A NEW SPECIES

A NEW SPECIES

Recently I have read a new book by Frank Viola entitled "From Eternity to Here", which prompted me to reread an older book published in 1975 by Paul Billheimer called "Destined For The Throne". In both of these books I found this same expression, which naturally caught my attention. What could they possibly mean by this expression "A New Species"? Since these two men, over 30 years apart, used the identical term to describe the same thing, I decided to try and pass on what I think they meant by it. They were both referring to the Church, that Jesus said He would build. (Matt 16:18). As we know from many scripture references, this True Church is the Body of Christ. This body, whose head is none other than Jesus Christ, who is seated on a throne in heaven beside Father God. (Ps 110:1) We who are members of this body here on earth are often referred to in scripture as the "bride" of Christ, who will one day become His "wife". (Rev 21:2-10). As His wife we will become an official part of the the Trinity by virtue of our marriage to God's Son. When we are "born again", we become part of God's family, according to (John 1:10-13), which entitled us to become heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ, as Paul declares in (Rom 8:12-17). But we know from our experiences in an earthly family, that to be a wife is certainly a different position from other members of a family. She has a very unique role to fill as a wife to her husband. So what is the difference between a bride/wife, and other members of the family of God? This is the million dollar question!

It would appear to me that the answer to this question requires us to realize that there is a huge difference between our being a member of God's family here on earth, in our flesh and blood bodies, from when we receive our spiritual bodies at our resurrection. Peter refers to our "inheritance", which is being reserved in heaven for us, (1 Peter 1:3-5), which as I understand it, is our part in the "Kingdom of God". This inheritance has certain conditions attached to it, as is often the case with natural earthly inheritances, and this condition pertains to our behavior after we are born into God's family. Read carefully

(1 Cor 6:9-10), and other similar passages, which state clearly that those who commit certain sins will not "inherit" their part in the Kingdom, which is being kept in heaven for them. Does this mean they lose their salvation? No certainly not, because salvation is a gift from God (Eph 2:4-10) and has nothing to do with our behavior. It gives us entrance into God's family, but not the assurance of entrance into our inheritance in heaven. Our behavior as children of God is what determines our rewards in heaven. A careful reading of John's first letter will give us a clear picture of who is really part of this "New Species" of creation, and who is not. I believe our church traditions and man made doctrines have tended to deceive many people, so they have no appreciation for holiness, which requires separation from the world's system! (1 John 2:15-17). Read this passage in some modern translation like the NLT for example, for a good understanding.

When we become "new creatures in Christ" (2 Cor 5:17), a miracle happens in our life! The Holy Spirit of God implants His life into our spirit, just as He planted that same life into Mary's womb, to produce the Messiah, Emmanuel (God with us). John tries to tell us this fact in his first letter (1 John 3:4-10), when he states in verse 9 that "God's life is in them", and therefore they can not continue in sin, because if they do they are still children of the devil, and not God's children at all! Sad to say, this is the condition of many church going people today, in my opinion. Like Nicodemus, they need to be "born again", and become part of God's family !! (John 3:3)

Sincerely submitted.

Dave Jamer