Then in Isaiah we see that God is looking for a house, a place in which to find rest.

We note in the above verse that Heaven is God's throne but not His house. God is looking for a house, a place of rest.

Since the building of the house of God is the central emphasis of the Kingdom of God, the issue of God's house was raised by Stephen as he was about to be martyred. This was the Spirit of God speaking in Stephen.

Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest? (Acts 7:49)

There is an awesome difference between God and Christ being with us and God and Christ dwelling in us. If you said you walked to the store with your friend, that would be one thing. But if you said you walked to the store in your friend, that would be altogether different and you would be on your way to the doctor.

I have read all the visions of the saints, their descriptions of life after death, that I can lay my hands on. I love the horns of elf land, to quote Lewis. I am taken with the idea of the delights waiting for us in the spirit realm.

But I have never read one vision in which Christ was in the saint. In every case the picture is of Christ with people.

Christ in us is the central mystery of the Gospel. The mystery has been hidden throughout the ages. Even today when we celebrate Christmas or Easter, or talk about going to Heaven, the emphasis is on Christ with us.

The fullness of revelation rested on the Apostles of the first century, particularly the Apostle Paul. He spoke of Christ in us. He spoke of being crucified with Christ and Christ living in him.

As soon as Paul died the revelation was withdrawn. The Dark Ages came and with them the application of the mind of man to the mysteries of God. The doctrine of the Divinity and Humanity of Christ was debated and finally formulated. But the concept of Christ in us does not seem to have been emphasized.

To this day the concept of Christ in us is scarcely recognized. We may sing "I have Christ in my heart" but we are blinded to what we are singing, just as we are blinded to the coming of the Kingdom of God to the earth although we utter the Lord's prayer.

The Prophets (Isaiah, Micah) seem to point to a travail in the last days in which a nation will be born at once. We submit that the woman who will travail is the Church and the Child who is born is Christ in the Church. As this is taking place we will become more conscious of the forming and dwelling of Christ in us. Then we will be ready for the coming of the Father and the Son to dwell in us.

To be continued.