|
THE "ROCK-MASS". 826.
"FLESH AND BLOOD DID NOT REVEAL
[IT] TO YOU, BUT
MY
FATHER WHO IS IN THE HEAVENS DID." (Matt 16:17).
THE MEANING OF
THE "ROCK-MASS".
The "rock-mass" of Matthew 16:18 is the
knowledge God that gives His people in their hearts, minds and spirits that
Jesus Christ is His Son and His representative. (John 17:8. 2 Cor 4:6,7). This
knowledge is likened to a spiritual "rock mass" on which
Jesus said: "I will build my congregation". (Matt 16:18). When
Jesus said: "Flesh and blood did not reveal [it] to you",
he himself was flesh and blood at that time, so it was not he who revealed
[it]. He had emptied himself of all power and was fashioned as a man of
flesh. (Phil 2:6-8). The [it] referred to is the knowledge God
gives by Holy Spirit. Its constancy and trustworthiness are the
"rock mass"
upon which Jesus builds the spiritual House of God. This House is a congregation
of 144,000 Spirit anointed members. They are the "temple" class of God and have
all been given into Jesus' hands by God. (Rev 7:4) (Rev 5:9,10. John 3:35,36).
THE PARALLEL
TEACHING JESUS GAVE.
"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God"
(acknowledged by Peter but revealed to him by God). "You are Peter, and
on this rock-mass I will build my congregation" (on the knowledge
that Christ is the Son of God and the Saviour of mankind). And as Jehovah is the
One who gives this knowledge to men: He is the "ROCK-MASS". (Please read: Matt 16:15-18).
"THAT
ROCK-MASS MEANT THE CHRIST". (1 Cor 10:4).
The spiritual "drink" from which our forefathers drank
were the teachings of a coming one, Christ Jesus. His life on earth
"followed" theirs in order of time. It certainly does not mean
that The Christ followed our forefathers wherever they went in any literal
sense. The "rock-mass" to them was knowledge of The Christ
as the coming Messiah and Saviour of them and of the rest of mankind to gain the
approval of God. (1 Cor 10:4).
"A STONE OF
STUMBLING AND A
ROCK-MASS OF OFFENCE". (1 Peter 2:8).
Jehovah is the spiritual "Rock-mass" who gives support
and refuge. (Psalms 18:2. Isaiah 30:29). As the Son of God and His
representative, The Christ is the "foundation cornerstone" and our
Mediator. Whoever rejects this one rejects God.
(Please read: 1 Peter 2:4-8).
THE "CHIEF
CORNERSTONE".
(Matt 21:42-44).
True spiritual builders use the Spirit teachings of The Christ as the
cornerstones for each boundary line of the spiritual House of God. The Christ's
Spirit teachings are the boundaries he has given. People taking refuge in lies
and falsehood "stumble backwards" because Jehovah through His
anointed servants has put up measuring lines, "command upon command",
"measuring line upon measuring line", exposing the lies of those
outside its spiritual boundaries. Righteousness is the "levelling
instrument" for this House. Those who "stumble backwards"
have stumbled over The Christ. (Isaiah 28:10-17).
23/10/77.
|