Well, I hope my internet browser is going to work today long enough to get this posted. Now where were we?.... Ah, yes...
Galatians 4:26 "But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother."
So we've seen already some of the WMSCOG's misinterpretations regarding how Abraham repsresents God and how Isaac was chosen as heir. The WMSCOG then goes on to explain how since Isaac was born from the free mother, so must we become a child of the "Heavenly Mother Jerusalem" (aka "Mother God") so that we can have the inheritance of eternal life.
But what is the message Paul really has for us in this verse?
I suggested it earlier, but if you haven't already read the book of Galatians, go ahead and read it, the whole thing. It's not that long. Then focus in again on the passage in question, chapter 4, verses 21-31.
First of all, Paul says in verse 24, "These things are to be taken figuratively...." That means he's speaking in symbolism and allegory. He's already warned us not to take the example literally--it's a metaphor. "The women represent two covenants." He tells us directly that he's going to use this metaphor to compare two covenants.
"One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children." (Gal. 4:24-25)
He is using Hagar and the present city of Jerusalem to represent the Law, the covenant with Moses. Those who trust that following the law will save them are slaves to that law.
Ishmael was born to the slave woman, Hagar. Abraham and Sarah knew God had promised them a son, but it wasn't happening. So they used their own efforts to make it happen, through Hagar. There was nothing special about Ishmael's birth. It's not unusual for elderly men to father children.
Those who trust in following the law, are also trusting in their own efforts to save them, just like Abraham and Sarah, through Hagar, used their own efforts to get a son. But Ishmael was not the son that God had promised them...
But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother.... Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise.... Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman. (Gal. 4:26, 28, 31)
Sarah was the free woman, and Isaac, her son, was not born in the ordinary way. Sarah was 90 years old when Isaac was born. How can a 90 year old woman become pregnant and bear a son? Only by a miracle of God. When God promised them a son, it was Isaac he had in mind. Isaac was born to fulfill that promise, and it was Isaac, not Ishmael, who became the heir of God's special covenant. (Gen. 17:19-21)
The descendants born to Abraham through Isaac were children of that promise. By our faith, we Christians are considered the "spiritual seed" of Abraham, and we are heirs and children of God's promise too. (Gal. 3:26-29)
But what does Scripture say? “Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman’s son.” (Gal. 4:30)
The one who strives to accomplish salvation through their own efforts by following the law ("the slave woman's son") will not be able to share the inheritance of God that is only available to the one who has accepted God's gracious gift of salvation, by faith and not because of their own efforts ("the free woman's son").
Hagar and the "present city of Jerusalem" stand for the Jewish church at the time, which relied on following the law (think of the Pharisees), and likewise for all the current churches which teach that salvation must be earned by following the law.
Sarah and the "Jerusalem that is above" stand for the true church (not talking denomination here, but the general body of believers), which is in a state of freedom (see also Col. 2:14).
This fits with the theme of the book of Galatians. By faith we are set free from slavery to the law.
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Gal. 5:1)
Biblical Answers to the World Mission Society Church of God
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.--1 John 4:1
Are you or a loved one struggling with this group? Do you need Biblical answers about the World Mission Society Church of God (WMSCoG or CoGWMS), their founder Ahnsahnghong (Ahn Sahng/Sang-Hong) or their current leader "Mother Jerusalem" (a.k.a. "Heavenly Mother God," Zang/Zahng Gil-Jah, or Chung Gil Cha)? Thank you for coming here. I hope my blog helps you. Questions and comments are always welcome.
Are you or a loved one struggling with this group? Do you need Biblical answers about the World Mission Society Church of God (WMSCoG or CoGWMS), their founder Ahnsahnghong (Ahn Sahng/Sang-Hong) or their current leader "Mother Jerusalem" (a.k.a. "Heavenly Mother God," Zang/Zahng Gil-Jah, or Chung Gil Cha)? Thank you for coming here. I hope my blog helps you. Questions and comments are always welcome.
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Quotations are from the NIV or NKJV unless otherwise noted.
Thanks for your research. I have put a link to your blog in my website for English readers though mine is in another language (Nepali).
ReplyDeleteThanks, I appreciate it! That gets me thinking... I'm sure there are other websites speaking out about the WMSCOG in other languages. It would be great to get a collection of links together. Would you please send me a link to your site? And anyone else out there who has a similar website in another language, I'd be happy to hear about it! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI was approached with this false doctrine infront of a retail store. I couldn't believe my ears. I told the guy as I looked him in the eyes, you preach a false doctrine!
ReplyDelete1Timothy 2:5 NIV
ReplyDeleteFor there is ONE GOD and ONE MEDIATOR between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.
John 14:6 NIV
Jesus answered, "I AM THE WAY THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE. NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH ME."
Jesus said it, it is through him, not this non-existing god the mother, what a false doctrine :3
So the correct interpretation of "Jerusalem" in 4:26 is that it refers to the believers who are free under the law of the new covenant. I hope this is what you mean
ReplyDeleteHi Paul. I hope you read the other parts of the article too.
DeleteIt depends on what you mean by "free under the law of the new covenant."
Here "Jerusalem" is used metaphorically to represent the true church which is in freedom and no longer in slavery under the law.
I simply mean that it is referring to all those people who believe and have faith in Christ rather than those who obey the old law. When you say Jerusalem refers to the true church, it is understood that you are referring to the believers too, isnt it?
DeleteYes, when I say the "true church" I'm not talking about a particular denomination, but the general body of believers.
DeleteThen whom does Isaac represent? Because in your explanation you have written that the believers who have faith in Christ are the free woman's son. So is it like Jerusalem and Isaac both refer to the believers?
DeleteThe Apostle Paul tells us directly in Gal 4:28, "Now you, brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children of promise." So, yes.
Delete(By the way, I've had an unusual abundance of computer time today, but it will be ending soon due to family obligations. If I don't respond to future comments, it won't be because I'm trying to avoid you. It's just that I have to wait until I have opportunity again.)
Yes. You are right. The apostle Paul tells us directly and it is true that we are figuratively like Isaac. But not like Jerusalem. You cannot prove that Jerusalem refers to us, because it does not. I would be delighted if you can prove it through the Scriptures and wait till your oppurtunity comes to give a reply.
DeleteWhat is your reason for saying Jerusalem does not refer to the church?
DeleteBecause the apostle does not say that it is a church. Does he?
DeleteThe reason is does the apostle say it is church? No, isnt it?
ReplyDeleteOk, let's look more precisely at what the Apostle Paul said in Gal. 4:24-31
DeleteHagar ... old covenant ... Mount Sinai ... present city of Jerusalem ... son Ishmael born according to the flesh ... bears children who are slaves ... in slavery with her children
Sarah ... new covenant ... Jerusalem that is above ... son Isaac born according to the promise and by the power of the Spirit ... children are free ... we are her children
The church under the new covenant fits with that. If you disagree, please say why you do not think it fits, what you think the "Jerusalem that is above" (or Sarah) represents, and also what you think "the present city of Jerusalem" (or Hagar) represents.
The church under the new covenant is the most unfit theory of all. How can we who are like Isaac represent Jerusalem as well? It is very simple genny. Have a look at what the apostle wrote concerning the old law. He mentioned about the City Jerusalem. And again in 26 he mentions about the Heavenly Jerusalem. There are two types of Jerusalem mentioned over here. What is the first thing that comes in your mind when you hear the word 'Jerusalem'?
ReplyDeleteYou have asked me more questions, but you did not answer mine. What do *you think the "Jerusalem that is above" (or Sarah) and "the present city of Jerusalem" (or Hagar) represent?
DeletePlease answer before continuing.
I will answer your questions anyhow. You said, "How can we who are like Isaac represent Jerusalem as well?" Maybe you mean, how can we figuratively represent both the child and the mother in this illustration?
In the Old Testament, God describes the Israelites as His children and Israel as His wife (or betrothed). How can that be? Well, for one thing, these are *metaphors--word pictures to help us understand, not necessarily meant to be literal. For another thing, you can think of the individuals (Israelites, believers) as the children and the group as a whole (the nation of Israel, the church) as the mother.
The first thing that comes to my mind when I hear the word Jerusalem is the historical capital of Israel.
Ok, your turn. Remember, please answer my questions before you ask any others.
Ok i am answering. The apostle states that the two women are representing two covenants. He says that Hagar stands for the old law and the present city of Jerusalem. He indeed means the capital of Israel, Jerusalem, a city. Similarly he is mentioning the Heavenly City, Jerusalem which is the place of the living God (Heb 12:22-24) in verse 26 and is testifying about the earthly and heavenly Jerusalem.
ReplyDeleteIf you'd like to make the distinction that the "Jerusalem that is above" represents the new covenant (as opposed to the church under the new covenant), that's fine with me. If you'd like to take it a step further to say that it represents God who made the new covenant, that could work too. The whole passage is figurative language used to help us understand that we are free from slavery to the law.
DeleteI have a feeling you would like to make a further point or ask another question. Go ahead. :)
Yes it is highly figurative. The apostle when it came to explain the new covenant did not mention Sarah or new law but just mentioned about the heavenly Jerusalem. To get a better understanding about the heavenly Jerusalem we must find related verses in the bible and read them together to understand and not in parts.
DeleteHe didn't say much about it probably because this passage was focused on showing how we are free from slavery to the law, and not focused on the "heavenly Jerusalem."
DeleteIf you were wanting a "better understanding about the heavenly Jerusalem" as you say, I would not start with this verse at all. I would look first (and mainly) at Heb. 12:22-24 and Rev. 21.
Understanding the heavenly Jerusalem properly does include the verse Gal 4:26. And the apostle did focus a lot and thereby described Jerusalem as our Mother.
DeleteIf you'd like to explore this topic more, I will start a new post for it, and we can have a conversation in the same format as I had with Cyrus. Are you interested?
DeleteOk
DeleteAlright then. I won't have much extra time over the next week, but I'll get it set up and maybe we can get started.
DeleteYou can find the new post for our conversation here:
Deletehttp://encountering-ahnsahnghong.blogspot.com/2014/04/heavenly-mother-conversation-with-paul.html