No One Person: The Birth of Christ’s Body

Much is made of the virgin Mary; but, she is not a perpetual virgin. She presented to Joseph no less than six siblings after the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. We know their names, at least of the boys. They were James, Joses, Simon and Judas. We also know that he had at least two sisters, though the total number is not limited to two (Matthew 13:55-56).

Much should be made of the virgin Mary, who was “highly favoured”; indeed, the Lord was with her (Luke 1:28). However, she is only one of a long list of women through whom God sent forth his only begotten Son. Eve was the first (Genesis 3:15). The last reference in Scripture to the Lord’s birth is not to a single person, it is to the nation as a whole: “And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: and she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered…and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne” (Revelation 12:1-5).

The woman “clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet” is Israel. She, being with child, cried and pained to be delivered. And, in the fulness of time, she brought forth Jesus (Matthew 1:21), who will rule the nations for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:4) with a rod of iron (Revelation 19:15) on this earth.

At the close of that Millennial Reign, Satan will be loosed from the pit for a short period. The goat nations will revolt against Christ. Their destruction will be from fire cast down from God the Father (Revelation 20:9b). The devil that deceived them will be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone; and, he shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever (Revelation 20:10). Immediately, the White Throne judgment will commence (Revelation 20:11).

Following the White Throne, God will create a new heaven and a new earth, one without a curse; and, Christ’s Eternal Kingdom will commence.