In talking about marriage, Paul tells us in Ephesians 5:27 that Jesus Christ will present to Himself a glorious church or bride. Of course we know that this will be at the rapture. But, what is this glorious church that Jesus is going to catch up to heaven at His coming? Many have said that this glorious church that Jesus is coming for will be all Christians in the world, and they won’t be failures in life but rather victors manifesting wealth and in top leadership in society. But is this true? No it isn’t.
The best place to find the definition of a glorious church is in the same passage that mentions it. It is written, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:25-27). According to this passage, the only biblical definition of a glorious church is a holy church. This is the church that the Lord is going to present to Himself as His bride. A holy church or group of believers walking in holiness is the only bride of Christ, and it is that which will be raptured and presented to Himself. As it is written, “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).
Therefore, although it is true that God will make some Christians wealthy and give some others great leadership positions in society, it is not true that a wealthy and influential church is what the Lord is working on for a bride. Jesus is coming back for a chaste virgin, a church that is unspotted by the evil of the world. The devil knows this and he is definitely the one behind the twisting of the definition of a glorious church. The plan of the devil is to get Christians so focused on attaining wealth and influence in society, while neglecting holiness (without which no one will see the Lord).
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When on Sunday Evangelist Patrick Wandera visited and preached at our church, he reaffirmed that indeed the devil, and the humans who have sided with him outright, are actively fighting Christians so that they end up in hell. A young man who was an agent of Satan but is now a staunch Christian told Wandera of a Satanic meeting he once attended in Uganda. All in attendance were Satanists and included several prominent preachers in the country, witches, musicians, businessmen and women, and other people in different sectors. They all verbally pledged to vigorously fight Christians so that they do not make it to heaven, but rather end up in hell where they themselves the Satanists are destined! Little wonder then that the definition of ‘glorious church’ has been corrupted, in addition to the blatant promotion of sin.
Please hear me out: Not all Christians are going to enter the kingdom of God, and Jesus is not waiting for the church to become wealthy and very influential so that He then returns and receives her (the church) to Himself for a bride. No, Jesus is returning for a glorious church, one that is walking in holiness, without spot and blemish. Believe God to abundantly provide for your needs, and do your best to influence the world for the glory of God. However, do not neglect the walk of holiness. For what shall it profit you if you gain the whole world but lose your soul? Heaven is your home and you should make it there. The Holy Spirit who abides in you is there for that reason – to help you walk in holiness so that you are part of the glorious bride that the Lord Jesus will soon present to Himself.
God bless you.