Fifty-one years ago when I attended Bible school the Lord spoke to me about what He intended to do after Pentecost. He impressed on me the last three feasts of the Lord, the Blowing of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the feast of Tabernacles as being portrayals of the three aspects of the work of salvation subsequent to Pentecost. Pentecost is the fourth of seven feasts, there being three remaining to be fulfilled.

It seems to be that the twentieth century has been the century of Pentecost, so to speak. Now we are approaching another century and God is ready to move forward.

The Lord spoke to me at that time that the new movement of God would have to do with Christ in us. I understand we have Christ in us when we first are saved. But the Apostle Paul wrote to the saints in Galatia, people who had been saved and filled with the Spirit (according to statements in the Book of Galatians) just as we have, that he was travailing in birth again until Christ was formed in them. This tells us that being saved and filled with the Spirit, and having Christ formed in us, are not quite the same thing.

My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, (Galatians 4:19—NIV)

I wrote a booklet back then titled "The Temple of God." The thought was impressed on me powerfully that one of the primary themes of the entire Bible is the building of the eternal House of God, a tabernacle from which God can bless His creation. Jesus Christ is the chief Cornerstone of that everlasting temple.

This burden has not changed but has rather enlarged during the ensuing years.

So in writing this present essay I am warming my hands over old fires.

The key to understanding the mystery of the Gospel, which is Christ in us, is contained in the Gospel of John, Chapter Fourteen, verses 1-23. John 17:21-23, quoted above, is a kind of capstone on the discussion in Chapter Fourteen.

I realize I have written much on this subject but it still is alive to me. I guess every preacher has his one main song, and God and Christ through the Holy Spirit dwelling in us is mine. I hope it becomes yours also.

Let's see what we are discussing:

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. (John 14:1,2—NIV)

I like to use the New International Version. It has some really good interpretations. The above is one of the poorer. It is not that Jesus is going there, as to a place, it is just that Jesus is returning to His Father. I think the translator assumed from the popular understanding that Jesus meant He was returning to Heaven. Hence the insertion of the word there. It does not appear in the King James or the New American Standard.

You will look in vain in the Gospel of John for the expression "go to Heaven" or "going to Heaven." You will find several instances when the Lord spoke of going to the Father.

To be continued.