When I say "It is the Job of 'the Church' to 'Build the Kingdom' through 'Political
Action,'" am I saying it is "the Pope's" job to do this? Is it the job of the
"bishops" or "elders" or "pastors" to do this?
No.
Not exclusively.
When I talk about "the Church" I'm not talking about "the Institutional
Church" (whatever that is).
Ephesians 4:11-12 says:
And
He
gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,12 to
equip the
saints
for the work of ministry, for building
up
the body of Christ,
It is "the saints" who are to "build." That means you and me. Not "the
clergy." They were given to equip the saints to build the Kingdom.
You might not agree with that last sentence. You may not agree that it is your job and my job to
"build the Kingdom."
Verse 12 says you and I are to be equipped for "building up the body of Christ."
Is "the body of Christ" not a part of "the Kingdom of God?"
Of course it is.
Many people object to the idea that man builds the Kingdom of God. They say this is
"humanistic," and that the Polis
of God must be created wholly by God with no participation by man, and then handed to man on a
silver platter. Correct thinking on this issue requires a "paradigm shift." Hal
Lindsey represents the old paradigm:
There used to be a group called "postmillennialists." They believed that the
Christians would root out all the evil in the world, abolish godless rulers, and convert the
world through ever-increasing evangelism
until they brought about the Kingdom of God
through their own efforts. Then after 1000 years of the
institutional church reigning on earth with peace, equality
and righteousness, Christ would return and time would end. These people rejected much of the
Scripture as being literal and believed in the inherent goodness of man. World War I greatly
disheartened this group and World War II virtually wiped out this viewpoint. No self-respecting
scholar who looks at the world conditions and the accelerating decline of Christian influence
today is a "postmillennialist."
Hal Lindsey, The Late, Great Planet Earth, 1970, p. 176
The idea that Christians would bring about the Kingdom of God "through
their own efforts" is a real red-flag for these kind of Christians. They say it reeks
of "secular humanism."
We do not build the Kingdom of Man, we follow God's blueprints and build the City
of God, under His Providential direction.
Let's look at how the Bible connects "church" and "building" and
"kingdom"
First, let's get behind the English word "church" to see what the Bible itself is
saying.
Noah Webster’s first American dictionary (1828) defines “church” in this way:
CHURCH, n. [Sax. Circe, circ or cyric;
Scots, kirk, which retains the Saxon pronunciation ; D. kerk ; G. kirche
; Sw. kyrckia ; Dan. kirke ; Gr. kuriakon,
a temple of God, from kuriako~ , pertaining to a
Lord, or to our Lord Jesus Christ, from kurio~, a Lord.
1. A house
consecrated to the worship of God, among Christians; the Lord’s house. This seems to be
the original meaning of the word. The Greek, ekklesia, from ekkalew, to call out or call together, denotes an assembly or collection. But kuriako~
, kuriakon, are from kurio~, Lord, a term applied by the early christians to Jesus Christ; and the
house in which they worshipped was named from that title. So kuriaka signifies church goods, bona ecclesiastica; kuriakh, sc. hmera, the Lord’s Day, dies dominica.
2. The collective
body of christians, or of those who profess to believe in Christ, and acknowledge him to be
the Savior of mankind. In this sense, the church is sometimes called the Catholic or
Universal Church. Johnson. Encyc.
3. A particular
number of christians, united under one form of ecclesiastical government, in one creed, and
using the same ritual and ceremonies; as the English church, the Presbyterian church,
the Romish church, the Greek church.
4. The followers of
Christ in a particular city or province; as the church of Ephesus, or of Antioch.
5. The disciples of
Christ assembled for worship in a particular place, as in a private house. Col. iv. [See
No. 9]
6. The worshippers
of Jehovah or the true God, before the advent of Christ; as the Jewish church.
7. The body of
clergy, or ecclesiastics, in distinction from the laity. Hence, ecclesiastical
authority. Encyc.
8. An assembly of
sacred rulers convened in Christ’s name to execute his
laws. Cruden. Brown.
9. The collective
body of christians, who have made a public profession of the christian religion, and
who are united under the same pastor; in distinction from those who belong to the same
parish, or ecclesiastical society, but have made no profession of their faith.
The word “church” was used to translate the Greek “ekklesia” because
“church” was often found in phrases like “kuriokon doma,” the “house of the Lord.”
Some people think of a specific building when they think of the “house” of the Lord. But the
Bible speaks of God’s House in more cosmic terms. Plus, the first Christians met
in their own homes. They didn't have a separate "house of worship."
God’s House = Church = Kingdom
I do not defend ecclesiastical authority or ritual and ceremonies. I object to
the distinction between clergy and laity. All the laity should be active priests and kings (Rev.
1:6; 5:10). We should all be functioning as a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9). Christianity is not a
spectator sport. Nor is it a ritual. “Worship” means service, obedience to God in every area of
life.
The basic meaning of the word “worship” is service. To “worship”
God is to put every area of one’s life under the His Law. As The New Bible Dictionary puts
it, “[T]he essential concept in both the Old and New Testaments is ‘service.’” John
Murray writes,
[Worship in the] generic sense is the devotion we owe to God in the whole of
life. God is sovereign, He is Lord, having sovereignty over us and propriety in us, and therefore
in all that we do we owe subjection to him, devotion to His revealed will, obedience to His
commandments. There is no area of life where the injunction does not apply (I Cor. 10:31). In
view of the lordship of Christ as Mediator all of life comes under His dominion (Col. 3:23,24).
Worship in the generic sense is thus service to God in every area of
life; total slavery to Him Who is Lord of all. Worship cannot be limited to a “church,” or the
building Christians go to once a week.
I don’t have any objection to Christians getting together in a house, rented
hall, or arena to sing, pray, and listen to an entertaining motivational speaker. The question is,
when they leave “the church” will they be an obedient church.
The Greek word usually translated “church” is ekklesia, which has reference
to a governmental body, such as a City Council or House of Representatives. It is a decision-making
body that puts the law of the civil sovereign into effect. It is a public, civic, governmental
body, not a warm-fuzzy escapist retreat from life.
When Caesar visited a local area, he was preceded by a herald [khrux,kerux] who would proclaim, [khrussw, kerusso]
the Good News [khrugma, kerugma] of the coming of the Emperor,
the one who brought peace, prosperity, health and welfare [soteria, soteria]
to the conquered nation.
Christians denied the claims of Caesar. They claimed their own heralds, or
preachers, their own Gospel, or Good News, and their own Savior, who brought salvation,
restoration, and regeneration to the world without regard to the claims of Caesar.
According to scholars, the coins of the Emperor Tiberius carried a “bust of
Tiberius in Olympian nakedness, adorned with the laurel wreath, the sign of divinity.” The
inscription read, “Emperor Tiberius August Son of the August God,” on the one side, and “Pontifex
Maximus” or “High Priest” on the other. The symbols also included the emperor’s mother,
Julia Augusta (Livia) sitting on the throne of the gods, holding the Olympian sceptre in her right
hand, and, in her left, the olive branch to signify that “she was the earthly incarnation of the
heavenly Pax [peace].” (Ethelbert Stauffer, Christ and the Caesars (Philadelphia:
Westminster Press, 1955), p. 124.)The coins thus had a religious significance. Religion
was a political affair. Caesar was a false god.
Christians would not worship this false god.
Caesar claimed to the world’s soter, savior, who brought soteria,
salvation to the oikomene, the inhabited Roman world. Caesar’s herald, kerux,
preacher, announced, “There is no other name under heaven by which men can be saved than the name
of Caesar Augustus.” Christ’s kerux announced, “Neither is there salvation in any
other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts
4:12).
Christ vs. Caesar. It was a conflict of two religions, two saviors, two
Kingdoms. Pax Romana (the peace of Rome) or Pax Christi (the peace of Christ).
Therefore Christian action -- action which exalts Christ as Lord -- is always
"political action." Life is a war between the "City of God" and the city
of man. The Greek word from which we get our word "politics" is polis.
The City of Man:
anthropolis
The City of God:
Theopolis
της πόλης του ανθρώπου
η πόλη του
θεού
Every human being is ethically obligated to be a part of the City of God. If a mother is
preparing to kill her child, a Christian takes action, because that human being should be a part of
the City of God, and the city of man says the Christian is engaged in "political action"
for opposing abortion.
The Biblical word for "salvation" is yasha,
and it means "health," "welfare," "deliverance,"
"wholeness," "victory," and "security." Only a small fraction of the
occurrences of this word have to do with where you go when you die. They have to do with the City
of God.
The City of Man claims to be our savior. The City of Man claims to give us "salvation."
That's why the City of Man has a "Department of Health," a "Department of
Welfare," and a Department of Homeland Security. All of these are elements of the Biblical
definition of "salvation."
Who is Lord? Christ or Caesar?
Who is Savior? Christ or Caesar?
Whose is the true City: man or God?
Who is the true King? Whose is the true Kingdom?
Who builds the True City? Who builds the Lord's House?
The Jews were friends of Caesar. They had been bought off.
(Luke 7:2-5) A [Roman] centurion there had a slave whom he valued highly,
and who was ill and close to death. {3} When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to
him, asking him to come and heal his slave. {4} When they came to Jesus, they appealed to Him
earnestly, saying, “He is worthy of having you do this for him, {5} for he loves our people,
and it is he who built [oikodomeo:G3618] our synagogue for us.”
When the Apostle Peter challenged Roman Caesar worship, he announced the building
of the true empire, the true Kingdom, the True City.
(Acts 4:10-12) Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel,
that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead,
even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. {11} This is the stone which was
set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. {12} Neither
is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men,
whereby we must be saved.
A new building is being erected. It is Christ’s Kingdom.
God's "House" is God's "Temple"
James B. Jordan writes:
The Bible pictures the earth as a house, as in Job 38:4-6. Moreover, the Bible pictures
the earth as an altar, with four corners, in Revelation 7:1; 9:13-21. All of this goes back
to the Garden of Eden, which had four rivers flowing out of it to water the whole earth,
headed for the "four corners." The word for ‘corner’ in Hebrew is kanaf,
which literally means ‘wings.’ The cherubim have four wings (Ezekiel 1). The garment
worn by each Hebrew male was to have four wings or corners, so that his garment was
analogous to a house or tent that he carried with him at all times (Numbers 15:38;
Deuteronomy 22:12; Haggai 2:12).
What this gives us is a series of analogous models: The Garden of Eden is like a house,
and they are like an altar, and they are analogous to the human person (who is the temple
of the Spirit), etc. For an extended treatment of this subject, see the discussions in my
book Through New Eyes:
Developing a Biblical View of the World.
So, when the Bible uses language that indicates that the earth is flat, that it has
ends, and that it has corners, we are to understand such language in its Biblical context.
And that Biblical context is the house-model of the world, seen in the glory cloud, the
Garden of Eden, the Tabernacle, the Temple, the holy land, the entire earth, the human
body, the clothing of the human body, the cherubim, etc. We are not to try to
stretch this language to answer cosmological questions that it was not intended to address.
Heaven As a Fortress
Just as the earth is pictured as a house, so is heaven. Heaven is a separate house from
earth, and is the model home that earth is to imitate. We pray, therefore, "Thy
kingdom come on earth as in heaven; Thy will be done on earth as in heaven." The
goal of history is for heaven to impress itself on earth, so that eventually heaven and
earth are one, and there is one house.
Heaven was created in Genesis 1:1, and so was the earth. Much of the book of Revelation
takes place in heaven, so we have some idea of what it is like. The glory cloud is a sort
of portable heaven-house that operates within the earthly environment.
Genesis 1:2 tells us that originally the earth was without form and empty, dark and
covered with water. Then, after making light, God created a ‘firmament’ to separate
waters above and below (v. 6, 7). This firmament He called ‘heaven.’ Now there are two
heavens, the one the dwelling place of God and the angels, made on the first day, and the
second created within the original earth as a reminder of the original heaven. The
fact that the word ‘heaven’ is used for the firmament means that the firmament is
analogous to the original heaven, is symbolic of it. But it is important to see that the
firmament-heaven is actually part of the original earth of Genesis 1:1.
On the fourth day, God placed lights in the firmament-heaven, to be symbols (signs) and
to act as clocks (seasons, days, and years). This means that the sun, moon, and stars are
not part of the original heaven, but part of the original earth. The original earth is
being differentiated into the globe on which we live on the one hand, and upper waters and
lights on the other hand. On the fifth day, God created birds to fly in the
firmament-heaven.
What is the firmament-heaven? Dr. Hanson thinks it is "æther," because it is
an environment common to both stars and birds. This won’t work, however, because ‘firmament’
is derived from a Hebrew verb meaning ‘to beat out’ or ‘to flatten out.’ The idea
is of a shell or surface cast over the earth. A synonym for firmament (raqia) is aggudah
(Amos 9:6), which means a vault made of strong bands.
Now as a matter of fact, there is no hard shell around the earth, nor do birds fly
inside a hard shell. In fact, Genesis 1 does not say that birds fly within the firmament,
but across the face of it (i.e., below it). Thus, we need to see the language here as
pointing to a symbolic structure. Heaven is like a fortress, and the firmament-heaven that
symbolizes the original heaven, presents an appearance of a hard surface, a wall, to
the viewer.
After all, the Bible clearly speaks of ‘windows’ of heaven (Gen. 7:11; 8:2; 2 Kings
7:2, 19; Is. 24:18; Mal. 3:10). There are ‘doors’ in heaven (1 Kings 9:35; 2 Chron.
6:26; 7:13; Ps. 78:23; Rev. 4:1; 11:6; 19:11). Heaven has ‘gates’ (Gen. 28:17; Lev.
26:19), and so does the house of hell (Matt. 16:18). Heaven has stories of stairs (Amos
9:6). A study of these passages will indicate that rain and food come through heaven’s
windows, clearly symbolic language.
What we have here is phenomenal language, language of appearances. The Bible frequently
uses phenomenal language, as when it refers to rodents, reptiles, and insects as
"creeping things"; language not acceptable in Biology 101, but perfectly adequate
for the Bible’s purposes. This is not at all to say that the Bible is irrelevant for
science; but it is to say that we must interpret the Bible correctly, on its own terms, if
we are to make proper applications to the questions of modern science.
Genesis 1, for instance, clearly tells us that God created the universe in six normal
days. It tells us the order in which He developed things. It tells us also that He made two
lights, which we understand to be the sun and moon in Genesis 1. It tells us that these
lights were made to function as symbols and clocks. We understand that the sun is an energy
source, a source of heat, etc.; but the Bible does not call attention to this in Genesis 1.
We have to take Genesis 1, and all the Bible, as it stands, and not try to force it to say
things it does not intend to say.
We grievously err if we limit the meaning of “church” to a building that we
attend only once (maybe twice) a week. The New Testament is filled with allusions to the building
of a church, a kingdom, a temple, a dwelling place for God, in which all the saints dwell, indeed,
which is all the saints.
The first occurrence of the word ekklesia in the New Testament is
Matthew 16:18-19:
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will
build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. {19} And I will
give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth
shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Note the following about “the church”:
It goes on the offensive against a rival kingdom, hell, but hell’s defenses (“gates”)
will not be able to withstand the assault by Christ’s Kingdom.
Christ promises to build this kingdom,
Christ promises to give the keys of this kingdom.
“Church” is synonymous with “kingdom.”
The following verses bring together the following
themes:
·
Church
·
Kingdom
·
Throne
·
Temple
·
Dwellingplace, dwell
·
Body
·
Build, building
These relationships emerge:
·
Body = temple
·
Temple = throne
·
Throne = kingdom
·
The body/temple/kingdom is to be built
·
We are builders
·
We are being built up
·
We are the temple
·
We are the Kingdom
·
We are to build the Kingdom
In fact, one of the central purposes of being a Christian is to build the
Kingdom of Christ, a command repeatedly found in the New Testament.
Temple = God’s House = Kingdom
The temple is where God lives, or dwells. Throughout ancient world, “temple”
= “palace” because the emperor (king) was divine. So “temple” = “Kingdom.”
When you see the word “throne” you should think about the King
that sits on the throne, and the Kingdom which He rules. The word “temple” emphasizes
the holiness of the place, while the word “palace” might emphasize its royal character.
That’s why the Church is a “royal priesthood” (1 Pet 2:9), because we serve in the temple
of the King.
(Acts 7:47-50) But Solomon built him an house. {48} Howbeit the
most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, {49}
Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith
the Lord: or what is the place of my rest? {50} Hath not my hand made all these things?
(1 Kings 6:12-14) Concerning this house which thou art in building,
if thou wilt walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk
in them; then will I perform my word with thee, which I spake unto David thy father: {13} And I
will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel. {14} So
Solomon built the house, and finished it.
(John 2:15-16) And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove
them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’
money, and overthrew the tables; {16} And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things
hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.
Temple = Throne
(Revelation 7:15) Therefore are they before the throne of God,
and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall tabernacle
among them.
We are God’s House/Temple
(Hebrews 3:6) But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are
we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
(Ephesians 2:19-22) Now therefore ye are no more strangers and
foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; {20} And are
built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief
corner stone; {21} In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy
temple in the Lord: {22} In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of
God through the Spirit.
(Galatians 6:10) As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto
all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
(1 Timothy 3:15) if I am delayed, you may know how one ought to behave
in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and
bulwark of the truth.
(1 Corinthians 3:16-17) Know ye not that ye are the temple of God,
and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? {17} If any man defile the temple of
God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
(1 Corinthians 6:19) What? know ye not that your body is the temple
of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
(2 Corinthians 5:1-4) For we know that if our earthly house of
this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made
with hands, eternal in the heavens. {2} For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed
upon with our house which is from heaven: {3} If so be that being clothed we shall not be
found naked. {4} For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that
we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
(2 Corinthians 6:16-17) And what agreement hath the temple of
God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell
in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. {17} Wherefore
come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing;
and I will receive you,
(1 John 4:12) No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one
another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
Building God’s House= Building the Kingdom
(Revelation 21:3) And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying,
Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they
shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
No Physical Temple
(Revelation 21:22) And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God
Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.
Overcomers = New Jerusalem
(Revelation 3:12) Him that overcometh [nikao – think “Nike”
- victory] will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I
will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new
Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
Overcome + Kingdom
(Revelation 3:21) To him that overcometh will I
grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father
in his throne.
(Luke 11:20-22) But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no
doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you. {21} When a strong man armed keepeth his
palace, his goods are in peace: {22} But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome
him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.
(Revelation 12:10-11) And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now
is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ:
for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
{11} And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony;
and they loved not their lives unto the death.
(Revelation 15:2-3) And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with
fire: and them that had gotten the victory [nikao] over the beast, and over his
image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the
harps of God. {3} And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb,
saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King
of saints.
(Revelation 17:12-14) And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings,
which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the
beast. {14} These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he
is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen,
and faithful.
(Matthew 21:42-44) Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the
scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the
corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? {43} Therefore say I unto
you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the
fruits thereof. {44} And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on
whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
(Matthew 24:1) And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and
his disciples came to him for to show him the buildings [oikodome] of the temple.
(John 2:18-21) Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign
showest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? {19} Jesus answered and said unto
them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. {20} Then said the Jews,
Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? {21} But
he spake of the temple of his body.
Kingdom = Mustard Seed = Temple
(1 Corinthians 3:6-17) I have planted, Apollos watered;
but God gave the increase. {7} So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he
that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. {8} Now he that planteth and he
that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own
labour. {9} For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s
building. {10} According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder,
I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take
heed how he buildeth thereupon. {11} For other foundation can no man lay than that
is laid, which is Jesus Christ. {12} Now if any man build upon this foundation gold,
silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; {13} Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for
the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall
try every man’s work of what sort it is. {14} If any man’s work abide which he hath built
thereupon, he shall receive a reward. {15} If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall
suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. {16} Know ye not that ye
are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? {17} If any man defile
the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple
ye are.
[The temple in Jerusalem was burned to the ground in AD70.]
Hill = dwelling place of God = Kingdom
(Psalms 68:15-16) The hill of God is as the hill of
Bashan; an high hill as the hill of Bashan. {16} Why leap ye, ye high hills?
this is the hill which God desireth to dwell in; yea, the LORD
will dwell in it for ever.
(Isaiah 4:5-6) And the LORD will create upon
every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and
smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence.
{6} And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a
place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain.
(Micah 4:1-5) In days to come the mountain of the Lord’s house
shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised up above the hills.
Peoples shall stream to it, {2} and many nations shall come and say: “Come, let us go up to the
mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may
teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth
instruction, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. {3} He shall
judge between many peoples, and shall arbitrate between strong nations far away; they shall beat
their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword
against nation, neither shall they learn war any more; {4} but they shall all sit under their own
vines and under their own fig trees, and no one shall make them afraid; for the mouth of the LORD
of hosts has spoken. {5} For all the peoples walk, each in the name of its god, but we will walk
in the name of the LORD our God forever and ever.
Kingdom-Building
The Biblical word “edify” is from the Greek,
3618. oikodomeo, oy-kod-om-eh’-o; from the same as G3619; to be
a house-builder, i.e. construct or (fig.) confirm:--(be in) build (-er, -ing, up), edify,
embolden.
3619. oikodome, oy-kod-om-ay’; fem. (abstr.) of a comp. of G3624
and the base of G1430; architecture, i.e. (concr.) a structure; fig. confirmation:--building,
edify (-ication, -ing).
3624. oikos, oy’-kos; of uncert. affin.; a dwelling (more or
less extensive, lit. or fig.); by impl. a family (more or less related, lit. or fig.):--home,
house (-hold), temple.
1430. doma, do’-mah; from demo (to build); prop. an
edifice, i.e. (spec.) a roof:--housetop.
Our English word “edifice” means building. To “edify” is to build
an edifice. The Greek word “oikodomeo” is literally “build a house.” To “edify”
someone in the Christian sense is to build them up into the House of God on the Foundation of
Christ and the Apostles. The House of God is the Temple, where the King dwells. They become indwelt by the King. The church becomes the
Kingdom. The temple is where God’s Throne is. The temple is kingdom headquarters. The Body of
Christ is His temple, His Kingdom.
(Acts 9:31) Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and
Galilee and Samaria, and were Kingdom/House-built; and walking in the fear of the Lord,
and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
(Acts 20:32) And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word
of his grace, which is able to Kingdom/House-build you up, and to give you an inheritance
among all them which are made into saints.
(Romans 14:17-19) For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink;
but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. [pax romana, or pax
Christi?]{18} For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved
of men. {19} Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things
wherewith one may Kingdom/House-build one another.
(Romans 15:2) Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to
Kingdom/House-building.
(Romans 15:20) Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where
Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation:
(1 Corinthians 8:1) Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know
that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity oikodomeo, builds the
house of God.
(1 Corinthians 10:23) All things are lawful for me, but all things are
not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things do not oikodomeo, build
the house of God.
(1 Corinthians 14:3-5) But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to house-building,
and exhortation, and comfort. {4} He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself;
but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. {5} I would that ye all spake with tongues, but
rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues,
except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
(1 Corinthians 14:12) Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of
spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
(1 Corinthians 14:17) For thou verily givest thanks well, but the
other is not edified.
(1 Corinthians 14:26) How is it then, brethren? when ye come together,
every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an
interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
(2 Corinthians 10:8) For though I should boast somewhat more of our
authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I
should not be ashamed:
(2 Corinthians 12:19) Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto
you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.
(2 Corinthians 13:10) Therefore I write these things being absent,
lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to
edification, and not to destruction.
(Ephesians 2:20-22) And are built upon the foundation of
the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; {21} In whom
all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the
Lord: {22} In whom ye also are builded together for an dwellingplace of God through
the Spirit.
(Ephesians 4:12) For the perfecting of the saints for the work
of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
(Ephesians 4:15-16) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up
into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: {16} From whom the whole body fitly
joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual
working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of
itself in love.
(Ephesians 4:29) Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your
mouth, but that which is good to the use of house-building, that it may minister grace
unto the hearers.
(Colossians 2:7) Rooted and built up [ep-oikodomeo] in
him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
(1 Thessalonians 5:11) Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify
one another, even as also ye do.
(1 Timothy 1:4) Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies,
which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
(2 Timothy 2:19-21) Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth
sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the
name of Christ depart from iniquity. {20} But in a greathouse there are not only
vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to
dishonour. {21} If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour,
sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.
(Hebrews 11:10) For he looked for a city which hath foundations,
whose builder and maker is God.
[The city is the New Jerusalem (Revelation 3:12), which is the church.]
(1 Peter 2:4-9) To whom coming, as unto a living stone,
disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, {5} Ye also, as lively stones,
are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual
sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. {6} Wherefore also it is contained in the
scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that
believeth on him shall not be confounded. {7} Unto you therefore which believe he is precious:
but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is
made the head of the corner, {8} And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to
them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. {9} But ye
are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people;
that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his
marvellous light:
(Jude 1:20) But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your
most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
(Revelation 3:12) Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in
the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of
my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out
of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
Levites serve in God’s House
(1 Chronicles 23:25-28) For David said, The LORD
God of Israel hath given rest unto his people, that they may dwell in Jerusalem for ever: {26}
And also unto the Levites; they shall no more carry the tabernacle, nor any vessels of it for the
service thereof. {27} For by the last words of David the Levites were numbered from twenty years
old and above: {28} Because their office was to wait on the sons of Aaron for the service of the
house of the LORD, in the courts, and in the chambers, and in the purifying
of all holy things, and the work of the service of the house of God;
We are all Levites
(Revelation 22:3) And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of
God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:
The City of God claims jurisdiction over the entire creation.
The City of Man resents this.
The City of Man tells Christians to keep God's morality out of [humanistic, secular] politics.
Christians refuse to do this.
Therefore Christians will always be accused of engaging in "political action" or trying
to "impose a Theocracy."
The kind of "political action" that Christmas commands has little to do with
"voting" and "electing" "political" "candidates." Not that
there's anything inherently wrong with that, but it isn't what changes the world.
If you want to abolish the Department of Welfare, you must perform the "works
of mercy" which the Messiah commanded. The entire Church should follow your example.
The Secular Messianic State will always allege that your exercise of religion is
"political," because politics is a substitute for true religion:
James 1:27 says
Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
This verse, according to some churches, says true religion is "social action," and the
"church" must not be involved in "social action."
Politicians are happy to put up a façade of social action, because they do so with other
people's money. But social action which is not an extension of the reign of the Messiah, through
His Body, is not real social action.
Our text here is "the Dominion Mandate," Genesis 1:26-28. Also, Genesis 2:15,19
Here we read the purpose for which God created Man.
Human beings were created to "exercise dominion"
over the earth as stewards of God's property.
This means growing and building the Kingdom of God, for the glory of God.
This means transforming a wilderness into a Garden, and the Garden into the City of God, the New
Jerusalem, a city of unlimited
growth and wealth.
I have benefited from a book entitled, Images
of the Spirit
by Meredith G. Kline. Kline suggests that the physical theophanic Glory of the Holy Spirit, who
hovered over the original earth creation in Gen 1:2, served as the "divine model" for
man's creation. In expounding these themes, Kline develops a system of typology where the Garden of
Eden, the tabernacle, temple, priest and prophet are all modeled after the archetypal form of the
Glory-Spirit, which is a model of heaven itself. Jesus taught us to pray that God's will would be
done "on earth as it is in heaven." Comparing the first chapters of Genesis and the last
chapters of Revelation suggests that man's original purpose is nothing less than building the City
of God, the New Jerusalem. Edenic motifs are clearly seen in Revelation.
And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree
that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the treeoflife also in
the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of
us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the treeoflife, and eat, and live for ever:
So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a
flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the treeoflife.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that
overcometh will I give to eat of the treeoflife, which is in the midst
of the paradise of God.
In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the treeoflife, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the
leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the treeoflife, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
The "newness" of the "New" Jerusalem is the absence of the ceremonial
temple, and the liturgical or restorative patterns of reconciling God and sinners found in the Old
Covenant. Just as man was to "dress and keep" the Garden, so he was/is to dress the
entire world into the City of God.
Obviously, "anarcho-preterists"
do not believe that The City of God is created by a joint act of Congress. The New Jerusalem is not
the handiwork of an ecclesiastical council or synod, or ecumenical one-world religion.
Consider the "Division
of Labor" (Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12).
There is not a single person on planet earth who can build a pencilfrom scratch. This is because all the labor and skills required to extract the raw materials
from God's Creation and assemble them into a pencil are divided among many human beings, no
one of them possessing all the skills and knowledge needed to plant and harvest trees, extract and
refine chemicals, and build the equipment which fabricates a pencil. While Faber-Castell
might get credit for making pencils, many other companies had a hand in the task. Previous
generations saw the global human economy as being overseen by an "Invisible
Hand." Also called "Providence,"
about which we'll see more below.
Ultimately, only God can get credit for building the New Jerusalem, but man is commanded to do
the work.
Imagine a large apartment. I mean really large, like 432
Park Avenue, the tallest residential building in New York. Or five of the ten tallest buildings
in the world, found in Dubai,
United Arab Emirates. One of these buildings can house 25,000 human beings. Who gets
"credit" for building one of these buildings? Maybe the architect -- except it was a team
of architects. Maybe the CEO of the Construction firm, but he personally does not know how to build
a cement mixer. Suppose your vocation is being a plumber, and you were hired to install a unique
sink in one of the residences on the 32nd floor during the construction of one of these buildings.
Do you get credit for building the building? Of course not. You knew very little about what kind of
building was being constructed. You were just fulfilling your individual calling as a plumber.
Should you say, "This is not my building, so I'm not going to contribute to its
edification?" That would be disobedient.
Man's divine purpose on earth is to create a flourishing anarchist society, overseen only by an
Invisible Hand.
It is the task of "the Church" (The Body of Christ) to "build." We build the
Body of Christ into the Lord's House. We build the earth into the Lord's Temple. We tear down the
city of man and build the City of God. And when the New Jerusalem is complete, Christ the
Master-Builder will get all the praise and credit.
The Empires of the world will say this interferes with their agenda. It violates "the
separation of church and State."
The Empires are correct.
This online celebration is sponsored by a non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization called
"Vine & Fig Tree." Our offices were
destroyed by a tornado a couple of years ago. We're requesting a $12 "cover charge" for
this party. Your donation is tax-deductible. No donation is required to participate in the "The
12 Days of Christmas."
If we get 100 people to donate $12, we'll be able to pay our bills this month.
Or mail your check to
"Vine & Fig Tree"
P.O. Box 179
Powersite, MO 65731
The Program 12 Days Bringing to Mind The Most Significant Event in Human History
Each day you'll receive an audio for your morning commute to work, and another audio for your
commute back home. The morning audio will look at Micah's Vine &
Fig Tree prophecy, and in the evening we'll show how that vision began to be
fulfilled at Christmas two millennia ago.
Day 1 - Jesus is the culmination of thousands of years of meticulous genealogical
records preserved by "the Chosen People," Israel.
Day 3 - Jesus will be given "the throne of his father David."
• Luke
1:5-25 - John the Baptist prepares the way for the Messiah, as prophesied of Elijah.
• Luke
1:26-38 - The Angel Gabriel announces the conception of the Messiah: "And he shall
reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end." (Luke
1:33)
• Luke
1:39-45 - the unborn John the Baptist leaps for joy when he encounters the unborn Messiah.
Planned Parenthood attempts to sell them both for body parts. (That last part is "not in
the earliest manuscripts.")
Mary sings a song of praise composed of Old Testament quotations, saying that the real
meaning of Christmas is good news for the poor and lowly,
and bad news for the rich and powerful:
50And
His mercy is on them that fear Him from generation to generation. 51He
hath shewed strength with His arm; He
hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 52He
has put down the mighty from theirthrones, and
exalted them of low degree. 53He
hath filled the hungry with good things; and
the rich he hath sent empty away.
71That
we should be saved
from our enemies,
and from the hand of all that hate us; 79To
give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the
way of peace.
Day 6 - Matthew
1:18-25 - the Incarnation is explained to Joseph
"Jesus" means "salvation"
"Immanuel" means "God with us"
The Prophet Micah predicted
that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. Jesus' parents lived in Nazereth. Therefore God predestined
Caesar to issue a decree (probably relating to taxes) that would bring Joseph and Mary to
Bethlehem before Jesus was born. Evil empires serve God's purposes.
An army of angels announces the birth of the Messiah to lowly shepherds, saying,
“Glory to God in the highest,
And on
earth peace to those with whom He is pleased!”
The most important family on earth could not afford the top-level offering required by the
law of Moses. They took advantage of a provision for low-income families.
Day 10 -
• Luke
2:25-35 - Simeon had been told he would not die before he saw
the Lord's Messiah. He says Jesus is "The One."
• Luke
2:36-38 - Anna the Prophetess is another well-known
Godly person who acknowledges that Jesus is the Child promised by the prophets. (Christianity
offered a view of women which was quite unlike that of the Empire that occupied Israel at the
time.)
Day 11 - Wise men worship Jesus
• Matthew
2:1-8 - "Wise men from the East" (Babylon, perhaps)
knew of Micah's prophecy that the King of the Jews would be born in Bethlehem.
When Herod got word of the birth of a rival king, he behaved in
a perfectly logical way (for someone who wants to protect his power): he massacred all
male babies the age of Jesus. Herod recognized that Jesus was a threat to Herod's power.
Each day along the way, we will compare these historical accounts of Christmas with Micah's Vine
& Fig Tree prophecy predicting:
The message of the angels to the shepherds on the first Christmas:
And this is the sign unto you:
Ye shall find a Babe
wrapped in swaddling clothes,
and lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, And peace on earth
among men with whom He is well pleased. Luke
2:8-15
His lord said unto him, `Well done, thou good and faithful
servant. Thou hast been faithful over a few things; I will make thee ruler over many things.
Enter thou into the joy of thy lord.' Matthew
25:21
The Vine & Fig Tree Worldview
The phrase "Vine & Fig Tree"
comes from the Old Testament Prophet Micah, the fourth chapter. You can find out more about the Vine
& Fig Tree Worldview on our home page:
During the next 12 days, you'll see the "real meaning" of Christmas in the Bible like
you've never seen them before.
Many Christians today believe Jesus came to get us a ticket to heaven when we die. In the
meantime, Satan rules the planet. Their story of the Bible goes like this:
God created planet earth;
God put man on earth to be a good steward, and transform the Garden of Eden into the City of
God;
Satan tempted man;
Man rebelled against God, choosing to be his own god instead;
Satan now controls the world;
Jesus came to pay the penalty for this rebellion;
Things are going to get worse and worse;
Since Satan and man are not playing God's game by God's rules, God is soon going to take his
cosmic football and go home.
In other words, Satan wins.
Pretty dismal story, isn't it?
Sure, God sent His Son, who died on the cross, so that some of the players can be forgiven for
their rebellion and go home with God, but God's original purposes for man and the creation were
thwarted by Satan, the ultimate victor.
Some of George Washington's favorite passages
of the Bible were those that spoke of every man dwelling safely "under his own vine
and fig tree." Other
Founding Fathers also referred to this "Vine & Fig Tree"
ideal.
(George Washington would recommend that you enroll in The 12
Days of Christmas
program. He read the Bible for an hour each morning, and another
hour in the evening.)
George Washington was motivated by the Vine & Fig Tree
vision revealed in the Bible. Washington's Diaries are available
online at the Library of Congress. They are introduced with these words:
No theme appears more frequently in the writings of Washington than
his love for his land. The diaries are a monument to that concern. In his letters he
referred often, as an expression of this devotion and its resulting contentment, to an
Old Testament passage. After the Revolution, when he had returned to Mount Vernon, he
wrote the Marquis de Lafayette on Feb. 1, 1784:
"At length my Dear Marquis I am become a private citizen on the banks of the
Potomac, & under the shadow of my own Vine & my own
Fig-tree."
This phrase occurs at least 11 times in Washington's letters.
"And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his
vine and under his fig tree" (2 Kings 18:31).
Peter Lillback, author of a 1,000-page
study of Washington's life and thought,
has found more than 40 references to the “Vine and Fig
Tree” vision in Washington's Papers. "Vine & Fig Tree" is the original
"American Dream."
The phrase occurs a number of times
in Scripture. These references are visual reminders of the Hebrew word for salvation,
which means
• peace,
• wholeness,
• health,
• welfare, and
• private property free from pirates and princes.
When today's Americans hear the word "salvation," they usually think about going to
heaven when they die. When the writers of the Bible used the word "salvation,"
they wanted you to be thinking about dwelling safely under your own Vine
& Fig Tree during this life -- much
more often than they wanted you to be thinking about what you'll be doing in the afterlife.
Vine & Fig Tree is also a phrase
from the prophet Micah, the idea of everyone owning property and enjoying the fruits of their
labor without fear of theft or political oppression, of sitting peacefully under your "Vine
& Fig Tree."
Hundreds of years before Christ, the
prophet Daniel spoke of the first Christmas, the birth of the Messiah in the days of the Roman
Empire. That barbaric, debauched empire was destroyed, and the Kingdom of Christ began growing like
a mustard tree, like leaven, like a field (Matthew 13). The Emperor Justinian began Christianizing
the Eastern Roman Empire, and in the West kings like Alfred and Ethelbert made the 10 Commandments
the basis of new legal systems. The "Common Law" began, with
a Christian foundation, and eventually found its way into the Constitution of the United
States, "a Christian nation."
From 12 dejected disciples, Christianity has spread across the world, and billions of people claim
to be Christian. Though there have been ups and downs, the progress of Christianity has been
undeniable -- at least to those who have been taught the facts of history.
Most Americans in the 21st century have not.
If you enroll in this Home Study Program, you will learn the story of the "Vine
& Fig Tree." You will learn that the Bible says the purpose of the first
Christmas was that "the knowledge of the Lord should cover the earth as the waters cover the
sea." (Isaiah
11:9; Habakkuk
2:14). This has been going on for 2,000 years now. This is a wonderful story that isn't being
told.
And the story is really just beginning.
You're invited to celebrate the Twelve Days of Christmas.
Join our online party and accomplish the following over the next 12 days:
read the historical accounts of the birth of Jesus Christ
discover "the real meaning of Christmas" by comparing the Gospel accounts of
Christmas with a neglected Old Testament prophecy (Micah 4:1-7).
The "real meaning of Christmas" is:
Peace on Earth (Luke 2:14).
Everyone dwelling securely under his own Vine & Fig Tree
(Micah 4:1-7).
Jesus is the Christ ("Christ"
means "messiah," or "anointed
King").
What we've already witnessed:
The prophet Daniel predicted that
during the Roman Empire, a rock would crush the empire and turn into a mountain
and fill the whole earth. Jesus is the Rock. He has been reigning for 2,000 years, ever since
He rose from the dead and ascended to the right hand of the Father. His Kingdom is the
Mountain, it's filling the earth, and the planet is being progressively Christianized.
Before He rose from the dead, He had 12 dejected and confused disciples. Today over two
billion people claim to be followers of Christ.
The empire that executed Jesus soon collapsed under its own depravity.
Christians began Christianizing the world. Early kings like Ethelbert made the Ten Commandments
the foundation of the "common law"
legal system in Europe. At one time the United States Supreme Court declared that America was
"a Christian nation."
"Western civilization" is Christian
civilization. There have been ups and downs, but the progress cannot be denied. The
Mountain is filling the earth.
Controversy:
Christ's Kingdom advances peacefully through works
of service, not the
sword. A non-military, "pacifist"
Messiah was not the kind of Messiah expected by most Jews 2,000 years ago. (Nor by many
Christians today.)
There are two groups that oppose this concept of Christmas:
"Premils"
"Pinkos"
"Premils" are "pre-millennialists" who believe the
"millennium" (described by Micah 4 and
other passages) cannot take place until after a Second Coming of Christ, when
Jesus returns and sets up a strong, military, "police-state"-style
centralized government, with armed believers dispatched from a throne in Jerusalem to put down
unbelievers. "Premils" believe Christmas only secured for believers a ticket to heaven
when they die, or a ticket on "the
Rapture" if they live that long. Not global transformation.
"Pinkos" are those who believe that Jesus is not King enough to bring about the
"millennium"; we need strong centralized government for that. Pinkos
call us "anarchists."
During the next 12 days, we'll find out why the Premils and the Pinkos are both
wrong, and why you and I can and should work to bring "Peace on Earth" so that everyone
can dwell prosperously and securely under their own Vine
& Fig Tree.
For more about the "Vine & Fig
Tree" vision, see our home page.
.)
by Meredith G. Kline. Kline suggests that the physical theophanic Glory of the Holy Spirit, who
hovered over the original earth creation in Gen 1:2, served as the "divine model" for
man's creation. In expounding these themes, Kline develops a system of typology where the Garden of
Eden, the tabernacle, temple, priest and prophet are all modeled after the archetypal form of the
Glory-Spirit, which is a model of heaven itself. Jesus taught us to pray that God's will would be
done "on earth as it is in heaven." Comparing the first chapters of Genesis and the last
chapters of Revelation suggests that man's original purpose is nothing less than building the City
of God, the New Jerusalem. Edenic motifs are clearly seen in Revelation.
,
has found more than 40 references to the “Vine and Fig
Tree” vision in Washington's Papers.