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"This Is My Body"
When the Lord Jesus said in (Matthew 26:26
And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body). A figure of speech consists of a word or words used out of the ordinary sense, or order: just as we call a person dressed out the ordinary manner or fashion a “figure”: both attract our attention: and, in the case of words, the one and only object is in order to call the reader`s attention to what was thus emphasized. For example in (Matthew 16:6 Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees). Where, had the Lord said “the doctrine of the Pharisees is like leaven,” that would have been the Figure of Speech, “Simile.” Had He said “the doctrine of the Pharisees is leaven”, the Figure of Speech, in this case would have been, “Metaphor”: by which, instead of saying one thing is like another, it is carried over, as the word Metaphor means, and states that the one thing is like another. But in Matthew 16:6, the Lord used another Figure of Speech altogether, “Hypocatastsis”, from “hupo”, equal under, “kata”, eual down, and “stasis”, equal a stationing, which means putting one or two words, which are necessary as in the case of “Simile”, and “Metophor”, down underneath, i.e., out of sight, and thus implying it. He said, “beware of the leaven”, thus implying the word “doctrine”, which He really meant: and, by thus attracting the disciples attention to His word, thereby emphasized them.In these “three” Figures of Speech we have a “Positive,” “Comparative,” and “Superlative” emphasis. The essence of Simile is “resemblance:” the essence of Metaphor is “representation,” as in the case of a portrait, which is representative of some person; the essence of Hypocatastasis is “implication,” where only one word is mentioned and another implied.
Through non-acquaintance with Figures of Speech every Figure of Speech is today called a Metaphor. but this is not the case. A Metaphor is a special Figure of Speech different and distinct from all others.
This is My Body is the Figure of Speech Metaphor: and the Figure of the Speech lies in the Verb “is,” which, as in this case means “represents,” and must always be so expressed. It can never mean “is changed into.” Hence in the Figure of Speech Metaphor, the Verb “represents” can always be substituted for “is.” For example: The field is (or represents) the world, (Matthew 13:38
The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;). The good seed are (represent) the sons of the kingdom, (Matthew 13:38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;). The reapers are (represent) angels, (Matthew 13:39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.). The odorous are (represent) the prayers of the saints, (Revelation 5:8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.). The seven heads are (represent) seven mountains, (Revelation 17:9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.). This cup is (represents) the new covenant, (1Corinthians 11:25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 1Corinthians 10:16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?). This cup of blessing which we bless, is it not (does it not represent) the blood of Christ.Furthermore, it is a fundamental law in Greek grammar, without exception, that the Article, Pronoun, and Adjective must agree in gender with the Noun to which they refer. For example, in (Matthew 16:18
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.). The Pronoun “this” is Feminine, and this agrees with petra, which is also Feminine, and not with petros (Peter), which is Masculine.So here: the Pronoun “this” is Neuter, and can not agree with artos (equal bread), because artos is Masculine. It must refer to what is Neuter: and this could only be the whole act of breaking the bread, which would be Neuter also: or to klasma, the broken piece (which is also Neuter).
In like manner, when He said in (Matthew 26:28
For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.). This is my blood of the New Covenant: this being Neuter, refers to poterion (equal cup) and not oinos (equal wine), which is Masculine, and means: This cup represents My blood of the New Covenant, which is poured out for many, for the remission of sins.For, what was the Lord doing? He was making the New Covenant foretold in (Jeremiah 31:31-34
Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.). If it were not made then, it can never be made at all, for no more has He blood to shed, (Luke 24:39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.).Now, “blood” was shed, and sacrificially used, only in connection with two things, the making of a covenant, and the making of atonement. In the former, the victim which made or ratified the covenant was slain, and the body divided in two, the parties to the covenant passing between, (Genesis 15:9-18
And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon. And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not. And when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away. And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him. And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age. But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full. And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces. In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates: Jeremiah 34:18 And I will give the men that have transgressed my covenant, which have not performed the words of the covenant which they had made before me, when they cut the calf in twain, and passed between the parts thereof, Galatians 3:20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.).As long as the victim (the covenant maker) was alive the covenant could have no force, (Hebrew 9:16-22,
For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.).At the Last Supper this New Covenant was made: and Peter`s proclamation in (Acts 2:38
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 3:19-26 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days. Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities. Acts 5:31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.). And Paul`s in (Acts 13:38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Acts 20:21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 26:20 But showed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.).But that having been accomplished, and the suffering having been endured, nothing stood in the way of the glory which should follow. “Repent ye Therefore and turn to the Lord that your sins may be blotted out.” The New Covenant which had been made had provided for that, as the Lord said in (Matthew 26:28
For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.). For the remission of sins.In that Last Supper the Lord was not instituting anything with view to the Secret (the Mystery to be yet revealed in the Prison Epistles): but was substituting bread and wine for the Paschal Lamb (the type being exhausted in the Antitype), because of the new meaning which the Passover should henceforth convey. It was to be the Memorial, not the Exodus from Egypt, but of the Exodus which the Lord afterward accomplished in Jerusalem, according to the New Covenant made by His death, (Luke 9:31
Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.).In (1Corinthians 11:25
After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.). And (1Corinthians 10:16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?). This cup of blessing which we bless, is it not, does it not represent, the communion of the blood of Christ, through which all blessing comes to us. The bread which we break, is it not, does it not, represent the communion of the body of Christ? Does it not signify the fellowship of all the members of Christ`s body, who. being many, are one body, (1Corinthians 12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.). For we being many are one bread, and one body, as stated in (1Corinthians 10:17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.).It is because those who eat of that bread, do not discern or discriminate that one body, i.e., Christ`s mystical , that they are said to eat to their own condemnation: for they witness to the fact of that great Mystery, and yet are ignorant of its truth! And hence they condemn themselves.
It is written in (1Timothy 3:15
But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.). What this is shown in the next verse, the great secret concerning Christ`s Mystical and not Christ`s Personal. The great Mystery is the Body of Christ, the House in which God dwells by His Spirit: the assembly of the saints peculiarly belonging to the living God, as purchased with the blood of the everlasting covenant: and this is the pillar and ground, the great foundation pillar of the truth, so specially revealed to Paul, to make known among the Gentiles.(1Timothy 3:16
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.). The Church of God, as an Assembly, is also compared to a building: its members are built individually on a doctrinal foundation, but the building itself is a holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye are also build together by the Spirit, (Ephesians 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.) The Church of God is now a spiritual building in Christ. Since, God does not dwell in buildings made with hands, (Acts 7:48 Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,).To qualify, to be a saint, one must know the mysteries of Kingdom of Heaven.( Colossians 1:26
Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:).There are seven Mysteries or Secrets: (1). The Kingdom (2). The Partial Blindness of Israel (3). The Church or Body of Christ (4) The First Resurrection (5). The Secret Purpose of God (6). The Secret Purpose of Satan (7). Babylon or (confusion).
The Lord Jesus said in, (Mark 4:11
And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:).How do you measure up to the Lord`s Standard ? For all must leave here. Again the Lord states in (Luke 16:25-26
But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.). Which side of the Gulf, are you going to be on?______________________________________________________________________