Calling things that are not as though they were

It’s interesting that the five books written by the Apostle John all look toward the future.  It is the Gospel of John that shows Jesus Christ as God,* the God that calls those things as though they were.   I’ve told you that the things you read in John are as He would say things, like 'no man has ascended up into heaven but the Son of man who is in heaven.'  [John 3:13] But, you would say, “Wait a minute! He is down here on earth!”   That is true, but it is as though He is saying it’s done, I’m God.  Everything that he says in John is how God would say it (or look at it).

Paul says in Romans 4, speaking about Abraham, and God telling him about having this seed (Romans 4:13-21) while his body is dead.  God, even before it happened in time, says this is what is going to happen.

Romans 4:17

(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

In Ephesians 2 it says we are seated in heavenly places with Christ.  We are not there yet!  But…we are, as far as how God, who is eternal, looks at it!  We are already there. 

Ephesians 2:4-6

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

In our study of II Thessalonians, we are going to look at the mystery of godliness. 

1 Timothy 3:16

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

A lot of Christians think it was God that was manifested in the flesh, justified in the spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the gentiles, believed unto the world, received up into glory.  They say:  “That is Jesus Christ!”   And, it is…but it isn’t.  They think it is the Lord Jesus’ earthly ministry when he ascended; but that verse is talking about the church, the body of Christ, being received up into glory.  It says “received up” because God already sees the body of Christ as seated in heavenly places.   It is as real as if it already happened…although it hasn’t; and, that’s because God said it. 

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*Whereas, the Gospel of Matthew portrays Jesus as King; the Gospel of Mark portrays Jesus as the Servant; and, the Gospel of Luke portrays him as Jesus, the Man.

Transcribed excerpt from a grace message, “52 Eternal-Vs-Everlasting, Part 2” from Bro Ron Knight’s studies in “Survey of the book of Acts”