The Church As A Symbol of the Kingdom of God on Earth

When Christ returns. He shall be Ruler and Governor over all nations on earth forever and ever. Notice: “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign forever and ever”’ (Rev. 11:15).

But this is not all. Immediately, upon His Return, here is what Christ does: “And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude… saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigns. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife has 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 says unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb…” (Rev.19:6-9). Of course, the Lamb of God has always been Jesus Christ (John 1:29, 36; Rev. 5:6).

Let's go to Romans 8 and read verse 9: “But you are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.” To be a true Christian, one must have the Spirit of God. It is that simple. Recall that I Corinthians 12:13 revealed that all members of the Church are “baptized into one body.” Baptized means ‘immersed, put into’. Therefore, a Christian is put into God’s Church by receiving the Holy Spirit. This Spirit makes him a begotten son.

Those without God’s Spirit, regardless of their church affiliation or denomination, are “none of His.” We have seen that all of the Spirit-begotten become “heirs” of salvation (Rom. 8:17). But there is more important knowledge to understand. It is tied directly to the purpose for human marriage and family. The way a husband loves, works with and leads his wife is intended to be a reflection of Christ’s leadership over His Church. The New Testament actually identifies the Church as Christ’s betrothed Bride.

The eternal purpose of God for the Church is for her to be His Bride, forming a magnificent building in the holy city of the new Jerusalem that will descend out of heaven from God (Revelations 21: 10 - 13). Many verses reveal this. First, notice the following parallel between Christ and His Church, and human husbands and their wives: “For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the Church…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” (Eph. 5:23, 27). The Bible reveals that the husband’s relationship with his wife is a parallel of Christ’s relationship to the Church! Christ works with His Church the way husbands are to work with their wives. He intends to “present the Church to God,” in a marriage ceremony, with all spots, wrinkles and blemishes gone. But this wedding is only attainable for those learning the lessons of this life—those who gain experience through suffering and building character now!

Now fully comprehend this awesome knowledge: Christ is God. He is of the “God kind.” Just as God and Christ could not reproduce outside their kind (Gen. 1:24-26), anymore than any animal could reproduce with any other kind, Christ could not marry outside the God kind either. At His Return, in one of the most awesome events in all history –The Marriage Supper of the Lamb – Christ will marry His Church! This is the plain truth from God’s Word—and you have just heard it! God calls His Church, His future Bride, “a building” that is “fitly framed together” (Eph. 2:21). Christ is literally “building a temple” consisting of “living stones” (I Pet. 2:5). Christ is continuing His building of the Church today, and you have come in contact with it.

We saw that the true Church is depicted as a type of Jerusalem and as the Mother of all the brethren in the Church (Gal. 4:26; Heb. 12:22-23). Like any Mother, she cares for and feeds her children. We have also seen that the true Church is also pictured as a Bride prophesied to marry Jesus Christ at His Return (Rev. 19:7-9). She is described as, at that time, having “made herself ready” for this wonderful and glorious event! Will you be among those who strive to “make yourself ready”?

Finally, we have already addressed the actual meaning of the Greek word translated “Church” in the New Testament. This needs no further clarification. Most have supposed it means a building or an organization, when it means neither. The word “church” is ekklesia, meaning Christians are indeed “called out” of this world—its ways—its customs—its practices— its traditions—its false knowledge—and into the true Church, and fellowship with God and Christ (I John 1:3). Take time to savour this marvellous understanding!