Again, some of the types and statements that suggest to us the temporary division of the Church are as follows:

* The separation of the Ark of the Covenant from the remainder of the Tabernacle of the Congregation throughout the reign of King David; the establishing of the Tabernacle of David in Zion. We believe that the rule of King David is a portrayal of the thousand-year Kingdom Age while the rule of Solomon represents the new heaven and earth reign of Christ.

The locating of the Ark in Zion, a suburb of Jerusalem, after its return from the house of Obed-Edom, is of enormous prophetic significance. The remainder of the Tabernacle of the Congregation was established at the high place in Gibeon, a city outside of Jerusalem. David supplied priests for both locations. The Ark was kept separate from the Tabernacle until both the Ark and the Tabernacle were placed in Solomon's Temple.

The temporary separation of the Ark from the Tabernacle is a strong portrayal of the temporary division between the warlike remnant of saints and the remainder of God's elect. They will not be made one until the new heaven and earth reign of the Lord Jesus.

* David's seven and one-half year rule over Judah followed by his thirty-three year rule over all Israel and Judah. This type speaks of an initial rule of Christ over a part of His Church.

* The Bride at the beginning of the thousand-year period and then the Bride at the end of the thousand-year period.

First, the Bride at the beginning of the Kingdom Age.

Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. (Revelation 19:7)

Then we behold the Bride at the end of the thousand years.

And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming

down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her

husband. (Revelation 21:2)

And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. (Revelation 21:9)

We see that at the beginning of the thousand-year Kingdom Age the Bride makes herself ready. She is clothed in the white linen of her righteous behavior (Revelation 19:8), a righteous behavior coming from Christ who has been created in her and is dwelling in her. A few verses later she appears as an army that will descend with the Lord Jesus and drive the wicked from the earth.

However, at the end of the thousand years the Bride is prepared or made ready, perhaps by others (compare Song of Solomon 8:8,9). She now is the holy city, the new Jerusalem. It is our point of view that one of the main purposes of the thousand-year period is to perfect all Israel so that the holy city can descend from Heaven as the eternal Tabernacle of God among the nations of saved peoples of the earth.

To be continued.