I have never had the privilege of flying in the first class cabin of an aircraft but would have liked to. I have never owned a Mercedes or a Porsche or even driven a Porsche but would have liked to at least once. I am not a member of the Mensa International society, although invited to apply more than once—I didn’t think I would qualify and considered it to be a vain pursuit but thought it was cool to be asked. I didn’t get to fulfill my adolescent hope for a career in the military but left the Army due to the politics of the armed services (and as I later understood, it was not God’s plan for my life) and that was a great disappointment.
These things have not been part of my station in life (and that’s okay) but there is something that I aspire to be included as part of, which is the highest honor and appointment possible in the plans of God for redeemed ones moving into eternity future. That which I speak of is to be included as a member of the Bride of Christ. It is a huge part of the grand plan of Elohim (the Divine “God” and “our” of Genesis 1 and 2)!
Through the years I have alluded to the fact of the Bride being a very special station in eternity future, and many years ago I specifically addressed this under today’s present title, which subject has been on my heart to speak to again. It is both a legitimate teaching for the Body of Christ (although you will not likely hear it anywhere from the thousands of pulpits of America) and [it is] a place in eternity that should inspire all believers to continually adjust their lives to fit the requirements for(!)—to be included as part of the Bride of Jesus Christ in eternity.
Let Me Say Up-Front And Succinctly:
Let me say up-front and succinctly: If you are truly born again from Heaven by the Spirit of God then you are part of the universal Church—but the Church and the Bride are not equal and interchangeable terms and concepts. The whole of the Church will not be the Bride of Christ but the Bride will be drafted from the Church (“drafted” meaning: selected from the Church for a certain high purpose and position).
Broadly stated, being a member of the Church requires faith in Jesus and His shed blood and being found that way at one’s death, whereas being chosen to be part of the Bride of Christ requires much, much more, which many in the Church today are not taught about and live up to—or will not. Please consider closely these things:
† Matthew 20:15 [Parable of the earnings:] Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? 16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called (invited), but few (a puny number) chosen (ec-lek-tos’: selected + out of [chosen out of what?]).
† 1 Corinthians 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 28 And God hath set some in the church (ekklesia/ek-klay-see’-ah : a calling out[the called out ones]), first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. [Why these offices and gifts?]
† Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. . .
† Revelation 17:12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. 13 These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. 14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him arecalled (invited), andchosen (selected out-of), and faithful (trustworthy and trusted, true and sure). (See alsoRev. 19:11-16;His “warrior” Bride?)
An Important Understanding Is This:
There is the Church, which is also referred to as “The Body of Christ” as read at Ephesians 4:12:
† Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body (from Gr. sozo/sode’-zo: those saved, rescued; [the saved are those make up the body of Christ on the earth]).
† Colossians 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
We Are To Think Of It This Way:
Jesus Christ is the physical head of and for the physical body that is made up of the believers still alive on the earth (although for Elohim’s ultimate plan it includes those members that have died in Christ already in Heaven). This body of believers still upon the earth are His hands and His feet and (in a fashion) are also His mouth by which Jesus continues His mission on this present earth “to save that which is lost”; He does this through the body (the hands, feet, and mouths) of His true followers still living on the earth—also called “the Church”.
† Matthew 18:11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. 12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? 13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.
† Luke 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. 8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? 9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. 10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
† Ephesians 1:16 [I] Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; 17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
† 2 Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out (Gr. exerchomai: escape, depart + out) from among them, and be ye separate (divided, severed from), saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
Before We Press On ~ Adding More To The Point
Before we press on adding more to the point that the whole Church is not the Bride, let me ask you this: In your thinking and reasoning about this topic today, consider yourself an unmarried virgin man or woman that has been raised in a truly Christian home and you love God but you want a life-companion.
Would you settle for just any man (if a woman) or any woman (if a man), or perhaps someone that is more interested in their own pleasures and not too caring about you, or a person that is not willing to be faithful to you alone and always, or someone that says they love you but there are not the clear evidences that he or she does; would you be so lonely that you would even want to spend the rest of your life with someone that was a prostitute, even while engaged to be married to you?
The answer is “No!” you would not—and so does the Father and His Son Jesus feel about the one that will be His eternity-long companion. And sadly, so are the many that somehow are members of the Church but live lives of unfaithfulness toward their betrothed—the Lord Jesus Christ; all in the true Church are invited (called) but not all will be chosen (selected) to be part of the Bride of Christ—just a puny number compared to the whole of the Church.
Such ones that “sleep around” with the world and its ways will not be chosen to be part of the Bride of Christ, which chosen ones are in an ever deepening love relationship with Jesus and by it have become obedient, devoted, pure, righteous and holy.
† James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. [Whomever spends time in bed with the world will not be the Bride.]
† Matthew 20:16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called (invited), but few (a puny number) chosen (selected out of all the ones “called”).
† 1 Corinthians 7:34 There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth (from distractions; to be anxious, take thought, be careful, solicitude [=carefulness; concern, anxiety, uneasiness of mind brought on by the fear of evil or the desire of good]) for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. 35 And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.
In Closing ~ Let Me Restate This Last Passage
In closing, let me restate this last passage by Paul by restating it in the context of what we are looking closely at today: “There is difference between an invited one (a called-out one as are all members of the true church) and a chosen one to be the Bride.
Those chosen have grown and been transformed to pay no attention to the distractions of life and to shun all spiritual compromise; the chosen ones are careful to want and pursue righteousness and purity as ones being prepared for the Lord Jesus, that he or she may be found holy both in body and in spirit.
But most of the invited (called) ones in the true church are distracted by and easily involved in the things of the world, how he or she may “go along to get along” and still have enough faith to be saved; these have little concern about pleasing the Lord but only their own selves and comforts, although most fail to see it of themselves, let alone admit it.
And this is stated for our own great benefit; to point us to that which is right and required of the Father for His beloved Son—that His Bride be devoted and in love with Him and without distraction or any compromise.”
As we temporarily pause this discussion until we next meet, let me plainly state the foremost indication that a believer might just be considered by God to one day be chosen to be a member of the Bride of Christ—it will be the man’s or the woman’s love for the Son and His Father. We are to love the Lord with such a passion that it provides much of the guidance on how we must live in all the other ways of our lives.
Will you be chosen to be part of the Bride by the depth of your love for our Savior or will you be friends of the Bride and Bridegroom, which is the rest of the Body of Christ that were invited to be but not chosen?
That is left up to you to do something about with your life—or not.
† 2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves ... 4 ... lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof. . .
† Mark 12:29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: 30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
† Matthew 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
† John 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him ... 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
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