THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE: How Jesus Christ Becomes the Sure Foundation of Every Mountain, Kingdom, and Spiritual State of Being
In THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE, Carl Timothy Wray presents a Christ-centered study revealing Jesus Christ as the sure foundation of God’s eternal purpose. Beginning with Isaiah’s prophecy of the Chief Cornerstone laid in Zion, this book traces the revelation of Christ from Genesis to Revelation, demonstrating how every mountain, kingdom, symbol, and prophetic vision ultimately points to Him. Through the whole counsel of God, readers will discover that the Scriptures are united by one glorious foundation—Jesus Christ, the Chief Cornerstone.
THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE: “Behold, I Lay in Zion for a Foundation a Stone, a Tried Stone, a Precious Corner Stone, a Sure Foundation” is a biblical study revealing how Jesus Christ is the sure foundation of every mountain, kingdom, and spiritual state of being throughout Scripture. By tracing the Chief Cornerstone from Genesis to Revelation, this book demonstrates how the whole counsel of God bears witness to Christ as the foundation of God’s kingdom, the fulfillment of prophecy, and the center of every biblical symbol and revelation.
Introduction
The Foundation Before the Building
“Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation…”
(Isaiah 28:16)
Before God built His house, He laid a foundation.
Before He established His kingdom, He established the King.
Before He revealed every mountain, every kingdom, every symbol, and every prophetic vision, He revealed His Son.
Jesus Christ is the Chief Cornerstone.
From Genesis to Revelation, the Scriptures continually bear witness to Him. Moses testified of Him. David sang of Him. Isaiah prophesied of Him. Daniel saw His everlasting kingdom. The apostles preached Him. John beheld Him in the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
The symbols of Scripture are God’s language, but Jesus Christ is God’s message.
Every mountain reveals something about His kingdom.
Every kingdom reveals something about His government.
Every symbol reveals something about His purpose.
Every prophet contributes another witness.
Every apostle adds another testimony.
Together they reveal one glorious foundation.
The Chief Cornerstone.
This book is not merely a study of one verse in Isaiah.
It is a journey through the whole counsel of God to discover that every revelation ultimately rests upon Jesus Christ.
He is the Stone rejected by the builders.
He is the sure Foundation.
He is the Rock upon which the Church is built.
He is the beginning of the new creation.
He is the foundation that cannot be moved.
As we search the Scriptures, may every mountain, every kingdom, every symbol, and every revelation lead us to the One whom the Father has laid in Zion.
Jesus Christ, the Chief Cornerstone.
Table of Contents
Introduction
The Foundation Before the Building
Chapter One
The Chief Cornerstone
Chapter Two
Why God Laid the Stone in Zion
Chapter Three
Every Mountain Reveals a Kingdom
Chapter Four
The Kingdom That Fills the Whole Earth
Chapter Five
The Stone the Builders Rejected
Chapter Six
The Sure Foundation
Chapter Seven
The Chief Cornerstone and the Two Men
Chapter Eight
The Chief Cornerstone and the Two Seeds
Chapter Nine
The Chief Cornerstone Throughout the Whole Counsel of God
Chapter Ten
The Chief Cornerstone in the Revelation of Jesus Christ
Chapter Eleven
The Mountain of the Lord and the Sure Foundation
Chapter Twelve
Looking Unto Jesus, the Chief Cornerstone
Conclusion
Jesus Christ: The Sure Foundation Forever
CHAPTER ONE
THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE
Behold, I Lay in Zion a Sure Foundation
Scripture
“Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.”
(Isaiah 28:16)
Teaching
Before God built His house, He laid a foundation.
Before He established His kingdom, He established the King.
Before He revealed every mountain, every kingdom, every symbol, and every prophetic vision, He revealed His Son.
Jesus Christ is the Chief Cornerstone.
Everything that God builds rests upon Him.
He is the beginning.
He is the foundation.
He is the sure cornerstone that cannot be moved.
Everything in the Scriptures begins with Jesus Christ.
Other Foundation Can No Man Lay
Scripture
“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
(1 Corinthians 3:11)
Teaching
The apostle Paul leaves no room for another foundation.
The Church is not built upon human wisdom.
It is not built upon religious tradition.
It is not built upon philosophy.
It is built upon Jesus Christ.
Every doctrine…
Every revelation…
Every prophecy…
Every symbol…
Must rest upon Him.
When Christ remains the foundation, truth remains pure.
When another foundation is laid, confusion follows.
The Chief Cornerstone establishes the whole building.
Jesus Christ Himself Being the Chief Cornerstone
Scripture
“And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.”
(Ephesians 2:20)
Teaching
The prophets pointed toward Him.
The apostles testified of Him.
Their ministry was never intended to replace the Foundation.
Their ministry was to reveal the Foundation.
The testimony of Moses…
The testimony of David…
The testimony of Isaiah…
The testimony of Daniel…
The testimony of Paul…
The testimony of John…
All bear witness to Jesus Christ.
The whole counsel of God speaks with one voice.
Jesus Christ is the Chief Cornerstone.
The Stone Which the Builders Rejected
Scripture
“The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.”
(Psalm 118:22)
Teaching
The Stone was not rejected because He lacked perfection.
He was rejected because men sought another foundation.
Natural religion looked for another kingdom.
Another righteousness.
Another way.
But God never changed His purpose.
The very Stone that was rejected became the Head of the corner.
The Father established what men rejected.
The kingdom of God rests upon Jesus Christ alone.
The Foundation of Every Revelation
Scripture
“Search the scriptures… and they are they which testify of me.”
(John 5:39)
Teaching
Every page of Scripture bears witness to Jesus Christ.
Every prophet adds another testimony.
Every apostle contributes another witness.
Every mountain…
Every kingdom…
Every stone…
Every symbol…
Every vision…
Ultimately reveals Him.
The symbols are God’s language.
Jesus Christ is God’s message.
The purpose of the whole counsel of God is not merely to reveal symbols.
It is to reveal the Son.
The Chief Cornerstone is the foundation of every revelation.
He is the Alpha.
He is the Omega.
He is the Beginning.
He is the End.
Everything begins with Him.
Everything is measured by Him.
Everything is fulfilled in Him.
Jesus Christ is the Chief Cornerstone.
CHAPTER TWO
WHY GOD LAID THE STONE IN ZION
Behold, I Lay in Zion
Scripture
“Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation…”
(Isaiah 28:16)
Teaching
The Lord did not say,
“I lay in Babylon.”
He did not say,
“I lay in Egypt.”
He did not say,
“I lay in the wilderness.”
He said,
“I lay in Zion.”
The place where God laid the Chief Cornerstone is part of the revelation.
Zion is the mountain of God’s kingdom.
Zion reveals His government.
Zion reveals His dwelling place.
Zion reveals His eternal purpose.
The Father placed His Son in Zion because everything He builds begins with Jesus Christ.
The Mountain of the Lord
Scripture
“And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.”
(Isaiah 2:2)
Teaching
The mountain of the Lord is exalted above every mountain.
The kingdom of God is established above every kingdom.
The government of Christ is established above every government.
The purpose of God is established above every purpose of man.
The glory of Zion is not found merely in the mountain.
The glory of Zion is found in the King who reigns there.
The mountain stands because the Stone has been laid.
The kingdom stands because Christ is its sure Foundation.
The Stone Became a Great Mountain
Scripture
“And the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.”
(Daniel 2:35)
Teaching
Daniel saw the Stone become a great mountain.
The kingdom of God is not built by man.
It grows according to the purpose of God.
The Stone fills the whole earth.
The kingdom of Christ overcomes every earthly kingdom.
The Lord establishes one kingdom that shall never be destroyed.
Everything God builds rests upon the Chief Cornerstone.
The Kingdom Shall Be the LORD’S
Scripture
“And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD’S.”
(Obadiah 1:21)
Teaching
The Scriptures continually reveal contrasting mountains.
Mount Zion.
Mount Esau.
One reveals the kingdom of God.
The other stands in contrast to it.
The prophecy concludes with one glorious declaration.
“The kingdom shall be the LORD’S.”
The Lord alone shall be exalted.
His kingdom alone shall endure forever.
The Chief Cornerstone establishes the mountain that cannot be moved.
The Sure Foundation
Scripture
“Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.”
(1 Peter 2:6)
Teaching
Peter confirms the prophecy of Isaiah.
The Stone is Jesus Christ.
He is elect.
He is precious.
He is the sure Foundation.
He is the One upon whom the whole house of God is built.
The Church stands because of Him.
The kingdom stands because of Him.
Zion stands because of Him.
The mountain of the Lord is established because the Father has laid the Chief Cornerstone.
Everything God builds…
Every mountain…
Every kingdom…
Every revelation…
Every spiritual state of being…
Finds its sure Foundation in Jesus Christ.
He is the Chief Cornerstone.
He is the Rock that cannot be moved.
He is the sure Foundation forever.
CHAPTER THREE
EVERY MOUNTAIN REVEALS A KINGDOM
The Mountain of the LORD
Scripture
“And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.”
(Isaiah 2:2)
Teaching
Throughout the Scriptures, God speaks the language of mountains.
A mountain is more than a geographical location.
It is a place of revelation.
It is a place of government.
It is a place where kingdoms are revealed.
The Lord continually uses mountains to reveal His eternal purpose.
The mountain of the Lord is established above every mountain because His kingdom is established above every kingdom.
The Lord alone shall be exalted.
The Stone Became a Great Mountain
Scripture
“And the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.”
(Daniel 2:35)
Teaching
Daniel saw the kingdom of God as a Stone.
Then he saw the Stone become a great mountain.
The Stone and the mountain cannot be separated.
The Stone is the Chief Cornerstone.
The mountain reveals the kingdom established upon Him.
Everything God builds rests upon Jesus Christ.
The kingdom fills the whole earth because the Foundation cannot fail.
Mount Zion and Mount Esau
Scripture
“And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD’S.”
(Obadiah 1:21)
Teaching
The Lord places two mountains before us.
Mount Zion.
Mount Esau.
One mountain reveals the kingdom of God.
The other stands in contrast to it.
The prophecy concludes with one glorious declaration.
“The kingdom shall be the LORD’S.”
The Lord continually reveals His kingdom by contrasting it with every kingdom that opposes His purpose.
The Chief Cornerstone establishes the mountain that endures forever.
Every Mountain Bears Witness
Scripture
“Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain…”
(Zechariah 4:7)
Teaching
The Scriptures speak of many mountains.
Mount Ararat.
Mount Moriah.
Mount Sinai.
Mount Carmel.
Mount Zion.
The Mount of Olives.
Each mountain has its own setting.
Each mountain has its own testimony.
Each mountain reveals another aspect of God’s eternal purpose.
The Lord speaks through the language of mountains.
He reveals His kingdom.
He reveals His government.
He reveals His ways.
He reveals His Son.
As we search the whole counsel of God, the testimony of every mountain becomes clearer.
Together they reveal the Chief Cornerstone and the kingdom established upon Him.
The Mountain That Cannot Be Moved
Scripture
“They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.”
(Psalm 125:1)
Teaching
The stability of Zion is not found in the mountain itself.
Its strength is found in the Stone that God has laid within it.
Jesus Christ is the sure Foundation.
He is the reason the kingdom cannot be shaken.
He is the reason the house of God stands.
He is the reason the mountain abides forever.
Every mountain in the Scriptures ultimately bears witness to Him.
The symbols are God’s language.
The mountains reveal His kingdom.
The Chief Cornerstone reveals the King.
Jesus Christ is the sure Foundation of every mountain, every kingdom, and every revelation throughout the whole counsel of God.
CHAPTER FOUR
THE KINGDOM THAT FILLS THE WHOLE EARTH
The Stone Cut Without Hands
Scripture
“Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet… Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together… and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.”
(Daniel 2:34–35)
Teaching
Daniel saw the kingdom of God before he understood its fullness.
He saw a Stone.
Not a stone fashioned by man.
Not a stone cut with human hands.
He saw a Stone prepared by God.
That Stone is Jesus Christ.
The kingdom of God does not originate with man.
It originates with the Father.
Jesus Christ is the Stone chosen by God before the foundation of the world.
Everything that proceeds from Him bears the nature of His kingdom.
A Kingdom Which Shall Never Be Destroyed
Scripture
“And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed… but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.”
(Daniel 2:44)
Teaching
The kingdoms of men rise.
The kingdoms of men fall.
Empires appear.
Empires disappear.
But the kingdom established by God can never be destroyed.
It does not depend upon the strength of man.
It rests upon the Chief Cornerstone.
Jesus Christ is the sure Foundation of a kingdom that cannot fail.
The Stone guarantees the permanence of the kingdom.
The Mountain of the LORD
Scripture
“And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains…”
(Isaiah 2:2)
Teaching
Isaiah and Daniel are revealing the same kingdom.
Daniel saw the Stone become a great mountain.
Isaiah saw the mountain of the Lord exalted above every mountain.
The witnesses agree.
The prophets speak with one voice.
God is revealing one kingdom.
One government.
One eternal purpose.
The mountain of the Lord stands above every mountain because Jesus Christ is the Foundation upon which it is established.
The Kingdoms of This World
Scripture
“The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.”
(Revelation 11:15)
Teaching
John heard the same proclamation.
Daniel saw it.
Isaiah declared it.
Now John hears heaven announce its glorious fulfillment.
The kingdoms of this world give way to the kingdom of our Lord.
The prophets and apostles are bearing witness to the same eternal purpose.
The Chief Cornerstone has established a kingdom that shall never pass away.
Jesus Christ reigns forever.
The Sure Foundation of the Kingdom
Scripture
“Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace…”
(Hebrews 12:28)
Teaching
The kingdom cannot be shaken because its Foundation cannot be shaken.
The mountain cannot be moved because the Stone cannot be moved.
Everything that God establishes rests securely upon Jesus Christ.
The whole counsel of God bears witness to this glorious truth.
Daniel revealed the Stone.
Isaiah revealed the mountain.
John proclaimed the kingdom.
The writer of Hebrews declared that it cannot be moved.
Every witness points to the same Foundation.
Every prophet points to the same King.
Every revelation points to the same kingdom.
Jesus Christ is the Chief Cornerstone.
He is the Stone that became the great mountain.
He is the King whose kingdom fills the whole earth.
He is the sure Foundation that shall stand forever.
CHAPTER FIVE
THE STONE THE BUILDERS REJECTED
The Stone Which the Builders Refused
Scripture
“The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.”
(Psalm 118:22)
Teaching
Long before Jesus came into the world, the Spirit spoke through David concerning the Chief Cornerstone.
The builders rejected the Stone.
Yet the Father had already chosen Him.
Men rejected Him.
God exalted Him.
Men refused Him.
God established Him.
The rejection of Christ never altered the purpose of God.
The Stone that men rejected became the foundation of God’s eternal kingdom.
This Is the LORD’S Doing
Scripture
“This is the LORD’S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.”
(Psalm 118:23)
Teaching
The Chief Cornerstone was never man’s idea.
He was the Father’s eternal purpose.
The Father laid the Stone.
The Father chose the Stone.
The Father established the Stone.
Salvation is the work of the Lord.
The kingdom is the work of the Lord.
The new creation is the work of the Lord.
Everything God builds begins and ends with Jesus Christ.
This truly is the Lord’s doing.
The Builders Rejected the Cornerstone
Scripture
“Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner…”
(Matthew 21:42)
Teaching
Jesus declared that He was the Stone spoken of by David.
The religious builders searched the Scriptures.
They built their traditions.
They built their systems.
Yet they failed to recognize the very Foundation God had placed before them.
They knew the prophecy.
They missed the Person.
The Scriptures were always pointing to Jesus Christ.
Without Him, every building is built upon the wrong foundation.
Neither Is There Salvation in Any Other
Scripture
“This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other.”
(Acts 4:11–12)
Teaching
Peter boldly declared what the prophets had foretold.
The rejected Stone had become the Head of the corner.
There is no other foundation.
There is no other Savior.
There is no other name given under heaven whereby we must be saved.
Every prophet points to Him.
Every apostle proclaims Him.
Every symbol finds its fulfillment in Him.
Jesus Christ alone is the Chief Cornerstone.
Christ, the Sure Foundation
Scripture
“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
(1 Corinthians 3:11)
Teaching
The whole counsel of God leaves us with one glorious conclusion.
The Stone rejected by men has become the Foundation established by God.
The prophets revealed Him.
The apostles preached Him.
The Church is built upon Him.
The kingdom is established through Him.
Every mountain finds its strength in Him.
Every kingdom finds its King in Him.
Every revelation finds its fulfillment in Him.
The builders rejected the Stone.
The Father exalted the Stone.
The world continues searching for another foundation.
God has never laid another one.
Jesus Christ is the Chief Cornerstone.
He is the tried Stone.
He is the precious Stone.
He is the sure Foundation.
He is the Rock upon which every purpose of God eternally rests.
CHAPTER SIX
THE SURE FOUNDATION
The Wise Builder
Scripture
“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock.”
(Matthew 7:24)
Teaching
The Lord Jesus compared two builders.
Both built a house.
Both heard His words.
Both experienced the same storm.
The difference was not the storm.
The difference was the foundation.
The wise man built upon the Rock.
The foolish man built upon the sand.
The Rock is Jesus Christ.
Every life…
Every ministry…
Every doctrine…
Every revelation…
Must be built upon the Chief Cornerstone.
Only what is built upon Christ will stand.
The House Upon the Rock
Scripture
“And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.”
(Matthew 7:25)
Teaching
The storms revealed the foundation.
They did not create the foundation.
They revealed it.
When the winds came…
The house built upon Christ remained.
The strength of the house was never found in the builder.
Its strength was found in the Foundation.
Jesus Christ is the Rock that cannot fail.
He is the sure Foundation upon which God builds His house.
The Foolish Builder
Scripture
“And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand.”
(Matthew 7:26)
Teaching
The foolish builder chose another foundation.
He built according to his own wisdom.
His house appeared secure.
But when it was tested, it could not stand.
Every foundation outside of Jesus Christ will ultimately fail.
Religious tradition cannot save.
Human wisdom cannot save.
Personal effort cannot save.
Only the Foundation laid by God will endure forever.
The Rock Followed Them
Scripture
“And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.”
(1 Corinthians 10:4)
Teaching
Paul reveals the identity of the Rock.
The Rock was Christ.
The same Christ who was revealed through Moses…
The same Christ who was revealed by the prophets…
The same Christ who became the Chief Cornerstone…
Was present throughout the Scriptures.
The whole counsel of God bears witness to Him.
From Genesis to Revelation, the Rock never changes.
The Foundation never changes.
Jesus Christ remains the same yesterday, today, and forever.
A Sure Foundation Forever
Scripture
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”
(Hebrews 13:8)
Teaching
The Chief Cornerstone never changes.
His nature never changes.
His character never changes.
His kingdom never changes.
His Gospel never changes.
His grace never changes.
Everything built upon Him shares in the stability of His life.
The Church stands because of Him.
The kingdom stands because of Him.
The mountain of the Lord stands because of Him.
Every spiritual state of being that God brings into maturity is established upon Him.
The Father laid one Foundation.
He has never laid another.
Jesus Christ is the Chief Cornerstone.
He is the Rock.
He is the sure Foundation.
He is the everlasting strength of God’s kingdom.
He that believeth upon Him shall never be confounded.
CHAPTER SEVEN
THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE AND THE TWO MEN
The First Man and the Second Man
Scripture
“The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.”
(1 Corinthians 15:47)
Teaching
Throughout the whole counsel of God, the Father continually reveals two men.
The first man is Adam.
The second Man is the Lord from heaven.
The first man reveals the old creation.
The second Man reveals the new creation.
The first man is earthy.
The second Man is heavenly.
The Scriptures continually place these two men before us because God’s eternal purpose is to reveal His Son.
Everything that belongs to the first man passes away.
Everything established in the Second Man abides forever.
Jesus Christ is the Chief Cornerstone of the new creation.
As Is the Earthy, Such Are They Also That Are Earthy
Scripture
“As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.”
(1 Corinthians 15:48)
Teaching
Every man bears the image of one of these two orders.
The first man reveals the nature of the earthly.
The Second Man reveals the nature of the heavenly.
Throughout the Scriptures, the Lord continually contrasts these two orders.
The old and the new.
The corruptible and the incorruptible.
Death and life.
The natural and the spiritual.
The earthly and the heavenly.
The Father is continually revealing His Son until His heavenly image is manifested in His people.
We Shall Bear the Image of the Heavenly
Scripture
“And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.”
(1 Corinthians 15:49)
Teaching
The purpose of God has never been merely to expose the first man.
His purpose is to reveal the Second Man.
The Gospel does not end with Adam.
It reveals Jesus Christ.
The Father is conforming His people to the image of His Son.
The old gives way to the new.
The earthly gives way to the heavenly.
Everything God builds rests upon the image of Jesus Christ.
He is the beginning of the new creation.
Put Off the Old Man
Scripture
“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And… put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
(Ephesians 4:22–24)
Teaching
Paul reveals the practical outworking of the Gospel.
The old man belongs to the first Adam.
The new man belongs to Jesus Christ.
The Christian life is not the improvement of the old man.
It is the revelation of the new.
The Father is revealing the life of His Son.
Everything established upon the Chief Cornerstone bears His image.
Everything outside of Christ belongs to a foundation that cannot endure.
The Chief Cornerstone of the New Creation
Scripture
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
(2 Corinthians 5:17)
Teaching
Jesus Christ is the foundation of the new creation.
The first man cannot become the Chief Cornerstone.
The old creation cannot become the new.
God did not repair Adam.
He revealed His Son.
The Father laid one Foundation.
That Foundation is Jesus Christ.
The first man reveals the need.
The Second Man reveals the answer.
The first man reveals the earthly.
The Second Man reveals the heavenly.
The first man reveals the old creation.
The Second Man reveals the new creation.
From Genesis to Revelation, every prophet, every apostle, every symbol, and every revelation bears witness to the same glorious conclusion.
Jesus Christ is the Chief Cornerstone.
He is the sure Foundation of the new creation.
He is the image of the heavenly Man.
He is the One in whom all the purposes of God are forever established.
CHAPTER EIGHT
THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE AND THE TWO SEEDS
Two Seeds Revealed
Scripture
“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.”
(1 Peter 1:23)
Teaching
The Scriptures reveal two seeds.
The corruptible.
The incorruptible.
One belongs to the old creation.
The other belongs to the new creation.
One produces corruption.
The other produces life.
The whole counsel of God continually reveals these two seeds because they reveal two different natures.
The Father is revealing the incorruptible Seed, Jesus Christ.
Everything established upon the Chief Cornerstone bears the nature of that incorruptible Seed.
Every Seed Brings Forth After Its Kind
Scripture
“And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind… and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind.”
(Genesis 1:12)
Teaching
From the very beginning, God established a divine principle.
Every seed produces after its own kind.
The corruptible seed cannot produce the life of Christ.
The incorruptible Seed cannot produce corruption.
The nature of the seed determines the harvest.
Jesus Christ is the incorruptible Seed laid by the Father.
Everything built upon Him bears His nature.
Everything built apart from Him bears another nature.
The Good Seed
Scripture
“He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man.”
(Matthew 13:37)
Teaching
Jesus identified Himself as the Sower of the good Seed.
The kingdom of God advances through the life of Christ.
Where His Seed is received…
His nature grows.
His character is formed.
His life is manifested.
The purpose of the Gospel is not merely to improve the old.
It is to reveal the life of Jesus Christ.
The Chief Cornerstone and the incorruptible Seed bear the same testimony.
Both reveal the Son of God.
Christ in You
Scripture
“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
(Colossians 1:27)
Teaching
The mystery hidden from ages has now been revealed.
Christ in you.
This is the life of the incorruptible Seed.
The Father is not merely changing behavior.
He is revealing His Son.
Everything established upon the Chief Cornerstone grows from the life of Christ.
The Stone and the Seed speak with one voice.
The Stone establishes the Foundation.
The Seed establishes the Life.
Both reveal Jesus Christ.
The Harvest of the Chief Cornerstone
Scripture
“First the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.”
(Mark 4:28)
Teaching
The Father reveals His purpose through the language of seedtime and harvest.
Growth is progressive.
The blade.
The ear.
The full corn in the ear.
The incorruptible Seed continually brings forth the life of Christ until the harvest reaches its fullness.
The Chief Cornerstone is the sure Foundation.
The incorruptible Seed is the divine life growing from that Foundation.
The Stone and the Seed cannot be separated.
Both reveal Jesus Christ.
The Foundation is Christ.
The Seed is Christ.
The Harvest is Christ revealed in His people.
From Genesis to Revelation, the whole counsel of God bears witness to one eternal purpose.
The Father is revealing His Son.
Jesus Christ is the Chief Cornerstone.
Jesus Christ is the incorruptible Seed.
Jesus Christ is the sure Foundation of every mountain, every kingdom, every spiritual state of being, and every harvest that God brings to perfection.
CHAPTER NINE
THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE COUNSEL OF GOD
Search the Scriptures
Scripture
“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”
(John 5:39)
Teaching
The Lord Jesus never instructed His disciples to build isolated doctrines.
He did not say,
Search one prophet.
Search one apostle.
Search one book.
He said,
“Search the Scriptures.”
The whole counsel of God bears witness to Jesus Christ.
Moses reveals Him.
David sings of Him.
Isaiah prophesies of Him.
Daniel beholds His kingdom.
The apostles proclaim Him.
John unveils Him in the Revelation.
Every witness leads us to the same glorious Foundation.
The Chief Cornerstone.
Here a Little, There a Little
Scripture
“For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.”
(Isaiah 28:10)
Teaching
The Lord teaches His people through the whole counsel of His Word.
Here a little…
There a little…
Every prophet contributes another witness.
Every apostle adds another testimony.
The revelation does not rest upon one passage.
It is gathered throughout the Scriptures.
As one witness is added to another…
The picture becomes clearer.
The light grows brighter.
The Chief Cornerstone is revealed from every direction.
Every Word Established
Scripture
“In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.”
(2 Corinthians 13:1)
Teaching
The wisdom of God is seen in the multitude of witnesses.
Daniel saw the Stone.
Isaiah saw the Foundation.
David sang of the rejected Stone.
Peter preached the Chief Cornerstone.
Paul declared that no other foundation could be laid.
John revealed the Lamb upon Mount Zion.
Different witnesses.
One testimony.
Different symbols.
One Christ.
The message never changes.
Only the witness changes.
The Scriptures Testify Together
Scripture
“To him give all the prophets witness…”
(Acts 10:43)
Teaching
The prophets are not competing voices.
They are harmonious witnesses.
Each one reveals another aspect of Jesus Christ.
One prophet speaks of the Stone.
Another speaks of the Mountain.
Another speaks of the Kingdom.
Another speaks of the King.
Another speaks of the Lamb.
Another speaks of the Son.
When all the witnesses are gathered together…
The whole counsel of God speaks with one voice.
Jesus Christ.
The Chief Cornerstone Revealed
Scripture
“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
(1 Corinthians 3:11)
Teaching
The more we search the Scriptures, the more one glorious truth becomes evident.
Every mountain points to Him.
Every kingdom points to Him.
Every symbol points to Him.
Every prophecy points to Him.
Every revelation points to Him.
The Scriptures are not revealing many different purposes.
They are revealing one eternal purpose through many different witnesses.
The Father has laid one Foundation.
Jesus Christ is the Chief Cornerstone.
The whole counsel of God agrees.
The prophets agree.
The apostles agree.
The Revelation agrees.
From Genesis to Revelation, every witness stands together declaring one glorious truth.
Jesus Christ is the Chief Cornerstone.
He is the sure Foundation.
He is the Rock that cannot be moved.
He is the One to whom all the Scriptures testify.
CHAPTER TEN
THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE IN THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST
The Revelation of Jesus Christ
Scripture
“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass…”
(Revelation 1:1)
Teaching
The final book of the Bible begins by declaring its subject.
It is not the revelation of beasts.
It is not the revelation of judgments.
It is not the revelation of symbols.
It is the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
Every vision…
Every symbol…
Every mountain…
Every kingdom…
Every trumpet…
Every seal…
Every bowl…
Every revelation…
Bears witness to the Chief Cornerstone.
Jesus Christ remains the Foundation of the entire Revelation.
The Lamb Stood on Mount Zion
Scripture
“And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand…”
(Revelation 14:1)
Teaching
The Revelation does not begin with the mountain.
It begins with the Lamb.
The glory of Zion is not found in the mountain alone.
Its glory is found in the Lamb who stands upon it.
The Chief Cornerstone and Mount Zion cannot be separated.
The Stone establishes the Mountain.
The Lamb reveals the Kingdom.
The King gives glory to His government.
Everything in Zion derives its life from Jesus Christ.
Worthy Is the Lamb
Scripture
“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.”
(Revelation 5:12)
Teaching
The throne belongs to the Lamb.
The kingdom belongs to the Lamb.
The victory belongs to the Lamb.
The government belongs to the Lamb.
Everything revealed throughout the Revelation centers upon Jesus Christ.
He alone is worthy.
He alone opens the seals.
He alone accomplishes the Father’s purpose.
The Revelation continually directs our eyes back to the Chief Cornerstone.
Come Up Hither
Scripture
“Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.”
(Revelation 4:1)
Teaching
John was called into the heavenly realm.
From that position, he beheld the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
He saw the throne.
He saw the Lamb.
He saw Mount Zion.
He saw the overcomers.
He saw the kingdom.
Every vision proceeded from the throne.
Every revelation testified of Jesus Christ.
The higher John was brought, the clearer Christ became.
The Revelation continually calls the Church to see everything from the perspective of the Chief Cornerstone.
The Alpha and the Omega
Scripture
“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord…”
(Revelation 1:8)
Teaching
The Revelation begins with Jesus Christ.
It ends with Jesus Christ.
He is the Alpha.
He is the Omega.
He is the Beginning.
He is the End.
He is the Lamb.
He is the King.
He is the Bridegroom.
He is the Chief Cornerstone.
Every prophet pointed toward Him.
Every apostle proclaimed Him.
Every symbol bears witness to Him.
Every mountain reveals His kingdom.
Every revelation magnifies His glory.
The whole counsel of God reaches its glorious conclusion in Jesus Christ.
He is the Foundation.
He is the Builder.
He is the Stone laid in Zion.
He is the sure Foundation that cannot be moved.
The Revelation of Jesus Christ is the unveiling of the Chief Cornerstone.
Everything begins with Him.
Everything is measured by Him.
Everything is fulfilled in Him.
Jesus Christ is the Chief Cornerstone forever.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
THE MOUNTAIN OF THE LORD AND THE SURE FOUNDATION
The Mountain of the LORD Shall Be Exalted
Scripture
“And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.”
(Isaiah 2:2)
Teaching
The Father did not establish His mountain upon shifting sand.
He established it upon the Chief Cornerstone.
The glory of Zion is not found merely in its height.
Its glory is found in the Foundation that God Himself has laid.
The mountain is exalted because Christ is exalted.
The kingdom stands because Christ stands.
The government endures because Christ endures.
The Chief Cornerstone is the sure Foundation of the mountain of the Lord.
The Kingdom Shall Be the LORD’S
Scripture
“And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD’S.”
(Obadiah 1:21)
Teaching
The Scriptures continually reveal contrasting mountains.
Mount Zion.
Mount Esau.
One reveals the kingdom established by God.
The other stands in contrast to it.
The Lord continually reveals His purpose by contrasting two kingdoms, two governments, and two states of being.
The prophecy concludes with one glorious declaration.
“The kingdom shall be the LORD’S.”
The mountain established upon the Chief Cornerstone alone shall remain.
Everything built upon another foundation shall pass away.
A Kingdom Which Cannot Be Moved
Scripture
“Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace…”
(Hebrews 12:28)
Teaching
The kingdom cannot be shaken because its Foundation cannot be shaken.
The mountain cannot be moved because the Stone cannot be moved.
Jesus Christ is the stability of God’s kingdom.
He is the strength of Zion.
He is the everlasting Rock.
Everything established upon Him shares in His permanence.
The Church stands because of Him.
The kingdom stands because of Him.
The mountain of the Lord stands because of Him.
The Government Shall Be Upon His Shoulder
Scripture
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder…”
(Isaiah 9:6)
Teaching
The government of God’s kingdom does not rest upon the shoulders of men.
It rests upon Jesus Christ.
He carries the kingdom.
He establishes the kingdom.
He preserves the kingdom.
Every mountain…
Every throne…
Every kingdom…
Every revelation…
Finds its stability in the Son of God.
The Chief Cornerstone supports the entire house.
The King governs the entire kingdom.
Everything remains secure because everything rests upon Him.
The Sure Foundation Forever
Scripture
“Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation…”
(Isaiah 28:16)
Teaching
The whole counsel of God continually returns to one glorious truth.
The Father laid one Foundation.
Jesus Christ.
He laid that Foundation in Zion.
He established His kingdom upon His Son.
The mountain stands because of the Stone.
The kingdom stands because of the King.
The house stands because of the Foundation.
Everything God has purposed throughout the Scriptures finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
He is the Chief Cornerstone.
He is the tried Stone.
He is the precious Cornerstone.
He is the sure Foundation.
He is the Rock that cannot be moved.
The mountain of the Lord shall stand forever because the Chief Cornerstone shall stand forever.
Jesus Christ is the everlasting Foundation of God’s eternal kingdom.
CHAPTER TWELVE
LOOKING UNTO JESUS, THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE
Looking Unto Jesus
Scripture
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…”
(Hebrews 12:2)
Teaching
The whole counsel of God leads us to one glorious conclusion.
Look unto Jesus.
The prophets looked forward to Him.
The apostles proclaimed Him.
The Revelation unveiled Him.
Every mountain…
Every kingdom…
Every symbol…
Every prophecy…
Every vision…
Leads us to Jesus Christ.
He is the Author.
He is the Finisher.
He is the Chief Cornerstone.
The Father has directed every witness toward His Son.
The Foundation That Cannot Be Moved
Scripture
“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
(1 Corinthians 3:11)
Teaching
There is only one sure Foundation.
There is only one eternal kingdom.
There is only one Chief Cornerstone.
Everything that God has established rests upon Jesus Christ.
The Church rests upon Him.
The kingdom rests upon Him.
The mountain of the Lord rests upon Him.
The whole purpose of God rests upon Him.
The Foundation never changes because Jesus Christ never changes.
The Whole Counsel of God
Scripture
“For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.”
(Acts 20:27)
Teaching
The Lord never intended for His people to live upon isolated truths.
He has revealed His Son through the whole counsel of God.
Here a little.
There a little.
Line upon line.
Precept upon precept.
Moses bears witness.
David bears witness.
Isaiah bears witness.
Jeremiah bears witness.
Daniel bears witness.
The prophets bear witness.
The apostles bear witness.
John bears witness.
Every witness stands together declaring one glorious truth.
Jesus Christ is the Chief Cornerstone.
The Sure Foundation of Every Revelation
Scripture
“Search the scriptures… and they are they which testify of me.”
(John 5:39)
Teaching
The Scriptures testify of Jesus Christ.
They do not merely reveal history.
They do not merely reveal symbols.
They reveal the Son of God.
The symbols are God’s language.
Jesus Christ is God’s message.
The Stone.
The Mountain.
The Kingdom.
The Lamb.
The Bridegroom.
The Firstfruits.
The Man-Child.
The Kings and Priests.
The One Hundred Forty-Four Thousand.
Every witness contributes to one glorious Revelation.
Jesus Christ.
The Chief Cornerstone Forever
Scripture
“Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation…”
(Isaiah 28:16)
Teaching
We have journeyed from Genesis to Revelation.
We have listened to the testimony of the prophets.
We have listened to the testimony of the apostles.
They have all pointed us to the same glorious Foundation.
Jesus Christ.
He is the Stone laid in Zion.
He is the precious Cornerstone.
He is the sure Foundation.
He is the Rock that cannot be moved.
He is the King whose kingdom shall never end.
He is the Foundation of every mountain.
He is the Foundation of every kingdom.
He is the Foundation of every spiritual state of being.
He is the Foundation of every promise.
He is the Foundation of every revelation.
The whole counsel of God speaks with one voice.
The Father has laid one Foundation.
The prophets proclaimed one Foundation.
The apostles preached one Foundation.
The Church is built upon one Foundation.
The kingdom shall endure because of one Foundation.
Jesus Christ, the Chief Cornerstone.
Everything begins with Him.
Everything is measured by Him.
Everything is fulfilled in Him.
Everything returns to Him.
To Him be glory, dominion, honor, and praise forever and ever.
Amen.
CONCLUSION
JESUS CHRIST, THE SURE FOUNDATION FOREVER
Scripture
“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
(1 Corinthians 3:11)
Teaching
The whole counsel of God leads us to one glorious conclusion.
The Father has laid one Foundation.
Jesus Christ.
Before the mountains were revealed…
The Foundation was laid.
Before the kingdom was established…
The Foundation was laid.
Before the prophets spoke…
The Foundation was laid.
Before the apostles preached…
The Foundation was laid.
Before the Revelation of Jesus Christ was given…
The Foundation was laid.
Everything God has purposed rests upon His Son.
Throughout this study we have searched the Scriptures.
We have listened to Moses.
We have listened to David.
We have listened to Isaiah.
We have listened to Daniel.
We have listened to the prophets.
We have listened to the apostles.
We have listened to the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
Every witness has declared the same glorious truth.
Jesus Christ is the Chief Cornerstone.
The symbols have spoken.
The mountains have testified.
The kingdoms have testified.
The Stone has testified.
The Lamb has testified.
The prophets have testified.
The apostles have testified.
The whole counsel of God has testified.
They all bear witness to Jesus Christ.
The symbols are not the destination.
They are God’s language.
The destination is Jesus Christ.
The mountains are not the destination.
They reveal His kingdom.
The kingdoms are not the destination.
They reveal His government.
The Revelation is not merely revealing future events.
It is revealing Jesus Christ.
The Scriptures are not revealing many different purposes.
They are revealing one eternal purpose through many different witnesses.
Here a little.
There a little.
Line upon line.
Precept upon precept.
The Father patiently teaches His people until every witness stands together in perfect harmony.
The Stone in Daniel.
The Mountain in Isaiah.
The rejected Stone in the Psalms.
The Chief Cornerstone preached by Peter.
The sure Foundation declared by Paul.
The Lamb standing upon Mount Zion in the Revelation.
Many witnesses.
One Christ.
One Foundation.
One Kingdom.
One eternal purpose.
As we continue searching the Scriptures, may we never lose sight of the One to whom they all testify.
May every mountain lead us to Christ.
May every kingdom lead us to Christ.
May every prophecy lead us to Christ.
May every symbol lead us to Christ.
May every revelation lead us to Christ.
For the Father has forever settled His purpose in His beloved Son.
He is the tried Stone.
He is the precious Cornerstone.
He is the sure Foundation.
He is the Rock that cannot be moved.
He is the King whose kingdom shall never end.
He is the Alpha and the Omega.
He is the Beginning and the End.
He is the Author and the Finisher.
He is the Chief Cornerstone.
Upon Him the Church stands.
Upon Him the Kingdom stands.
Upon Him the whole purpose of God stands.
And upon Him every believer may stand with absolute confidence.
For the Father Himself has declared:
“Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation.”
Jesus Christ is that Stone.
He is the Chief Cornerstone.
He is the sure Foundation forever.
To Him be all glory, honor, dominion, and praise throughout all ages.
Amen.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES BY CHAPTER
Introduction – The Foundation Before the Building
- Isaiah 28:16
- John 5:39
- Luke 24:27
- Luke 24:44
- Colossians 1:15–20
Chapter One – The Chief Cornerstone
- Isaiah 28:16
- 1 Corinthians 3:11
- Ephesians 2:19–22
- Psalm 118:22–23
- John 5:39
- 1 Peter 2:6–8
Chapter Two – Why God Laid the Stone in Zion
- Isaiah 28:16
- Isaiah 2:2–4
- Daniel 2:34–35
- Daniel 2:44–45
- Obadiah 1:21
- 1 Peter 2:6
Chapter Three – Every Mountain Reveals a Kingdom
- Isaiah 2:2–4
- Daniel 2:35
- Obadiah 1:21
- Zechariah 4:7
- Psalm 125:1–2
- Hebrews 12:22
Chapter Four – The Kingdom That Fills the Whole Earth
- Daniel 2:34–35
- Daniel 2:44–45
- Isaiah 2:2–4
- Revelation 11:15
- Hebrews 12:28
- Psalm 145:13
Chapter Five – The Stone the Builders Rejected
- Psalm 118:22–23
- Matthew 21:42–44
- Acts 4:10–12
- Isaiah 8:14–15
- Romans 9:32–33
- 1 Corinthians 3:11
Chapter Six – The Sure Foundation
- Matthew 7:24–27
- 1 Corinthians 10:4
- Isaiah 28:16
- Hebrews 13:8
- Psalm 18:2
- Psalm 62:2
Chapter Seven – The Chief Cornerstone and the Two Men
- 1 Corinthians 15:45–49
- Romans 5:12–21
- Ephesians 4:22–24
- Colossians 3:9–11
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
- Romans 8:29
Chapter Eight – The Chief Cornerstone and the Two Seeds
- Genesis 1:11–12
- Matthew 13:37–43
- 1 Peter 1:23–25
- Colossians 1:27
- Mark 4:26–29
- Galatians 3:16
Chapter Nine – The Chief Cornerstone Throughout the Whole Counsel of God
- John 5:39
- Isaiah 28:10
- 2 Corinthians 13:1
- Acts 10:43
- Luke 24:27
- Luke 24:44–45
- 1 Corinthians 3:11
Chapter Ten – The Chief Cornerstone in the Revelation of Jesus Christ
- Revelation 1:1
- Revelation 1:8
- Revelation 4:1–2
- Revelation 5:6–14
- Revelation 14:1–5
- Revelation 21:22–27
- Revelation 22:12–16
Chapter Eleven – The Mountain of the Lord and the Sure Foundation
- Isaiah 2:2–4
- Obadiah 1:21
- Hebrews 12:28
- Isaiah 9:6–7
- Isaiah 28:16
- Daniel 2:44–45
- Psalm 125:1
Chapter Twelve – Looking Unto Jesus, the Chief Cornerstone
- Hebrews 12:2
- 1 Corinthians 3:11
- Acts 20:27
- John 5:39
- Colossians 1:15–20
- Ephesians 2:20–22
- Revelation 22:13
Conclusion – Jesus Christ, the Sure Foundation Forever
- 1 Corinthians 3:11
- Isaiah 28:16
- Psalm 118:22–23
- Daniel 2:34–35
- Isaiah 2:2–4
- Acts 4:10–12
- John 5:39
- Hebrews 12:2
- Revelation 1:8
- Revelation 22:13
