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The
Primitive Church A Triumphant Church
In Babylon theology we hear much of
the church militant here below and the church triumphant
over in heaven; but the dwellers in Zion have found the
church triumphant here on earth and reign therein over
every foe. True, there are battles to fight and enemies to
conquer, and this proves a militant state of the church;
but " thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to
triumph in Christ. " 2 Cor. 2: 14. Yes, always. And
this triumphant state is not confined to heaven, but right
here on earth "in all these things we are more than
conquerors through him that loved us" (Rom. 8: 37).
Yes, "they which receive abundance of grace and of
the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one,
Jesus Christ." Rom. 5: 17. These texts beautifully
express the victory enjoyed by the primitive Christians.
The kingdom of Christ is
represented as engaged in constant conflict and as always
being victorious. Christ reigns while his enemies are
being conquered; " for he must reign, till he hath
put all enemies under his feet" (1 Cor.15: 25). In
the very opening of the plan of redemption Christianity is
represented as an aggressive conquering power, under the
following symbol: "And I saw, and behold a white
horse, and he that sat on it had a bow; and a crown was
given him, and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.
" Rev. 6: 2. The symbol is that of a victorious
warrior, and is drawn from the civil and military life of
the Romans. He well represents the primitive church of
God. The white horse denotes purity. Holiness was the
mighty steed upon which the Christian church rushed to
battle. The rider, no doubt, signifies the ministers, who
stood for the church entire. The bow signifies that this
rider was a warrior. With the sword of truth the early
ministry and church rushed forth to battle against the
powerful systems of error with which they had to contend.
A crown was given unto him. Why? Because he conquered.
"He went forth conquering, and to conquer." This
rider wore the victor's crown. So the early ministry and
church triumphed over every foe. They multiplied into a
strong kingdom of priests and reigned in life. Thus Christ
conquered nations through his pure church and ministry.
She was seen terrible as an army with banners (S. of Sol.
6:10).
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