TITLE: “THE VOICE OF THE BRIDEGROOM”  

by Leland Earls

 NOTE: “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.” (Rev. 19:7). Christ is going to return for a PREPARED people who have made themselves READY. This requires much more than just professing to be a Christian, or even knowing that one is saved. This booklet will help you to understand just what the Lord requires of those who aspire to be CALLED into His very presence to share His intimate fellowship and glory in His own Kingdom realm. “They that were READY went in with him (Christ, the Bridegroom) to the marriage: and the door was SHUT” (Mt. 25:10). If you wish to understand the questions of BRIDESHIP, SONSHIP, etc., then read carefully the contents of this booklet. Do not read casually or hurried­ly, but slowly, carefully and prayerfully, and ALONG WITH YOUR BIBLE, looking up the scripture references as you read.

 INTRODUCTION

All signs indicate that the time is drawing near for the sounding forth of the greatest CRY since Jesus uttered the tri­umphant words from the cross, “It is finished” (John 19:30). I refer to Matt. 25:6, where we read: “And at midnight there was a CRY made. Behold the bridegroom cometh; go [ ] out to meet him.” This CRY will likely be made by the two witnesses when they suddenly appear in Jerusalem to proclaim the imminent re­turn of the Lord. However, there is also a sense in which this CRY is going forth NOW, through messengers whom the Lord has chosen.

It is significant to note that the scriptures show Christ re­turning to this earth first as a BRIDEGROOM. (Later, as “King of Kings and Lord of Lords”–Rev. 19:16). It should be rather ob­vious that a Bridegroom would come for His Bride, who goes in­to the marriage with Him (Matt. 25:10). Some teach that there is to be a “Bridegroom company” who, along with Christ, is to “marry” the “Bride company.”  I personally fail to find any scriptural backing for such a teaching. However, I certainly won’t argue with those who differ, and I refuse to make such differences a hindrance to unity and fellowship in Christ. All the scriptures which mention the Bridegroom seem to reserve this unique and exalted position to Christ alone.  [Ed note: evidence for the “Bridegroom company” concept is likely drawn from Isa. 62:5, “so shall yoursons wed you.” But in cosmic context, this does not speak to a “Bridegroom company,” but of the final uniting of the historically outcast sons of the prophets and true apostles to the rest of the body of Christ.] But how great is the privilege which waits those “overcoming” sons and daughters of God who shall make up the Bride company; and even now all creation waits in anticipation of the day of their UNVEILing (or manifestation—Rom. 8:19).  Notice that Rebekah (a type of the Bride of Christ) was veiled until she was taken by Isaac into his mother’s tent, but after she became his wife she became unveiled (Gen. 24:65-67). So shall the day of the Bride’s unveiling come after she has donned her “wedding gar­ments” (glorified bodies like unto Christ’s glorious body—Phil. 3:21), and has been received by her Bridegroom in celestial joy; for she will have a ministry to perform on earth during the time of great tribulation which is coming.  Notice Rev. 12:12-17 where Satan is pictured as sending out a “flood” of vilification and persecution against the “woman” (church), but “the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood.” The “earth” here indicates theappearance (or manifestation) of the saints of the Bride Company in their glorified earth bodies (flesh and bone—see Luke 24:39), to open their mouths and speak words of help and deliverance that will nullify the fear-instilling propaganda, threats and persecution being “poured out” on Christ­ians in that day.  They will be able to appear to individual saints or to groups gathered together just as Jesus appeared to the disciples who had shut themselves in with the doors barred “for fear of the Jews ” (see John 20:19,26). Jesus dispelled their fears and gave them new hope and courage.

Most Christians of the fundamentalist churches believe that all those who are born again will be in the so called “rapture” when Christ comes for His church.  Scarcely a worse delusion could be entertained. Christ’s Kingdom is to be a ruling king­dom (Rev. 5:10, 20:6).  Even in the kingdoms (or nations) of men, think of the chaos that would result if immature, unproven babes and children were put in positions of responsibility to run the “affairs of state.” Horrors!  If man would not do such a foolish thing, what makes anyone think that God would? Even Jesus’ parables of the “talents” and “pounds” show that those to be received into His heavenly kingdom are to be given posts of rulership: “Well done, good and faithful servant: you hast been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things” (Matt, 25:21). . . “Well, [  ] good servant: be­cause you have been faithful in a very little, have [ ] auth­ority over ten cities” (Luke 19:17). The majority of Christians in the world are yet babes and children, spiritual progress and growth considered. Many have begun to enter into the “ado­lescent” stage, which is good and needful, but this is a “prob­lem time” in spiritual growth, even as it is in the natural. The chief difficulty seems to be spiritual pride (see I Cor. 8:1-2), which can manifest in many ways.

It is beyond the scope of this short introduction to elabor­ate, but we can see a type of spiritual pride and consequences in the story of Noah after the flood. Noah planted a vineyard (a type of the Kingdom); but when he drank the fruits thereof, it went to his head, exposing his nakedness and gendering a curse to some (see Gen. 9:20-25). How often is this true when Christians begin to grow and partake of the greater fruits and blessings of the Kingdom. They get “heady” on the “wine”, and havoc is often the result. And how hard it is to teach and correct those who are exhilarated in the “fling” of adoles­cent pride. But thank God there are Christians who have begun to enter into a measure of maturity: who are becoming “pil­lars” in the temple (church) of God through overcoming (Rev. 3:12). Only such “overcomers” are to sit with Christ on His throne and be given power over the nations (Rev. 2:26-27, 3:21, 12:5).

Those who are to rule and reign with Christ are to be kings and priests (Rev. 5:10), and joint-heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:17). In the Old Testament times, kings and priests had to be anoin­ted for their offices with the holy anointing oil which was pou­red upon their heads to sanctify (separate) them to the Lord (Ex. 29:7; Lev. 8:12; I Sam. 10:1; 16:13). This is a type of the Holy Spirit baptism which is pictured in the book of Acts as being “poured out upon”, “coming on” or “falling on” those who received (Acts 1:8, 2:17-18, 8:15-17, 10:44-45, 11:15, 19:6). See also Psalm 133. The Lord made it clear how­ever in the Old Testament types, that He requires a proving (through testing) resulting in obedience and faithfulness (I Sam. 2:27-35, 13:13-14, 15:22-23, Acts 13:21-22), or those “anoin­ted” could “lose out” on their high calling. In Rev. 17:13, those who are with “the Lamb” are the “called, and chosen, and faithful”. This is why Peter says we must “give diligence to make our calling and election sure” (II Pet. 1:10). Salvation is a free gift (Rom. 6:23), which is different than the prize of the high calling of God (Phil. 3:14); and for that “prize” one must “run” (see I Cor. 9:24-27, Heb. 12:1), in order to be successfully “crowned.” We are called ” to His kingdom and glory (I Thess. 2:12), and “to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ (II Thess. 2:14), that we might have our bod­ies changed into the likeness of “his glorious body,” for it will be through such glorified saints ruling with Christ that He will be able “tosubdue all things to himself” (Phil, 3:21). “Many are called, but few are chosen” (Matt, 22:14). Truly it is a “high,” “holy” and “heavenly” calling (see Phil. 3:14, II Tim, 1:9, Heb. 3:1), to be in Christ’s ruling Body and Kingdom.

Also, in Bible times, a son became a “joint heir” in the inheritance of his father only after he had been tutored, dis­ciplined, and grown to sufficient maturity to be formally “pla­ced as a son.” This “placing as a son” is the correct transla­tion of the Greek word huiothesia which appears in Ephes. 1:5, Rom. 8:15,23 & Gal. 4:5, and is misleadingly translated, “adoption,” in the King James version; for it has nothing to do with adoption as we use that term. It has to do with those who are already “born again” children in the family of God, but who reach that place of “overcoming” and spiritual maturity where they are ready for “placing as sons” as joint heirs with Christ. Paul says that we are “waiting for the adoption, [that is to say], the redemption of our body.” (Rom. 8:23). Thus “full sonship” will come only when our bodies are glorified and made like ­to Christ’s glorious body (Phil. 3:21). We will be joint heirs with Christ, IF so be that we suffer with him, that we may be glorified together (Rom. 8:17). . . IF we suffer (for His sake) we shall also reign with him” (II Tim. 2:12). At the present time we have “the Spirit of adoption (within), whereby we cry Abba, Father” (Rom. 8:15, Gal. 4:6). This “firstfruits of the Spirit” is the “seal” and “down payment” of our inheritance, “until the redemption of the purchased possession” (Ephes. 1:13-14, II Cor. 1:21-22, Rom. 8:23).

All truly born again children of God are predestined to the “adoption” or “placing as sons”: to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ (Ephes. 1:5, Rom. 8:29). But not all will be ready at the same TIME. Let me give an illustration. Sup­pose a very rich man with vast business enterprises had a large family of children. These could vary in age from babes to teen­agers. We will say that it is the father’s purpose for all of his sons and daughters to be adequately cared for, disciplined, schooled and prepared for the day that they were sufficiently grown in maturity, understanding and responsibility to be given a share in the family inheritance and “placed” as mature sons and daughters in positions or “posts” of executive oversight in the family businesses. Obviously not all the children would be ready to be co-heirs in the family inheritance at the same time. Not only would the difference in their ages preclude that, but no doubt some would be much more diligent than others, want­ing to please their father and prove that they were trustworthy, responsible, faithful, etc. Others, on the other hand, might be so selfish, careless, and foolish as to “fritter away” their opportunities. Thus they would require more time for the fath­er to prove them, before they could share in the family inheritance and be “placed” in positions of responsibility.

In light of the foregoing Illustration, it may be easier for the reader to understand the reason why those to be received by Christ when He comes must be made READY (Matt. 24:44, 25:10, Rev. 19:7). And also Jesus’ warning about those who will be rejected as being unqualified for the heavenIy kingdom (Mt. 7:21-23, 22:11-14, 25-.10-12, Lk. 12:45-47). Notice how Paul’s words of admonition in Ephes. 5:14-18, parallel the parable of the wise and foolish virgins in Mt. 25:1-12. “Wherefore he says, awake you who sleep (the virgins were sleeping), and arise from the dead (spiritual deadness), and Christ shall give you light (oil for the virgin’s lamps). See that you walk circumspectly (accurately, carefully), not as fools (as the fool­ish virgins), but as wise (as the wise virgins), redeeming the time (making the best use of it), because the days are evil (the pitfalls and temptations are many). Wherefore be [  ] not un­wise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is (see Mt. 7:21). And be not drunk with wine (the “wine” of Babylon—Rev. 17:2), wherein is excess, but be filled with the Spirit (the extra oil of the wise virgins). TIME is of the essence. It is Christ’s purpose to “bring many sons to glory” (Heb. 2:10), “that he might be the firstborn among many brethren” (Rom. 8:29). And because of this, those who are not ready when the Lord comes for His Bride at the beginning of the tribulation, will have suf­ficient time (if they are diligent) during the tribulation period to “prove themselves” that the Lord might “know” them, and be received into His kingdom glory at the close of the tribulation.

In Gal. 4:7, Paul says that we are sons of God and thus heirs through Christ. But in 4:1-2, he points out that an heir, though potentially “lord of all “must await the “time appointed of the father” for his “adoption” or “placing as a son” in his full inheritance. So again we see it is a matter of TIME. This was true dispensationally, for those under the law were kept “in bondage” or limitation to the elemental or rudimentary precepts of childhood, and under enforcedservitude as a servant or slave (4:1,3). This was because the law was weak through the flesh (Rom. 8:3), and had no power to bring to perfection (or matur­ity). “For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did” (Heb. 7:19,11; 9:9; 10:1). But what was true dispensationally, is also true of each of us as individuals. Although we have been “redeemed” from the limitations and weaknesses of the law (Gal. 4:5), each of us begins our Christ­ian experience as a “babe In Christ” (I Pet. 2:2), and we must grow up (Ephes. 4:14-15), if we are to receive the “adoption”to full sonship. We are sons, not servants (under the compul­sory servitude of the law), but because we have been “bought with a price and belong to Christ (I Cor. 6:19-20, 7:22-23), we voluntarily submit to Him as His servants or love-slaves, that we might be “tutored” and “disciplined” by Him through the Spirit. Read Ex. 21:1-6, Deut. 15:12-17 for a type of this. Al­though freed by our Master, we say, “I love my master, I will not go out free,” and we have our “ears bored through with an awl” (that we might hear His voice) and serve Him forever! See Rev. 22:3 & 21:7. SONS, yes; but also SERVANTS!

THE VOICE OF THE BRIDEGROOM

The title chosen for this article is significant.  The Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Bridegroom, is now making ready a Bride to be received of Him when He comes (see Matt. 25:10, Rev. 19:7, Acts 15:14). But HOW is He making ready this Bride? To say that He is doing so by His Word and Spirit does not fully answer the question. Behold the pattern! Jesus came in the flesh some 1900 years ago, and at that time was to be presented to fleshly Israel as the Bridegroom. Israel was the Bride who was to be made ready for her Husband, Jehovah God. The “marriage covenant” had come into being many years previous at Mt. Sinai; but since God was Spirit and not flesh, it was impossible for Him to factually dwell with Israel in person, fully consummating the “marriage” relationship. For this purpose the invisible God had to incarnate Himself in a “garment” of flesh, so that He could be joined to a people of flesh.

We see this prophetically declared in Isa. 61:10, where the promised Messiah declares: “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the GARMENTS of salvation (His physical body which would be given for our salvation), he has covered me with the ROBE of righteousness (the sinless righteousness of His inner or soul garment), AS A BRIDEGROOM decks himself with ornaments” (the literal Hebrew says “decks as a priest,” for He was clothed with human flesh to fulfill the ministry of the High Priest). That the Bride was also to be made ready at that time is indicated by the concluding words of verse 10: “and as a BRIDE adorns herself with her JEWELS” (noble character traits acceptable to her Bridegroom).

Natural Israel, however, was not willing to be made rea­dy at the time of the Lord’s coming in human flesh. She re­fused to receive her Bridegroom, choosing rather to continue her illicit affair with Rome, who was living with her at that time. Jesus symbolically alluded to this fact in His discussion with the woman of Samaria at Jacob’s well (John 4:16-18). The woman represented God’s covenant people at that time, Jacob-Israel. “Jesus said to her, go, call yourhusband, and come here. The woman answered and said, ‘I have no husband.’ Je­sus said to her, you have well said, I have no husband: for you have had five husbands; and he whom you now have is not your husband.” In the Greek language the word for husband and man is the same. Only the context can determine which word­ing should be used. Jesus was not saying she had been mar­ried to five different husbands, but rather that she had lived with five different men, and the man now living with her was not her man (husband). God had repeatedly accused Israel of being unfaithful to Him and having “affairs” with other nations and their idol-gods, and such involvement resulted in her cap­tivity to those nations, with whom she had to live (see Ezek. 16:26, 28, 32; 23:5, 9, 14-17, 22-23, 30). Thus the five “men” which Jesus accused Israel of “having” were Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, and Greece, and “the man” who was living with her at the time of Jesus’ ministry was Rome.

Israel’s determination to “have” Rome, instead of her true Bridegroom, Jesus Christ, was expressed by the words of the chief priests before Pilate: ‘We have no king but Caesar.” Of Jesus they said, “We will not have this man to reign over us.” (see John 19:15, Luke 19:14}. Therefore was Jesus crucified. God’s purpose, however, cannot be thwarted. The occasion of the death of the rejected Bridegroom was used to redeem all of sinful humanity, and to put into force a NEW marriage cov­enant (eliminating the one made at Sinai), and this with a NEW SPIRITUAL ISRAEL. Since the earthly Israel Bride was not rea­dy to receive her Bridegroom, the marriage could not be consum­mated at Jesus’ first coming; therefore AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME was mode necessary, that from the new spiritual Israel of the Gentiles, the Glorified Christ might “take out of them a people for His name” (Acts 15:14). And as a Bride takes her husband’s name, so will a “new Israel Bride” out of the “children of promise” (Rom. 4:13-16, 9:6-8, Gal. 3:16-22,29, 4:22-31) be made ready to receive the Lord Jesus at His coming AGAIN.

The consummation of the marriage will be made possible, not by the Bridegroom “lowering” Himself to the plane of human flesh through incarnation as He did previously, but by the pro­cess of “raising” the physical bodies of the Bride company to the plane of GLORIFIED LIFE, that the Bride might DWELL with her Husband in bodies like to His own glorious body (see Phil. 3:20-21). Jesus referred to this “raising up” (through transla­tion and glorification) in John 6:39-40, 44; but His words can ALSO apply to the LATER “raising up” through resurrection of the dead bodies of the saints. (NOTE: since we are dealing only with that select group which will make up the Bride in this article, we will not go into the details of the resurrection of the “dead in Christ” and the translation of the living saints who will be “CALLED” to the marriage supper at the close of the tribulation (Rev. 19:9). They will also be “raised up” to the plane of glorified life as a part of the “Bridal retinue”, both as “maidens in waiting” to the Bride, and as a part of the “government” of the Great King.)

[John the Baptist: The Role of the Friend of the Bridegroom]

With the foregoing factors in mind, let us now get to the key point of the pattern as it was portrayed in the life of John the Baptist. John was a special ministry raised up by God with a special message to fulfill the role of the “friend of the Bride­groom.” In Bible times, when a man desired the hand of a cer­tain maiden in marriage, he selected a close and trusted friend as a “go-between.” When consent was secured from the maiden and her parents, this friend continued to act on the behalf of the Bridegroom throughout the period of formal arrangements, the vows of espousal and the marriage. When finally the Bride­groom had “taken” His Bride and escorted her to his home (or the home of his father) for the marriage festival and the marri­age consummation, then was the joy of the friend of the Bride­groom fulfilled (John 3:29).

John the Baptist appeared on the scene shortly before Jesus began His ministry. John’s ministry was to “turn the hearts of the father’s to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; TO MAKE READY A PEOPLE PREPARED FOR THE LORD.” (Luke 1:17). He was to “prepare the way” (Matt. 3:3) for the Lord to be fully united in marriage to His select Bride. Since natural Israel rejected her Bridegroom, the TRANSFER­ENCE took place as previously explained, and a new covenant was instituted (Matt. 21:43, 26:28). Now the close of another era is near, and before long the Bridegroom will come again to claim His spiritual Bride; this time to be received by her with joy. Should we not then see thepattern fulfilled in our day that special ministries with a special message be raised up by God to fulfill the role of the “friend of the Bridegroom?” John the Baptist was not of the ordinary priesthood of his day. Even so has the Lord raised up special messengers in our day who are not of the ordinary “priesthood” of the organized church world, They have been prepared, as was John, in a special “wilder­ness “of testing and proving. And they have a special commis­sion to be as the “friend of the Bridegroom, which stands and HEAR S him; rejoicing greatly because of the Bridegroom’s VOICE.” (John 3:29).

We read that “the WORD OF GOD came to John the son of Zacharias in the WILDERNESS.” (Luke 3:2). He was “set apart” from traditional religion, so that he might receive a fresh revelation of the Lord’s purpose. Even so in our day, it is taking a special ministry and message to prepare the Bride, for the Bride will be received of the Lord FIRST, when He comes at the midnight hour (Matt. 25:6, 10). The Bride is not the whole church, but a SELECT GROUP out of the church, pictured by the “manchild” (indicating SPIRIT preparedness) of Rev. 12:5, and the 144,000 firstfruits (the FIRST (unveiled to be ready) of Rev. 14:1. The Bride company will be THE FIRST OF THE SONS OF GOD TO BE TRANSLATED INTO GLORIFIED LIFE without the experience of death. Shortly after they receive their glorified bodies, they will be MANIFESTED or revealed, see Rom. 8:19) by APPEARING (as Jesus did after He was glorified—see Luke 24:13-43) to multiplied thousands of Christians on the earth.

[Martha & Mary: The Bride and Those Who Remain]

The truth of the above is beautifully portrayed in symbolic drama in the 11th chapter of John. Martha (who typifies the BRIDE of Christ) “as soon as she heard that Jesus was COMING, WENT and MET him” (John 11:20), while Mary REMAINED where she was. Mary represents the Christians who will be left behind when the Bride is taken. But notice the words in John 11:28. After Martha had met the Lord outside the city (symbolic of meeting the Lord “in the air”), she RETURNED, “and called Mary her sister secretly, saying. The Master is come, and call s for you.” Such will be the “messenger ser­vice” of the glorified sons of the Bride company to the church that remains on earth during the tribulation period. They will thus “feed the church in the wilderness” (Rev. 12:6). Since Martha went back and spoke to Mary SECRETLY, it shows that the ministry of the Bride company will be to Christians only—and not to the people of the world. However, because of their “manifestation,” by which they shall nourish, uphold, protect and guide the remaining church in its ministry to the world, these glorified sons will certainly be the means by which mul­titudes shall be “delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.” (Rom. 8:21).

In light of the symbolism of Martha and Mary in John chap­ter 11, I would like to make a few remarks on Luke 10:38-42. We have always been told that this passage shows that Mary was the spiritual one and Martha was not. Nothing could be further from the truth. It was Martha who received Jesus (and His disciples) into HER HOUSE (Luke 10:38), symbolic of the church, which is the household of God (Ephes. 2:19). Martha was evidently the older of the two and head of the house, thus being SYMBOLIC of those Christians who are more MATURE in the faith. The name “Martha” means SOBRIETY (that of a deep and serious nature). It is sometimes translated as “lady.” The way that Martha addressed Jesus in Luke 10:40, shows that she KNEW Him well and evidently had been His follower for some time. Her implicit faith is seen in John 11:27.

When Jesus and His hungry disciples were received into Martha’s house, it was her responsibility to prepare for their needs and to “serve” them. She would have been grossly neg­ligent if she had done otherwise. She was doing what she was supposed to, in order to fulfill the symbolism of those who are mature enough in their Christian faith and experience to be “up serving” the Master. Martha was rebuked by Jesus, not because of her “serving,” but because she was fretful about her need of help and because she was critical of Mary. Jesus made it clear that Mary had a need, and had chosen that which would not be taken from her (Luke 10:42). The name “Mary” means BITTERNESS or SORROW, and in the symbolic picture she rep­resents the repentant soul whose need of salvation has led her (or him) to the “feet of Jesus” to receive that which will “not be taken away.” This can only be a reference to the “born again” experience and the GIFT of eternal life (Rom. 6:23) which is not to be repented of (Rom. 11:29), or taken back by God. Thus the symbolic picture here fits that which is por­trayed in John 11, showing Martha as the “elect lady.”

The “bitterness” or “sorrow” of the name MARY also indi­cates that disappointment or grief of being left behind (as the “foolish virgins” of Matt. 25:8-12) when Martha, symbolic of the “wise virgins” or Bride is received of the Lord at the mid­night hour (Matt. 25:6, 10). Mary represents “born again” Christians who have received the gift of eternal life, but who will be lacking in “oil” (the Holy Spirit) and not sufficiently prepared or proven to be in the Martha or Bride group. The Bride, being the first to be translated, MUST “make herself ready” AHEAD of time,before the “hour of trial” (the tribula­tion period) comes “ on all the world, to try them that dwellon the earth” (Rev. 3:10). Therefore is a “John the Baptist” preparation ministry so essential at this time.

[Sonship or Brideship?]

I recently read an article which said, “‘SONSHIP’ not ‘brideship’ is the issue of the hour.” It is just such misleading HALF-truths that cause confusion. The truth is, it is not a question of “sonship” OR “brideship,” but of BOTH. Manifest sonship is the GOAL (in due time) that God has for ALL His growing sons and daughters now on the earth, whether they are chosen to fulfill the “role” of the Bride in the coming Kingdom or some OTHER role. It is true that there will be manifested sons who are NOT in the Bride company, but ALL in the Bride company WILL BE MANIFESTED SONS (and daughters). This MUST be, unless we believe that the most exalted position in the coming Kingdom, that of the Lord’s own heavenly Bride, is to be made up of a bunch of immature children. The most important person in the life of a great King is his bride or wife, but in order to rule a vast kingdom, he must have MANY to SERVE Him (and His Bride) in various capacities, as well as to fill many “posts” in His government. Even so there will be a VAST HOST (Rev. 7:9-17) of sons who will be ready to be man­ifested (revealed) by being translated and glorified at the close of the tribulation in order that they may “rule and reign “with Christ, but not functioning as a part of the Bride. (NOTE: it is not my purpose in this article to deal with the purpose and des­tiny which God has for those who enter manifest sonship in flesh and blood physical bodies on the earth plane. This is an en­tirely different subject, and has primarily to do with the mil­lennial age coming; so is not of major concern to us. However, before the final curtain falls on this age, it seems certain that a “firstfruits” will manifest such physical immortality as a wit­ness to the truth of the “finished work” of Jesus Christ, and as a beginning of the restoration of the “Edenic paradise” on earth as was experienced by Adam and Eve in the beginning.)

[Present Age Engagement vs. Coming Marriage]

We now need to take a closer look at the difference be­tween the church as it has functioned on earth in a marriage covenant husband and wife relationship during THIS dispensation, and the coming HEAVENLY Bride of Christ for the NEW dispensation now AT HAND. In II Cor. 11:2-3, we see where all born-again, Spirit-sanctified, Christians areENGAGED to Christ, but they must MAINTAIN their “virgin” estate; refusing “concourse” with the world and its defilements, remain­ing true (and faithful) to Christ alone, in order to be FACTUALLY PRESENTED to Christ (the Bridegroom) as His HEAVENLY Bride. In Bible days an espousal was virtually the same as our marriage today, with the exception that the Bridegroom usually did not “take” His Bride to live with him and consummate the marriage immediately. There was usually a period of time intervening. At the time of the espousal, the vows were ex­changed, dowry and gifts given, and LEGALLY the couple were husband and wife. That an engagedcouple were considered as husband and wife is seen in Deut. 22:23-24. It is also seen in the case of Joseph and Mary. Read Matt. 1:18-20, where Mary is said to be engaged to Joseph. Yet when Joseph dis­covered that Mary was “with child,” as her HUSBAND he de­cided to “put her away” or DIVORCE her privately, not want­ing to make a public example of her. Also the angel of the Lord said to Joseph, “fear not to TAKEtoyou Mary, yourWIFE.”

Now, we have been engaged or joined in covenant rela­tionship to Christ, and spiritually we are “members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones” (Ephes. 5:30). As in the origi­nal Bible type, Eve was formed from a cell or seed taken from the body of Adam, so has the church come into being through being “born” of the incorruptible seed of Christ (1 Pet. 1:23); and as Eve was constituted the very flesh or “body” of Adam, so is the true spiritual church the “body” of Christ today. But Eve was joined to Adam as his wife, and thus the two become ONE; she being BOTH his body and his bride. Even so is the church NOW SPIRITUALLY joined to Christ in a husband and wife COVENANT relationship, for “he that is joined to the Lord is ONE SPIRIT” (I Cor. 6:17). Paul, speaking of the join­ing together of man and woman in the marriage relationship says, “This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church” (Ephes. 5:32).

However, we must distinguish between the church function­ing today in a SPIRITUAL (BY the Holy Spirit) marriage covenant relationship to Christ, and the COMING FACTUAL and LITERAL joining together of Christ (the Bridegroom) and His HEAVENLY Bride: those who are a specially prepared and sel­ect group OUT of the present church organism functioning on earth, who are “virgins” indeed (both “wise” as in Matt. 25:4 and “undefiled” as in Rev. 14:4). The difference is simply a matter of DISPENSATIONAL truth. When Jesus died on the cross, the NEW marriage covenant relationship with spiritual Israel (the church) came into being. But thevery act which sealed the covenant resulted in the Bridegroom being TAKENfrom the church. When He was resurrected from the dead, His physical body was “raised “to the plane of glorified life, and it became impossible for the church during this dispensation to FACTUALLY DWELL with Him on that plane. Jesus foresaw this and spoke of it in these words: “Can the children of the bride-chamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is WITH them? But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be TAKEN from them, and then shall they fast.” (Matt. 9:15). Robbed of His personal and immediate presence, the church has received His SPIRITUAL presence through the ministry of the Holy Spirit (John 14:15-18). And this spiritual marriage relationship has continued through the present dispensation.

Soon a definite change is to take place. And for the new dispensation, a new arrangement begins. The word “church” comes from the Greekekklesia , which means “those who are called out.” The true church has been “called out” of this world (and its evil) and separatedto Christ. They are in the world but not of it (John l7:l6). At present this is aspiritual separation. The word “sanctify” in the Greek means “to sep­arate,” and the true church has been sanctified or separated from the world to Christ by the blood (Heb. 13:12), by theWord (John 17:17; Ephes. 5:26), and by the Spirit(Rom. 15:16). These are “the three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water (the Word), and the blood” (I John 5:8). But when Christ returns, that portion of the true church which is ready is to befactually andliterally ”called out” of this world, to become the “heavenly Bride” of Christ. The remaining church on earth will continue to function by the spiritual ministry of the Holy Spirit throughout the tribulation period, and those who are then truly sanctified (separated) to the Lord, making their “calling and election sure” (II Pet. 1:10), will also be lit­erally “called out” of the world at the close of the tribulation, and along with the “dead in Christ” who will be raised at that time (I Thess. 4:16-17), will join the Lord and His Bride to function as His Household and Government in the new dispensation.

[The “Widowed” Church]

Because the Bridegroom was taken away, the church is sym­bolically portrayed in the scriptures as a “widow” during this dispensation. Jesus alluded to this when He said: “But I tell you a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Ellas (Elijah), when the heaven was shut up three years and six mon­ths, when great famine was throughout all the land; but to none of them was Elias sent, save to Sarepta, the city of Sidon, to a woman that was a widow.” (Luke 4:25-26). Eli­jah ministering to this gentile widow is a type of the Spirit of Christ ministering to the largely gentile church of this age. In the story (see I Kings 17:9-16) we also see a picture of the true church ministering to Christ (in the Spirit) as the widow sus­tained Elijah and put him first (17:9,13), and as a result her barrel of meal (the living Word of God) and the cruse of oil (the Holy Spirit presence) never failed (17:14). The three and one half years without rain (Lk. 4:25, James 5:17, I Kings 17:1, 18:1), equates to 1260 days, and when translated into prophetic time of a day for a year (Ezek. 4:6), it portrays the 1260 years from the time of the “rupture” of the church into east and west which took place over a number of years beginning in 692 A. D. “ UNTIL the day that the Lord send s rainon the earth”—I Kings 17:14 (symbolizing the SECOND PENTECOST or “latter rain” which is coming).

In the New Testament, the same 1260 days are mentioned in Rev. 11:3, and from the long range historical perspective they portray the 1260 years that the “two witnesses” (elect remnant, down through this church age following theeast-west division) have continued to “prophesy,” “clothed in sackcloth,” (grief and mourning during times of apostasy and persecution). We are now at the end of this historical time period, and because of the nearness to the “latter rain” outpouring, we are hearing “a sound of abundance of rain” (I Kings 18:41) during the present preparatory move of the Spirit. We are also in the time when Elijah (the Spirit of Christ in His people) is praying for the promised outpouring (I Kings 18:42-46, James5:18; Zech. 10:1), and faith is arising as we see a “ small cloud ” of “elect witness­es” (Heb. 12:1) arising out of the sea (peoples) and yielding themselves to the purpose of God in this hour (I Kings 18:44), so we know that “a great rain ” isnear at hand (18:45).

In the meantime, the church, as a “widow,” is willing to bear her “reproach” (Isa. 54:4), remaining faithful to her Hus­band, being sustained by His grace (I Kings 17:14), and waiting for Him to come and take her to dwell with Him. Like the wid­ow of Luke21:l-4, she gives to her Lord all that she has (and is) and like the widow of Luke 18:1-8, she continues steadfast in prayer and seeking of her Lord, knowing that He will “avenge” her completely of her adversary (the devil) when He comes for His elect. In contrast , we see the false church in Revelation, chapters 17 & 18. She hasnot remained faithful, but has com­mitted fornication with the “kings of the earth” (leaning on the “arm of flesh”—Jer. 17:5). She has glorified herself, for she says in her heart, “I sit a queen, and am no widow” (Rev. 18:7). She may be a “queen” now, decking herself ostentatiously, (Rev. 17:4) in order to appeal to “the flesh,” but she will not be the Lord’s “queen” when He comes to take those who are the “called, and chosen, and faithful” (Rev. 17:14).

[The Imperative of Cleansed Soul “Garments” in the Present Age]

In light of the historical evidence of such “unfaithfulness,” in the organized church systems of Christendom, we can see the importance of Paul’s words in II Cor. 11:1-3: “I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy; for I haveengagedyou to one hus­band, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the sim­plicity (single-hearted and pure devotion) that is in Christ.” Eve is a type of the soul with its desire-nature (emotions, feel­ings, response, imagination), while Adam is a type of the spirit (reason, righteous judgment, will, determination), and the garden of Eden is a type of the physical body (which Adam was to “dress and keep”—Gen. 2:15). Thus we see our three-fold be­ing symbolically portrayed in the Adam-Eve-Garden story in Gen. chaps. 1-3 (see I Thess. 5:23). It is through our “Eve” (soul-desires) that we who have been WED (in Spirit) to Christ, can be “beguiled” and turned from our single and pure devotion to Christ, entering into ‘”intimate associations” with the world and its defilements, and thus disqualifying ourselves from being presented to Christ as a “chaste virgin” (His Bride). This is in harmony with Rev. 14:4, where the 144,000 firstfruits are spo­ken of as being “not defiled with women.” In other words, they have not been led astray by “Eve” (soul-desires) into compro­mising situations with the world (including the apostate relig­ious world). Since they are not defiled with women, it is evi­dent that the 144,000 are pictured as masculine(even as themanchild of Rev. 12:5). This is purelysymbolic (for this group will be made up of both men and women) and shows that these “overcomers” are living and walking in the Spirit, rather than submitting to “the flesh” (soul-desires). See Gal. 5:16-26. Paul, in Rom. 8:4, says that those who walk after the Spirit, are having “therighteousness of the law “ fulfilled in them. The word “fulfill” here means “to fill up” or “make full.” In other words, the “linen garment” of righteousness, which the Bride is seen clothed with in Rev. 19:8, is gradually woven into the very fabric of their inner being, until it is “full” (complete).

In Rev. 3:4, the “overcomers “are pictured as the ones who “have not defiled their garments.” These are the inner or soul garments, which have been “washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb” (Rev. 7:14). Our past sins (thesurface dirt and stains) are “washed away” by the blood when we receive forgiveness of sins (Rev. 1:5; Acts 22:16; I Cor. 6:11). But it is only the Spirit, working in us because of the blood, that can “bleach out” the “ground in” filth of the sin nature in our souls, making themwhite (pure). The intensity of the “white­ness “(or brightness) of our inner garments depends on the de­gree to which we have allowed the Spirit to remove that which is of the self and sin life within. When Jesus was transfigured on the mountain (a type of the heavenly Kingdom), His raiment became “White as light” (Mt. 17:2), or “shining (glistening), exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them” (Mark 9:3). This “white raiment” of Jesus is a type of His Bride (and Body) which shalladorn Him (being ONE with Him). It is the “pure (white) in heart” who shall see God and dwell with Him (Mt. 5:8). It is the Spirit-glory (brightness) which sanctifies us (Ex. 29:43, Rom. 15:16), separating us from all inner defilement, and also imparting and weaving in the righteousness of Christ. This is the “holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Heb. 12:14). BOTH the negative (re­moving) and the positive (imparting) aspects of the Spirit’s work are needed.

Now we can see the importance of not defiling (getting dir­ty again) our inner garments (Rev. 3:4, 14:4), that we might be among those of whom Jesus said, “they shall walk with me in white: for they areworthy” (Rev. 3:4). This is why Paul ad­monishes us to “walk worthy of the vocation (calling) where­with you are called” (Ephes, 4:1), and to “walk as children of the light” (Ephes. 5:8). In the Old Testament, Enoch (mean­ing “dedicated”) is a type of the Bride, for “Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him” (Gen, 5:24). “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death. . . for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God” (Heb. 11:5). So the Bride, (those who “follow the Lamb”—Rev. 14:4, walking with Him and pleasing Him), shall be translated first, at the beginning of the tribulation. These are to be followed by those who will be translated at the close of the tribulation, who come “out of great tribulation,” “a great multitude which no man could number” standing “ before the throne, and before the Lamb” ( not ”with Him”, as those in Rev. 14:1). They are “clothed with white robes,” having “made them white”duringthe tribulation period (see Rev. 7:9,14). They are symbolized by Elijah, the second man in the Old Testament who was translated without seeing death (II Kings 2:11).

[Distinguishing Sin and Uncleanness]

Because it is important that we not defile our inner gar­ments, I will add a few more comments which I hope will be helpful. In Zech. 13:1 we read: “in that day there shall be a fountain opened to the House of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.” The “fountain” was opened at Calvary when Jesus gave Himself as a vicarious sac­rifice, and out of His side came forth blood and water (John 19:34). The blood was to atone for sin, and the water symbolized the Word which is to purge out uncleanness (John 15:3; Ephes. 5:26). It is important to realize that all sin is uncleanness, but not all uncleanness is sin. In other words we can experience uncleanness in our mental-emotional being without actually committing any sin. However, such “uncleanness” hinders our fellowship with the Lord, and can keep us from fully entering into the covenant blessings, joys, and powers that the Lord has prepared for us.

This is vividly portrayed in the law of the Old Testament. All sin or moral uncleanness had to be removed by the admis­sion of guilt (confession) and the bringing of a sin or trespass offering to the priest to “atone for” the offense (Lev. 5:5-6, Num. 5:6-8). This we can readily understand, for under the New Covenant when we sin we must repent, confess and re­ceive forgiveness and cleansing through the blood of Christ (see I John 1:6-10). But under the law there was also ceremonial uncleanness which rendered individuals “defiled,” and when in this state of impurity, the Hebrews were forbidden to enter the sanctuary, partake of the sacred offerings and gifts, etc. Only the clean were fit to approach the Holy God and all that ap­pertained to Him (Lev. 7:19-21, 22:3, Num. 9:6-7, 18:11). Some of the bodily conditions, such as the diseases of leprosy and issues of blood, were types of sin, for as we said before, all sin is uncleanness. But there were other conditions, such as the eating of unclean meats, touching the carcass of an un­clean animal, or touching a dead human body, which were not acts of sin, but still rendered a person unclean. For these con­ditions, cleansing came through water (washing, bathing, or sprinkling). Read especially Lev. chaps. 11 & 15, and Deut. chap. 19. This is a type of the cleansing of the church “with the washing of water by the word” (Ephes. 5:26).

Again, the two main ways of contacting uncleanness was by eating (unclean meats) and touching (dead bodies or carcasses). “Eating” is a type of fellowship and intimate association, show­ing that God’s people are to have “nofellowship with the un­fruitful works of darkness” (Ephes. 5:11). “Touching” that which was dead is a type of contact with the world and those who are “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephes. 2:1). God’s command is to “come out from among them, and be [  ] separate, says the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Fatherto you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness (defilement) of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God (II Cor. 6:17-7:1). But read also II Cor. 6:14-16. The typical significance of Jesus’ washing of the dis­ciples feet as recorded in John 13:4-10 is important here. In our “daily walk” as Christians we contact the uncleanness of the world, and what we see and hear can “rub off” on us, so to speak, and bring a certain amount of defilement into our think­ing and feeling. Therefore we need to spend time alone with the Lord in meditation, prayer and reading of the Word, so that the Lord can “wash our feet” and cleanse us from the filth of the world. Through mutual fellowship and ministry in the Word, we can also wash one another’s feet (John 13:14). However, it is only as we heed, apply, and obey the Word, receiving into our inner being its teaching, reproof, correction and instruc­tion in righteousness (II Tim. 3:16), that it is truly effective for our daily cleansing.

[Chaste, Unblameable, Faultless and Perfect]

We have seen by Paul’s statement in II Cor. 11:2 that the Bride is to be presented to Christ as a “chaste virgin.” In Col. 1:22, we read that those so presented are to be “unblameable and unreproveable in his sight.” and in Col. 1:28-29, Paul declares that His labors, preaching, warning and teaching are to the intent that he might “present every manperfect in Christ Jesus.” The word “unblameable” in Col. 1:22 is from the Greek word amomos, and is the same word which is translated in Rev. 14:5 as “without fault” in the description of the 144,000.  The same word is translated “faultless” in Jude 24. In Heb. 9:14 this Greek word is translated “without spot” in des­cribing the vicarious ministry of Jesus Christ as He presented Himself to God on our behalf. The word indicates that which is without blemish, blame or spot. It is only through the grace of Christ that any can be presented to Him “without fault.” Only those whose hearts are right toward the Lord (being yield­ed and completely submissive), daily walking in fellowship with Him and in the light (truth-purity), and daily submitting to His purging and cleansing from ALL unrighteousness and uncleanness, can be “holy and without blame before him in love (Ephes. 1:4), and “blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ (I Cor. 1:8). Wherefore, beloved seeing that you look for such things, be diligent that you may be found of him in peace,without spot, and blameless (II Pet. 3:14). Those “called out” of this world are to be presented to Him “a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish (without blame or fault).” Ephes. 5:27.

Not only presented as “a chaste virgin”, and “without fault,” but also “perfect” as Paul states in Col. 1:28. The Greek word translated “perfect” is teleios, and means that which is finished or completed with reference to a certain goal or objective, as when a builder or workman completes a build­ing or project of some kind. The word is used by Paul in Phil. 1:6 where he says: “Being confident of this very thing, that he who has begun a good work in you will perform (finish, per­fect) it until the day of Jesus Christ.” This word can also be translated “mature,” as the goal of “growing up in all things in Christ,” to a “perfect” (mature) man, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” (Ephes. 4:15,13). But read all of Ephes. 4:11-16. This is too vast a subject to be covered here, but “perfection” is the goal which the Lord has for all His child­ren (Matt. 5:48). And there is a prescribed measure of perfec­tion or maturity which must be incorporated into the inner be­ing of all who are to be “called out” of this world through the “door” of glorification and presented to Christ. This is why we must continue to grow (l Pet. 2:2, II Pet. 3:18) and “go on to perfection” (Heb. 6:1), being ready to receive the “adop­tion” to full sonship as explained in the introduction.

[The Friend of the Bridegroom Ministry Today]

In light of all that God is revealing concerning the “making ready” of the Bride, we can see the importance of a “John the Baptist” ministry to act as the “friend of the Bridegroom” and to hear HIS VOICE in this day of preparation, and help bring about a RESTORATION of that which has been lost. When an­cient Israel turned away from God, and was under His hand of judgment, His word came through the prophet Jeremiah as fol­lows: “For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Be­hold, I will cause to cease out of this place in your eyes, and in your days, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the VOICE of the BRIDEGROOM, and the VOICE of the BRIDE” (see Jer. 7:34; 16:9; 25:10). Since the land became desolate and the people carried captive into Babylon, we can see how that it was literally fulfilled that the voice of the Bridegroom and the voice of the Bride CEASED out of the cities of Judah and Jerusalem. However, to us there is a spiritual application. Because of the SPIRITUAL DESOLATION that has come to the church, the voice of the Bridegroom and the voice of the Bride has not been heard in the land as God intended. But NOW is the time for RESTORATION. The Bridegroom (Christ) is begin­ning to SPEAK as never before since the days of the early church apostles, for He is raising up specially prepared minis­tries who have heard His voice and are making known His pur­poses for this time; and in turn a Bride is being prepared who will yet speak with a Word of greater power and authority.

The Lord speaks through Jeremiah of this restoration in chap. 33:7-11. Although this passage had an application to natural Israel (and still does), we must see its application to spiritual Israel or the Church. “And I will cause the captivity of Judah and the captivity of Israel to return, and will build them, as at the first. And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me. . . And it shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and an honour before all the nations of the earth, which shall hear all the good that I do to them: there shall be heard in this place. . . the voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the lord of hosts: for the Lord is good; for his mercy endures for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord. For I cause to return the captivity, as at the first, says the Lord.” The Lord purposes to bring the church completely out of the “Babylonish captivity” of man’s systems and ways to a FULL RESTORATION, as at the beginning. And even power and glory beyond that! And in this restoration, the “voice of the bridegroom” (Christ), and the “voice of the bride” (prepared and anointed saints) will come forth as never before.

In Joel 2:15-16 we read these words, “Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: Gather the peo­ple, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts; let thebridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.” Here, we have the work of preparation being done by those who are “lifting up their voices like a trumpet” in Zion (the church).

Isa. 58:1. There is a coming together of those who are hearing what the Spirit is saying in this end time, both of the spiritu­ally mature ones (elders) and also children and babes (in Christ. We are being sanctified (separated) to a fast (of cleansing from the defilements of the world and the religious systems of “Babylon” (Rev. 18:4). Now, because of this preparatory work of the Lord, we can expect Joel 2:16 to be fulfilled by the Bridegroom coming forth in a greater moving of His Spirit (“out of His chamber”), and by the Bride company beginning to come forth in a greater ministry(“out of her closet”). In Mal. 4:2 we see where the Lord is called “the Sun of righteousness” who shall “arise with healing In his wings.” Now compare this with Psalm 19:4-6 where we read, “In them (the heavens) has he set a tabernacle for the sun, which is as A BRIDEGROOM coming out of his chamber, and rejoices as a strong man to run a race.” Yes, our Bridegroom (Jesus) is coming forth as a “strong man” in greater spiritual power among those being prepared. His “friends” (special messengers) are now hearing and trumpet­ing His Word. The Bride company is being “sealed” (Rev. 7:3) for a greater ministry In further preparation and anticipation of the day of manifestation which is coming. Although I have pointed out the spiritual application of Joel 2:16 and Psalm 19:5, this is preliminary to the time when the Bridegroom will literally come “out of His chamber” (heaven) and return for His Bride, who will then come “out of her closet” of being “hid with Christ in God” on this earth (Col. 3:3) and be translated out of the earthly into the heavenly to appear with Christ in glory (Col. 3:4).

This brings us back to the “friend of the Bridegroom.” As the “marriage of the Lamb” approaches, we can see the impor­tance of this type of end-time ministry to fulfill the pattern given in John 3:22-30. The setting which occasioned John the Baptist’s remarks on this subject is seen in verse 26. Reports were brought to John that Jesus and His disciples were baptiz­ing and “all men came to him” (Jesus). In other words, “Jesus is getting a greater following than you!” What an occasion for “ministerial jealousy” to arise in the heart of John! But John knew his place, and had been well prepared by the Spirit of God. John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.” (3:27). John knew that his ministry was to prepare the Bride for the Bridegroom, and for a trusted ”friend of the Bridegroom” to seek to usurp the place of the Bridegroom and draw the affections and loyalty of the people to himself was unthinkable. Would to God that all ministries of today were as wise and as well prepared as John! If we want the adulation and affection of people directed toward us—if we want a following so that we can boast about how far-reaching our ministry is, and what great things we are do­ing—then we are in no position to fulfill that sensitive and deli­cate ministry of the “friend of the Bridegroom” in this day. John said, “He that has the bride is the Bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which stands and hears him, rejolces greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:29-30).

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” How much are these simple, straight-forward, self-effacing words of John akin to that which is spoken of the 144,000 in Rev. 14:5: “And in their mouth was found no guile.” In this they arefollowing the Lamb’s example (Rev. 14:4) for the apostle Peter says, “For even hereto were you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth.” (I Pet. 2:21-22). Likewise did Jesus speak of Nathaniel when He said, “Behold an Israelite Indeed, in whom is no guile!” “Nathaniel” means “gift of God.” It is only by the gift of God’s grace through Jesus Christ that we can be “Israelites indeed” (in Spirit and Truth), as we read in Rom. 2:28-29; 9:6-8, and be “without guile” in that day when the Bride company shall be “redeem­ed from (away from) the earth” (Rev. 14:3) into the glories of celestial realms of Christ. The word “Israel” means “ruling with God,” and thus the name can only refer, in its true mean­ing and application, to those spiritual overcomers who will be co-heirs and co-rulers with Christ as “kings and priests” over the earth (Rev. 5:10). Oh how we should long to be Israelites indeed, circumcised completely within (Rom. 2:29), totally pure in heart (Mt. 5:8), without reservation as to our dedication as a “living sacrifice” to God (Rom. 12:1), without compromise in ourfidelity to Christ our Bridegroom (Rev. 14:4, 17:14), and so absolutely sincere and honest before God and man that there cannot possible by any guiIe in our mouths. This is the path to Sonship and Brideship!

[Manifest Sonship Still Future]

Yes, the issue of the hour is sonship! For regardless of the particular “role” (or “post” of responsibility) we are chosen to fulfill in the coming Kingdom of our Lord, the Lord’s purpose is that we all come (in due time) to manifest sonship. But the issue is just as clearly that of Brideship! For the first of the sons of God to be unveiled (manifested) in celestial glory, will be that group or select “chaste virgin” company which will be received of the Bridegroom at the midnight hour, entering with Him into the marriage, forever to be His heavenly Bride (Mt. 25:10),and to sit with Him on His throne of glory (Rev. 3:21), The ministry of the “friend of the Bridegroom ” (special messen­gers who help prepare the Bride) is not over yet; in fact, such ministry has not yet come into its fulness. Through the exten­ded grace and mercy of God we have yet a time of prepara­tion that we might be ready for the coming day of manifesta­tion. We are in the “dawning” of the era of the manifested sons of God, but that day has not yet arrived when some shall be changed and put on immortality “in a moment, in the twink­ling of an eye, at the last (the 7^th—Rev. 10:7) trump” (I Cor. 15:52). There are presumptuous souls in the land who claim they have already arrived: they are already manifested sons of God; and they have already come Into the realm of the “perfect” as mentioned in I Cor. 13:10; and they are now beyond the realm of the “gifts” and “ministries” given to the church (I Cor. 12:7-10, Ephes. 4:11). But such is not true! There are yet many changes that must take place within each of us in this day of preparation, even from spiritual “gloryto glory” (II Cor. 3: 18), and we need the gift-ministries and gifts of the Spirit to help bring us “to a perfect man, to the measure of the sta­ture of the fulness of Christ (Ephes. 4:11-15).

The word “changed” in II Cor. 3:18 is a translation of the Greek word metamorphoomai, from which we get the English “metamorphosis” (a word which indicates transformation, such as is seen in the changes in a caterpillar until it emerges as a beautiful butterfly). The same Greek word is translated “trans­figured” in Mt. 17:2 to describe the change that took place in the body of Jesus on the mountain. The same Greek word is translated “transformed” in Rom. 12:2. Thus we can see that we are now to be transformed within ”from glory to glory” until that day when we are ready to “emerge” from the “cocoon” of our terrestrial body into the transfigured glory and beauty of our celestial body (see I Cor. 15:20, Phil. 3:21).

[Discipleship and the Present Process of Regeneration]

Let’s take a final look at Rev. 14:4 where the 144,000 are described as those who “follow the Lamb wherever he goes.” In Mt. 16:24 we read: “Then said Jesus to his disci­ples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Jesus was not in this in­stance giving the formula for salvation (which is a free gift—Rom. 6:23), but rather the requirements for those who aspire to follow Him to the summit of full sonship (co-heirship and co-rulership) in His celestial Kingdom. Notice, He spoke these words to His disciples. A “disciple” is one who has taken on himself the “yoke” (wilI) of Christ, and is being taught (disci­plined, tutored) by Him (Mt. 11:29). The path of discipleship is to perfection (that which is complete, full, mature) as we read in Luke 6:40: “The disciple is not above his master (teach­er), but every one (disciple) shall be perfected as his master (marginal reading).” See also Mt. 19:21.

Looking again at Mt. 16:24, the three requirements given by Jesus for discipleship are self-denial, taking up our cross (obedience and self sacrifice), and following Him (in His example of complete submission to the Father’s will in every as­pect of life). To love any person or any thing more than we love the Lord disqualifies us from being His disciples (Mt. 10:37, Lk. 14:26). We must be willing to forsake ALL (that would hinder us in any way from “going on” with Him), Lk. 14:33. We must “hate” our own self-life, being willing to “lose” our soulish (self) life, that we might “find” the spiritual (Christ) life (Mt. 10:39, 16:25). We must “count the cost” of building a “tower” that leads to the heavenly kingdom (Lk. 14:28-30), which is the “prize of the high (or heavenly—Heb. 3:1) calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:14). We must be willing to set­tle for conditions of total surrender (peace) lest we find our­selves “fighting” (resisting) God’s calling and purpose for us (Lk. 14:31-32).

In Mt. 19:27, Peter asks Jesus this question   ”Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed you, what shall we have there­fore?” In quoting Jesus’ answer in verse 28, I am going to change the punctuation provided by the translators (which I believe is incorrect) by removing the comma after the word “me” and placing it after the word “regeneration,” to make it read like this: “truly I say to you, that you who have followed me in the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, you also shall sit on twelve thrones, judg­ing the twelve tribes of Israel.” NOW (this age) is the time of regeneration (or re-creation) in the inner man. As we FOLLOW Him, we are being increasingly regenerated. This Is a MUST if we are to share His throne and rule with Him. Now notice verse 29: “And every one thathas forsaken houses, or brethren or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold.” Here we have the “hundredfold” (“full corn in the ear”—Mk. 4:20,28) who shall be “harvested” OUT of the lower (earthly) realm and translated into the upper (heavenly) realm to rule with Christ. The thirty and sixty fold (blade and ear) shall remain on the earth. So take heed! If you want to be WITH Christ in His ruling Kingdom, FOLLOW HIM IN THE REGENERATION!!!

In my last post I pointed out how God always teaches us through parables. He makes up stories and then tells them in order to illustrate his truth. This does not mean, though, that his stories did not actually occur or that they are not historically accurate. I believe that the events of Genesis 24 actually happened. I also believe they reveal spiritual truth. What is that truth?

Look at the principle characters here. We see four, Abraham the father, Isaac the son, the faithful servant, and Rebecca the bride. Who do these people represent prophetically? I believe Abraham reveals the heart of Father God who seeks a pure bride for his only Son (Isaac here). Throughout the history of the world God sent forth his Holy Spirit (the servant) to seek a Bride (Rebecca) for his Son.

But, he sends his servant with conditions. The Bride must come from his own family, his own people. The Bride must believe that God is who he said he is. In this parable Rebecca believes the testimony of the servant and goes with him to a new land, a place unknown. Second, the bride must go willingly. Her family gives her opportunity to decline the invitation, but she declares, “I will go with him.” Third, she must go by faith. Rebecca really did not know who this strange servant was. She only heard his testimony, but his words rang true. “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” The word was spoken to Rebecca. She heard. She believed. She then walked by faith. Rebecca’s walk of faith then brings her to her promised husband, Isaac.

All of this, of course, pictures the Holy Spirit going throughout the world during the last two thousand years calling a bride for the Father’s Son, Jesus. Only a willing bride may come and only one from God’s own people. This means that the Bride of Christ actually comes out of the people of God, those commonly known as Christians. Jesus said that he also had other “folds” of sheep, so we may be surprised at the identity of some members of this spiritual “Bride.” (No, I do not teach that one may come to God any other way than through Jesus.  ”I am the way, the truth, and the life,” he said. “No one comes to the Father except by ME!” I am talking about Jesus’ other folds. Everyone in those other folds will ultimately come to God through and by Jesus.)

Many are called, but few are chosen. Many call themselves Christians today, but few will be chosen as God’s bride. Many believers will be disappointed. Many will be in that company to whom Jesus says, “Depart from me you workers of lawlessness, for I never knew you.” Are these then consigned to Hell and everlasting torment? Well, they do have their place in the Lake of Fire for a time, but so does Hell. But, I get far afield from the parable at hand.

Genesis 24 pictures our Father God sending forth his Holy Spirit as a comforter, a helper, a servant to find a bride for his Son, Jesus. Genesis 24 also includes the first time that God reveals the twin themes of all Scripture, mercy and truth. The Spirit goes forth in mercy and truth (his two witnesses) by which he woos his Bride.

In the just ended age the barren bride did not bring salvation to the earth. She had been chosen, espoused, by her Creator, but the marriage was not then consummated. She had not been glorified. 

Like a woman with child, that draws near the time of her delivery, is in pain, and cries out in her pangs; so have we been in your sight, O LORD. We have been with child, we have been in pain, we have as it were given birth to wind; we have not accomplished any deliverance in the earth; neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen. (Isaiah 26:17-18 KJ2000)

Do not be misled by the pictures of Scripture. They seek to explain in words of flesh that which can only be known in the Spirit. Thus the world does not understand, for

He [Yeshua, Jesus] said, “Go, and tell this people, Hear you indeed, but understand not; and see you indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people dull, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and return, and be healed. Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities are wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land is utterly desolate, And the LORD has removed men far away, and there are many forsaken places in the midst of the land.” (Isaiah 6:9-12 KJ2000)

The Old Covenant age, that which just passed, did not bring salvation to the earth. The New Covenant age, that which has been preached since Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected with power, will bring the salvation much longed for. It is in this age, the Day of the LORD, when Jesus glorifies his Bride and empowers her to bring salvation to the ends of the earth. Until that day, like Paul, we say,

For if the dead are not raised, neither hath Christ been raised: and if Christ hath not been raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also that are fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If we have only hoped in Christ in this life, we are of all men most pitiable. (1 Corinthians 15:16-19 ASV)

But I believe the dead will be raised and that soon. Now we remain barren. Paul says,

My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, I desire to be present with you now, and to change my tone; for I stand in doubt of you. Tell me, you that desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a free woman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the free woman was by promise. Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from mount Sinai, which brings forth to bondage, which is Hagar. For this Hagar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answers to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. For it is written, Rejoice, you barren that bear not; break forth and cry, you that travail not: for the desolate has many more children than she who has a husband. Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless what says the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the free woman. So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free. (Galatians 4:19-31 KJ2000)

Until today the children of Jerusalam from above have been persecuted by the children of natural Jerusalem. The children of New Jerusalem are the overcomers Christ speaks to in Revelation 2-3. The children of natural Jerusalem represent carnal religious believers (regardless of the religion) who never learned to live by the Spirit. In fact they hated, persecuted, and killed the chosen of God. Thus Hebrews says,

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. … And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. (Hebrews 11:13, 36-40 KJ2000)

Throughout the previous age the Bride remained barren, but she did bear fruit. She learned to follow the Spirit, to lean not upon her own understanding, and did not depend upon the power of her flesh to please God. She learned to walk as Paul teaches,

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that you cannot do the things that you would. But if you be led of the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, impurity, licentiousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, strife, jealousy, wrath, selfishness, divisions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of which I tell you beforehand, as I have also told you in time past, that they who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, self-control: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. (Galatians 5:16-26 KJ2000)

Because she learned to walk in the Spirit, forsaking the flesh and all the flesh could gain for her, she allowed Him to work deep within her soul. She endured this baptism of fire, this burning which purified her dross, bringing forth pure gold. She endured the pressure of men and powers. When she manifests, then we will see the perfect jewel she has become!

    You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord,
        and a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
    [4] You shall no more be termed Forsaken,
        and your land shall no more be termed Desolate,
    but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her,
        and your land Married;
    for the Lord delights in you,
        and your land shall be married.
    [5] For as a young man marries a young woman,
        so shall your sons marry you,
    and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride,
        so shall your God rejoice over you. Isaiah 62:3-5 (ESV) 

Until her pefection God’s bride in waiting has been barren in the earth. No one esteems her; no one believes she has anything to say or teach about knowing or walking with God. She was always rejected by her pastors, teachers, and prophets. Her word was too harsh. She was too legalistic. She demanded too much. In fact, they told her that her place was at the back of the church. And they were right about that. In fact, her place was outside of the church, for before her marriage she realized that all she had called the church was actually a mystery, was actually Babylon the Great. And God called her out of that.

The Bride in waiting has no following for she herself did not follow the ways of Jezebel. She she did not depend upon the flesh in vain attempts to bring forth the Spirit. She did not kindle a fire on the Sabbath. Concerning Jezebel and those who serve her God says,

But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess and is teaching and seducing my servants to practice sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.  [21] I gave her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her sexual immorality.  [22] Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works,  [23] and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches will know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you as your works deserve.  Rev. 2:20-23 (ESV) 

The above verses from Revelation describe the many churches we have known. Not all churches today belong to the Church of Thyatira, the Jezebel Church, but many do. Other churches have their own sins for which God will judge them. And in all churches God warns his Bride to “overcome.” Some churches do contain faithful believers. We are not saying you must leave that church, but you know that if you belong to such a church that your church is barren. No one new comes. No one wants to come. Your word is too harsh. You preach holiness and men cannot stand that word. Yet, know this, holiness without grace and mercy is not of God. One can be trapped in legalistic “holiness” which he will one day condemn.

When the barren bride is fully perfected, has become a perfect jewel fit for a crown, then it shall be said, ”

You shall no more be termed Forsaken,
        and your land shall no more be termed Desolate,
    but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her,
        and your land Married;
    for the Lord delights in you,
        and your land shall be married.”

Thus shall be fulfilled God’s promise to his bride:

           At your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir.
    [10] Hear, O daughter, and consider, and incline your ear:
        forget your people and your father’s house, [this refers to being willing to leave the apostate church, to come out of Babylon]
        [11] and the king will desire your beauty.
    Since he is your lord, bow to him.
        [12] The people of Tyre will seek your favor with gifts,
         the richest of the people.
    [13] All glorious is the princess in her chamber, with robes interwoven with gold.
        [14]  In many-colored robes she is led to the king,
        with her virgin companions following behind her.
    [15] With joy and gladness they are led along
        as they enter the palace of the king.
    [16] In place of your fathers shall be your sons; [the Bride refused to obey the lawless church leaders; she has no head but Christ. But God will one day give her sons, those who appreaciate and esteen what God has done in her]
        you will make them princes in all the earth.
    [17] I will cause your name to be remembered in all generations;
        therefore nations will praise you forever and ever.  Psalm 45:9b-17 (ESV)

So rejoice oh barren one, you who have not borne, for it is you whom God will choose. Many are called, but few are chosen.

For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until its righteousness goes forth as brightness, and its salvation as a lamp that burns. And the Gentiles shall see your righteousness, and all kings your glory: and you shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name. You shall also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. (Isaiah 62:1-3)

When one reads and re-reads the Scripture, when one meditates upon the word of God for years, when one eats the manna (truth) of the LORD, mulling it over and over as the clean beasts do their cud and making it a part of their being, then one begins to see amazing things in the Bible. For example, one will begin to really notice the parallel meanings and prophecies of the Books of Isaiah and Revelation.

A consistent theme of Scripture is “many are called, but few are chosen.” God gives this theme many names including Israel, Gideon’s 300, the remnant, the rod (branch), elohim, sons of God, Bride of Christ,  overcomers, Zion, Jerusalem, and New Jerusalem. Many chapters in the books of Isaiah and Revelation relate directly to this theme. Some verses from each book actually parallel and explain verses from the other. Concerning the above passage from Isaiah notice these few facts: 1) the prophecy concerns Zion, which is also called Jerusalem here (this means that the attributes here are ascribed to Zion, not to God), 2) God works on and with Zion for he cannot rest or be at peace until 3) her righteousness goes forth and 4) her salvation burns as a lamp; 5) When this happens, i.e. when she is perfected, then the nations (gentiles) shall see her righteousness; 6) at this time Zion shall be glorified for then all kings of earth shall see her glory; 7) at this time she shall also be called by a new name, a 8) name which the LORD himself will give her; 9) she shall also be a “crown of glory” in the hand of God and 10) a “royal diadem” in his hand.

A key to understanding this passage lies in the phrase “called by a new name.” This phrase also occurs in Revelation 2:17. This verse contains the promise to overcomers in the Church of Pergamum. Pergamum represents the place where “Satan’s throne is,” and thus represents the whole earth, for at this time Satan is the god of this world. All Christians, then, belong to this church and could qualify for the prize revealed in verse 17.

He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches; To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knows except him who receives it. (Revelation 2:17)

Jesus promises the world overcomer three things: 1) hidden manna to eat, 2) a white stone, and 3) a new name written on that white stone which no one knows except the individual overcomer himself or herself.

Hidden manna represents God’s word, God’s truth, which he speaks only to the overcomer. Even today God reveals some of this hidden manna to his overcomers and they, in turn, share it with others of like mind.

The white stone represents the most valuable and precious jewel of all, the highly refined, hardened, and polished diamond. This is the wedding stone given by the bridegroom to his bride at the time of her betrothal, her manifestation, her glorification. I believe this speaks of the glorified state of the overcomer at the time of his resurrection when he has become a perfect jewel before God (in a spiritual sense, not literal of course).

Finally, each overcomer receives a new name known only to him. I believe this speaks of each overcomer’s special calling and gifting in the next age or ages. I think many overcomers have some idea of what this new name may be, but many may well be surprised.

Now, when we compare this passage with Isaiah we see that the white stone dovetails with the crown of glory in God’s hand. When we think of a monarch’s crown, we think of a rim of gold encrusted with fine jewels. Throughout Scripture we see glorified man represented both ways, as gold and as jewels. Thus the crown in God’s right hand typifies all overcomers. We first gain a glimpse of this prophetic picture in that great prophesy given to Moses 3500 years ago:

And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them. Yea, he loved the people; all his saints are in your hand: and they sat down at your feet; everyone shall receive of your words. (Deuteronomy 33:2-3)

So, in God’s right hand we now see 1) a crown of glory which contains the white stone, 2) a royal diadem, 3) a fiery law, and 4) all of God’s saints. These all picture the overcomer, each representing a different aspect of his spiritual reality when he is glorified.

Entering God’s Rest (7)

So, now let’s assume that you have received the gift of faith by God’s grace and you have believed in Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins and for your spiritual salvation.  Legally, that is, in God’s court room, you have now been justified by faith.  What now? Is that it? No, now you begin your walk with God. Now you can start down the “narrow path.” Now you need to begin to “labor” to enter God’s rest.

For he that is entered into his rest, he also has ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. For the word of God is living, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. (Hebrews 4:10-13 KJ2000)

Now we come to the crux of the matter. So far we have learned that to even have a chance of entering into God’s rest we must have true faith in God.  Faith is God’s gift to us who believe. This faith marks the beginning point for anyone who would follow after God and who would walk in Jesus’ ways. Yet, as soon as we come to faith, which is not of works, God says, “WORK to enter my rest!” And this is the command that has befuddled Christians since the dawn of time because most then proceed to think that they must perform certain spiritual duties or perfectly obey certain Biblical laws before they can really be accepted by God. In theological terms they link this command to work in Hebrews 4:11 to their “justification.”

Justification, though, is a legal term which states that “based upon Christ’s work and his gift to you of faith in that work, you have been declared “righteous” before God.” It is this legal transaction, one that I can’t even begin to understand, that reconciles us to God. Justification establishes our relationship with God and thus allows us to communicate with him and get to know him. Justification, however, does not literally make anyone righteous. It is the laboring to enter God’s rest which actually transforms us. One term the Bible uses for this labor is “practicing righteousness.”

When we first believe in Jesus we usually remain as bound to certain sins as before. Yes, I know that sometimes Jesus casts out demons and delivers people from addictive bondages when they come into “saving” faith, but this is not the norm. It’s usually not that easy. Justification by faith deals with our spirit and its eternal abode. It does not deal with our soul, the place “where we live,” so to speak. Our soul is our mind, our will, and our emotions. Our soul is what we think of as “you” or “me.” I can’t really know your spirit, but I can know your soul.

The problem of understanding justification versus laboring to enter God’s rest (or, practicing righteousness) has been compounded through the centuries because translators have used various words to translate the Greek word psuche, which means “soul.” On the other hand the Greek word pneuma is usually translated “spirit.” In Hebrews 4:12, quoted above, the Greek word translated “soul” is psuche and the word translated “spirit” is pneuma, which is correct.

Sometimes the word psuche is translated as “life.”  For example, when Jesus says, ”whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it,”  (Matthew 16:25) it is the Greek word psuche which is translated “life” here. Jesus is talking about the salvation of the soul, not the spirit in this passage. He is dealing with the spiritual aspect of laboring to enter God’s rest, not justification by initial faith in him.

Because of the various contradictory translations many commentators speak of “saving one’s soul” when they really mean “saving one’s spirit.” Hebrews 4:12 attempts to draw the distinction between soul and spirit as the discussion now moves from mere faith in God to “working out our salvation in fear and trembling.”  (Philippians 2:12) The reason for this is because the salvation of our spirits has been accomplished by the one-time work of Christ by shedding his blood on the cross for our sins. It is a done deal. The salvation of our souls, however, has not yet been accomplished, but is an on-going work which is typified by the exodus wilderness journey.

It is precisely because of this confusion, of not distinguishing between the soul and the spirit, that most people utterly miss the meaning of the book of Hebrews. This book contains at least five stern warnings against losing our salvation. One group of Bible scholars, the Calvinists, say that all of these warnings deal with people who were never really saved (spiritually saved, that is). Another group, the Arminians, believe that these warnings indeed do speak to Christians and that all Christians bear the risk of losing their eternal salvation. Calvinists believe in the doctrine “once saved always saved.” Arminians believe that you can lose your spiritual salvation. Both are right to some extent, and both are wrong to a very great extent.

Men can never lose the salvation of their spirits because Christ’s work has accomplished this for us. They can only lose their souls which means that they will miss out on the first resurrection, even if they actually believe in Jesus. This explains the reason for the many warnings in the Bible which apply to Christians. Christians who fail to save their souls will have their part in the Lake of Fire, along with total unbelievers. The Lake of Fire is that place, thing, or process which many mistakenly call “hell.” The Lake of Fire brings about the destruction of carnal, unbelieving souls so that these ones may ultimately enter into the Kingdom of God. For remember, outside the Kingdom “are dogs, and sorcerers, and fornicators, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loves and makes a lie.” (Revelation 22:15)

As we continue in the book of Hebrews we find that only the mature, only those who ultimately learn to discern between good and evil and then actually will (choose) to do the good make up this company of believers who enter into God’s rest. See Hebrews 5:14. This company goes by many names in Scripture, for example, the Bride of Christ, the manchild, the two witnesses, the order of Melchizedek, the remnant, Gideon’s 300, and the overcomers.

Part 8: The Two Witnesses

Part 1: Entering God’s Rest

The teaching about righteousness is a Biblical term that occurs in the book of Hebrews.

Of whom [ Melchizedek] we have many things to say, and hard to explain, seeing you are dull of hearing. For when for the time you ought to be teachers, you have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of solid food. For every one that uses milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (Hebrews 5:11-14 KJ2000)

I have written extensively on this subject, particularly in my books When We Awake and Food Sacrificed to Idols.  Given the great apostasy of the church as clearly seen in other links on this site, and as personally experienced on The Shack Forum the last three days, we would do well to review it.

First, Hebrews 5:14 counsels mature Christians to become able to discern between good and evil.  Anyone who cannot do this remains a babe in Christ, unskillful in the word of righteousness.  This means that such a one cannot understand the Word of God, the Bible.  Oh, he will think he can, but his words and lawless attitude betray him as a mere babe.

The teaching about righteousness has nothing to do with obeying a particular set of principles, commonly called The Law, through the power of the flesh. All of history shows that mankind cannot perfectly obey God’s Law.  This teaching also has nothing to do with church-made laws or man’s laws. Instead, the teaching about righteousness is all about being led by the Holy Spirit. Through his leading and by the washing of the water of the Word, we learn and are enabled to apply God’s principles to all of life.  Thus moral principles like forsaking fornication certainly apply to us in the natural as written in Exodus 20.  On the other hand, by following the Spirit we understand that we do not need to continue sacrificing bulls, sheep, goats, or birds according to the book of Leviticus.  This is because Jesus himself fulfilled all of those sacrifices and we apply his sacrifice to our life by faith in him.

Jesus himself teaches us to be perfect, not perfect by some human standard, but perfect as his Father in heaven is perfect.  God calls this perfection “righteousness.”  Another word for this is “holiness.”  Our God IS righteous and holy and fully expects us to be too.  Jesus did not make some flippant, unattainable comment when he said, “be perfect as my Father in heaven is perfect.”  He meant it.

So how do we “be perfect.”  First, become acquainted with God’s ways.  Get to know his definitions of right and wrong.  Learn how to apply these principles to all of life’s many situations.  Second, begin to desire to obey particular standards and rules of conduct.  This has to do with taking every thought captive to Christ so that you will obey his will instead of your own which has been steeped in sin.  Of course this obedience does not “earn” your salvation.   Only an imbecile would suggest that it does once he understands that Jesus died for us and forgives us our sins.  Third, repent of anything you do that you know is contrary to God’s will.  Anything that is not of faith is sin, and don’t fool yourself into believing that your clearly sinful acts are done in faith.  I’m afraid that won’t work with God.

John said it clearly, “No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God.  [10] By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.” (1 John 3:9-10 ESV)  So, you may disagree and say that God does not call us to be righteous and holy, but you will be wrong.  You would be in agreement with Satan instead of God.

The Old Testament proves we cannot perfectly keep God’s Law.  God knows you are not inherently perfect.  That’s why he gave us an escape valve from sin.  It’s called repentance.  That’s why its the first elementary doctrine of the Christian faith mentioned in Hebrews 6.  So long as we faithfully seek to obey Christ and repent when we fail, we maintain our perfect standing before God.  This is all God asks of us.  [Next]

The cross…
I rarely write about it;
it hurts too much
because it costs so much,
my life
and yours.

The cross…
crossroads into life -
“No one comes to the Father
unless he comes through me,”
said he
who died on that cross.

The cross…
death leading to life;
whoever does not take up his cross
and follow Jesus
is not worthy of him,
not worthy of him…

The cross…
foolishness to the nations
and a stumbling block to the Jews,
a stone of offense,
the cross, it crushes, it hurts;
there’s no glory!

The cross…
God forbid that I should glory,
save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,
by whom the world is crucified
unto me,
and I unto the world.

                   
            YOUR BEAUTY

How can your beauty be described?
The toddling twos
the infant’s eyes
the mother’s milk that feeds

How can your beauty be described?
The fig and vine
the year’s new wine
the fruit from your pure seeds

How can your beauty be described?
The mountain winds
the towering peaks
the majesty you hide

How can your beauty be described?
The fairest face
the lovely lips
the celestial voice of your Bride…

(Link to a Song of the Bride)