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THE ADDRESS ON THE ENVELOPE
PREFACE
Lest those, who having read this study may feel that they have been robbed of so
much that is precious in the Word - so much from which they derive comfort and
help, we would like to make it clear that while the various books and parts of
the Scriptures are definitely ADDRESSED TO different companies of people at
different times we MUST distinguish between; the interpretation and application
of the Word.
Interpretation deals first with those to whom the passage of Scripture is
addressed. When this has been settled we can then apply the passage to ourselves
if this is consistent with truth revealed in this present age of grace, this is
a legitimate application of Scripture.
A great deal of confusion and error has resulted among the people of God by
spiritualizing. This method of reading the Scriptures ignores the primary
interpretation and the literal meaning of a passage or portion of the Word and
reads into it so-called spiritual ideas which may be nothing more than the
personal opinion of the reader and which may be utterly at variance with other
parts of the Bible.
There are truths in the Word of God which are BASIC to all the companies with
their respective callings and hopes -Salvation, Redemption, Justification etc.,
and there are countless passages and portions of Scripture that are unspeakably
precious, from which lessons can be learned and applied to our own hearts and
lives.
A beautiful passage in Isaiah 26:3 will illustrate what is meant: "For thou wilt
keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee because he trusteth in
Thee''.
This is true for all time to every trusting heart although as has been pointed
out, the prophecy is concerning Judah and Jerusalem'' and is primarily addressed
to them.
"I really don't understand it"
"What's the matter?''
"Well, I've just opened a letter, and l can't make head nor tail of it''.
"Are you sure that it's for you? Is it addressed TO you'?
Have you got the envelope?''
"Oh dear, I've read a letter that was intended for someone
else - I've just looked at the envelope, and find that it
wasn't addressed to ME, although there are references to
me in it''.
I expect we have all had a similar experience, and could give instances where
the neglect to read the address on the envelope has not only been amusing, but
also has had very tragic consequences.
In our everyday life we attach a great deal of importance to our correspondence,
letters received by us from day to day, and not only is confusion caused but
also very real harm done through neglecting to make sure that it has been really
addressed to US.
There are a great many people who are dealing with the Word of God as we
sometimes do with our letters; the Bible, as we know, was written at various
times to different companies of people. For instance, instructions were given to
the children of Israel, and blessings promised to them. Attempts are often made
to follow these instructions and to claim blessings that are not for us at all,
although they make very profitable reading because:
"A1l Scripture is given by inspiration of God (God-breathed) and is profitable
for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness'' (2
Tim. 3: 16).
As an example of what is meant by reading the address on the envelope turn to
the Epistle of James:
"James, a servant of God, and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes
which are scattered abroad''.
(One hears about the ten tribes which were "lost''
but here James sends a greeting to the whole twelve).
The Epistle to the Hebrews
was addressed to the Hebrews who are said to be "partakers of the heavenly"
calling'' (Heb.3: 1 ), unlike the Jewish Nation who have an earthly one.
In one's own experience, and the experience of very many true believers, not
only perplexity but also real distress have been caused by applying to
themselves warnings which were written to these particular believers at that
time; some have even felt that they had committed the unpardonable sin of
Hebrews chapter six.
For a further example, open the prophecy of Isaiah ... "The vision of Isaiah
which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem''. What untold harm has been done,
and ridicule and contempt brought upon the Bible all down the years, by not
reading the address on the envelope, and applying prophesies addressed to the
Jew as a Nation, to the "Church''.
In our ordinary correspondence we also attach much importance, and rightly so,
to dates or times. The value of any correspondence depends largely on its dates,
vitally important on all legal documents and an absolute necessity if the
subject matter refers to coming or going. To this all will agree. Surely then if
correct dates are a necessity for the clear understanding of ordinary correspondence, the necessity applies with greater force when we seek to understand what GOD has written concerning matters of spiritual life and
destiny.
It has been stated that, before seeking to understand any part of the Bible,
four points should first of all be settled.
( l ) By whom the particular prophecy or epistle was written.
(2) To whom it was addressed.
(3) The special circumstances which called for the writing.
(4) The date of the message.
While we cannot always fix a definite or exact DATE for the events of Scripture
history, we CAN arrive at the TIMES of such events, and we are
told that "God hath spoken at sundry times, and in divers manners (in many ways)'' ( Heb.1:1 ) .
Time is a vital factor in what is called in 2 Timothy 1 :9 "Age-times'' or
the ages of time. During these age-times we read of a purpose, the purpose of
the ages. and this purpose concerns different companies of people, each of these
being called or marked out beforehand for an inheritance. This purpose is
secured by two immutable things, God's promise and His oath which are bound up
with the redemptive work of Christ (Heb. 6:18).
I have before me a number of envelopes addressed to these different companies of
people and l should like to open these envelopes and read what is written
inside, but before doing so, I intend to read the address on the envelope and
ask you the question "Is this letter for YOU?''. As l ask that, l am asking YOU
- YOU who are a Gentile, living in what is known as the dispensation of Grace --
HERE, and NOW, to face up to what is written, and ask yourself "Did God REALLY
intend that for ME? Am I the subject of it'? Do I fit the description, without
spiritualizing or making it meaningless? Do I conform to the rules and obey the
precepts contained in it?''.
The first letter I am going to read is addressed to:
Herewith is the status of your position:
You were born a Jew, of the Nation of Israel.
You have been chosen above all the nations that are upon the earth (Deut.14:2).
"1 have made a covenant with thee'' (Exod.34:27), an unconditional covenant
(Gen. 15).
l have given you a land for your inheritance from the river of Egypt unto the
great river Euphrates'' (Gen. l 5 : 1 8).
You are My Son, My firstborn (Exod.4:22) By Adoption.
My Vineyard (Isa. 5, Jer. 2).
My Sheep (Matt. 10:6, Ezek. 34).
My People (Deut. 29).
My Wife (Jer. 3:14).
My Glory (Isa. 46: 1 3).
You are "under Law'' (Exod. 20, 21, 22, 23).
The Law given to you was written with the finger of God, the writing was the
writing of God (Exod. 31:18, 32:16).
The Lord has given you the Sabbath (Exod.
31:13-18 ). "lt is a sign between Me and you, Wherefore the Children of Israel
shall observe the Sabbath throughout their generations for a perpetual
covenant'' A "sign'' is a symbol, a thing by which something else is
represented. This "symbol" was the truth of the peculiar relationship which
existed between God and Israel. (Just as a wedding ring is a symbol between
husband and wife ).
Ye shall keep ALL My Sabbaths - (Seventh day, seven days. seven weeks, seven
months, seven years) note the "sevens'' in Israel's history).
Ye shall keep ALL My Offerings (Lev. 7:37, 38).
Ye shall keep ALL My Commandments (Deut. 30:8).
Ye shall keep ALL My Statutes (Deut.6:24).
Ye shall keep the Feasts of the Lord (Lev. 23:4).(Passover, Unleavened bread,
Pentecost, Harvest, Tabernacles).
Ye shall give tithes to Me (Deut. 14 : 22-29 ).
Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God in the place which the Lord thy God shall
choose (Deut. 12).
You need My Priests to make an Atonement for you. ( Lev. l 6 and 17).
Every man-child shall be circumcised (Gen. 17).
Ye shall not do after the manner of the Nations (Lev. 20: 23).
There are beasts which ye shall not eat (Lev. 1 l :47 ) .
Garments which ye shall not wear (Dent. 22: l 1 ).
Seed which ye shall not sow (Dent. 22:9, Lev. 1 9: 19).
Ye shall not do after the abominations of the Nations:
SPIRITISM forbidden -- IDOLATRY forbidden.
"Ye shall have no other gods but Me''
You are "not reckoned among the Nations'' (Num.23:9 ).
You write differently.
You speak differently.
When
God blesses you, He does so DIRECTLY; when He punishes you, He does so through
other Nations, whereas, when He punishes them, He does so directly, and when He
blesses them, He does so THROUGH YOU. "l will bless thee ... and thou shalt be a
blessing ... in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed'' (Gen. 12).
"What advantage then hath the Jew? Much every way. chiefly because that unto
them were committed (they were entrusted with) the Living Utterances of God''
(Rom. 3: l ,2).
Blessed with National privileges -
(The Fig Tree, Jer. 24 , Matt . 2l ).
Blessed with Religious privileges-
(The Olive Tree, Rom.11 ).
Blessed with Spiritual and Temporal blessings-
(The Vine, Psa. 80:8, Isa. 5:27).
AND YET ...
They are the sheep that are lost (Matt. 1 0:6), that went astray (lsa.53:6). The
fig tree that yielded no fruit (Matt.21:l9). The vine that brought forth wild
grapes (Isa.5: 2). The son that went into a far country (Luke 15). The wife that
is an adulteress (Jer. 3:8, 14).
A sinful Nation. A seed of evil-doers.
The date or time of this letter is the time when, as recorded in Genesis l 2,
God said to Abraham:
"I will make of thee a great Nation ... and in thee shall all families of the
earth be blessed''.
This promise was given to Isaac, and later to Jacob. who was called Israel
(Gen.32:28), and who became the father of the great Israelitish Nation.
Are you, as a Gentile, included in this letter?
I have here another letter, addressed to Mr. Gentile, which applies to the
Gentiles who lived among the time of Abraham and onwards:
Mr. Gentile, born a Gentile, of a Nation -
You are not under law (Rom. 2:4).
You are not the chosen Nation (lsrael).
You have no land for your inheritance (Exod. 6:8 ).
You are aliens from the Commonwealth of Israel.
Strangers from the Covenants of Promise (Eph. 2:l2 ),
"The stranger that is within thy gates'' (Exod. 20:10).
You have no hope, you are without God (Eph. 2:12) .
You shall not eat the Passover (Exod. 12:43,45 ).
You can be admitted into the Commonwealth of Israel only on the ground of
circumcision ( Exod. 12:48 ).
Your sons shall also be circumcised.
You are THEN a proselyte (A Gentile who comes over to the
Jew's religion).
You are THEN under Law (Exod. 30, 12:49 ).
You can THEN keep the Passover. You can be a partaker of the blessings of the
land through Israel and the Tribe.
You come under the Atonement ( Lev.16:29).
You share the harvest of the Land (Lev. 23:22).
You need My Priests, the Levites to minister unto you.
You shall keep the Sabbaths ( Lev. 25 :6).
You shall keep the Feasts.
You shall keep the Offerings (Lev. l7 :8).
Are YOU as a Gentile, living today, included in this letter?
The
third envelope that I now open, contains two letters addressed to two companies
of people:
Mr. Saved Gentile.
Mr. Hebrew Christian.
They were both living at the same time in what is known as the Acts period - a
transitional period dating from the Crucifixion to Paul's imprisonment in Rome;
a period of about 33 years.
Jews which believe (Acts 21:20).
Gentiles which believe (Acts 21:25).
Although with regard to their standing in Christ they were one (Gal. 3:28), yet
during this period they did not lose their identity.
You were born a Jew, and are living during the Acts period. when there were two
companies of believers. You accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior as
well as your Messiah.
You are justified by faith.
You are no longer offering the blood of bulls and goats which could never take
away sin (Heb. 10:4). You are trusting in the one Offering of the body of Jesus
Christ made once for all (Heb. l0: 10).
You came into salvation and blessing BEFORE "Mr. Saved Gentile'' because as a
Jew, you were at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. You were in Jerusalem, or
had "gone up'' to keep the Feast.
You heard a marvelous sermon addressed specially to you, and preached by Peter:
"Ye men of Judah ... Ye men of Israel'' (Acts 2)
You were told that the prophecy was spoken by the prophet Joel, and that it
concerned a "promise unto you and unto your children'' (Acts 2:39) "Your sons
and daughters''(Acts 2:l7 ).
On this day 3,000 of you believed and were baptized. Another 5,000 were added
later (Acts 2:41, 4:4).
You began to perform evidential miracles the "signs" that Christ said would
follow "them that believe" (Mark 16: 17-20).
You cast out demons.
You spoke in tongues.
You took up serpents.
You were able to drink "any deadly thing''.
You laid hands on the sick, and they recovered.
You even raised the dead (Acts 9:36-41).
Even the shadow of Peter passing by, did wonders in healing the sick who had
been brought into the streets, and laid on beds and couches (Acts 5:l5) and also
special miracles of healing were wrought by Paul (Acts 19:11,l2 ; 28:3,8,9).
Your hope was a millennial one (Rom. 15 :12,13) for here the Apostle Paul places
it, when the Lord reigns over the Gentiles as prophesied in the great millennial
chapter of Isaiah eleven.
You were waiting for the rest of the Nation to repent and be converted. when the
Lord Jesus Christ would immediately return, and all the glowing prophecies of
the O.T. regarding the earthly Kingdom would be fulfilled (Acts 3: l 9-26).
The basis of all your salvation and hope is the New Covenant made by God with
your nation (Jer. 31 :31 ). This is the blood of the New Covenant''
(Matt.28:28). (The N.T. usage, must conform to the O.T. usage and its
translation).
lf you are a saved Gentile this letter is not addressed to YOU today.
The letter l am now going to read to you is addressed to:
You were born a Gentile, and also lived during the period covered by the Acts of
the Apostles.
Some of the letters written during that period contain references to you.
As a Gentile you were not present at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost: it was a
"feast of the Jews''. The promise of the outpouring of the Spirit was not given
to YOU, but to Israel (Acts 1 ). "I send the promise of My Father upon YOU (Luke
24:49).
It was not until eight years after Pentecost that the "door of faith'' was
opened to you, and God "granted to the Gentiles repentance unto life'' (Acts l1
:18).
You turned to God from idols.
You turned from pagan darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God.
You received the forgiveness of sins, and to the astonishment of the saved Jews,
on you, a saved Gentile, was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts
10:45). You became a partaker of Israel's spiritual blessings (Rom.11:17).
You thus have doctrinal blessings, and dispensational privileges in being linked
with the covenant people (Israel).
Unlike the proselyte (Mr. Gentile No. 1 ), you are not under law, but under
grace. "If ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing'' (Gal.5:2).
You are members of a body (hands. feet, head, eyes, (1 Cor. 12), but you are not
on an equality, dispensationally, with the Jewish believer.
The Jew is "first'' for the Gospel (Rom. l : l 6) and judgment and blessing (2
:9,10).
The word of repentance and blessing is to the Jew first (Acts 3:26, 13:46,
26:20).
You are only a "wild olive'' grafted into the true olive (Israel) (Rom. 11:24),
and are reminded that the root (Israel) bears you, and not the other way round
(Rom. 11:18).
You are warned that you can be "cut off'' from this position (Rom. 11:20-22).
Although you are not under law, there are "decrees'' which you must keep - "four
necessary things'' (Acts 15:28).
This was like the "middle wall of partition'' between you and Jewish believers
(Eph.2:15). The literal "middle wall''was an inscription on one of the Temple
enclosure walls reading as follows:
''No one, being a foreigner (Gentile) may enter in to the enclosure around the
Holy Place. Whosoever is apprehended will himself be to blame for his death
which will certainly follow".
Your hope is the "hope of lsrael'' entertained by Mr. Hebrew Christian, as you
have become a sharer of his blessings.
If you. as a Gentile. disconnect yourself from the Jew in this Acts period how
are you going to have the blessings there described?
Mr. Hebrew Christian was warned about the possibility of turning back to
Judaism, and so trampling under foot the blood of Christ (Heb. l0:29). Such
would draw back unto perdition (10:39) and lose any possibility of pleasing God
and earning a reward. If on the other hand he went on to perfection (maturity
Heb.6:1), and suffered and endured (Heb. 10:32-35) as those in Hebrews l1:33-40,
or as described in Revelation 3:12 (overcomers), then, as a reward, he could
look forward to a better country connected with the Heavenly Jerusalem (Heb. 1
1:16, 12:22,23). In which case the address on the envelope to him would be:
Mr. Saved Gentile if he likewise endured, and was faithful to the end, would
also share this reward and special privilege of a higher sphere of blessing -
indeed a "better hope" than the earthly one.
This last letter which I am going to read to you, is addressed to two
companies of believers; it contains the final revelation to Paul after Israel as
a Nation had been set aside for the time being. (Acts 28:25-28)
You were born a Gentile or a Jew.
You have redemption through the blood of Christ.
You are not under Law, but under Grace.
The Jew has NO advantage here.
You are ONE NEW MAN created in Christ Jesus. (Eph.2:15)
You are no longer (as a Gentile) "afar off" - no more "strangers and foreigners
(Eph.2:19)
The "middle wall of partition'' has been broken down (Eph.2:14).
You have access by one Spirit unto the Father (Eph.2: 18).
You are fellow citizens of the Holiest of all (Eph.2: 19).
Built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets. A building fitly framed
together ... for an habitation of God.
You have been chosen in Christ, before the "overthrow'' of the world (Eph. 1
:4).
Predestinated unto sonship (adoption) (Eph. 1 :5).
You are Members of the Body of which Christ is the Head.
You have equal rights and privileges, the Jew is no longer "first''.
You have been sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, the earnest of your
inheritance (Eph. l : 1 3, 1 4).
You have (unlike any other company) been made to sit together in heavenly places
in Christ, and will be manifested with Him in glory (Col. 3:4).
If you would like to know more of your unique position and peculiar privileges,
read the Epistles which are specially addressed to you - Ephesians, Philippians,
Colossians and 2 Timothy.
In these Epistles we read of a Mystery - "HID IN GOD'' (Eph 3:9), not hidden in
the Scriptures. Colossians chapter one states that it was "hid from ages and
from generations''. It was a sacred secret revealed to Paul, and made known by
him after Acts 28:28, concerning a far above all heavenly company. The ONE BODY
(Eph.4) of which Christ is the Head.
This Company is blessed with every spiritual blessing "in the Heavenlies'' (Eph.
1 ). The expression "in the Heavenlies'' occurs only five times in the New
Testament and these occurrences are found in the Epistle to the Ephesians.
This is a sphere of blessing which is absolutely unique. It was to this place
that Christ ascended "to the Right Hand of God'' far above all heavens (Eph. 4),
and the members of His Body have not only been raised, but seated in Him there.
It is not merely heavenly blessings, for this is the portion of all who are in
Christ, but a PLACE of blessing distinct from the New Earth or Heavenly City
which comes down from God out of heaven (Rev. 2 l ). What an unspeakable
privilege! Our life now hid with Christ in God, awaiting the day when this body
of humiliation shall be fashioned like unto His glorious body, and at His
glorious appearing be manifested with Him in glory.
In the Acts period we find a body which began at Pentecost consisting of Jews
only. To this body the Gentiles were added after Peter received the vision of
the sheet (chapter 10), eight years after Pentecost, but in the revelation given
to Paul after Acts 28 :28, we have a new creation, a body of the twain (Jew and
Gentile), both having equal rights and privileges.
How unique the blessing! Chosen in Christ BEFORE (not "from'' Matt. 25:34) the
foundation (overthrow) of the world (Eph. 1 ). Seated together in Him. far above
all principality and power and might, and dominion and every name that is named
- that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in
His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
"The church which is His Body, the fullness of Him that filleth all in all''.
I trust we have seen quite clearly in these letters, the distinction between
those addressed -
( 1 ) to the Nation of Israel, commencing from Genesis 12,
( 2) to saved Jews. (Hebrew Christians) and saved Gentiles during the Acts
period, and -
(3) "to the faithful in Christ Jesus'' the letters written by Paul during his
prison ministry, after Israel as a nation had been set aside.
Some may be asking the question "Is there any other company. or are ALL since
Paul received the revelation of the Mystery (Secret, hid in God Eph. 3:9)
members of the ONE BODY (Eph. 4 :4 and 1:20-23) of which Christ is the Head?''
We shall have to open the Gospel of John to get our answer, where we shall find
that John alone of all the N.T. writers speaks of the "Marriage of the Lamb''.
In Matthew 22 we read :
"A certain king made a marriage for his son, and sent forth his servants to call
them that had been bidden - or previously called to the wedding (lit. wedding
feast)''.
In the O.T.. over and over again, God had sent messengers to His People Israel,
but in 2 Chronicles 36:16 we read that "they mocked the messengers, and despised
His words, and scoffed at His Prophets until the wrath of the Lord arose against
His People till "THERE WAS NO REMEDY''. These words occur on the last page of
the Hebrew Bible. Four hundred years of silence and then God, in the Parable of
the Vineyard says - "They will reverence My Son''. He had sent His servants in
the O.T., now in the New, the Lord Jesus Christ sends His servants to the same
people.
Not only did those who were called not come, but they slew those who invited
them. Again He sent forth other servants, as recorded in the Acts period, but
they gave no heed, and went away, one to his own farm, another to his own
merchandise, and they entreated them spitefully. This resulted in the King's
wrath, and in 1 Thess. 2:15, 16, we read that "wrath is come upon them to the
uttermost'', referring to the destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman armies in
A.D.7O. Those who HAD been called in the O.T. and re-called or bidden in the
New, are now pronounced "not worthy'' and the servants are sent into the
highways. When the Lord sent out His disciples He said "Go not into the WAY of
the Gentiles, but go rather to the lost sheep of the House of Israel'' (Matt.
10), but NOW in Matthew 22:9 the command is "Go ye, into the highways'' (the
word in Matthew 10 "way'' and the word "highway'' in Matthew 22 are the same
Greek word). Through Israel's failure to respond, the invitation is extended to
the Gentiles, and the wedding chamber is filled with guests:
''He came unto His own (i.e. the people of Israel) and His own received Him not,
but as many as received Him, to them gave He the right to become the children of
God. even to them that believe on His Name'' (John 1 : 12).
In the A.V. the word translated "son'' in this verse is the Greek word teknon -
a child. and if we would distinguish between the things that differ we must
distinguish between the word for child (born into a family), and the Greek word
huiothesia (sonship), giving the inheritance of the firstborn - the heir.
There are three Companies in Scripture who have the first- born's position,
(referring to inheritance):
( l ) Israel, My Son - My Firstborn (Exod. 4 :22). Israel according to the flesh
(Rom. 9). The earthly Company.
(2 ) The Heavenlv City Company who are called in Hebrews 12:23 the CHURCH
(ecclesia, i.e. a called-out assembly) of the FIRSTBORN (Gal. 4:5) (the Heavenly
Jerusalem).
(3) The Members of the Body of which Christ is the Head. the CHURCH (ecclesia)
which is His Body and His Fullness (Eph. 1:22,23), predestinated unto sonship
(adoption) (Eph. l :4), in the heavenly places "above al1'' at the right hand of
God.
To the Gentile, therefore. John has a special message. A message for the WORLD :
"God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth on Him should not perish but have everlasting (age-lasting) Iife"
(John 3:l6 ).
The "guests'' called, or bidden, to the Marriage feast are not the "wife'' (Note
Jer. 3: l4 and Rev. 19) nor the "bride'' (Rev. 2l ), nor the Body - of which
Christ is the Head, but a special class who are privileged to attend the wedding
of the King's Son as GUESTS, during the 1,000 years of His reign over the earth
during the Millennium Kingdom.
These must have "life'' through His Name: they must have the Wedding garment.
In closing let us read together Revelation 19:6-9:
"And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many
waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, "Alleluia: for the Lord
God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to Him, for
the marriage (marriage-feast) of the Lamb is come, and His wife (Greek gune)
hath made herself ready'. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in
fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
And he saith unto me,
Blessed are they which are CALLED (invited) unto the marriage supper of the
Lamb".
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