Galatians 4:26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. Cf. Hebrews 12:22-23; Revelation 21:2. I. GOD CHOSE JERUSALEM ABOVE ALL PLACES TO DWELL IN; the catholic Church is composed of those in the midst of whom He dwells (Matthew 18:20; Matthew 28:20). II. JERUSALEM IS A CITY COMPACT IN ITSELF by reason of the bond of love and order among the citizens (Psalm 122:3); so the members of the Church are linked together by the bond of one Spirit. III. IN JERUSALEM WAS THE SANCTUARY, a place of God's presence and worship and truth; the Church is now in the room of that sanctuary; in it we must seek the presence of God and the word of life (1 Timothy 3:15). IV. IN JERUSALEM WAS THE THRONE OF DAVID (Psalm 122:5); the Church, is the throne and sceptre of Christ (Revelation 3:7). V. THE COMMENDATION OF A CITY, AS JERUSALEM, IS THE SUBJECTION AND OBEDIENCE OF ITS CITIZENS; in the Church all believers are citizens (Ephesians 2:19), and yield voluntary obedience and subjection to Christ the King (Psalm 110:2; Isaiah 2:5) VI. AS IN JERUSALEM THE NAMES OF THE CITIZENS WERE ENROLLED IN A REGISTER, SO the names of Christians are recorded in the Book of Life (Revelation 20:15; Hebrews 12:23). (W. Perkins.) Parallel Verses KJV: But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.WEB: But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is the mother of us all. |