SONSHIP 13 THE TWO JERUSALEMS

THE TWO JERUSALEMS

People sometimes get a little confused when they read or hear the term "Jerusalem".

If we fail to realize that there are TWO JERUSALEMS in the Bible, we are sure to become confused. Also, if we are unable to tell WHICH OF THE TWO is being referred to in each scripture, we will end up in a swamp of misunderstanding.

God has taken great pains to HIDE His Truths, so that the casual observer can not see them. Yet they are plainly revealed to those who are seeking truth. We NEVER STUMBLE OVER TRUTH. We are always LOOKING FOR IT when we find it.

The two Jerusalems are mentioned in Galatians 4:22-26 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he [who was] of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman [was] by promise. Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to JERUSALEM WHICH NOW IS, and is in bondage (the Law of moses) with her children. But JERUSALEM WHICH IS ABOVE is free, (the Christian community) which is the mother of us all.

Galatians 4:30 Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.

Paul told the Galations plainly that the "bondwoman" Jerusalem MUST BE REJECTED, for it would never fit into God's Eternal Plan. The birth of Ishmael was a PERFECTLY NATURAL birth. It was REJECTED. NOTHING OF THE NATURAL WILL BE ACCEPTED.

The BIRTH OF PROMISE is ordained of God to be the one recognized by Him.

Galatians 4:28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the CHILDREN OF PROMISE.

The "City" which consists of the "Seed of Promise" is the only one recognized by God. THIS CITY IS THE NEW JERUSALEM, WHICH IS BEING BUILT BY GOD WITH THE LIVELY STONES OF MAN-- RIGHT NOW. IT IS THE CITY OF PROMISE-- THE CITY OF THE FREE WOMAN.

The NEW JERUSALEM HAS BEEN UNDER CONSTRUCTION SINCE PENTECOST. You and I are a part of it-- each in our own place and in our own order. We are none of us PERFECTLY FORMED YET, but we are "gettin' there."

Just as the Law of Ordinances HAS SERVED ITS PURPOSE, so has its "City", NATURAL JERUSALEM, served its purpose.

They did not produce any satisfactory results. GOD HAS NO MORE NEED OF THEM.

HIS ATTENTION IS NOW ON THAT WHICH IS TO BE THE BRIDE OF CHRIST, THE LAMB'S WIFE. THE CITY WHICH HATH FOUNDATIONS, WHOSE BUILDER AND RULER IS GOD.

Psalms 122: I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD. Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together:-- For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David. PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM: THEY SHALL PROSPER THAT LOVE THEE. Peace be within thy walls, [and] prosperity within thy palaces.

David was writing of the HEAVENLY JERUSALEM-- YOU AND ME!

We must move on to the "Better Things."