–Foreordained in God’s eternal plan & purpose: Ephesians 3:9-11
–Prepared for by John the Baptist: Luke 1:17
–Built by Christ; given it’s ordinances, gifts, procedures, commission by Christ before His ascension: Matthew 16-28
–Empowered & sent forth by the Holy Spirit: Acts 1:8
–Promised perpetuity until Jesus comes & removes the saints at the rapture: Matthew 16:18, Matthew 28:20
–At the Rapture, New Testament Churches of all ages become the Bride of Christ.
WHAT ARE INCLUSIVELY & EXCLUSIVELY NEW TESTAMENT CHURCHES ON EARTH, IS WHAT WILL INCLUSIVELY AND EXCLUSIVELY MAKE UP THE BRIDE OF CHRIST IN HEAVEN
–Consider: Old Testament Saints were not a part of a New Testament Church; people who will be saved during the Tribulation (a great multitude – Revelation 7:9-17) are not a part of a New Testament Church, plus there are some saved people who are not members of a true New Testament Church.
AND, there are churches that Christ withdrew the candlestick from, thus no longer a New Testament Church. There are brethren who have been dismissed from the church fellowship, no longer a part of a church.
SO, not every saved person will be a part of the Bride of Christ.
JESUS DOESN’T MARRY THE WHOLE FAMILY OF GOD, JUST THOSE WHO HAVE MADE UP HIS FAITHFUL BRIDE (New Testament Church members found faithful at the judgment seat of Christ) – 2 Corinthians 11:2, Ephesians 5:25-27
–Marriage is a union of faithfulness: Christ is faithful, and His bride will be those deemed faithful by Christ, Revelation 19:7-9
–This is the prize of the high calling, Philippians 3:11-15
–This is the difference between the wise & foolish virgins, those included in the marriage to the Bridegroom, and those shut out, Matthew 25:1-13
BEWARE! Satan is out to cast down the faithful and dislodge them from the Body of Christ here on earth & thus the Bride of Christ in heaven: “weeping, wailing, gnashing of teeth; ashamed at His coming, saved so as by fire, suffer loss.” – 2 John 8, Revelation 3:11
THE MARRIAGE OF THE LAMB & HIS BRIDE TAKES PLACE IN HEAVEN BEFORE CHRIST RETURNS TO EARTH TO FIGHT THE BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON & SET UP HIS MILLENNIAL KINGDOM, Revelation 19:9,11-21
–On the new earth, the bride of Christ reigns with Christ, as the New Jerusalem, being the capital city of the new earth, Revelation 21
–All the saints who are not a part of the Bride, are the other inhabitants on this new earth, who bring their glory and honor into this city, Revelation 21:24-26
–Note the references to “the kings of the earth”; thus, there are rewarded positions for those who served God in capacities other than New Testament Church membership, such as Old Testament Saints, and those out of the Great Tribulation.
The bride of Christ does not take anything away from the rewards of those who were not a part of New Testament Churches, but those not a part of a New Testament Church will not be included in the bride of Christ.
OF IMPORTANCE: the bride consists only of those who are called by the Bridegroom to be His bride (Matthew 25). Those who are called are those who have made themselves ready, having answered His call to be faithful to Him while they were a member of His body (New Testament Church) on earth. (Not all who have had their name on a church roll, fit this description) – Ephesians 5:26-27
Just as there is a difference on earth between those who serve God faithfully, and those who neglect to do so, this difference will be reflected in our eternal positions and rewards, 2 Corinthians 5:9-11. When we face the Lord, are judged and enter eternity, will we then be satisfied with the life we are now living?
To get the right answer, we must not confer with flesh and blood (that does not answer God’s call or respect the recompense of eternal rewards), but it must be through getting beyond ourselves to understand the mind of Christ.
Now is the time to lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven!
SHARING
