The following “Question“ was asked by a member of the congregation at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, and “Answered“ by their pastor, John MacArthur Jr. It was transcribed by Nelly Kaye of Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada, from the tape, GC 1301-E, titled “Bible Questions and Answers Part 7.“  A copy of the tape can be obtained by writing, Word of Grace, P.O. Box 4000, Panorama City, CA 91412 or by dialing toll free 1-800-55-GRACE. ©1976. All Rights Reserved.

Question

We sing “The Church is One Foundation” a lot and what is “the mystic sweet communion that we share with those whose rest is won?”

Answer

That’s a good question. It’s kind of like, "Here I raise my Ebenezer," and everybody looks around and says, "Your what?" 

What is, "the mystic sweet communion that we share with those whose rest is one?" All right think about it. What is communion? What is communion? Fellowship, right? Kononia. What is sweet communion? Good fellowship, nice fellowship, happy fellowship, blessed fellowship. What is a mystic element of communion? Well, it’s not just physical, it’s beyond that. It’s a spiritual kind of thing. So now we know we are talking about some kind of nice, spiritual fellowship. And "we share it with those whose rest is won." 

What is rest? What is it to win rest? Well it means to enter heaven. Those whose rest is won are those whose who have died in the Lord, as Revelation says, and rest from all their…what?…their labors. And what the song writer is saying is that as the church of Jesus Christ, we not only share communion with the living church, the Church Militant, but we share communion with the Church Triumphant. I have never seen the Apostle Paul, but I share a mystic sweet communion with him, and Peter, and Jesus, and Moses and David and a whole lot of others. And some special little favorites that I have in the New Testament. That’s all its talking about. 

Look at Hebrews 12. Now, I’m going to get into interpreting hymns, every time we do this. It’s a fair question. Hebrews 12:22. Now, here talking about the church really in terms of a definition, “But you are come to mount Zion, unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,” now here comes the church, “To the general assembly and church of the Firstborn, who are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect.” 

In other words, when you became a Christian, you didn’t come to Sinai, where there was thunder and smoke and death. You came to Zion, where there was the church of the Firstborn, those who know the first, the prototokos, Christ, and who are written in heaven, and some of whom are already made perfect. In other words, you joined the church that is not only visible but what…? Invisible. Not only militant, but triumphant. That’s the whole point. The mystical fellowship we share with the glorified saints.

Question (continues)

Is it true that you already love some people who are in heaven that you have never met?

Answer (continues)

You know I feel that way about certain writers. I feel that way about people that I read whose life touches my life and even though they are dead I sense a love and fellowship with them in Christ.

Added to Bible Bulletin Board's “MacArthur’s Questions and Answers“ by:

Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
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