The word CHURCH is an unfortunate translation of the Greek word “ECCLESIA,” that has affected the way we think about it. Today the word Church means the building with a cross on the top, or a meeting where they sing hymns and preach out of the Bible. None of which is even close to what the Greek word intended. Tyndale, in his Bible Translation used the word “Congregation” instead of “Church.” But the English word Church became the accepted translation in the King James Bible. This suggests that the “Church” is an intellectual circle, or an adult educational group being lectured in the classroom by the professional teacher.

WE must remember that the Greek version of the Old Testament called the Septuagint was the Common “Bible” for the 1st Century Jews and Christians of that time. They were familiar with the “Ecclesia” for the word was used throughout the Old Testament. Deut 4:10. “Gather me the people together and I will make them to hear my words,” or Call an ECCLESIA. Deut 9:10 “The Lord delivered unto me two tables of stone written with the finger of God… in the DAY OF THE ECCLESIA.” See Also Deut 18:16; 31: 30; and Judges 20:2 The word “Church” today, suggests something static with a congregation sitting docile in their pews. But the “Church in the wilderness” was something dynamic, a people on the move, headed for a glorious destination. They had been brought out of Egypt and CALLED TO SINAI to meet the Lord, and to walk with him to the Promised Land.

The “Ecclesia” is not a regular programmed meeting on Sunday morning at 11 o’clock, but a gathering specifically summoned by God. The Greek word “Ecclesia” is related to the verb “TO CALL” (Kaleo) and the noun “CALLING” (Klesis) but this is not obvious in our English word Church. Paul understood the meaning of ecclesia when he said, “I therefore …..beg you to lead a life worthy of the CALLING to which you have been called.” Eph 4:1. Using the English word it would read, “Walk worthy of the churching whereby you have been churched.” The “Calling” of God is right through the Bible. God CALLED Adam in the Garden, Samuel was “CALLED” by God for a ministry. Abraham was CALLED OUT of Ur of the Chaldees, and Israel was CALLED OUT of Egypt and later Israel was called out of Babylon. So we are CALLED OUT into a relationship with God. 1 Cor 1:9. We have been called out of DARKNESS into his marvelous light.

1 John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be CALLED THE SONS OF GOD, THEREFORE THE WORLD DOES NOT KNOW US, BECAUSE THE WORLD DID NOT KNOW CHRIST……So when the CHRIST appears IN US, and AS US, then for the first time we shall see HIM (Christ) as he really is. And every man that has this hope IN HIM purifies himself, to be even as he sees that reality that is within him to be pure. To deny this reality is to place yourself back under the LAW. The knowledge of Christ in us removes us totally and completely from any sense of sin, for there is NO SIN IN CHRIST OUR TRUE IDENTITY, for he is the Son of the Living God. While we abide in Christ as the reality of our being WE DO NOT SIN, but if we do sin then that proves that we have not SEEN HIM as our true reality, and in fact we DO NOT KNOW HIM.

THE KINGDOM OF GOD:

The prophets had told of the coming of the Messiah (Christ) and so the Jews waited for that prophesy to be fulfilled. At the time of his appearing on the earth, Israel was again enslaved but this time by the Romans, under Caesar, so they believed that when the Messiah came he would free them from the high taxes and oppression that was destroying them. Political freedom was not what Christ came to give them for he declared, “MY KINGDOM IS NOT OF THIS WORLD.” The nature of his ministry was not to fight against the issues of this world, but to bring to us a SPIRITUAL FREEDOM that would release us from every kind of materiality. It was because of this that Israel rejected their Messiah and would not submit under his authority.

However, in case the Gentiles would rise up and condemn Israel for their treatment of the Christ, let me hasten to say that we have likewise rejected the Christ, because he did not come to fill our bank accounts, or guarantee that our bodies would not die of Cancer, or stop our children from taking drugs. Now this may shock many people but the coming of the Christ to this earth 2000 years ago was not to change anything in this physical material world, nor to fight against it. His statement is quite clear, “MY KINGDOM IS NOT OF THIS WORLD.” Christians have failed to accept this truth and as a result have turned from the Lord to human effort to get the result that they desire. Unfortunately the “Church” has never told people the truth, that Jesus Christ did not come to change things in this physical world or to fight against the political system of the day, but to establish a SPIRITUAL KINGDOM that would set a man free, Mentally, Physically and Spiritually. John 8:36, tells us, “If the SON (Christ) therefore shall make you free you shall be free indeed or totally.” It is important to know that God will not give his power to overcome any other power in this world. The reason being that there is only ONE POWER in this universe so there is nothing to overcome.

An emphasis on the SPIRITUAL NATURE of the Kingdom of God is required today more than any other time in the history of man. From the time Adam took the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, man has walked this earth as a mortal human being ignorant of the fact that his origin “out of God” is spiritual, and his true identity as a child or Son of God is also spiritual. The Kingdom of God has nothing at all to do with the physical, material world in which we live. Matthew 5:20 “For I say unto you, except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.” Here Jesus is declaring that the Kingdom is essentially SPIRITUAL in nature affecting our behavior. Matthew 7:21 “Not every one who is saying to me Lord, Lord, shall come into the reign (Authority and Power) of the heavens; but he who is doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens.” Again the Kingdom must be an expression of the SPIRIT, which is Christ.

Romans 14:17 For the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. 1 Corinthians 4:20 For the Kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. (Dunamis= Inherent power) 1 Corinthians 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that FLESH and BLOOD cannot inherit the Kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Colossians 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power (and Authority) of darkness, and hath translated us into the Kingdom of his dear Son (The Son of his love.) These scriptures will be sufficient to establish the spiritual nature of the Kingdom of God. So many today believe that if they know the facts and verses then they have entered into the truth they express. However, our entrance into the Kingdom of God has never been through an activity of the natural mind. This is despite the fact that Salvation has been presented by the Church as the result of doing that involves the natural mind, which has no power to change our true nature or character.

Paul says the entrance into the Kingdom is by way of TRANSLATION and this word is used in Heb.11:5 regarding Enoch, but there is no detail given on the nature of the spiritual change that was involved. Elijah had a similar experience when he also was “Changed.” But the clearest indication of the circumstances involving this spiritual change is revealed in Romans 12:2. “ And be not conformed to this world: but be ye “transformed” by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Strong’s concordance says this of the word Transformed:- (metamorphoo {met-am-or-fo'-o} Meaning to change into another form, to transform, to transfigure). An example of this is found in the change in Christ’s appearance on the mount of transfiguration, when his body radiated a divine light brighter than the noon-day sun.

We automatically consider that the change on the mount of transfiguration, took place only in Jesus Christ. However, the truth is that a change took place in the disciples when the scales were taken from their eyes, allowing them to see the spiritual reality that stood there before them. This involved a MIND CHANGE that allowed them to see what the natural mind could never see because it is limited to the physical material world. They saw the Christ in all his glory, and in that spiritual world dwelt the saints of all ages, who are present everywhere but invisible to our natural mind. Paul declares that this Change is the TRANSFORMATION OF THE MIND. This ability to access the spirit world did not continue to function in the disciples at that time even though the memory remained.

The three disciples were told not to mention what they saw of His transfiguration until after "the Son of man should have risen again from the dead." This means that Jesus was made to realize the sacrificial character of His mission, and was made to know for certain that death was to be His portion. He was made to know also that His mission was to fulfill the Law of Moses and the Prophecies represented in Elijah, which was not to be frustrated by death. That “Death” that was introduced into the world through Adam in the Garden of Eden, had to be shown to be impotent as far as the purposes of God were concerned. Elijah declared that death had no power over the LIFE of Christ that dwells in man. His word of encouragement to Elisha was, that if you see me when I am taken up, you should have your desire.

In His heart, Jesus Christ would continue to know the Father's approval, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." The scene on the top of the mountain, therefore established in Jesus a new boldness and a new confidence of ultimate victory which became a source of holy joy, enabled Him to endure the cross and to despise the shame (Heb 12:2).

The Kingdom of God for most Christians consists of healing for the body, the supply of finance to do what ever we want to do, and the removing of obstacles that prevent us from fulfilling our will and desires. In other words all we want God to do is to make us happy in this human mortal life. The “Prosperity Doctrine” has been greeted with great enthusiasm by the “Church,” even though it has nothing to do with the Kingdom of God. Every day as we read, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you,” we are being offered exactly the same spiritual ministry that Jesus Christ offered to the people 2000 years ago. Israel wanted physical freedom but ignored their lack of spiritual freedom. Many today seek for physical healing but ignore the power of death that debilitates them spiritually and physically every day.

It may be, that as you read this book something has gripped your heart and there is a resonance within you, so that you are knowing, that “Man shall not live by bread alone,” but there is a spiritual bread from heaven that is needed, and you are now tasting that spiritual food that you have been craving, even as you read. This is not simply because of the writer, but what has inspired him, is now also touching something of the spirit in you.

The problem today is that we have built our consciousness through our natural senses, such as, sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell, and this has limited our understanding of consciousness to the physical human level. Beyond this level of consciousness is a much higher level that takes in the invisible realm of spirit. Intuition, is a knowing that is not based upon rational thinking but draws upon the unlimited wisdom and knowledge of God. This knowledge will tell you that you existed eternally and you will continue to do so. Because of this, your body, which is the Temple of God is functioning under the authority of Christ, who is your life.

For many years Christians have considered God to be something separate from Man, who cannot be seen therefore it is impossible to know him with certainty. But today there is a deep desire in the heart of God’s people to search for a better knowledge of God, to know who or what he is, and where he can be found. Now enlightenment has come to the many who search for him with all their heart, mind and soul. It was Job who asked the question, “Where shall WISDOM be found, and where is the place of understanding?” Job 28:12. And unto man he said, “But there is a spirit in man, and it is the breath in man from the Almighty that gives them understanding.”

All that we have as well as all that we would desire, has been given to us in the Christ that dwells in us. There is nothing more that we need, once we have discovered all that he is. But of course that is only knowledge until it becomes our reality, that is why we must develop our spiritual consciousness, that will open up to us that invisible world which contains the only realities of life that exist. Until we can access the invisible world of spirit we will grope in the dark and be amused with the issues of time and sense that will take us nowhere and allow “Death” to continue to work unabated in us until we are totally consumed.

May you be blessed and encouraged as you follow on to know him whom to know is life eternal. To be continued...

*To read more from Des Walters go to guest links page and click on Des Walter.