being in the church depends altogether upon our being in Him, and to be in the church by being in Him, that makes a new people. That changes the individual into another man. That makes him a Christian, such as is Christ, Christ manifest. 

Then we need to consider ourselves daily, each one for himself, and ask, “am I a member of the church?” Not because I am enrolled on the books of the church. Not, am I a member of the church because I have joined the church and that is my dependence? But, am I a member of the church because my name is enrolled in the book of life? Am I a member of the church because I have given myself to Christ, and belong to Him, and live and move and have my being in Him? Such as these are the only members of the church that are on the earth. 

It matters not how much we have our names on the church book, nor how long it be done, we will never be members of the church that way. And though it should be that opportunity or circumstances prevent your name from being in any book on earth, or in any collection of individuals on the earth, yet if you are joined to Him, and live in Him, you are a member of the church, though you be the only soul on earth. That is the only true membership of the church of Christ, and that is the only way to membership in the church of Christ. MPM