The Foundation of Grace
Revelation 21:14, “the wall of the city [New Jerusalem] had twelve foundations, and on them the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.”
The foundation of the New Jerusalem is the twelve apostles representing the grace of the New Testament, indicating that grace is the foundation of the holy city. This is the grace for which God made a covenant with Abraham. Grace is actually God Himself covenanted to His chosen people. When God is given to us, that is grace, and when grace is covenanted, it becomes a covenant.*
The apostles are neither the source of the covenant nor the origin of grace. They are channels through which God has flowed to all His people. John 1:14-17 clearly tells us that grace came with and in Jesus Christ. Verse 16: “of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace.” Grace upon grace indicates abundance.
We have received multiplied grace from the Lord Jesus, both directly and through other believers. This grace operating in us brings forth New Jerusalem. Hence grace, which is Christ Himself, is the foundation.
* Life-Study of the New Testament, Conclusion Messages: The Church, the Kingdom, and the New Jerusalem, message 260, p. 2714, by Witness Lee. Published 1998 and © by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, California.
Posted by Don on December 18, 2024
https://newjerusalem12.wordpress.com/2024/12/18/the-foundation-of-grace-12/
