"When I was a child...when I became a man"

Becoming a man, an adult, mature

The Corinthian Church was told, "Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall
fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease;whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part,and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that
which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child:but when I became a (perfect) man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." (1Cor.13:8-12)

1.  A man (adult) is the purpose, the vision for the Church
     Jesus "gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some,   
evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of  
the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of   
Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge  
of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, (1Cor.13:8-12) unto the  
measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth    
     be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every  
wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness,  
whereby they lie in wait to deceive." (Eph.4:11-14)
     a.  The 1st. Century Church did not attain this
          (1)  Paul says, "Not as though I had already attained, either were  
already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that  
for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have  
                 apprehended: (attained Phil.3:12, perceive, I only know in part 1Cor.13:9-12) but this one  
thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind,and reaching forth unto those things  
which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ  
Jesus." (Phil.3:12-14) 
(2)  The Prize, Holy Temple, Completed House and Face to face is the Bride. 
The apostle Peter says, "We are being (in the process of being) built a spiritual house."
(1Peter.2:5) Now I know in part. The building is not finished. The apostle Paul says that   
we are being (in the process of being) built "an holy Temple" (Eph.2:20-22) This is the 
"prize of the high calling" because a complete House /  Temple is the ultimate purpose of   
the Church. 
(a)  There is only one goal for the Church, that is to be the Bride of Christ, which is the 
reality of Solomon's Temple. Therefore the "prize" is the Bride, the Holy Temple is the  
Bride, the completed House is the Bride, the full grown wheat is the Bride.
(Review: Phase Two)  (Click here for explanation of chart)


(b)  There is no scripture that says the 1st. Century Church obtained this. They only 
completed the pattern to David's Tabernacle. (Acts.15:15-16) Note: Chart above
(c)  The 1st. Century Church experienced to fulfillment of the Feast of Passover, 
(Review: Phase eight) and Pentecost (Review: Phase Nine) but not the Feast  
of Tabernacles. (Review: Phase Eleven)
                 (d)  This is significant because the Feast of Tabernacles was the feast that Solomon 
dedicated the Temple / House of God.(2Chron.5:3 / Eph.2:20-22, Lev.23:23-44)
                        Solomon did not dedicate the Temple during the feast of Passover or Pentecost 
because this is "written for our (the last day Church) admonition. (calling our attention  
with a warning) (1Cor.10:11, Rom.15:4) (Review: Phase two)
          (3)  Church History confirms the 1st. Century Church did not obtain this goal
                 After the death of the apostle John, the Church began a spiritual decline down into the    
Dark Ages." (Review: Samson)
                 (a)  Some interpret this to mean that, that dispensation was now closed and the prize of  
the high calling, and coming to "a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of   
Christ," will all happen in the "twinkling of an eye," at the Pre-Tribulation Rapture.
This is a mistake!
                 (b)  This decline was prophesied in the "ensample" (type) and prophesied by the Prophet 
Joel, (Joel.2:23-32) and the apostle Peter. (Acts.3:19-24, 1Peter.1:10-12)
    b.  The 1st. Century Church has now joined the "dead in Christ"
          They cannot attain this "prize," because they are dead and there is only one resurrection to
"gather" (2Thes.2:1-9) them up at the end of the Tribulation when Jesus returns. Note: The  
Marriage (the "prize of the high calling") happens before the resurrection of the dead in Christ.
             (Review: Phase Ten and Twelve)
            
                                                                     (Click here for explanation of chart)

           

             Note: Some would say this in unfair to those that are born out of due season. The answer to  
this is, "who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed   
it, (or why have I been born in another generation?) Why hast thou made me (Jer.1:4-5,  
Eph.1:4) thus. Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one 
vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonor? (Rom.9:20-21) 

The Old Testament Church in the Wilderness did not know about the mystery of God 
as Paul knew it. (Eph.3:5) Neither did the Church at Jerusalem until God revealed it 50 years  
(?) after the day of pentecost. (Acts.15:1-32)



2.  What about past generations? 
     It is established that they will not be that "alive and remain" generation that will see the "mystery
of God finished," (Rev.10:7, Acts.3:19-24) simply because they will be dead in Christ. They are  
the Heroes of faith that the writer of Hebrews lists and all the other Christians throughout Church  
History. (1Thes.4:13-18, John.11:24, Rev.20:5-6)
a.  These (Heb.11:1-40) all died in faith, not having received the promises. These missed ot of  
what God was going to do because their generation died off.
b.  They had seen the promises "afar off" (Heb.11:13-16) but still did not attain. 
     c.  They were "persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers  
and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a  
country. (Heb.11:13-16)
d.  They desired "a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to 
be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city." (Heb.11:13-16) 
e.  They were looking for "a better resurrection." (Heb.11:35, 1Thes.4:13-18, Rev.20:6)

Note: The only promise was that "God" had "prepared for them a city." (Heb.11:13-16) 
          There was no promise to be in the Bride, the prize of the high calling or the face to face.  



     

b.  Look at David. He served his generation by the will of God. (Acts.13:36)
He knew that he would not see "the place" (Gen.12:1, Deut.12:1-12, 1Chron.17:1; 22:1-19) 
where God would house His name, because he would be dead. Yet he was "accountable" 
(a good steward of the pattern that God gave him. (1Chron.17-29:20) The benefit of this  
vision, was that it gave him purpose for his present day. (Note: Phil.3:1-15, 1Thes.4:18)
     c.  The kingdom of heaven is as the parable of the talents. (Matt.25:14-30) 
This is a parable of accountability / stewardship. One servant (steward) recieved five talents  
and another servant (steward) recieved two talents The third servant (steward) recieved one  
talent. (Matt.25:14-30)
          (1)  The five talent steward
                 (a)  He had a greater accountability than the two and the one.
(b)  His reward: "Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful  
over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy  
lord." (Matt.25:22-23) Note the word "few"
(c)  The five talent steward are those that will be "alive and remain," (1Thes.4:13-18) 
who have a greater accountability / responsible for the truths "that eye hath not seen,    
nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man." (1Cor.2:9-14, John.16;12-  
15) i.e.  Bride of Christ. This is simply because they are "alive and remain." 
Noah had never seen an Ark. He had nothing to compare  
it with. (Heb.11:7, Luke.17:28)

As it was in the days of Noah, (Luke.17:26-28)  
today there are no reference books, Bible commentaries,
or any Thesis from some Bible scholar to refer to. The    
reason for this is because it has not happened yet! As  
in Noah's day the only thing that we can depend on is
the pattern's in God's Word. Nothing was left to Noah's
imagination. (Gen.6:5, Luke.17:26-28, 2Cor.10:4-5)

Note: The "eye hath not seen" is NOT things that  
are outside of God's written Word. 
His Word has been established (canonized) and He is  
NOT inspiring anyone to add to His Word. (Deut.12:32,  
Prov.30:5) The context here is the Spirit of God   
causing a greater depth and insight in the already  
established written Word!
(1Cor.2:1-14, John.16:12-15)

(d)  This "alive and remain" generation will have a greater 
understanding in God's Word over and above past
generations. The accountability is different, but the  
rewards are the same.

          (2)  The two talent steward
(a)  His accountability was not as great as the five talent steward
(b)  However, his reward was the same! "Well done, good and faithful servant; thou
hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou
into the joy of thy lord." (Matt.25:22-23) Note the word "few." In our fleshly mind,   
(Rom.8:5, Gal.5:17) we seen more talents (responsibility) as more important, but not  
in God's eyes. "The Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward   
appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." (1Sam.16:7)

Note: There is no competition In the kingdom of God. Unfortunately there are some  
that like the mother of the two son's of Zebeede. (Matt.20:20-28) Unfortunately
"the wisdom of the world" (1Cor.2:19-29; 2:14, James.3:13-16) has perverted our  
understanding of rewards. Rewards is Joy of the Lord because you fulfilled your
accountability / stewardship. (Note what Jesus told the mother of Zebedee's children. 
Matt.20:22-23)

                 (c)   The two talent steward is previous generations. The reason is because God's  
Redemptive plan has been unfolding, "line upon line, here a little and there a little," 
(Isa.9:11-12, Eph.3:5) from the time that Adam and Eve fell into sin unto today.
According to the apostle Paul, there is still more! (1Cor.2:1-14) This charge will be
give to the last generation. those that are alive and remain. (The five talent  
stewards) In the meanwhile each generation is held accountable for the truth has is  
revealed during their time. (Note: Rom.5:12; 7:7-10)
(3)  The one talent steward
(a)  His accountability was not as great as the five or two talent Steward
(b)  His reward would have been the same if he had been accountable with what he 
was given.
d.  There will be an accounting.
          For "it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall 
confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God." (Rom.14:11-12, 
Matt.12:36; 18:23, Luke.16:2,1Cor.4:1-2, Phil.4:7, Heb.13:17)

Where does it say that everyone has to be in the Bride?
     
This doctrine comes fro the Pre-Tribulation doctrine that places the Second Coming, the Marriage, the Church coming to the prize of the high calling, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of Christ and the resurrection of the dead in Christ together at one time before the first seal, which they say is the beginning of the Tribulation. This sounds great and convenient, but completely wrong. (Review: Eschatology One for the order of events in Revelation)
 
(Note the chart below) (Click here for explanation of this chart)

        .

When Jesus returns we will all be together with the Lord

We will all be together when the "mystery of God is finished." (Rev.10:7, Acts.3:19-24, 1Thes.4:13-18) When the purpose of the marriage has taken place. (Review: Phase Twelve and Conclusion)For "the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." (1Thes.4:16-18)

What is our generation accountable for?

This understanding comes from where the Church is today in God's Great Master Plan. The blueprint reveals that our generation is where the apostle Paul was when he wrote, "Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, (full age, mature) be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample." (Phil.3:15-18)

(Click here for explanation of chart)



1.  Where had Paul attained to?
     a.  "Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, (full age, mature) be thus minded." He had reached  
maturity in the "present truth" that he had. (Phil.3:12-15)
(1)  He told the Corinthian Church, "for we know in part,and we prophesy in part." (1Cor.13:9)
(a)  Paul understood fully the "part" that he had. (Eph.3:1-5) What he was saying is  
that there is more "parts" to this "great mystery." (Eph.5:33)
(b)  Line upon line, (or part upon part) here a little and there a little. (Isa.28:9-11) is the  
way the God unfolds His plan. (For example look at the unfolding of the doctrine  
of being saved.)
(2)  Paul knew about the "part" of Passover. (1Cor.5:7-8)
(3)  Paul knew about the "part" of Pentecost. (Acts.2:1)
(4)  He also knew that he had not attained, yet perfect (mature Eph.4:11-16). He had not  
attained the "full measure of the stature of Christ." (Eph.4:11-16) which was Tabernacles.  
("that I may win Christ) He was unable to teach the Church the Feast of Tabernacles  
because they were "dull of hearing." (Heb.5:11-14; 6:1-3 Key phase: going on to
                 perfection / Tabernacles) Paul is somewhat like David, who had the pattern for the  
Temple but would not be alive to experience (attain) it. (1Chron.28:19, Phil.3:15) Why?  
because he would die physically before that "season" comes to pass in the Church

Note: The four Gospels is the Feast of Passover. Acts. and the Epistles is The 
Feast of Pentecost. (Hebrews and Revelation reaches over to the feast of Tabernacles)
  (Review: This Chart)  The fulfillment (reality) of all three (Gen.41:32, Deut.19:15, Matt.18:16,  
2Cor.13:1) of the Feast days (Col.2:16-17) will establish and finish the "Great Mystery"  
(Eph.5:21-33) of Christ and the Church.

(5)  He was looking for and pursing (pressed) towards a "glorious church, not having spot, 
or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." (Eph.5:27,   
4:11-16, 1Cor.1:3:9-12) This is to be like Jesus. (1Peter.1:18-20, 1John.3:2)

2.  Our generation is typified by the time of David
David..."served his own generation by the will of God" (Acts.13:36) because he was "a man 
after (God's) own heart." (Acts.13:22) This gave him a hearing ear and a vision of God's  
purpose for the future. David pressed, pursued the ultimate goal of Solomon's Temple, which  
foreshadows, our "prize of  the high calling."

(Review: Phase Two for the explanation of this chart)

         


3.  We are to "have this mind" as we press (pursue) towards the prize of the high calling.
     a.  David knew that he would not see (1Chron.22:1-19) the building of the Temple, but did  
have the blueprint for it. (1Chron.29:19-20) This did not discourage him. He "prepared  
abundantly" for the Temple. This is what David was accountable for. This was his stewardship.
     b.  These typical actions of David "were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we  
through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." (Rom.15:4) 
     c.  Some of us (like David) will not see the final phase of God's Purpose for His Church simply  
because we will not be alive. Not because we did not qualify.
(1)  This should not discourage us, but gives us purpose for our present day as it did for David.
David was accountable (a "good and faithful steward" Matt.25:21) for the truth, the pattern
(2)  This purpose should inspire us to be accountable and pass on the pattern to the next 
generation (the Solomon generation) Compare: Judges.2:6-10
                 (a)  Some may say that this is not fair! "Shall the thing that is formed say to the potter why  
have you made me thus. (or why have I been born in this generation?) Rom.9:20-21,  
Isa.64:8, Dan.4:35, Isa.29:16. Our generation has a job to do! (To be a good and  
faithful (accountable) stewart of the truth that we do know.
                 (b)  When Peter's attention was on what another disciple would be doing he said,"what  
shall this man do?" Jesus said, "what is that to thee? Follow me  (John.21:20-22)
Be accountable for your own stewardship.


The Conclusion   
     
When Paul told the Corinthian Church, "Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease;whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part,and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child:but when I became a (perfect) man, I put away childish things.

1.  For now we see through a glass, darkly.(1Cor.13:8-12) 
The "glass" (mirror) is the Word of God, "the perfect law of liberty."  
(James.1:22-25, 2Cor.3:18 Review; Phase four / The Laver)
a.  Now (from the 1st. Century until our present day) I know in part;
b.  But then shall I know even as also I am known." 
(1)  Then is when "we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of      
God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we  
henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of  
doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive."
(Eph.4:13-14)
(2)  Then is when we will "conformed to the image of his Son." (Rom.8:29)
(3)  Then is when "we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are  
changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
(2Cor.3:18)
           (4)  Then is when we are presented as "become "a glorious church, not having spot, or  
wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." (Eph.5:27) This  
is a Church just like Jesus. (1John.3:2)
(5)  Then is the "face to face." (Face / presence. Gen.4:14; 16:8, Exod.2:15, Rev.12:14)

2.  We are to mature (come to perfection) in the "part" of truth we have today
     As the apostle wrote,"Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I  
follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things  
which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark  
for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect,  
be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you."
(Phil.3:12-15)