THE VOICE FROM THE EXCELLENT GLORY
In Christianity we have the final and full revelation of God. We reach the knowledge of the Father by the Son in power of the Spirit.
John gives us this (I refer particularly to chap 20: 17 et seq), but each synoptic gospel refers to it in the transfiguration scene. The three disciples were set thenceforward in the light of it, but it is now available to all the brethren. In it are involved the death, resurrection and ascension of the Lord—that is, the climax of our blessing as men is secured and is permanent both for heaven and for earth.
Therein we have also reached the company of “just men made perfect” (Heb 12: 23), but if so these (Moses and Elias) immediately disappear, to give place to the voice of the Lord as Man. “Hear him” is the only word for us.
I think that we are set in all the blessedness of this, and consequently are His witnesses on earth in the good of it in the gospel by Luke—from chap 9: 51 to chap 19. The Spirit having come, these intervening chapters form and place the saints now by the Spirit in all the light of the personal glory of the Son, before the display of the glory of the kingdom and until that time. We are in association with Him in sonship, in joy and in testimony on earth and before all men, until His return for us and until the incoming of the glory of the kingdom referred to, chap 9. I suppose that “Hear him” is present and eternal association with Him, in all that He has received as man.
Kingston-on-Thames
From Mutual Comfort—vol 6, 1913
“IT IS EXPEDIENT FOR YOU THAT I GO AWAY”
(John 16)
The Lord’s departure (Luke 9: 30, 31 NT) was the inauguration of the present ‘fellowship’, compare 1 Cor 1: 9. This company thus came, by the Spirit, into the good of the personal ministry of the Son over God’s house down here. The Father’s voice was heard, as to the Son, thenceforward, “Hear him”. From the transfiguration scene He took this place.
This “fellowship” is still here, in all the present power and testimony of the Holy Ghost. Saints in the present joy and good of it are in evidence. The full constitution of the company (Christ on high and the Holy Ghost down here) is read in John 13 and 14, and the results are seen in chaps 15, 16 and 17.
From Mutual Comfort—vol 7, 1914
FLESH AND SPIRIT
In Numbers (in type) and in 1 Corinthians and Galatians the people of God are taught to say ‘NO’ to the movings of the flesh. In Joshua (in type) and in Ephesians we are called to say ‘YES’ to the teaching of the Spirit; but the flesh never enters “the land”, hence the way of the wilderness.
From Mutual Comfort—vol 7, 1914