John 1:14 - And the Word (undiminished deity) became flesh (true humanity), and dwelt among us (the Incarnation), and we (James, Peter, and John) beheld His glory (the visual manifestation of the Uniform of Glory), glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth (Bible Doctrine).
In our previous lessons we reviewed the doctrines that relate to TLJC in his first advent when he was incarnated via the virgin birth.
We started our study with a discussion of the doctrine of the virgin birth that was necessary for there to be no transmission of the OSN and then took up the doctrine of the hypostatic union that explains the mechanics of how undiminished deity and true humanity reside in the person of TLJC and then discussed the doctrine of the kenosis that defines God the Father's protocol for the deity and humanity of TLJC in hypostatic union.
In the context of these doctrines, we have been looking at some of the names and titles for our Lord Jesus Christ in order to see more clearly what God has done for us through him, so we can more completely understand who TLJC is and what he has done for us, and from our knowledge of him have our confidence established in him by being occupied with him. Heb 12:2;
We are presently looking at how believers are related to TLJC as the chief cornerstone.
The Prophecy of the Cornerstone is found in Isa 28:16;
v16 "Therefore, thus communicates Adonai Jehovah (God the Father), `Behold I am laying in Zion a stone (Jesus Christ as the foundation for spiritual building Israel laid in the great power experiment of the Hypostatic Union), a tested stone (impeccability Jesus Christ), a valuable (honorable) cornerstone.' He who believes in Him will not panic (be disappointed)."
Anyone who believes in Jesus Christ in any dispensation will not be disappointed because that person has eternal life.
This passage is quoted in Rom 9:33; as it relates to Israel, and in 1Pet 2:6; as it relates to the Church.
The Jewish rejection of TLJC during his first advent is anticipated in the prophecy found in Psa 118:22; "The stone (Jesus Christ) which the builders (Jews during great power experiment of the Hypostatic Union) rejected has become the chief cornerstone."
This is quoted in Matt 21:42, Mark 12:10, Luke 20:17, Acts 4:11, and 1Pet 2:7.
The Hebrew noun "panah" means "corner." It is used for the cornerstone of the earth in Job 38:6.
Jesus Christ describes himself as the foundation of the Church in Matt 16:18; indicating that at the time, the construction of the church had not yet started.
Jesus is speaking to Peter, who is also called Simon, when He says: "Furthermore I say to you, You are "petros" (piece of rock, referring to Peter). And on this "petra" (gigantic rock, referring to himself, the cornerstone, the foundation) I will build My church, and the gates of hell will not overpower it ( the royal family in Church Age)."
This is an obvious play on words that highlights the connection between Peter and all other believers and TLJC.
All believers are "petros" or chips off the giant rock of Jesus Christ, are stones in the building. Christ our foundation is the chief cornerstone.
His use of the future tense of the Greek word "oikodomeo" translated "will build" proves that the Church did not yet exist.
The gates of hell can never prevail against the church or the believers that it is composed of no matter how badly they fail because, because at the moment of salvation, all believers are entered into union with TLJC, the giant rock, and become a "petros" just as Peter did
All believers in the Church Age are in the superstructure and as a result no believer can lose their salvation.
This prophecy is confirmed in 1Cor 3:11, where Paul states. "No man can lay a foundation other than the one that is already laid (through the power demonstrated by TLJC the Hypostatic Union) which is Jesus Christ (chief cornerstone, foundation)."
This is amplified in 1Pet 2:4-7; "And coming to Him as a living stone, rejected by men, but elect and precious in the sight of God."
In this passage, the more common Greek word "lithos" is used for stone. "Lithos is also used for a stone that is cut out for the purpose of building.
The first phrase, "and coming to Him" goes back to the principle found in John 6:37b; "the one that comes to Me I will in no wise cast out." We come to Jesus Christ by simply believing in Him.
There are three elections in history, and each election is used in the building metaphor.
Israel, the new racial species, was elected, since Moses, to execute the ritual plan of God,
Christ was elected to fulfill the salvation plan of God under the protocol of the Hypostatic Union.
The Church was elected as the Royal Family of God to compliment TLJC in Hypostatic Union and to execute the protocol plan of God in the Church Age.
Israel and the Church both have Jesus Christ as their foundation cornerstone.
1Pet 2:5;"You also as living stones "lithos" ( the living, spiritual structure of Church) are being constructed into a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."
Being a holy priest means that every church age believer is separated unto God forever as a member of the royal priesthood. The royal priesthood is invisible. We do not offer up visible physical sacrifices, we offer invisible spiritual sacrifices, including the execution of the protocol plan of God by our spiritual advance after salvation and the use of the divine omnipotence that is available inside the PPOG.
These are the believer's spiritual sacrifice. The believer's priesthood is a private matter between them and the Lord. Every believer has the option tot to choose to grow in grace and advance in God's plan for their life or not.
In Verse 6, Peter quotes Isa 28:16, "For in the Scripture it says, `Behold, I lay in Zion an elect stone (Jesus Christ), a precious cornerstone, and he who believes in Him will never be disappointed.'"
The elect precious cornerstone is the foundation of the superstructure.
1Pet 2:7; "This precious value is for you who believe; but for those who do not believe, `The stone which the builders have rejected has become the very cornerstone.'"
The construction of the Church on the foundation of Jesus Christ began with the apostles, Eph 2:20, "You have been constructed on the foundation by means of the apostles and prophets."
This means that the royal family of God is built up as a spiritual building through the perception of Bible doctrine so the building of the structure demands evangelism and Bible teaching.
The initial communication of mystery doctrine was accomplished by the temporary gifts of apostleship and prophecy. These gifts were terminated when the canon of scripture was completed around 96 A.D.
The two communication gifts of pastor-teacher and evangelist are functional in this period of the Church Age. So the royal family of God is constructed and built through perception of doctrine, not through Christian works. Production is a result of spiritual growth not the source.
The original communication of the mystery doctrine was accomplished by the spoken communication by apostles and prophets to their contemporaries and by the written communication of the apostles to all future generations of the Church Age.
The Hypostatic Union results in Jesus Christ being the foundation of two spiritual buildings, TLJC being the chief cornerstone for both. The two buildings are Israel and the Church.
Remember that in the analogy of Jesus Christ as the chief cornerstone of the two walls or superstructures, He divides Israel and the Church forever in the dispensation of the Hypostatic Union. Their function on the earth is mutually exclusive, but the two different buildings have a common foundation, Jesus Christ.
The Church is being constructed on the foundation of Jesus Christ today. Israel will be constructed on the foundation of Jesus Christ in the future.
The failure of Israel to accept Jesus Christ as ruler and Messiah is taught in Rom 9:30-33; "Therefore, to what conclusion are we forced, that the Gentiles who did not strive for righteousness (they didn't have the Mosaic Law) have attained righteousness, that is, the righteousness from God from the source of faith (imputed perfect righteousness).
v31 But Israel, who pursued the Law with human self-righteousness, has not accomplished the purpose of the Law
v32 because they did not pursue it by means of faith, but as it were, by works; they stumbled over the stumbling stone (Jesus Christ).
v33 Just as it stands written (in Isa 28:16), `Behold, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling (a stone which causes the unbeliever to stumble), and a rock of offense (a rock which arouses opposition). However, the one who believes in Him will never be disappointed (humiliated)."
Those who are built into the superstructure will never be disappointed, whether Israel or the Church, weather they advance in the PPOG or not.
God's plan in every dispensation starts with faith in Christ as the means of salvation. That salvation can never be lost, cancelled or rescinded.
As the chief cornerstone, Jesus Christ in Hypostatic Union is therefore the foundation for two spiritual invisible buildings.
The Church as a building is in the process of construction right now. At the Exit Resurrection or Rapture the Church becomes a spiritual temple forever.
Israel has the foundation of Christ, but because they rejected Him during His First Advent, there is no construction of Israel until TLJC returns at the Second Advent.
At that time, the believers of the Age of Israel, Tribulation, and Millennium become part of the superstructure during the Millennium. This structure is completed at the end of the Millennium. Then they become a holy temple for all eternity.
Jesus Christ became the foundation for Israel by is incarnation via the virgin birth. After the crucifixion through t his resurrection, ascension and session, He became the foundation for the Church, so during the Church Age, Israel remains a foundation without a superstructure.
God gave the Jews a forty year period of grace prior to the final administration of the fifth cycle of discipline in 70 A.D. as an opportunity to become part of the new superstructure, the new program, the PPOG.
They were warned by the temporary gift of tongues that a new building was under construction. They were no longer to look to Jerusalem, but instead to believe in Jesus Christ and become a part of the royal family of God forever.
Jesus Christ in resurrection, ascension, and session is the starting point for the Church. Jesus Christ in His Second Advent is the starting point for the spiritual building of Israel.
The Jews had every opportunity to understand the First Advent from their rituals that described the doctrine of the hypostatic union.
In the synagogue, weekly they say, "SHAMA JISRAEL, ADONAI ELOHENU, ADONAI ECHAD," that is translated "Hear O Israel, Jehovah is God, Jehovah is unique."
ELOHENU refers to the deity of Christ in Hypostatic Union; ECHAD refers to the entire person of Jesus Christ in Hypostatic Union (undiminished deity and true humanity in one person forever), as the foundation for the new spiritual building called Israel.
This is comparable to what was said in Rev 1:8; Rev 21:6; and Rev 22:13; when Jesus Christ said, "I am Alpha and Omega." Alpha is the first letter in the Greek alphabet; omega is the last letter.
Alpha refers to Jesus Christ as eternal God. Omega refers to His incarnation, First Advent, and the Hypostatic Union. As alpha and omega, Jesus Christ at His Second Advent will construct the spiritual building called Israel.
All of the Jewish Feasts portray TLJC as their foundation. The Jews should have understood the great power experiment of the Hypostatic Union by their feasts that are described in Lev 23;
The Passover portrays the saving work of Christ on the cross. Lev 23:5; 1Cor 5:7, "Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us."
The Passover was fulfilled during the dispensation of the Hypostatic Union on the 14'th day of the first month. The cross must come before the crown. The only true Israel is the Jew who believes in Jesus Christ, following the pattern of Abraham.
The Feast of Unleavened Bread that is observed for one week ( 7 days) immediately following the Passover celebration on the 15th day. This feast uses unleavened bread to portray that fellowship with God for believers only. Lev 23:6-7;
In Hypostatic Union our Lord revealed Himself as the bread of life. The unleavened bread represents the impeccability of Jesus Christ as He went to the cross to be judged for our sins.
His humanity remained inside the prototype spiritual life under the omnipotence of the Holy Spirit, Heb 9:14; He used the happiness of God as His problem solving device while on the cross, Heb 12:2;
The first Sunday after the Passover was the Wave Sheaf offering. Lev 23:9-14; This portrays the resurrection of the humanity of Jesus Christ at the termination of the dispensation of the unglorified humanity of TLJC in Hypostatic Union.
1Cor 15:20,23; "But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who sleep, ..... but each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ's at His coming."
Pentecost occurred fifty days after the Wave Sheaf offering. Lev 23:15-21; Pentecost represents the final administration of the fifth cycle of discipline to a Jewish client nation and represents the removal of Israel as a client nation to God until TLJC returns at the Second Advent.
There are no Jewish feasts between Pentecost that occurs near the beginning of the 3rd month and the feast of Trumpets that occurs on the first day of the seventh month. This four month gap represents the Church Age and the times of the Gentiles where only Gentile nations can function as client nations is inserted
During this time that is represented by this gap, the royal family of God is being constructed on the foundation of Jesus Christ through the baptism of the Spirit.
The Mystery Doctrine that is available to those in the Church Age is a category of truth unknown to Old Testament authors that has now revealed., Rom 16:25-26; Eph 3:1-6; Col 1:25-26;
The Church Age could have been mentioned in the Old Testament, but it was passed over in total silence under the principle of mystery doctrine. Some of the passages it could have been mentioned in are between Dan 2:40( )41; Dan 7:23( )24; Dan 8:22( )23; Dan 11:35( )36; Hosea 3:4( )5.
The Feast of the Trumpets that is described in Lev 23:23-25; represents the termination of the final administration of Israel's fifth cycle of discipline. At present, the population of Israel is scattered throughout the world. But at the Second Advent, Israel will be regathered and restored as a client nation to God. Isa 10:20-23; Isa 11:11-16;
Only the regenerate of Israel enter the Millennium under the rule of Jesus Christ. All Jewish unbelievers of the Tribulation are removed from the earth through the baptism of fire, and thereby excluded from the millennium.
This is the subject of the parable of the foolish virgins, and the parable of the tares, and is the subject of Matt 24:40 that refers to the one left and one taken from the field.
The Day of Atonement Lev 23:26-32; represents the fulfillment of the unconditional covenants to Israel (Abrahamic, Palestinian, Davidic, New).
In the fulfillment of these covenants, all Jewish believers of the Old Testament and the Jewish believers who were martyred during the Tribulation are resurrected. The Jewish believers who survive the Tribulation enter the Millennium to receive the fulfillment of the covenants in unglorified bodies.
So there will be two categories of Jews that will enjoy the fulfillment of these covenants: those in resurrection bodies, and those still in OSN infused bodies of corruption.
The New Testament commentary on this feast is found in Rom 3:23-26; and in Heb 9:24-28.
The Feast of the Tabernacles, Zech 14:9, 16; Lev 23:33-43, represents the millennial reign of Jesus Christ in perfect environment.
This annual calendar of Holy Days reveals God's plan for Israel and provided them with all that was required for them to understand God's plan for them.
In conclusion, we have seen that Jesus Christ fulfills the chief cornerstone principle during the dispensation of the Hypostatic Union through the virgin birth where Jesus Christ became David's greater Son, who will be the ruler of Israel in both in the Millennium and forever.
We have seen that through His strategic victory on the cross followed by His resurrection ascension and session, Jesus Christ also became the head of the church and ruler of the royal family of God during the Church Age and forever.
Therefore, Jesus Christ is the cornerstone and foundation of two spiritual buildings during the dispensation of his unglorified humanity in Hypostatic Union: Israel and the Church.
Jesus Christ is the cornerstone and foundation of the Church now under construction, Eph 2:20-22;.
To the Jews during the great power experiment of the Hypostatic Union, our Lord was the stone of stumbling, Rom 9:32-33;
To Israel at the Second Advent, Jesus Christ is the chief cornerstone Psa 118:22; Matt 21:42;