Dispensational Expositions.  No. 3.

[Being a Series of Studies having Special-Reference to the
Epistles of Paul and the Present Dispensation.]



THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST AND THE GIFTS OF' THE SPIRIT,

AS SET FORTH IN THE
EARLIER PAULINE EPISTLES
(Thessalonians and Corinthians).

In our last paper, we endeavoured to show that the dispensation obtaining during the period covered by the "Acts" was Abrahamic ; and sought to illustrate and prove this by reference to the Olive Tree of Rom. 11., the frequent mention of Abraham, and the terms and qualifications set forth in various passages of the earlier Epistles.

We desire in this present article to turn to 1. and 2. Thes., and 1. and 2. Con, in order to learn something about the "Second Coming of Christ," and "Spiritual Gifts," as they appear before the great dividing line Acts 28.

In Feb., 1909, of Things to Come will be found two helpful articles by "J. J. B. C.," to which we would direct our readers. The first article says practically all that can be said at present, but we would again emphasise the teaching of the concluding paragraphs which urge the difference between the "Coming of the Lord" as set forth in 1 Thess. 4., and the "Calling on High" and "Waiting for the Saviour" of Phil. 3.

In Acts 3. 19-21, we have the hope and accompaniments of the Second Coming which were held by every believer until Acts 28. closed the door upon Kingdom promises, and opened up the " Mystery hid in God."

 We quote the passage, so that its bearing may be clearly seen. To the nation of Israel, Peter says, "Repent ye therefore, and turn to the Lord, that your sins may be blotted out, that so there may come the times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord, and that He may SEND THE CHRIST, Who bath been appointed for you-even Jesus: Whom the heaven must receive UNTIL THE TIMES OF RESTORATION of all things, whereof God spoke by the mouth of HIS HOLY PROPHETS, which have been since the world began." Acts 3:19-21 (R.V.).

It was for this Coming that the believers in Thessalonica waited. It was this Coming that would be accompanied by the  "Shout," the "Voice of the Archangel," and the "'Trump of God."

It was in connection with this Coming that the Apostle could say "WE which are alive," and truthfully include himself, for it only needed (humanly speaking) the repentance of Israel to usher in "the times of refreshing " and the sending of Jesus Christ. Consequently, in 1 Thes. 5:23, the Apostle could pray that the believers might be preserved "entire"-body, soul,
spirit-that is the complete man, without passing through death, preserved alive for the Coming of the Lord. All this hinges upon ISRAEL: but Israel repented not. They resisted the Holy Ghost, and at last were set aside. Then fresh revelations were given, and a phase of "That Blessed Hope" (hitherto unrevealed, and unconnected with Israel and the Kingdom, or with Antichrist, Tribulation or Apostasy), was made known, and is particularly dealt with in Phil. 3.

The 2nd Epistle to the Thessalonian Saints has much in it that links it with the end, and the ushering in of the "Day of Vengeance," and the " Restitution."

We find mention of  "Tribulation," "Antichrist," " The Day of the Lord," and "Taking Vengeance," all of which are essentially linked with Israel and the Kingdom.

The following structure may prove useful in further study of the Second Coming, by showing the special phases in which it is introduced :

1. Thess. 1:10 --5: 23.

A | A |1. 10. Waiting for God's Son from Heaven. (Acts 3:19-21.)
           B | 2:19. The Servant's joy at the Lord's Coming ("our").
                C | 3:13. The Lord coming with Holy ones (Angels) to His people.
                C | 4:15-16 The Lord coming with Archangel for His people.
           B | 5:2-3. The world's sorrow at the Lord's Coming ("they").
A | 5: 23  Prayer that believers may be preserved till the Coming of God's Son from Heaven.

2. Thess. 1: 7--2: 8.

A | A | 1: 7, 8. Revealed in flaming Fire taking Vengeance.
           B | 2:19. When He shall have come to be glorified.
                C | 3:13. The Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together unto Him.
           B | 2:2. The Day of the Lord (when He shall come to judge).
      A | 2:8. Destroy with the brightness of His Coming.

In 1 Thes. 1:3 we have three things that delighted the Apostle, which are further explained for us in verses 9,10.

The Work of Faith.            Ye turned to God from idols.
Labour of Love.                 To serve the living and true God.
Patience of Hope.              To wait for His Son from Heaven.

In 2 Thess. 1:3 the Apostle thanks God that their "Faith groweth exceedingly," and that their " Love . . . aboundeth." In verse 4 he glories in their patience, but omits the word "Hope." It seems that, although "Faith" and "Love" had grown, the  "Hope" had become a little dim. They were still patient, still waiting, yet they were being "shaken in mind and troubled." It would seem that thus early did Satan begin his attack upon the Hope of the saint.

2 Thess. 2:2. "By spirit," that is, by inspired speakers in the assembly, purporting to speak by the Holy Ghost, yet really energized by Satan.

"By word," that is by discourse and argument, with particular reference to "gifts." See below on that subject.

"By letter as from us," that is by an Epistle purporting to have been written by the Apostle Paul. Hence the allusion in chapter 3:17, "The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every Epistle. SO I write."

Although the dispensation has changed, " that blessed Hope" is still the object of Satan's attack-the leaven still works.

Turning to 1 Cor., we shall find similar testimony to the Coming of the Lord. The passages which refer to that Coming are 1:7,8 ; 11:26 ; 15:23 ; 16:22.

The first occurrence has a mention of "Gift." and we will leave this for a moment to consider the other passages:

1 Cor.11:26. "As often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup ye do shew the Lord's death TILL HE COME." We must remember that when these words were addressed to the Corinthian Church, the special teaching of Eph., Phil., and Col, was unwritten, and unknown, and unrevealed. The only " Coming" that was known to them was that preached by Peter in Acts 3:19, 21, by Paul in 1 Thess., or in the Old Testament writings.

The Gospels also were unwritten. Consequently, the Apostle receives from the Lord direct instruction as to the Lord's Supper and its connection with the Kingdom Matt. 26:26-30 is explanatory of this verse. The believer at Corinth and elsewhere, before Acts 28, partook of the Lord's Supper in anticipation of the Marriage Supper ofthe Lamb and the Coming Kingdom. The words "Until He come " held good throughout the dispensation in which they were written. They will yet hold good the future, but are in abeyance with all other Kingdom things for the time being.

Chap. 15:23 is also linked with the Kingdom, for we read in verses 24, 25, concerning the Kingdom, and Reigning.

Verse 27 uses some words which help us to see that the Millennial Kingdom is meant, " all things under His feet " (cf. Heb. 2:8 and Psa. 2).

While we have 1 Cor. 15 before us, let us notice verse 54. WHEN . . . . . . . THEN. This verse contains a quotation from Isa. 25. 8. If we look at the context in Isaiah, we shall find that it speaks of the terrible scenes which will usher in the Day of the Lord (Isa. 24. 19-23), and shows us Christ reigning at Jerusalem (verse 23). Chapter 25 follows with the thanksgiving of the redeemed remnant, and includes the verse quoted in 1 Cor. 15. WHEN the Lord comes, as described in Isa. 24-25, THEN shall be brought to pass the glorious fact of 1 Cor. 15. 54. The Resurrection and the Second Coming of 1 Cor. 15 are to be found in the Old Testament, and synchronize with 1 Thes. 4.

The last passage for our consideration is 1 Cor. 16. 22 -"Maran-atha." These are Aramaic words, meaning "The Lord cometh;" and, being linked with the word "anathema," show us once more that this Coming is similar to that of 2 Thess. 1. and 2, etc. Jude 14.

Enoch's prophecy of judgment, opens with these words "Behold the Lord cometh." The use of Aramaic words in the Epistle is strange unless there were many who understood it ; and it links the passage on to the Kingdom of Israel, rather than to this present period.

We now turn our attention to the second subject before us, "Gifts."

In 1 Cor. 1:5 we read : "In everything ye are enriched by Him, in all utterance and in all knowledge; even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you so that ye come behind in no gift waiting for the Coming (Revelation) of our Lord Jesus Christ." Let us, in the first place, notice the words used-"utterance" and "knowledge" are balanced by "gift." This enrichment by the bestowal of gifts is said to be "according to (kathos) the witness ,(marturion) of Christ was confirmed (ebebaiothe) in you." This bestowal of gift was connected with the confirmation of the Truth preached and believed. This is parallel with the much-disputed end of Mark's Gospel, chapter 16:17, 20. "These signs shall follow . . . . . . speak with new tongues . . . . . . lay hands on the sick . . . . . . and they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming (bebaiountos) the word with signs following." This did take place, but we have no warrant to read into it-" it must continue." No, the moment we understand the change in the dispensation we understand the cessation of "gifts."

We desire it to be clearly understood that we are endeavouring to find out "what the Scripture saith " on this and all other subjects ; but we do not seek to suggest that the Lord could not endow a servant of His with " gift" if He so chose, even in the present time. What we do say is that such would be an exception, and has no warrant from Scripture. So far from being general or dispensational, "gifts," as such, have ceased.

A still more remarkable passage is that of Heb. 2:3- 4. " . . . . . . which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed (ebebaiothe) unto us by them that heard ; God also bearing-witness (sunepi marturountos) with signs and
wonders, and with divers miracles, and distributions of pneuma hagion (the gifts of the Spirit), according to His own will."

In the next verse (5) the Apostle says that he speaks of "the world to come," the word meaning " the habitable world," the world viewed as a dwelling-place- the constant expression used for the Millennial Kingdom.

In Heb. 6:4, 5, "gifts" are connected with "the world to come." This time the word means "the age," but both refer to the same period-the coming Millennial Kingdom. What we seek to establish is this : that the "gifts" of the Spirit, those "manifestations " which were of a miraculous nature, were essentially connected with the Kingdom and the people of the Kingdom :and we hope to prove in a little while that their cessation is connected with the commencement of this present time
and the closing up of Kingdom witness.

The gift of  "tongues," according to 1 Cor. 14:21,22, was for a sign to Israel " as it is written " in Isa. 28:11, and given for a similar purpose to that of the call of the Gentiles "to provoke to jealousy" (Rom . 10:19), "to provoke to emulation " (Rom. 11:14). The people of Israel, instead of being thus provoked to emulation, were provoked to their climax sin-they resisted the Holy Ghost. They "filled up their sins" in connection with this very matter (1 Thes. 2:16), wrath came upon them, and for the time being Israel has been scattered and placed aside, and, with them, has gone the need for signs and wonders and gifts.

Coming back again to 1 Cor. 1:5, we will notice the words translated " utterance" and "knowledge."

The word " utterance " is (logos), the word " knowledge" is (gnosis). These words occur again in this Epistle in connection with "gifts," and lead us to further lessons.

Logos occurs in 12:8, 14:9-19, translated "word." Gnosis occurs in 12:8, 13:2-8, 14:6, translated "knowledge."

We will turn, therefore, to the 12th chapter of 1 Cor. The chapter opens with words with which the apostle prefaces some most important and oft-misunderstood passages. Not only the Apostle, but the Holy Ghost who inspired him, would not have us ignorant concerning spiritual gifts : and chapters 12.-14. are His wondrous instruction as to their origin, object, use, and cessation. Some teach that " gifts " were taken away from the Church in chastisement, and that we should humbly seek for their return. We do not, dare not. disbelieve the tremendous downgrade movement of the Church, but we do not believe that Scripture teaches, either that the "gifts  were taken away in judgment upon the abusers of them, or that we are to seek their return. We believe the cry "Back to Pentecost," or "Back to 1 Cor. 12.," is as unscriptural, and as undispensational, and as destructive, as the Judaizing cry of "Back to Moses and Sinai." However, we do not trust to what we believe, but we seek to show "what with the Scripture," and to let our faith rest there.

1 Cor. 12:3, must be read in conjunction with 1 John 4:1-3 to obtain its true meaning. Many unsaved ones will say "Lord, Lord"; but that is not the thought here. In the Corinthian assembly there were men exercising "gifts"; and this was promptly travestied by Satan's messengers, appearing as "ministers of righteousness," and inspired by evil spirits.

The Apostle gives them the Divine test-no one speaking under the influence of the Holy Spirit would ever say that Jesus Christ was accursed ; and, on the other hand, no one, whatever else he may say, would ever confess that Jesus Christ was Lord, if he were speaking under the influence of a demon.

Although we have not gifted ones as they had at Corinth, the same kind of test holds good today with regard to Christian service, etc. Is Jesus Christ LORD ? This is an infallible test; but Man would rather impose "agreement on fundamentals," or the murderous " say now Shibboleth," than this.

The chapter, continuing, gives a description of these "gifts" and "manifestations" of the spirit. "The Word of Wisdom, The Word of Knowledge, Faith, Healings, Working of Miracles, Prophecy, Discerning of Spirits, Kinds of Tongues, The Interpretation of Tongues " To prevent either pride, despising, or envy, the Apostle likens the assembly to a "Body," with its many and varied members. The same illustration occurs in a similar context, in Rom. 12:4-21, which passage should be read with this. The use of the word "Body," however, is ecclesiastical and practical, NOT DISPENSATIONAL, for the dispensation was Abrahamic ; that of the "One Body" not having been revealed.

In 1 Cor. 12. there are mentioned "eyes," "nose," " ears," etc., showing that the Body, including the head, was contemplated as being on earth ; whereas, in Ephesians and Colossians the Head is in Heaven, and the members, though down here, are viewed a's being in the Heavenlies also. In 1 Cor. 12., a local temporal Church is likened to a Body, but in Eph. 1. it is neither local nor temporal, but it is the "Fulness of Christ."

1 Cor. 12:27, A.V., wrongly reads "Ye are the Body," whereas the original omits the very important article " he." The words "in particular " (ek uepous) are translated in 1 Cor. 13:9-10 by the words "in part," and there they are contrasted with " that which is perfect." The truth of the verse is this: 'Although I have used the illustration of the Body in connection with the use of these wondrous gifts, you are not yet ' The Body,' for that which is perfect has not yet come; you are of the nature, or essence, or character of the Body [the meaning of the absence of the article. With the article it would be demonstrative ; without, it is descriptive] and are members one of another-but you are only Body and members PARTIALLY, IMPERFECTLY-the perfect state has yet to be revealed It has been so revealed in Ephesians. There we get "the perfect man, the measure of the stature of the Fulness of the Christ."

In the last verse of 1 Cor. 12 the Apostle speaks of  "a more excellent way " than the best gifts; and chapter 13 tells us that it is " love" (the old English "charity"), and goes on to explain the character of the then future, but now present, dispensation.

The "lowliness and meekness, the long-suffering and the forbearance," that are necessary to an endeavour to keep the unity of the Spirit (Eph. 4:2), are all here centered in the one word "love" (see 1 Cor. 13:4-7). After this wonderful definition of  "love," we come to an immediate statement as to the temporary nature of the gifts (verses 8-11). "Tongues" are to cease. Prophecies, and knowledge, as gifts, are to be "done away." The word translated "fail," "vanish away," in verse 8: "done away" in verse 10: and "put away " in verse 11, are the various renderings of one word (katargeo).'v` To show how strong this word is, we give a few more passages from the Epistles, 2 Cor.3:7, 11, 13, 14, "done away," "abolished." The old covenant and the vail are the subjects under consideration. Both are "done away" in Christ. 1 Cor. 15:24,26, 2 Tim. 1:10,. Heb. 2:14. The word is used of death and him who had the power of death-the Devil.

Rom. 6: 6. The body of sin " destroyed " through Christ. Rom. 7:2-6, "loosed" and "delivered from" the law. Just as the Holy Spirit, through Paul, teaches by this word the complete setting aside of sin death and law, and calls upon believers to  "reckon" as God has reckoned, and shuts them up to Christ, so in 1 Cor. 13, the "gifts" are to "cease," "fail," " vanish away;"
and the one Lord in the midst, with Love predominant remain as the key-notes of this present dispensation.

The argument of the Apostle is carried through to the end of the chapter ; the reference to the " childish things " being an essential part of it. Seeing that he uses the selfsame words in connection with "gifts "as with "childish things; " and seeing that " childish things" are contrasted with the "becoming a man;" and further, seeing that the "Man" is parallel to "that which is perfect;" which, in its turn, is contrasted with that which is "in part," or PARTIALLY " (1 Cor. 12:27), the teaching must be that GIFTS ARE THE ACCOMPANIMENTS of the CHILDHOOD dispensation ; but became obsolete when the present dispensation of the PERFECT MAN was ushered in.

The cry "Back to Pentecost" is practically, "Back to the Nursery ;" and, is really a despising of the fullness of grace, now opened up for sinners, by faith.

Verse 12 (of 1 Cor. 13.) contains a difficulty for some, in the words, "but then shall I know even as also I am known." First, it must be remembered that as the Pentecostal dispensation was anticipatory of the Kingdom and modeled upon it, so the present dispensation is anticipatory of the New Creation and modeled upon it Secondly, "knowledge" and " to know " are often mentioned as a characteristic of the present dispensation (Eph. 1:17; 4:13 ; Phil. 1:9 ; Col. 1:9,10 ; 2:2 ; 3:10). Revelation is complete ; it was not so when 1 Cor. 13 was written. The types, ordinances, signs, etc., that abounded in those times, were truth seen "in an enigma." Now, the shadows have passed away ;the full revelation of truth has been made; and we are called upon to press forward like the Apostle "that we may know Him."

In concluding, we feel we must point out one more passage by way of warning. We have already looked at Heb. 2:4., and we must turn to it again. There we read of Signs , Wonders and Miracles,  (semeion, teras, dunamis). {These three words occur again in Rom. 15:19)

In 2 Thes. 2:9, we read of other "power, signs, lying wonders " (dunamis, semeion, teras), BUT THESE ARE THE WORK OF SATAN. The antichristian apostasy will have a marvelous parody of Pentecost. 'May the Lord preserve His misguided children in these dark days, who are on the look out for "signs" and "wonders" as evidences of Divine approval. Oh ! for grace to rise in faith to our completeness in Christ; to leave the things of bygone dispensations ; to step out in in FAITH; to no longer desire the help of SIGHT, or the support of outward things ;but, realizing our position is in the Heavenlies, to act accordingly.

Summarizing, once more, we find-

Acts 28 is the Divine boundary line between the present dispensation and the past ;

(2.) That the Pentecostal dispensation was Abrahamic and anticipatory of the Kingdom, and likened to "childhood."

(3.) That the Second Coming of Christ as set forth in Corinthians and Thessalonians is that which Peter preached in  Acts 3:19-21.

(4.) That " Spiritual Gifts," as given at Pentecost, and in the Corinthian Church, were connected with that dispensation ; and ceased when Israel was set aside in Acts 28.
(5.) Scripture speaks of future " Gifts " as Satanic in origin and given to "deceive."