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JJ · 08-08-2017, 09:36 PM

What is “Jerusalem” for today’s Christians?- Part 2
This discussion is for those already familiar with “The Lords Recovery” and Witness Lee’s (and “the Blended Brothers”) preaching and teaching that todays’ Christian equivalent of the Jews’ “Jerusalem”, and of “Mount Zion with the Temple of God” in particular, the God-ordained place that Christians should gather and worship God, and Lee’s view that it is in “the local churches”. This is “Part 2” because to keep it short, I’d like to reference each New Testament reference for an equivalent of Jerusalem for Christians one verse at a time. The second such reference is in Galations 4:21-31 (http://biblehub.com/context/galatians/4-1.htm) when the apostle Paul likens to the earthly Jerusalem and its law keepers to Hagar (Abraham’s concubine who bore Ismael) and says the following about Jerusalem (New American Standard Bible):
“she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free; she is our mother. For it is written,
‘Rejoice, barren woman who does not bear; Break forth and shout, you who are not in labor; For more numerous are the children of the desolate than of the one who has a husband.’
And you brethren, like Isaac, are children of promise. But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also. But what does the Scripture say?
‘Cast out the bondwoman and her son,
For the son of the bondwoman shall not be an heir with the son of the free woman.’
So then, brethren, we are not children of a bondwoman, but of the free woman.”

From this we see that today’s Jerusalem is:
• Above
• Free
• Our mother
And we also see that the Christian brethren are:
• Like Issac
• Cause our “barren mother” to rejoice, break forth and shout, for her children are more numerous than the children of the earthly Jerusalem
• Children of promise
• Born according to the Spirit
• Persecuted by those born according to the flesh (law keepers)
• Charged to cast out the earthly Jerusalem and “her son” (earthly Jerusalem and its law keepers)
• Heirs with the son of the free woman (Heirs with Christ, my interpretation)
• Children of the free woman (Children of the Jerusalem which is above)

As with Part 1 of this discussion, I note there is no particular reference to “local churches, or “the ground of oneness”. I also note that per the bullet points this Jerusalem is above (not on earth) and is a given thing to all born again Christians with no conditions other than a charge to cast out the earthly Jerusalem and its law keepers.
So, for our discussion then:
Can we use Galations 4 to support Lee’s claims?
Can we use Galations 4 to refute Lee’s claims?
My notes make evident where I stand (refutes Lee’s claims). But, I want to hear from you. Maybe I’m missing something here.

08-08-2017, 09:36 PM	#13
JJ Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 1,006	Re: What is Today's Jerusalem for Christians - Part 2 What is “Jerusalem” for today’s Christians?- Part 2 This discussion is for those already familiar with “The Lords Recovery” and Witness Lee’s (and “the Blended Brothers”) preaching and teaching that todays’ Christian equivalent of the Jews’ “Jerusalem”, and of “Mount Zion with the Temple of God” in particular, the God-ordained place that Christians should gather and worship God, and Lee’s view that it is in “the local churches”. This is “Part 2” because to keep it short, I’d like to reference each New Testament reference for an equivalent of Jerusalem for Christians one verse at a time. The second such reference is in Galations 4:21-31 (http://biblehub.com/context/galatians/4-1.htm) when the apostle Paul likens to the earthly Jerusalem and its law keepers to Hagar (Abraham’s concubine who bore Ismael) and says the following about Jerusalem (New American Standard Bible): “she is in slavery with her children. But the Jerusalem above is free; she is our mother. For it is written, ‘Rejoice, barren woman who does not bear; Break forth and shout, you who are not in labor; For more numerous are the children of the desolate than of the one who has a husband.’ And you brethren, like Isaac, are children of promise. But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also. But what does the Scripture say? ‘Cast out the bondwoman and her son, For the son of the bondwoman shall not be an heir with the son of the free woman.’ So then, brethren, we are not children of a bondwoman, but of the free woman.” From this we see that today’s Jerusalem is: • Above • Free • Our mother And we also see that the Christian brethren are: • Like Issac • Cause our “barren mother” to rejoice, break forth and shout, for her children are more numerous than the children of the earthly Jerusalem • Children of promise • Born according to the Spirit • Persecuted by those born according to the flesh (law keepers) • Charged to cast out the earthly Jerusalem and “her son” (earthly Jerusalem and its law keepers) • Heirs with the son of the free woman (Heirs with Christ, my interpretation) • Children of the free woman (Children of the Jerusalem which is above) As with Part 1 of this discussion, I note there is no particular reference to “local churches, or “the ground of oneness”. I also note that per the bullet points this Jerusalem is above (not on earth) and is a given thing to all born again Christians with no conditions other than a charge to cast out the earthly Jerusalem and its law keepers. So, for our discussion then: Can we use Galations 4 to support Lee’s claims? Can we use Galations 4 to refute Lee’s claims? My notes make evident where I stand (refutes Lee’s claims). But, I want to hear from you. Maybe I’m missing something here. __________________ And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14 NASB)