| ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ( C ) GODS� RIGHTEOUSNESS � FIRM FOUNDATION Let us look at another aspect of Gods� Word being a firm foundation and how this relates to Christ along with the apostle and prophet of God by examining the Righteousness of God; 6. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. - Jeremiah 23:6 2. Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death. 3. The Lord will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked. - Prov. 10:2-3 Notice the characteristic description of the righteous. Righteousness delivers from death and the righteous Lord keeps His righteous people from famishing ( starve to death, severe deprivation ). Recall in section A of this study, the words restore and restoration can give a clear indication that someone or something has been in either a condition of deterioration or complete destruction. Yet according to the scriptural definitions, deterioration and destruction are not valid characteristics of the righteous Lord and His righteous people of whom He is the caretaker and provider. Let us examine other scriptures which continue to bear this evidence; 11. The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked. - Proverbs 10:11 25. As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation. - Prov. 10:25 29. The way of the Lord is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity. 30. The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth. - Prov. 10:29-30 In section A , the question was posed as to whether or not the foundation of God could at some time in the past have been either lost, stolen, damaged, in the process of deterioration or altogether destroyed. And thus in need of restoration. One important factor which reveals the lie which says that God has been restoring His apostles and prophets in the Christian church is this issue of Gods� Righteousness. The writings of Proverbs are quite descriptive in regard to that righteousness. The righteous is an everlasting foundation. This description fits our Lord God well; 33. And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the Lord, the everlasting God. - Genesis 21:33 16. Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. - Isa. 28:16 10. But the Lord is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation. - Jeremiah 10:10 13. Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: 14. But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. - John 4:13-14 God, Jesus Christ, is our Righteous God and He is everlasting and a tried stone. A sure foundation. Therefore, no need for restoration. God who alone provides everlasting life and thus as our righteous foundation, ( along with His prophets and apostles ), could never reasonably be lost, stolen, deteriorating, or destroyed and therefore no need for restoration. Now, since this is the case, and God is the chief corner stone of the Christian church, the spiritual house. It simply stands to reason that Gods� inherent power of everlasting support and enduring strength flows to His righteous people which no doubt includes His apostles and prophets. Thus, again from the writings of Proverbs we clearly see the enduring strength and everlasting foundation of the righteous people of God. Moreover, notice this word from 2 Timothy: 19. Nevertheless, the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. - 2 Timothy 2:19 The righteous people of God, which includes His apostles and prophets, are delivered from death, their soul will never famish, their mouth is a well of life, the way of the Lord is their strength and they will never be removed. With this scriptural evidence in mind, what justified reason and logic is there to say that the righteous God is restoring His rigtheous apostles and prophets in the present day Christian church ? The point is that there isn�t any justified reason or logic to such a mindset. Gods� Word can�t be more clear. His foundation is sure. His foundation will not be removed nor will it be destroyed. More specifically, in regard to the aposlte and prophet, who help make up Gods' foundation, they are therefore a sure foundation and thus in no need for restoration. Does this sound like a spiritual foundation that has ever needed restoration ? Clearly not. This is not and has never been the case. Does this sound like a Godly foundation that could ever have been lost, stolen or damaged, or in a process of deterioration or completely destroyed ? Clearly not. This is not and has never been the case. Christ is our chief corner stone, our firm foundation. Gods' foundation is a righteous foundation, a sure foundation and therefore it only stands to reason that His enduring power automatically flows to His apostles and prophets of God of whom along with Christ form the complete church foundation. Instead rather, it is the wicked who are cast away. It is the whirlwind, as the Proverbs write, which carries away the wicked. It is the wicked workers of iniquity who receive destruction. Therefore it is the wicked, the sinner who is in need of new birth, of restoration. Not the apostle and prophet of God. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |