What, Who, and Where Is Jesus Christ?

Last week we saw that God uses His church to bring His Word to this world, and He uses those He has placed within his church (1Co 12: 12-28) to show each generation what, who, and where His church is to be found.

Eph 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
Eph 1:23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Eph 3:9 And to make all men [Every generation of mankind] see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
Eph 3:10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

When we use the fact that Paul went into the wilderness to learn about Christ as an excuse to avoid the input of the body of Christ in our lives, we are missing what it means to ‘go into the wilderness’, and we are twisting and denying Paul’s own words which many times and in many ways teach this indispensable Truth:

Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
Eph 4:16 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.

We may see Christ as separated from His body as our own personal possession alone, but that is not how His Father sees Him. Christ and His Father see Christ only as the head whose inheritance is in His body and never as a head without a body.

Eph 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
Eph 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

The church is the body of Christ and the fullness of Christ who, through His Father’s spirit, “fills all in all”. This is a promise and a blessing that is beyond our ability to fully appreciate while in these “earthen vessels”.
When the apostle Paul first brought Christ to the Gentile Galatians, this is how he describes their reception of him and of the gospel he brought to them:

Gal 4:14 And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.

We saw that Christ Himself intended us to see each other as these Galatians perceived Paul:

Mat 10:40 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

Joh 13:20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

So that will be the subject of our study today. We will be looking at the verses of scripture which reveal what, who and where we can find Christ and know we have found the Truth.

The first question we will ask is:

1) What Is Christ?

The scriptures instruct us:

Rom 10:6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above
Rom 10:7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)
Rom 10:8 But what saith it? The word [Christ] is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

The apostle Paul had no doubt that what he was preaching was “Christ… the word of faith, which we preach”. These verses reveal, for those who have the eyes to see it, that Jesus Christ is the fire that comes out of the mouth of His witnesses. “Christ… The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth…”

Rev 11:1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.
Rev 11:2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
Rev 11:3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
Rev 11:4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
Rev 11:5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.
Rev 11:6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.

Christ is the fiery words in the mouth of His witnesses, and while it is very little understood or appreciated, God Himself has empowered those in whom He dwells to devour their enemies with His fiery words which proceed out of His mouth. He has even empowered them to shut off the waters of heaven from their enemies, and to “smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will”.

Christ’s witnesses are a power for their enemies to contend with, simply because they know Him, and they have His words in their mouths. Christ Himself made this same statement earlier in Matthew 18:

Mat 18:18 Verily I say to you, Whatever things ye may bind upon the earth shall be having been bound in the heavens, and whatever things ye may loose on the earth shall be having been loosed in the heavens.

The things which have been bound and loosed on the earth, and the things which have been bound and loosed in the heavens are all the Words of Christ, which are always true.

If we are not even aware that we have these powers, it is because we do not have them. Paul knew his own powers in the spiritual word of God, and he did not waver in that power.

1Co 2:4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
1Co 2:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

I have emboldened the words “my speech and preaching … in the power of God”, because it was what Paul said and preached that demonstrated the spirit and power of God. If I say anything of my own, it is nothing but “enticing words of man’s wisdom”. But when I demonstrate what the scriptures actually teach I am “demonstrat[ing] the spirit and power” of God.

When we live in and by His word that is what Christ meant by “abid[ing] in my word”. (Joh 8:30-31)

1Co 7:40 But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.

1Co 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

“I have the spirit of God… we have the mind of Christ… The word of faith [is what] we preach, [and we] know the Truth”.

Joh 8:31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,
Joh 8:32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (ASV)

“If you abide in My Word” means that you and I must know Christ before we can abide in Him. If Christ is in any man, that man knows Christ is there, and he also knows Christ when He hears Christ’s voice in another man:

Joh 10:4 When he hath put forth all his own, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
Joh 10:5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

“Know not the voice of strangers” actually means the exact opposite of what it appears to say. What it means is that anyone who “know[s Christ’s] voice, recognizes when they are not hearing Christ’s voice. “They know not the voice of strangers” means they do not identify with a stranger’s voice, and the word ‘voice’ means the “speech and… preaching” is recognized as the “enticing words of man’s wisdom” instead of “the demonstration of the spirit and of power” which “spirit” is the Word of God:

Joh 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

So that is ‘what’ Christ is. He is His Word, and His Word is Him:

Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Joh 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.
Joh 1:3 All things were made by him [the Word]; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

What is Christ? Christ is His Word “that is near thee, even in thy mouth”, and we can indeed “know Him” and He “will set [us] free” from all lies and deceptions of the adversary. Christ is “demonstration of the Spirit and of power… of the Word of God”.

This is what Christ and His Christ are.

Who Is Christ?

As Saul of Tarsus, Paul wanted to know who had struck him down on the road to Damascus, and the Lord answered him in no uncertain terms:

Act 22:7 And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
Act 22:8 And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutes.

To what degree are we “Jesus of Nazareth”? It is true to this degree:

Luk 10:16 He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.

Are we really the Christ of Christ? The scriptures tell us we are indeed:

1Jn 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

Like the apostle Paul, we too, want to know who Christ really is, because Christ warned us that there would be many people who would come in His name and claiming to be Him, but who in reality would not really even know Him at all:

Mat 24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things [“not be left here one stone upon another”, vs 2] be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?
Mat 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
Mat 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

Exactly when is this going to happen? Here is the answer to that question which the apostles asked our Lord:

Mat 24:34 Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.
Mat 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

Christ has been in all those who have known His voice in every generation since He was raised from among the dead. Here is who He tells us He is long before He told Saul of Tarsus who He is:

Mat 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Mat 25:35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
Mat 25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Mat 25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
Mat 25:38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
Mat 25:39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
Mat 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

“The least of these my brothers” is not just those in whom Christ dwells. “The least of these my brothers” includes the man who was robbed and beaten on the way down to Jericho. It includes anyone who the Lord brings before us at any time. We must treat everyone as if “the least of these my brothers” is Christ Himself, nevertheless Christ and His body should come first as we deciding who Christ is and when we are pouring out our own alabaster box of precious ointment:

Mat 26:6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,
Mat 26:7 There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.
Mat 26:8 But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?
Mat 26:9 For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.
Mat 26:10 When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.
Mat 26:11 For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always.
Mat 26:12 For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial.
Mat 26:13 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.

The holy spirit repeats the message contained for us in this story in these verses:

Gal 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

‘Do good to all men’, but we are all commended for pouring out of our own precious ointment “on my body… especially unto them who are of the household of faith”. (Mat 26:12; Gal 6:10)

That is who Christ is. He is “the least of these my brothers… especially [His own] household of faith, [His] disciples… who love one another”:

Joh 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

3) Where is Christ?

Earlier we read in Revelation 11:

Rev 11:1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.

“Them that worship therein” are those who know that Christ is His Word. They “know His voice when they hear it, and they worship in His temple.

Where is that temple?:

1Co 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
1Co 3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

2Co 6:16 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.

That is where Christ is. He is in His temple. But we are also told that His temple is in the heavens:

Rev 14:17 And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.

Rev 15:5 And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened:

The meaning of “in heaven” becomes much clearer when we understand the demonstration of the spirit and power of God in these words:

Heb 9:23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves [you and I if Christ is within us] with better sacrifices than these.

When we come into that house of God we are commanded to watch our steps:

Ecc 5:1 Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools [including false doctrines]: for they consider not that they do evil.
Ecc 5:2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.

It is best to simply quote Christ’s words which are spirit and life, rather than to say anything. It is best to let Him do all the talking because that is where Christ is; He is in His temple, and He is in His “temple which is in heaven”. “[We] are the temple of God [if] the spirit of God dwells in [us]”. It follows that “the heavenly things themselves” are also those in whom Christ dwells because it is we who are “purified with… better sacrifices than… the blood of calves and goats”. (Heb 9:19) Christ has always been in His people, and that is what He Himself has promised us:

Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Conclusion

This is what, who and where Christ is, and where He has always been since His resurrection.

1) What is Christ and His Christ? Christ is three things which are revealed in many more forms. a) He is called “His body… b) His… temple… His… house”, and c) He is His Word, which ‘Word’ is in the mouths of all who are part of His body. He is those who “because of the Word” are hated of all men and are persecuted by modern day Pharisees who are to this very day “zealous for the traditions of [their] fathers”. He is His Word which is spiritual and cannot be received by the natural man. He is a body, a temple, and a house, and He is His Word. We know all of this only through His Words and His doctrines.

2) Who is Christ and His Christ? Christ is His Word. He is the Word that was with God and was God. Here is who Christ is:

Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

These names are all “subject unto [the Father] who did put all things under [Christ]” (1Co 15:28) but those titles also include this one:

Rev 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

Christ is the King of the “kingdom of God… within [us]”. (Luk 17:20-21) He is also those in whom He dwells in earthen vessels, yet “His flesh and His bones”:

Act 22:8 And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.

2Co 4:7 But we have this treasure [Christ within us] in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

Eph 5:30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

3) Where is Christ and His Christ? The answer for ‘who is Christ’ overlaps with ‘where is Christ’. Here is where Christ is to be found:

Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

As the King of His kingdom Christ is within us:

Luk 17:20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
Luk 17:21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

What we are is true of both His elect and all others:

Act 17:27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:

This is what, who and where you and I are, if we are abiding in His Word. We are not just a group of men who are playing church for filthy lucre’s sake. We are filling up in our bodies what is behind of the afflictions of the Christ for His body’s sake, which is the church. We know the voice of the True Shepherd, and we flee from the voice of a stranger, because we “know the Truth”, and we will both symbolically and literally die to be with Christ and His Christ in that blessed and holy first resurrection.

If we “know the Truth” then we have the mind of “The Truth”, Christ. If we are of “the same mind” then we can lay claim to being ‘the Christ’ of Christ.

Joh 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

If we do “know the Truth”, Christ, then all the doctrines to the contrary, Christ is not schizophrenic, and neither is His Christ, His house, His called out ones. It is of those who “know” what, who, and where is Christ of whom we are this incredible title:

1Ti 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

“The house of God… the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the Truth”, Christ. If you know Christ, this is you and you have life eternal, and need only to pray for the strength and the patience to “endure to the end”. (Mat 10:22)

Dallas, TX. Conference Video – February 5-6, 2007

Study Topic: The Revelation Of Jesus Christ As The Christ by Mike Vinson

Dallas, TX. Conference Video – February 5-6, 2007

Study Topic: What Is “The Christ” by Mike Vinson

What Is "The  Christ?"

Eph 1:9  Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
Eph 1:10  That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in  [the] Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
Eph 1:11  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

Introduction

What I want you to see today is that Christ has a ‘Christ’ which Christ sends to do His work just exactly as the Father sent Him forth to accomplish the Father’s Work. We will see that this ‘Christ’ is the ‘body of Christ’ and that without ‘the Christ,’ neither Christ nor His father are complete. We will see that this ‘Christ’ was envisioned from "before the foundation of the world" to fulfill Christ who fulfills His Father: I want you to see that ‘the Christ’ is revealed throughout God’s Word, starting in Gen 1:1 through Rev 22:21. Christ says "I am the way the truth…" Psalms tells us "the sum of thy word is truth." These are not contradictory statements. I want you to see that ‘the Christ,’ ‘the testimony of Jesus Christ’ and ‘the revelation of Jesus Christ’ are all one and the same and are all to be seen within ‘the Christ.’

John 5:30  I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

Mat 13:35  That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.

John 20:21  Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

Christ was sent by His Father to die for His flock. Could we be given that same commission? We will show what exactly is purpose for "the Christ."

Heb 3:14  For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;

The Common misconception of ‘the Christ.’

"The Christ" is a very popular doctrine more with the so called ‘New Age’ Christians than within "the historical orthodox Christian church." According to New Age doctrine ‘the Christ’ is very much like ‘the force’ in the Star Wars series. ‘The force’ has both a light side and a dark side. It is up to us to decide with which side we will align ourselves. According to the New Age doctrine, all we need is to get the corrosion off the cables that connect us all to this source of limitless power  called ‘the Christ.’ All the great teachers of the past like Ghandi, Buddha, and yes even Jesus, learned the secrets of tapping into the powers of "the Christ."

Orthodox Christianity, on the other hand believes in a ten second sinners prayer which must be uttered in this life if one even hopes to ever be saved. Consequently ‘the Christ’ has no relevance in "historical orthodox Christianity." At least not in an Ephesians one sense of "in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in  [the] Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:"
 

Christ’s Opinion Of The New Age Concept Of ‘The Christ’

Since Christ does indeed  know the secrets of tapping into ‘the Christ’ then maybe we ought to listen to what Jesus had to say about who really is the one true Christ. Here is His take on this subject:

John 8:12  Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 10:7  Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
John 10:8  All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
John 10:9  I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

The Truth is that "The Christ" and  "The Lord and His Christ" are both very Biblical phrases which God Himself has seen fit to coin in reference to His faithful elect. But ‘the Christ’ has nothing to do with "the great teachers of the past, apart from Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Here is what Christ Himself has to say of this New age concept of ‘the Christ:"

John 8:58  Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

John 10:14  I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
John 10:15  As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

John 10:1  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
John 10:2  But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
John 10:3  To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
John 10:4  And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
John 10:5  And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

"Know not the voice of strangers" means simply that they do know the voice of the True Shepherd. It does not mean that they tolerate the doctrine of ‘strangers.’  Christ’s sheep "flee from the voice of a stranger." Jesus Christ was obviously not a ‘New Age Christian.’ Nevertheless He did, through His apostles, teach the doctrine of ‘the Christ.’

Scriptures Containing The Phrase ‘The Christ’

Here is how God’s Word reveals "the Christ" and "the Lord and His Christ" to us in 1Co 12:12:

(YLT)  For, even as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of the one body, being many, are one body, so also is the Christ,

(REV) For, just as, the body, is one, and yet hath many members, but, all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so, also, the Christ;-

(Darby)  For even as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of the body, being many, are one body, so also is the Christ.

(CLV) For even as the body is one and has many members, yet all the members of the one body, being many, are one body, thus also is the Christ."

This verse attaches Christ our Head to "His Body which is the church." After all, isn’t Christ both Lord (Head) and Christ? Yes of course He is:

Act 2:34  For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
Act 2:35  Until I make thy foes thy footstool.
Act 2:36  Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

Why is Peter going to such lengths to tell us that Christ is "both Lord and Christ?" We are shown why just two chapter’s later:

Act 4:26  The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.

Christ is God’s Christ, God’s ‘sent and anointed one.’ Christ is the one who has been anointed with God’s Spirit, symbolized by the oil poured over the hair and beard of Aaron, the high priest of Israel.

Psa 133:1  <A Song of degrees of David.> Behold, how good and how pleasant [it is] for brethren to dwell together in unity!
Psa 133:2  [It is] like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, [even] Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
Psa 133:3  As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.

John 20:21  Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

2Co 1:21  Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ [5547- Greek – Christos], and hath anointed [5548 – Greek- chrio] us, is God;

But could it be that Christ, who we now know is also "the Lord," has His own Christ, His own anointed? That is exactly what we are told is the case. The Father Himself has, through Christ, anointed us to be the ‘chrio’ of His anointed ‘Christos.’

1Jn 4:17  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

But just how much "as He is so are we" are we? Are we so much "as He is… in this world," that we can be called ‘the Christ… His Christ?" Yes, that is just how much "as He is, so are we in this world." Look at how scripture refers to God’s elect:

Act 4:26  The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.

Rev 11:15  And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become [the kingdoms] of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

Eph 3:2 since you surely hear of the administration of the grace of God that is given to me for you,
Eph 3:3 for by revelation the secret is made known to me (according as I write before, in brief,
Eph 3:4 by which you who are reading are able to apprehend my understanding in the secret of the Christ,
Eph 3:5 which, in other generations, is not made known to the sons of humanity as it was now revealed to His holy apostles and prophets): in spirit"
Eph 3:6 the nations are to be joint enjoyers of an allotment, and a joint body, and joint partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus, through the evangel"

Eph 4:13 unto the end that we should all attain to the unity of the faith and of the realization of the son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature of the complement of the Christ, (CLV)

Col 2:14 erasing the handwriting of the decrees against us, which was hostile to us, and has taken it away out of the midst, nailing it to the cross,
Col 2:15 stripping off the sovereignties and authorities, with boldness He makes a show of them, triumphing over them in it.
Col 2:16 Let no one, then, be judging you in food or in drink or in the particulars of a festival, or of a new moon, or of sabbaths,
Col 2:17 which are a shadow of those things which are impending – yet the body is the Christ’s.

When we hear the words "the revelation of Jesus Christ" we generally think of the book of Revelation. After all we read this at the very beginning of that book:

Rev 1:1  The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
Rev 1:2  Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

So we read right here at the very beginning of this book that the "revelation of Jesus Christ," is "signified… by His servant John" and who is "1) bearing record of the word of God and 2) of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and 3) of all the things that he saw. So then ‘the revelation of Jesus Christ,’ like all scripture, must "bear record" to all the rest of "the word of God." In other words there is nothing in the book of Revelation which is not founded on "that which is written"somewhere else in the Bible. Put this truth together with this verse of God’s Word:

1Co 4:6  And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think [of men] above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. [leave out ‘of men,’ it’s not in the Greek]

"In us" tells us that Paul was pointing to himself and Apollos as examples of those who would never, ever "think above that which is written." And why would anyone ever want to "think above that which is written," except to avoid being obedient to "that which is written?"  "That which is written" is "the testimony of Jesus Christ."  Where do we find this testimony of Jesus Christ?  How much of "that which is written" is "the testimony of Jesus Christ?"

"Who bare record of the word of God"  tells us, right at the beginning of this book of symbols,  that this book cannot be understood without the rest of God’s Word. How much of  "the word of God" is "the testimony of Jesus Christ? It is all of it:

Psa 119:160  The sum of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting.

It’s the totality of God’s Word which constitutes Truth. Christ is the totality of God’s Word:

John 14:5  Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?
John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

"I am … the Truth… the sum of thy word is Truth." Can you begin to see how central to scripture is Christ?

2Pet 1:20  Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private [Greek – it’s own]  interpretation.
2Pet 1:21  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Now with what does the "the sum of thy Word" concern itself ? Remember the first two verses of the book of Revelation:

Rev 1:1  The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
Rev 1:2  Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

Let’s just notice what our Savior saw in the Old Testament:

John 5:39  Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

What did Christ say the Old Testament scriptures do? He said "They are they which testify of me." That is what the scriptures do. And what do the New Testament scriptures do?

John 15:26  But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

The Old Testament scriptures and the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, all "testify of Christ." But the coming of Christ was not the end. Christ’s coming in sinful flesh was but the means to an end. And what is that end?

What Does "The Testimony Of Jesus Christ" Have To Do with Us?

Here is what "the testimony of Jesus Christ" has to do with "His body which is the church:"

1Co 1:5  That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;
1Co 1:6  Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:

Where is "the testimony of Jesus Christ?" It is right there where everything else is. It is "confirmed in you." How did it get there? Is "the testimony of Jesus Christ just innately within all of us from birth? Absolutely not! This is what is innately within all of us:

Rom 8:2  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Rom 8:5  For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
Rom 8:6  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Rom 8:7  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
Rom 8:8  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

Rom 8:11  But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Rom 8:12  Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
Rom 8:13  For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
Rom 8:14  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

What is this "Spirit of God… Spirit of Christ… Spirit Of Truth?" What did Christ say constitutes Spirit , Truth and Life?

Joh 6:63  It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

Joh 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Christ is central to everything. All of God’s Word centers around and is concerned with Christ. There is not one letter which is not in some way pointing to Christ, His Word and His Work. Two thousand years ago Christ uttered these words:

Mat 4:17  From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Was "the kingdom of heaven [really] at hand?" It certainly was. The King of the kingdom Himself is here. The kingdom of God IS at hand! Christ and those in Him are the kingdom of God.

But Christ told us "the Words I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life." Just exactly where did Christ begin speaking? Exactly what are "the words that I speak?" Did Christ speak His first words in the Gospels? That is what many people think, but let’s let God’s Word tell us where Christ first started speaking.

Joh 1:1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Joh 1:2  The same was in the beginning with God.
Joh 1:3  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Joh 1:4  In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
Joh 1:5  And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 

If there is any speaking being done, if there are any ‘word’s’ to be written in God’s Word, then those words are Christ ‘s words. In Genesis 1 we have these words:

Gen 1:3  And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

This is the first day, the very The creation of light is "beginning of the creation of God." What is "the beginning of the creation of God?"

Rev 3:14  And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

Christ is "the beginning of the creation of God." So when the very beginning of creation is "Let there be light" what are we being told is being created?

Joh 1:3  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Joh 1:4  In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
Joh 1:5  And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

Joh 8:12  Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Joh 9:5  As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

Joh 12:46  I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

Since Christ is "the Word," the words "Let there be light" are indeed His words. But they are not His first recorded words. This is verse three, and since we have Peter, under the inspiration of God’s Holy Spirit, telling us that "holy men of old spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit,"  and since Psalms tells us that "the sum of God’s Word is truth," we must conclude that Genesis 1 verses one and two are also "the words that I speak unto you."

Col 1:15  Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
Col 1:16  For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

And yet there are many who try to reason that Christ did not exist until He was born of Mary. Was Mary before Christ? Was Christ really ‘the son of David?’ " All arguments to the contrary, "according to the flesh," yes, He was indeed, "the son of David." Mary was not immaculately conceived, neither was she given a special egg. David was as "in Adam" as any of us. Mary too was "in Adam." Through Mary Christ was "in Adam… the seed of Abraham, and according to the flesh… the son of David."

Act 2:29  Men [and] brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.
Act 2:30  Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;

Joh 8:56  Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw [it], and was glad.
Joh 8:57  Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?
Joh 8:58  Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
Joh 8:59  Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

Col 1:17  And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
Col 1:18  And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
Col 1:19  For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

Yes, even the words in the law of Moses, were spoken by Christ. But they were only meant for a carnal nation "until the time of reformation:"

Heb 9:10  [Which stood] only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed [on them] until the time of reformation

But this is all to be experienced within. This is not Israel way over there or way back there. This is all for "the Israel of God… the christ" of Christ.

Like Christ we are all "made of a woman, made under the law, made sinful flesh."

Heb 2:14  Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
Heb 2:15  And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
Heb 2:16  For verily he took not on [him the nature of] angels; but he took on [him] the seed of Abraham.

And like Christ, His christ too will be rejected of men:

Mat 10:25  It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more [shall they call] them of his household?

1Jn 4:17  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

Joh 15:20  Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

Eph 1:18  The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

"The revelation of Jesus Christ did not first begin with Rev 1:1.

Rev 1:1  The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:

Gal 1:10  For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
Gal 1:11  But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
Gal 1:12  For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Conversely it was revealed to the Old Testament prophets that our salvation was "not unto themselves" but for a future generation:

1Pet 1:9  Receiving the end of your faith, [even] the salvation of [your] souls.
1Pet 1:10  Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
1Pet 1:11  Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
1Pet 1:12  Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
1Pet 1:13  Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

What purpose then does the Old Testament serve?

1Co 10:11  Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples [Greek- tupos – types]: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
1Co 10:12  Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

The entire Old Testament history of all the patriarchs and kings and prophets were all lived out and written down "for our admonition." "They without us" are not to be completed. But it does not necessarily follow that the opposite is true. We without them will be completed and then used to bring the masses to Christ.

Heb 11:39  And these all [Old Testament patriarch’s prophets and kings], having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
Heb 11:40  God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

The "better thing" is not for them. It is "for us." "They without us [will] not be made perfect" simply because it is "through your mercy they also may obtain mercy."

Rom 11:31  Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.

It is through the mercy of ‘the Christ’ that "all in unbelief" will receive mercy:

Rom 11:32  For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

If  "the testimony of Christ is being confirmed in you" then you are being prepared to show mercy to others.That is one of the functions of ‘the Christ.’ And "every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God" is what ‘the Christ’ must live:

Mat 4:3  And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
Mat 4:4  But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Rev 1:1  The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants ["the Christ] things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:

Where must these "things… shortly come to pass?" Where does this "revelation of Jesus Christ," occur? It occurs where "every word which proceeds out of the mouth of God" occurs:

1Co 1:6  Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:

Col 1:24  Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:
Col 1:25  Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God [every word];
Col 1:26  Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
Col 1:27  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Col 1:28  Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
Col 1:29  Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

So where is "the revelation of Jesus Christ?" It is "Christ in you, the hope of glory."

Rev 1:2  Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
Rev 1:3  Blessed [is] he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

1Co 1:5  That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;
1Co 1:6  Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:

Don’t allow anyone to take your eyes off of Christ.

Mat 6:22  The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

There is but one light:

1Co 12:13  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
1Co 12:14  For the body is not one member, but many.
1Co 12:15  If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

1Co 12:18  But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
1Co 12:19  And if they were all one member, where [were] the body?
1Co 12:20  But now [are they] many members, yet but one body.

1Co 12:12  For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is [the] Christ.

The article is in the interlinear as well as all the translations given at the beginning of this talk.

Conclusion – The purpose for "the body… the Christ."
What "the body… the christ does for Christ

Rom 4:25  Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

I have no doubt that I am going to be accused of teaching that I have something to bring to the table. Back in 2005 I read:

Rev 19:10  And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See [thou do it] not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

Rev 22:8  And I John saw these things, and heard [them]. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.
Rev 22:9  Then saith he unto me, See [thou do it] not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.

I read those verses in Nashville, and I was accused of saying that I, personally and only, am this angel..Of course that was not what I had said. What I had said was that all who are "thy fellow servants," all who are "thy brethren," all who "have the testimony of Jesus Christ and keep the sayings of this book" are the "angel who shows these things" to others. That is who "the angel which showed me these things" is:

2Co 8:23  Whether [any do enquire] of Titus, [he is] my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren [be enquired of, they are] the messengers of the churches, [and] the glory of Christ.

We, "the church which is His body… the many membered body… the Christ" are "the glory of Christ" Now let’s look more carefully at this verse:

Rom 4:25  Who was delivered for [Greek – dia – through – Strong’s # 1223] our offences, and was raised again for [dia – through] our justification.

Strong’s defines the Greek word ‘dia’ as "the channel of an act." Is that a scriptural concept? Is ‘the Christ’ the channel of Christ’s actions? Let’s let the scriptures answer this question:

Eph 1:3  Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly [places] in Christ:
Eph 1:4  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Eph 1:5  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Eph 1:6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Eph 1:7  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Eph 1:8  Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
Eph 1:9  Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
Eph 1:10  That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; [even] in him:
Eph 1:11  In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
Eph 1:12  That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

Now look at verse 10 in a few translations other than the KJV:

(CLV) to have an administration of the complement of the eras, to head up all in the Christ – both that in the heavens and that on the earth"

 (Darby)  for the administration of the fulness of times; to head up all things in the Christ, the things in the heavens and the things upon the earth; in him,

(REV) For an administration of the fulness of the seasons, to reunite for himself (under one head) the all things in the Christ, the things upon the heavens, and the things upon the earth, in him:

(YLT)  in regard to the dispensation of the fulness of the times, to bring into one the whole in the Christ, both the things in the heavens, and the things upon the earth–in him;

Eph 1:17  That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
Eph 1:18  The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
Eph 1:19  And what [is] the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
Eph 1:20  Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set [him] at his own right hand in the heavenly [places],
Eph 1:21  Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
Eph 1:22  And hath put all [things] under his feet, and gave him [to be] the head over all [things] to the church,
Eph 1:23  Which is his body, the fulness of him [Christ] that filleth all in all [the Father].

Those with "eyes to see and ears to hear" know why the words "Let there be light " are the words which "began the creation of God." Christ is the light that is being created by His Father. Now through this "Beginning of the creation of God," God is creating all others:

Gen 1:1  In the beginning [Hebrew- reshyith -firstfruit – Christ- Lev.23:10; 2:12; etc.] God created the heaven and the earth.

Here is how Paul expresses this Truth:

1Co 11:12  For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.

This is God’s way of demonstrating that Christ came out from God, and through Christ came Adam and Through Adam came all men. Even so Adam came out from Christ, and through Adam came Eve who is "the mother of all living… But all things of God." Eve is to Adam what Adam is to Christ. And Christ is to God what Adam is to Christ. "The man also by the woman" "The woman" is "the Christ" the channel through which all of God’s creation is achieved. And that is what "the church which is His body" is to Christ. It is His bride, the channel through which He will accomplish all He is creating.

Eph 1:22  And hath put all [things] under his feet, and gave him [to be] the head over all [things] to the church,
Eph 1:23  Which is his body, the fulness of him [Christ] that filleth all in all [the Father].

Here is the plan.  It is revealed in both the Old and in the New Testaments:

Gen 50:20  But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.
Gen 50:21  Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.

‘You thought evil against me, but it was all of God who was doing it all to produce good, to bring to pass as it is this day, to save much people alive.’ Those will be the words which God’s elect of  every generation will speak to those who have defamed and persecuted and martyred them down through the years.

Rom 11:30  For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
Rom 11:31  Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
Rom 11:32  For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
Rom 11:33  O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!