DIVINE ORDER IN THE ASSEMBLY

D. R. Freeman

The Lord in taking His place at table with the twelve, according to Luke’s account, “when the hour was come” (Luke 22: 14), indicates the dignity and simplicity of divine order. The Lord would have His own distinctive place thus, the Supper being in view, as He will in the world to come when all is subjected to Him. Then the disciples would have a place of privilege in His kingdom according to His appointment, as He says, “And I appoint unto you, as my Father has appointed unto me, a kingdom, that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel”, Luke 24: 29, 30. The assembly thus clearly would have precedence over Israel, as Paul says concerning the resurrection—“each in his own rank” (1 Corinthians 15: 23), and its administration is to reflect perfect order and judgment, in contrast to the lawlessness of man.

Our place before God is in Christ. He sees us thus according to that order. The table in Exodus, a type of Christ, had things set in order upon it (Exodus 40: 4). These comprised the vessels and the loaves of shew-bread which were to appear in order according to the divine thought. Outside in the orderings of the tribes according to Numbers there was to be order and a place for each, but inside the tribes were represented in the loaves, suggesting our being sustained by Christ typically as food for God and for the priests. Our service to God should reflect that order so that we are conscious of His pleasure and of our place before Him in Christ.

Kingston, Ont.