Preparing Our Wedding Garments For The Bridegroom’s Return

There is a beautiful theme that delicately weaves throughout Scripture about a bride and her bridegroom, beginning in Genesis 2:22-23, when God forms a bride for man from the body of her bridegroom:

And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.  And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

Later Abraham (the father) sent his servant to find a bride for his son, Isaac, just as our Father has sent the Holy Spirit to find a bride for His son, Jesus Christ.

I have written about Jewish marriage customs and their significance in Scripture, but have been learning about other biblical marriage customs from a wonderful book by Henry John Van-Lennep, Bible Lands: Their Modern Customs and Manners Illustrative of Scripture, which can be downloaded for free from Google Books. 

Van-Lennep writes that once the family of the bridegroom meets the prospective bride, the women of the bridegroom’s family would meet her at a public bath.  This was to ensure that she had no physical defect.  Only then would a formal marriage proposal be made.

This led me to Ephesians 5:25-32, which speaks about the bride who will be taken from the body of the Church (the antitype to the type of Adam’s bride being taken out of his body) and how she must present herself:

25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: 30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

Once a couple became engaged, a marriage contract was signed.  The wedding, however, did not occur until much later.  During this time, the bride and bridegroom were not permitted to see each other.  Jesus alludes to this in John 14:2-3:

In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

During this period of separation, the bride would usually send gifts to the bridegroom that she created with her hands, such as needlework.  Just as we should be focused on creating works for our bridegroom through faith in Him until that joyful day when He returns for us.

The bride’s wedding garment was also highly important, and often ornate or adorned with jewels, as described in several Scripture passages:

Isaiah 49:18:

Lift up thine eyes round about, and behold: all these gather themselves together, and come to thee. As I live, saith the Lord, thou shalt surely clothe thee with them all, as with an ornament, and bind them on thee, as a bride doeth.

Isaiah 61:10:

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

Jeremiah 2:32:

Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number.

Marriage festivities often occurred a week before the wedding ceremony, both at the homes of the bride and bridegroom.  While waiting for the bridegroom, the maids and matrons might become drowsy and fall asleep on their divans, save for those few who kept a watchful eye for the approaching torches of the bridegroom’s procession.  When the cry was made “Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him” (Matthew 25:6), the girls and younger women would hastily light their lamps, candles, or lanterns and run out to meet the coming procession. 

Jesus describes this in His parable of the wise and foolish virgins (Matthew 25:1-13).  Van-Lennep writes that when the foolish virgins went out to buy their oil, the procession had already formed and had moved to the home of the bridegroom.  The reason the door was shut was to prevent the entrance of dangerous men or thieves who might rob jewelry, costly garments, or even the bride herself. 

Wealthy hosts often distributed garments to the wedding guests.  Usually this was just the outer garment (called the jibbeh) or a piece of cloth that was used to make one.  Jesus also speaks to this in His parable about the King and the wedding guest who is not properly clothed in Matthew 22:1-14.

11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

The wedding finally culminates in the Book of the Revelation:

Revelation 19:7-9:

Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

Revelation 22:16-17:

I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.  And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely (emphasis mine).

Today the bride of Christ is busy preparing her garments, looking to the clouds, and waiting for the bridegroom's imminent return.  She often groans from the crushing weight of the sin in this world — and sometimes even her own.  

He promised her that He would come quickly, but some days, it does not feel quickly enough. 

Quoteworthy: Christ’s Return in Leviticus

“…Leviticus is of use to us now as a revelation of Christ… The book is thus a treasury of divinely-chosen illustrations as to the way of a sinner’s salvation through the priestly work of the Son of God, and as to his present and future position and dignity as a redeemed man.

…Leviticus is still of use to us as embodying in type and figure prophecies of things yet to come, pertaining to the Messiah’s kingdom.  We must not imagine with some that because many of its types are long ago fulfilled, therefore all have been fulfilled.  Many, according to the hints of the New Testament, await their fulfillment in a bright day that is coming. 

Some, for instance, of the feasts of the Lord have been fulfilled; as Passover, and the feast of Pentecost.  But how about the day of atonement for the sin of corporate Israel?  We have seen the type of the day of atonement fulfilled in the entering into heaven of our great High Priest; but in the type He came out again to bless the people: has that been fulfilled?  Has He yet proclaimed absolution of sin to guilty Israel? 

How again, about the feast of trumpets, and that of the ingathering at full harvest?  How about the Sabbatic year, and that most consummate type of all, the year of jubilee?  History records nothing which could be held a fulfillment of any of these; and thus Leviticus bids us look forward to a glorious future yet to come, when the great redemption shall at last be accomplished, and “Holiness to Jehovah” shall, as Zecharian puts it, be written even “on the bells of the horses.”’

From The Book of Leviticus, by Samuel Henry Kellog

I Never Knew You

Lately I have been thinking about what author David Biven terms “the difficult words of Jesus” (if you are interested in Hebraic gems that help illuminate the Gospels, read his book).  I am talking about Scripture passages that people tend to gloss over because they cannot make sense of them.

Matthew 7:21-23 is an example.  Jesus says:

²¹Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  ²²Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  ²³And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.  ²⁴Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

Some commentaries suggest that this passage refers to Christians who were never really saved, which I believe is blaspheme!  For Ephesians 2:8-10 tells us: 

⁸For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast. ¹⁰For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (NIV)

Once a person believes on the Lord Jesus Christ and is saved they cannot become unsaved, can they?  That would imply that Jesus “took His free gift back.”  Others state that Jesus was talking to unbelievers.  But unbelievers would never utter the words, “Lord, Lord.” 

The reason this passages does not line up for many is because it refers to soul salvation, not spirit salvation.  When we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, we receive the free gift of spirit salvation and eternal life.  What we do with this gift determines whether we will receive a reward (Revelation 22:12) when we stand before the Lord at the Judgment Seat of Christ or loss. (2 Corinthians 5:10)

If our works are deemed to be of gold, silver, and precious stones (1 Corinthians 3:10-15), we will receive a reward, which I believe is the salvation of our soul that Paul writes of in Philippians 2:12 (another “difficult” Scripture passage):

¹²Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.  ¹³For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. (KJV)

Here Paul must be talking about soul salvation, which we do need to work out with fear and trembling before we appear before the Lord at the Judgment Seat of Christ.  I believe what is at stake is whether we will rule and reign with Christ during His 1,000-year Millennial Kingdom (Romans 8:17, 2 Peter 3:8, Revelation 20:4).  The types in Scripture (see my earlier post on Entering the Land) suggest that believers who do not receive soul salvation will be on the outside looking in.  They will have eternal life, but will not be able to enter the Millennial Kingdom.

 

When you are able to distinguish between spirit salvation (the free gift) and soul salvation (a reward based upon our works), then Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:21-23 finally begin to make sense. 

Are All Christians Overcomers?

When I was first saved, I was led to believe that all Christians are overcomers, but I have come to learn that Scripture does not support this.   

To the church in Ephesus, Jesus said:

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.  (Revelation 2:7)

To the church in Smyrna, Jesus said:

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.  (Revelation 2:11)

To the church in Pergamos, Jesus said:

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh 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 knoweth saving he that receiveth it. (Revelation 2:17)

To the church in Thyatira, Jesus said:

And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:  (Revelation 2:26)

To the church in Sardis, Jesus said:

He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.  (Revelation 3:5)

To the church in Philadelphia, Jesus said:

Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.  (Revelation 3:12)

To the church of the Laodiceans, Jesus said:

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.  (Revelation 3:21)

Jesus was talking to believers in each of these seven churches.  So clearly, not all believers will be overcomers.  

Paul writes in 2 Timothy 4:7-8:

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 

Believers who are overcomers will receive their reward when they stand before the Lord at the Judgment Seat of Christ.  Believers who are not overcomers will receive the free gift of eternal life, but they will not receive any rewards.

When I look around at what is happening in our world, I believe that there is not much time left to run this race.  I must ask myself: Have I fought the good fight?  Have I kept the faith? 

Quoteworthy: From A to Z

 

The current world in which we live is under the dominion of Satan and his angels, it was given to Satan (Luke 4:6) and he will keep it until Christ takes it (Rev. 11:17).

Eph 6:12

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (KJV)

However, the world [Gk oikoumene - (empire, domain)] to come will be run by Jesus Christ and His co-heirs (those that overcome at the Judgment Seat, and being saved does not guarantee one will overcome [Rev. 2, 3]).

Heb 2:5

5 For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. (KJV)

The Scripture refers to Satan as ‘the god of this world’ :

2 Cor 4:4

4 In whom the god of this world [Gk. aion - age] hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (KJV)

After Lucifer’s fall, God made man to replace him and his angels as the provincial ruler of this earth (Heb. 2:5-9).

Gen 1:26, 28

26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. (KJV)

 

Satan sought to disqualify man at Eden (and he succeeded), and ruined the restored earth and remained its incumbent ruler, though rebel capacity:

Gen 3:1-5

1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? 2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: 3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. 4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. (KJV)

Though Satan succeeded and caused man to die spiritually (be disqualified); God has made provision to restore man to that place where he can realize his purpose:

Eph 2:1-2

1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: (KJV)

When one believes on the Lord Jesus Christ and becomes saved, it’s his spirit that is saved:

Eph 2:8

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (KJV)

It is at the point of ‘spirit salvation’ that the distinction is made of the tri-partite being that man is; spirit, soul, and body:

Heb 4:12

12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged 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. (KJV)

The spirit is that part of man that connects him to God, now saved — which is on the basis of Christ’s finished work on Calvary:

Eph 2:9

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. (KJV)

Titus 3:5

5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (KJV)

The soul is that part of man associated with the natural. It is the seat of a person’s emotions, feelings, and desires pertaining to his man-conscious existence. The Christian still has an unregenerated soul living alongside his regenerated spirit:

1 Cor 1:18

18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish [lit. them that are perishing] foolishness; but unto us which are saved [lit. us which are being saved] it is the power of God. (KJV)

The salvation of our souls, unlike that of our spirits; is realized at the end of our faith, the soul is currently “being saved” as seen in 1 Cor. 1:18.

1 Peter 1:3-5, 9

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. (KJV)

The Christian at the Judgment Seat of Christ, will either ‘overcome’ or ‘be overcome’; as seen in the warnings given to all seven Churches of Revelation chapters two and three. The Church at Laodicea (the one depicting the current state in which the Church currently exists), is warned against ‘nakedness’:

Rev 3:18

18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. (KJV)

The clothing of the Christian (fine linen, clean and white), is [lit. ‘the righteous acts of the saints‘]:

Rev 19:7-8

7 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. 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. (KJV)

The Christian that does not overcome at the Judgment Seat, who is not clothed or whose raiment is not white; will ‘suffer loss’.

1 Cor 3:14-15

14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss [Gk. zemioo - to injure or experience detriment]: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire [lit. ‘through fire’]. (KJV)

Our Lord, in praying for His own said:

John 17:14-15

14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world: 15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. (KJV)

The word ‘world’ is a translation of the Gk. kosmou, — orderly arrangement, the world system; in which the Church currently has to coexist but should not be influenced by. The Church, however, to our shame, has taken on worldliness to the extent where it’s difficult to make distinctions between them at times — the orderly arrangement:

2 Cor 6:17-18

17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, 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. (KJV)

God expects Christians to constantly seek to live holy lives or we will be castaway [disapproved] at the Judgment Seat:

1 Cor 9:27

27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. (KJV)

Or we could be rejected:

2 Cor 5:8-9

8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. (KJV)

Christ in addressing His disciples expressed the same warning:

Matt 16:26

26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (KJV)

Mark 8:35-37

35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. 36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (KJV)

Luke 9:23-25

 23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? (KJV)

Jesus was actually saying to His disciples, “you can loose your souls”. (The Gk word translated “soul” is the same one translated “life” psuche).

Remember it’s the salvation of the spirit that is realized when one believes in the Lord Jesus Christ, the soul is ‘being saved’ and determined at the end of our faith (1 Peter 1:9).

Acts 16:30-31

30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (KJV)

The writer of the Hebrews says:

Heb 2:1-3

1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. 2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; (KJV)

The “great salvation” is the salvation of the soul, which relates to “the world [lit. the age to come] to come” of verse five:

Heb 2:5

5 For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. (KJV)

The Christian that looses his or her soul at the Judgment Seat, will be denied the ‘rest’ that remains for the people of God, castaway, overcome, and will have negative impact on his inclusion in the kingdom for a thousand years:

Heb 4:1, 6, 9, 11

1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.

6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:

9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.

11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. (KJV)

Jesus taught kingdom exclusion in the parables of the “friend” in improper garment in Matthew 22:1-14; the “virgins” of Matthew 25:1-13; and corresponding parables. Like the Jews during the time of Jesus’ first coming who were over looking the suffering that Christ had to undergo prior to His reign; so the Church today is over looking the Millennial Kingdom (1000 year reign of Christ) which precedes the eternal ages or the Day of God:

Rev 20:6

6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. (KJV)

Christians are not taught that “the inheritance” that’s awaiting the people of God, is not the same as the “Heaven” of the Bible. Heaven is not an ‘inheritance’ (it is derived on the basis of one’s believing in the Lord Jesus Christ and is saved), but only those in the ‘family’ can be eligible to receive inheritance. That is what Jesus was referring to when He told Nicodemus that he had to be born again before they can even discuss “the kingdom”:**

John 3:3

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (KJV)

It was in that same passage He said, “you have to walk holy to inherit the kingdom:

John 3:5

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (KJV)

Paul in his epistle to the Galatians Christians gave a list of things that would exclude them from ‘inheriting’ the kingdom:

Gal 5:19-21

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. (KJV)

Unfortunately, Christians often do these things. Does that mean they won’t go to Heaven? It’s not in reference to Heaven, but to the inheritance — rest.

** The term “born again” is incorrectly used to describe one’s becoming saved. To be more accurate, when one becomes saved, he is “born from above” and not “born again.” It is the Jewish people that were ‘born before’ — born out of Egypt, by water and the Spirit — that had to come to a place of repentance (being born again) so they can be included in the inheritance that was first given to them, that they subsequently rejected (Matt. 21:43). 

The term “born again” is used only three times in Scripture (John 3:3, 7; 1 Pet. 1:23) and all three are in reference to Jews (who were already born out of Egypt by the water of the Red Sea).

A similar error is perpetuated in Christian circles by what has become known as “soul winning.” The way it’s taught is surely not the Scriptural teaching on the subject. Soul-winning has erroneously been equated with reaching the unsaved with the message of the gospel of grace; and few Christians, viewing soul-winning in this manner, seem to even give the matter a second thought.

Books have been written on soul-winning, Bible colleges and seminaries teach courses on soul-winning, and soul-winning conferences are held by those same institutions and by various Churches. But, among these groups, almost without exception, soul-winning is viewed from a non-Scriptural perspective.

Soul winning in Scripture has to do with the saving of the soul/life of those who are already saved, whether Israelites in the Old Testament or Christians in the New. When it comes to the saving or loosing of the soul/life in this respect, solely from a Scriptural standpoint, the unsaved are not in view.

What then is soul-winning? And why is there so much confusion on this subject today? The questions are interrelated, and Scripture is quite clear concerning the answers to both.

Soul-winning, having to do with those who are already saved, is seen connected with a kingdom in both Testaments. In the Old, this kingdom was an existing kingdom (the O.T. theocracy); and in the New, this kingdom is seen as the coming kingdom (the coming Kingdom of Christ).

Thus, it is no wonder that corruption and confusion have marked the proclamation of this message throughout Man’s Day. Satan, the present ruler in the kingdom — ruling from a heavenly sphere through the Gentile nations on earth (cf. Dan. 10:13-20; Luke 4:5, 6; Eph. 6:12) — knows that the ultimate outworking of that contained in the message surrounding the salvation of the soul will bring about the end to his rule.

Accordingly, Satan has done all within his power, over millenniums of time, to destroy this message and with tremendous success, to the point where most Christians know nothing about this truth. And exactly how well he succeeded can be seen on practically every hand in Christendom today (cf. Matt. 13:31-33; Luke 18:8; Rev. 3:14-21).

Written by Pastor Al Williams (reprinted with permission).

Quoteworthy: The Second Coming of Christ

The Second Coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ is One Event Most Often Recorded in Holy Scripture.

IT is recorded in type, in figure, in symbol, in analogue, in parable, in hyperbole and metaphor, in exalted song, in noblest poetry and in rarest rhetoric.  It is set before us in dramatic and dynamic statement, in high prophetic forecast, in simple narrative, close linked logic, expanded doctrine, divine exhortation and farreaching appeal.

The first promise of the Second Coming was made in Eden.  It was made in the promise given to the woman that her seed should bruise the serpent's head.  On the cross the serpent bruised the heel of the woman's seed, but her seed did not bruise the serpent's head.  Never was his head more uplifted and unbruised than now.  The promise of the bruising is of God and must be fulfilled.  The record of that fulfillment is to be be found in the twentieth chapter of the book of the Revelation where our Lord descends and in the plenitude of His power by the hand of an angel binds Satan for a thousand years beneath His feet and the feet of His saints.  As the bruising of the serpent's head takes place at the Second Coming, and the promise of the bruising is made in Eden, then the first promise of the Coming is made in Eden; and as you see rising above the figure of the fallen first man the figure of the Second man, you hear for the first time the story of the Second Coming of the Second man; and thus the story and the doctrine of the Second Coming begin with the very beginning of the Book.

Isaac Massey Haldeman in Why I preach the second coming.  Published in 1919.

Loss of Salvation of the Soul (Part 2)

What is the loss that is referred to in
1 Corinthians 3:14-15?:

  

¹⁴If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. ¹⁵If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. 

Let's start by looking at the rewards that are gained by those whose works survive the fire:^1,2

• Crown of life — for the faithful martyrs of the tribulation period (Revelation 2:10)

• Crown of glory — for church leaders who feed the flock of God with the Word of God (1 Peter 5:2-4)

• Crown of rejoicing or the soul winner’s crown — for those who will rejoice when the Lord returns because they have led others to Jesus (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20)

• Crown of righteousness — for those who love His appearing
  (2 Timothy 4:8)

• Incorruptible crown or the victor’s crown — for those who do not yield to lusts of the flesh or worldly amusements (1 Corinthians 9:25-27)

I think that the believers who earn these rewards receive salvation of the soul and are the “overcomers”  Scripture refers to.  This “overcoming” is our final victory over the battle that often wages between our spirit and our soul.  Those who do not receive salvation of the soul still have the gift of eternal life, but they will not gain any rewards.²  Many churches steadfastly believe that all Christians are overcomers, but I don't see where Scripture supports that.

Overcomers and the bride of Christ

The marriage of the Lamb occurs after the judgment seat of Christ (Revelation 19:7-9).  I think those overcomers whose works survive the fiery test, and receive salvation of their soul, will be the bride of Christ that returns with Christ Jesus to rule and reign with Him during the millennial kingdom.  Adam is a type for Christ, and Adam’s bride was taken from his body, which supports the idea that the bride of Christ will also be taken from the body of Christ (the church at large).

The book of the Revelation tells us what overcomers will gain:

• Revelation 2:11: He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

• Revelation 2:17: He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh 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 knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

• Revelation 2:26: And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

• Revelation 3:5: He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

• Revelation 3:12: Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

• Revelation 3:21: To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

• Revelation 21:7: He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

I think this inheritance that the Lord speaks of is the same thing He wanted at the beginning of the ages, which was for Adam and his bride to have dominion over the earth.  Due to Satan’s cunning, man was disqualified from this, but we have the hope of achieving this inheritance when Christ Jesus returns and establishes His millennial kingdom. 

Romans 8:17: Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Satan did not want man to rule over the earth at the beginning of the ages, and he does not want man to rule and reign with Christ during the 1,000-year period of the millennial kingdom.  He will do everything he can to prevent this!

Because Satan is doing such a good job of distracting believers from their true purpose, I think he will keep many believers from being overcomers, and they will not be able to rule and reign with Christ in His millennial kingdom (Revelation 20:1-6).  Some authors I have read feel that these believers will be able to see the kingdom, but not be able to enter it, but that’s a discussion for another time.

Reference:

1.  Larkin C.  Dispensational Truth, or God’s Plan and Purpose in the Ages.  Originally published in 1918.  
2.  Harman JT. The Kingdom.  Prophecy Countdown Publications.  Maitland FL, 2009.

The Master Wedding Planner

The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son. (Matthew 22:2)

The marriage that God has planned for His Son is the most royal wedding of all.  It should thrill the entire world to know that Jesus is coming back to retrieve His bride.  But the sad truth is that the world was far more interested in last Friday’s earthly wedding than they are about the upcoming marriage of the Lamb.

And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.  And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. (Revelation 19:9)

The Bridegroom has been away for a very long time, and many have fallen asleep or fallen away, but He told us about that:

• Mark 13:34: For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.

• Matthew 25:19: After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.

• Luke 18: 8: Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

It can be disheartening when you bring up the subject of our Lord’s return, and professed believers are quick to quote Matthew 24:36, which states: "No one knows about that day or hour.” 

 

While that is true, Jesus never said that we should not be looking for Him.  Quite the contrary, he repeatedly tells us that we should remain alert.

• Matthew 24:42: Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.  

• Luke 12:35-40:  ³⁵Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; ³⁶And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.  ³⁷Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.  ³⁸And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. ⁹ And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through.  ⁴⁰Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

• Matthew 24:43-44:  ⁴³But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.  ⁴⁴Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

• Mark 13:35-37:  ³⁵Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: ³⁶Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.  ³⁷And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

In the parable of the talents we learn that when Jesus does return, He will reckon with us.  (Matthew 25:19).  Matthew 16:27 also tells us: For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.  These passages have great significance concerning the millennial kingdom.  More on that to come.

The Bride of Christ

Christ’s second coming has much to do with marriage (the bride of Christ) and the establishment of His millennial kingdom.  In the coming months we will explore both.

 

To gain a deeper meaning of the bride of Christ, it helps to understand a little about ancient Hebrew marriage customs. 

In Genesis 24:2-4, Abraham tells his servant: But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac.  During the time when Abraham was in Canaan, a father typically arranged a marriage on behalf of his son.¹   

Betrothal was the first step in the marriage process, which involved the giving of a gift (called the mohar) from the prospective bridegroom to the father of the future bride, usually in the presence of witnesses.^2,3   

In addition to the mohar, it is likely that the bridegroom presented several gifts to the bride’s father at the time of the engagement.³  In Genesis 34:12, Shechem tells Dinah’s fathers and brothers: Make the price for the bride and the gift I am to bring as great as you like, and I'll pay whatever you ask me.  Only give me the girl as my wife."  

• In Genesis 24:53, Abraham’s servant gives Rebeka jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment

• In Genesis 29:18, Jacob offers Laban the bride-price of seven years of servitude.

• In Joshua 15:16, Caleb’s bride-price for marriage to his daughter Acsah is the slaughter of Kirjathsepher.

• In 1 Samuel 18:25, Saul instructs his servants to tell David that the bride-price for his daughter Michal is one hundred foreskins of the Philistines.

These passages show us that the bride-price does not always have to be paid with a financial gift.  A deed or service may be acceptable as a substitute.⁴   

This raises a very important question: Was Jesus’ suffering for our sins on the cross at Calgary the greatest dowry ever paid? 

The Jewish betrothal process also included a written contract (called shetar erusin).^2,3  This document detailed the mutual obligations of the bride and bridegroom.  It also included points that both of their families would negotiate and agree upon, such as the date and place of the wedding and the financial gift, or dowry, to the bridegroom.⁴  Once all the details of the marriage were settled, the bride and bridegroom would drink a cup of wine.  Then the bridegroom would leave his future bride to prepare a home for her; sometimes building another room upon his father’s house.⁵ 

Only the father of the bridegroom could determine when it was time for the bridegroom to fetch his bride.⁶   In John 14:2-3, Jesus says:

 ²In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  ³And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

While the bride and bridegroom did not live together during their time of preparation, they were legally married.  This is illustrated in Matthew 1:18-21, when Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph.  In verse 19 Joseph is referred to as Mary’s husband.  The length of time between the betrothal and the wedding ceremony was typically up to a year.  For Jacob and Rachel, however, it was as long as seven years.  During this time the bride was busy preparing herself for married life.⁴ 

We read in Revelation 19:7:  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.

Where are you in your walk with Jesus at this moment?  Are you making yourself ready? 

References: 1.  Howard F. Vos.  New Illustrated Bible Manners & Customs (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1999), 38-39; 137.  2.  Alfred Edersheim.  Sketches of Jewish Social Life.  (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, Inc.,1994), 137.  3.  Ronald L. Eisenberg.  The JPS Guide to Jewish Customs.  (Philadelphia, PA: The Jewish Publication Society, 2004):33.  4.  Isaac Landman, ed.  The Universal Jewish Encyclopedia.  (New York, NY: Universal Jewish Encyclopedia Co. Inc., 1948),Vol. 7, 367, 369, 372.  5.  Alfred Edersheim.  The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah. (New York, NY: Longmans, Green, and Co., 1912), Volume 1, 150, 502.  6.  Fruchtenbaum AG.  The Footsteps of the Messiah.  (San Antonio, TX: Ariel Press, 1982): 143-144.