10

10

difference; complete correspondence. The woman of Luke 7

and Ruth give you how it is arrived at from the side of history.

We never lose our identity; in the assembly, in this great entity,

you never lose your identity, for sonship underlies everything.

You are always a person. You are part of the “it” in Ephesians

5: 26. So from the side of our history, beloved brethren, there

is a change through the service of Christ and the service of the

Spirit that in every way answers to the Father’s thought in

Genesis—“I am black, but comely”. Well, may we be

encouraged today by this fact that the work is going on, and

the time is drawing near when there will be .the presentation of

the assembly to Himself without spot, or wrinkle, or any of

such things, in a perfect divine comeliness. May He bless the

word.

Address at Los Angeles

14 February 1987