THE CHURCH

Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

By the grace of God, I am called to serve Christ Jesus and also carry His good news around the world. Before I post a blog on the internet, it is my practice usually to spend a few hours waiting on God asking Him for His guidance and the Word. God speaks most of the times through a verse in the Bible or sometimes gives me the message in the tablet of my heart. But, there are very extremely rare occasions where I know the heart of God, which sometimes is happy, sometimes very sad, extremely joyful and rejoicing but in most of my experiences as such, the heart I have seen is a broken heart, a heart that is eagerly waiting and longing for His people’s love in return- He is either grieving over a backslidden person or a deep longing for the unsaved soul. Today, this is one of those posts I write from a desk of God’s heart.

God loves His Church in an inexpressible way and calls the Church His bride!

God loves His Church. Now, let me tell you something- A Church is not a building with a few windows and a big cross in the front. The buildings you and I worship at are like the wedding ring in a man’s hand. The ring on its own is not the marriage, but a representation of the marriage. The building on its own is not the Church but is special to God as well as it represents the relationship between God and His Children. A Church is wherever two or three people are gathered and Jesus is present in their midst (Mathew 18:20). This gathering can be at someone’s home like Philemon’s House Church in the Bible (Philemon chapter 3) or like in Acts 2:48, 20:20 or like in Colossians 4:15 or in a big building when there are lots of members united (Acts 2:46). It’s you who is the Church.

Let us have a clear insight on God’s actions “in the beginning” and what He really meant by His actions and words.

I am going to compare the first man Adam and Christ our Lord.

When Eve was made from Adam, the Bible says Adam was put to a deep sleep and God took one of his ribs and made Eve (Genesis 2:22). This is how Eve- Adam’s bride was born. Similarly, in John 19:34 when Jesus died on the cross, His side was pierced and blood and water flowed down. This is how the Church- Christ’s bride was born. Adam’s deep sleep represents Christ death and Eve represents Christ’s Bride- ‘the Church’.

God calls you His bride.

“That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24)

Christ will leave His throne, His belongings, His everything, His Father for His bride and sacrifice Himself that you can be one with Him in flesh & in Spirit.

The Church is Christ’s flesh of flesh and His bone of bones. You are His body, His flesh and His bone.

“For we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones.” (Ephesians 5:30)

You are Christ’s bride. He is waiting to receive you in glory. The day is coming nearer and nearer. Rejoice and take joy! Are you persecuted because you carry His name? Do not Fear! Your King is coming soon. He will take you to be with Him, forever!

The Bible starts with a wedding and ends with a wedding. Just as how I have been comparing Christ with the hidden reflections in Adam’s life, the Bible starts with Adams wedding in Genesis chapter 2 and the Bible ends with Christ’s wedding in Revelation 19. But, Christ’s wedding is yet to come to pass. Are you prepared like the wise virgin (Mathew 25)?

The whole book of revelation is for the welfare of the Church- the Lamb’s bride- for ‘YOU’. It is for your welfare. When the Lord visited John, His disciple, in the first Chapter of Revelation He comes with a specific set of messages to the Churches just to say that He is coming soon.

Let me tell you once again, YOU are HIS ‘BRIDE’. ‘YOU’ are the Lamb’s bride- ‘THE CHURCH’.

Have you accepted Christ as your bridegroom?

I will let you finish this article. Answer the question above and rejoice with the verses below!

Revelation 19: 7-8 says

“Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory,
for the marriage of the Lamb has come,
    and his Bride has made herself ready;
 it was granted her to clothe herself
    with fine linen, bright and pure”

“Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” Revelation 19:9

Are you?

 Bro. John Clement A

God’s Love Missions Family