Bride of Christ

Dear Brethren,

Marriage reflects the exact picture of Jesus Christ and His loving relationship with His Church.  Does the Bible speak of a "Bride" for Christ?  Who is going to marry Jesus Christ at his return – who will the wife be?  What attributes will the prospective Bride possess?  If the Bride is the Church, will she be the Church of God throughout the ages, or will she be the Church, which is alive and remains until the second coming?  The most important question to consider is what must the future wife of Christ be doing to make herself ready?

"Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb."  (Revelation 19:7-9)

Jesus Christ, the coming Messiah, is going to marry the Church of God – all the brethren who are led by God's Holy Spirit.  The Bride of Christ will be the entire Church of God from all ages, who have prepared themselves for the wedding of the Lamb.  It is crucial that we make good use of the short time that remains.  God has mercifully given us this present time to go on to perfection.  Jesus has made it clear that many who look forward to the marriage of the Lamb will not be prepared.

At midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the Bridegroom comes; go ye out to meet Him.  Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out… And while they went to buy, the Bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with Him to the marriage: and the door was shut.” (Matthew 25:6-10)

Most of the brethren in this final Laodicean Church era will go into the Tribulation because of their half-hearted approach to their faith. Though we have been the recipients of bountiful peace, fellowship, and doctrinal truth, we do not possess the full spirit of unity and brotherly love that Jesus expects of His Bride.  There are serious lessons that we still need to learn, so as to put on the required Godly character (Revelation 3:18).

We are told that we are to love” as Jesus loved.  What does that mean?  How did Jesus demonstrate His love toward us?  He died on the cross so that we might live – that is how.  Therefore, we must lay our lives down for the brethren,” just as Jesus laid His life down for us.  This is what His new” commandment is all about.  Jesus gave the Church a further directive when He said,  A new commandment I give you, that ye love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”  (John 13:34)

For example, we must go to the spiritual rescue of a brother who has a serious sin in his life – this is not optional.  How often do we run across a fellow church member who has a blatant shortcoming in their life?  Getting involved for the sake of a brother is hardly ever a popular thing to do.  It will often cause great consternation – sometimes resulting in the one trying to rescue his brother being put out of the church.  Unless we learn what it means to lay our lives down for the brethren, we will not have a part in the Kingdom of God.  James expounded on this concept in James 5:19 and :20. Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him [turn him around]; Let him know, that he which converts the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.”

One of the most prevalent sins of the Church of God today – the most characteristic defect in the lives of the brethren is the belonging to a church group without making the weighty principles and profound tenets of true Christianity the number one priority in the relationships with those brethren.  "Going with the flow," is not what God expects of His people.  We are disqualified from being the Bride when we fail to demonstrate a genuine care for one another.  Walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called … forbearing one another in love… endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”  (Ephesians 4:1-3)

God’s Spirit, which is held in common by those who comprise the "Wife of Christ," is the strongest bond that exists.  In the strongest terms, we are told to discern” who is led by God’s Spirit – decide who is truly our brethren in order that we might salvage them in times of weakness (1 Corinthians 11:29).  "Of some have compassion, making a difference: and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire."   (Jude :22-23)Jesus Christ has only one body – one church – called the Lord's Body.  The Church of Christ does not consist of warring factions.   Discerning the Lord’s Body means that we must share a Godly love with all the brethren.

The Bride of Revelation 19:7 will not be promoting herself at the expense of others.  Jesus is not going to return to an estranged people who will not have anything to do with each other.  The Bride of Christ will be together in mind, attitude, and spiritual community.  Only those who are actively working to achieve the oneness that Christ desires will be the Bride. (This does not mean being in one earthly organization or group.)   The lines must be crossed – the barriers must come down.

The unity of the brethren will be a miracle when it happens (Ezekiel 34:11-16).  Jesus ardently prayed, that they may be one”– He will have only one wife (John 17).

It is required that we examine ourselves and take a stand against substitutes for true religion.  We will not go into the Kingdom of God until God knows that we will take a stand and be loyal to His word in every instance.  To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.”   (Isaiah 66:12)

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Sermon:	"Bride of Christ"
Sermon:	"Marriage of the Lamb"
Sermon:	"A Magnificent Reality"