Three Levels of Attainment in Christ

The Scripture appears to set forth three levels of attainment in Christ. These three levels are mentioned in the eighth chapter of the Song of Solomon.

The first level, the hundredfold, are the mature saints who are a wall of resistance against sin and who are exceedingly fruitful and strong in the Lord Jesus. They have found favor in the sight of Christ (Song of Solomon 8:10; see also Revelation 14:1-5).

The second level, the sixtyfold, have not attained the maturity and fruitfulness of the hundredfold. But they have attained sanctification and can resist sin through Christ's grace. God will build on these a glorious palace of redemption (Song of Solomon 8:9)

The third level, the thirtyfold, have not attained spiritual strength and fruitfulness. They are "doors," that is, they are unable to resist the enemy. Eve was a "door" who opened to allow the enemy to destroy the human race.

God will instruct His builders to enclose the weaker members with the beautiful boards of cedar used in the building of Solomon's Temple. Cedar is associated with strength and beauty in the Scriptures (Song of Solomon 8:9; I Kings 6:18; Job 40:17).

The holy city, the new Jerusalem, the Wife of the Lamb, the Temple of God, the Body of Christ, are terms applied to the Church of Christ. The Church consists of the firstfruits, the "mighty men," the hundredfold; and also those of Israel who are not brought to the first rank of rulership in the Kingdom.

In order for the number twelve, the completeness of God's household, to be brought to fulfillment, each member of the Church must be made perfect at his or her level.

And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. (Hebrews 8:11)

"From the least to the greatest."

The strong members are not to please themselves but are to aid and teach the weaker members. The whole Body of Christ, from the weakest to the strongest member, is precious in the eyes of Christ.

The Servant of the Lord will not "break the bruised reed" nor "quench the smoking flax" until He brings forth judgment unto truth (Isaiah 42:3). This is a vivid way of stating even the weakest Christian, the feeblest member of the heavenly Jerusalem, will be guided and nourished by the Good Shepherd until the judgment of God has wrought the truth of Christ in him or her. Then he will be free from sin and eternally will be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

In speaking of the feeble members of the heavenly Jerusalem we are not referring to the careless believers, the lukewarm, to those who have neglected their salvation, who have buried their talent. The New Testament is clear that the believers who do not take up their cross and follow Jesus, who do not maintain oil in their lamp, will suffer very great loss in the Kingdom. In fact, they may, as Esau, lose their inheritance. They will suffer eternal loss of their personality if their works are burned with fire, although their spirit may be saved.

To be continued.