The Church started out with the descendants of Abraham by flesh and promise. After the Day of Pentecost there were descendants by flesh and promise, such as the Apostle Paul, and also descendants by promise alone, such as Cornelius. In the last days the promise of God will return to the children of the flesh so they will become descendants of Abraham by flesh and by promise.

True Israel, the olive tree, consists of the descendants by promise whether or not they also are children of the flesh. True Israel is composed of the foreknown—the elect of God. The children of flesh alone are not true Israel. All Israel will be saved in the last days because true Israel will enter the city of Jerusalem and the nation will be born again "at once." The Spirit of God will be poured on Jerusalem. Salvation will come to the earthly Jerusalem.

After the thousand-year period has come to an end, the earth and heaven that we know will pass away. There will be a new heaven and a new earth. Then the entire new Jerusalem, not just the firstfruits, will descend from the new heaven and find its eternal rest on a high mountain of the new earth.

The new Jerusalem will not be perfected on the earth and then ascend to Heaven. The new Jerusalem will be perfected in Heaven and then descend to the earth. The spirits of righteous men made perfect are in Heaven (Hebrews 12:23).

For two thousand years the Christian churches have sought to build the Kingdom on the earth. The cathedrals of Europe and South America are expressions of man's attempts to build the Kingdom and glorify God on the earth.

Today the quest for spiritual improvement and for the Kingdom is revealed in the Laodicean "togetherness" emphasis. The idea is that the Christians can join hands and build the Kingdom of God through their righteous behavior.

One recent development is political activism. Christian political activism, while it may accomplish some temporary good, always will stumble eventually because secular governments are incompatible with the nature of the Kingdom of God. Christian political activism, unless directed by the Lord to meet a special need, is just one more attempt of the flesh to build the Kingdom of God.

The true Church always is built in Heaven. We already have been raised in Jesus to the right hand of God. The Church is a wonder in the heaven (Revelation 12:1). Our perfecting as living "stones" is taking place as the Lord Jesus through the Holy Spirit is imparting His own virtue, strength, and wisdom to us. We are being formed at the right hand of God while our body and soul remain on the earth.

Man's perpetual mistake is his concentration on earthly tabernacles and activities. But Christ desires that we walk in the heavenlies in Him while He perfects our spirit.

To be continued.