The Bride: A study of the bride of Christ
Our Blessed Hope: Lesson 3
In our first lesson we briefly spoke of the “Day of the Lord,” as spoken by Paul in I Thessalonians 5:2: “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.” This period of time is mentioned often in the Bible. We will give several scriptures to explain more fully what is involved in this “Day.”
Isaiah 2 explains much of what will occur during this period of time. Note verse 12: “For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low.”
Isaiah 13:6: “Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.”
Joel 1:15: “Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come. Joel 2:1: “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand.” Joel 2:30, 31: “And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. (31) The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come.”
Zechariah 14:1: “BEHOLD, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee.” (v. 9) “And the LORD shall be king over all the earth; in that day shall there be one LORD, and His name one.” This chapter continues with a description of how it will be “in that day.”
Peter quotes from Joel in his sermon as given in Acts 2, mentioning the “day of the LORD,” and also speaks of the day of the LORD that will come “as a thief in the night” in 2 Peter 3:10.
These are just a few of the many scriptures concerning this great day. In comparing these scriptures, we realize this “day” will include the seven years’ tribulation, as well as the one thousand years of peace following the tribulation.
Following Paul’s teaching on the Lord’s return for the rapture in I Thessalonians 4, he continues in chapter 5:3 with a description of what will occur at the beginning of the seven years’ tribulation. “For when they (unbelievers) shall say, Peace and safety: then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.”
The tribulation period begins with the opening of seven seals. These seals contain the judgments which will be poured out upon the earth in great measure because of the rejection of Jesus’ atonement. (The last three and a half years are called “the time of Jacob’s trouble” in Jeremiah 30:7.) According to Revelation 6, following the opening of the first seal a white horse will appear whose rider will go forth “conquering and to conquer.” This rider is referring to the anti-christ, who will come on the scene conquering, not with warfare, but with a solution for peace. However this peace will be short-lived because of the opening of the second seal, which brings forth war. This will be the fulfillment of I Thessalonians 5:3. The remaining seals contain the wrath of God “which will come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.” (Rev. 3:10)
However, God’s people are not appointed to the wrath which is coming on all the world. Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it so the church could become His bride, as we mentioned in our previous lesson. But all believers are not watching for His coming. Jesus told the Sardis church (Rev. 3:3) “If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.” We again quote, “…..unto them that look for Him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” (Hebrews 9:28) Also, read Luke 21:34-36. Jesus is telling us to watch and pray always that we may be accounted worthy to escape the troubles that will come upon all the world. Jesus is not speaking to sinners here, for salvation is not something to be attained by being “accounted worthy.” No! Salvation is a gift, freely given to all who believe!
So then, how are believers accounted worthy? Paul told us in 2 Timothy 4:7- 8, that he had fought a good fight and kept the faith, and because of that, a crown of righteousness was laid up for him which the Lord would give to him “at that day.” Again, this is not speaking of the righteousness of Christ which all believers are given at the time of their salvation. But this is a “crown” of righteousness which he had attained as the “prize” he had been pressing forward to win, as he spoke of in Philippians 3:7-14. But notice, he said this same crown of righteousness which would be given to him was not to him only, but to “all them also that love His appearing.”
“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. And every man that hath this hope in Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure.” (1 John 3:2-3) It is by our “loving His appearing” that the Lord is able to purify our walk. Our love for Jesus is what causes us to think of Him, desire to please Him, and be willing to deny ourselves and follow Him. Read I Thess. 5:23-24: “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it.” It is God Who works in us and purifies us as we allow His Word to cleanse us.
However, the sad fact is that many believers are more interested in their own desires than in giving up their lives for Jesus. These are those who are asleep and not watching for His coming—and these are those who will experience a small part of His wrath before being taken to heaven sometime during the first part of the seven years’ tribulation. Revelation 6:11 gives information concerning ones who will be martyred during this time. They have not received their glorified bodies yet, but are told to “rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.” I believe some of their “fellowservants” are seen in heaven as the great multitude of chapter 7. (I say “some” because this great multitude includes not only those believers who have not yielded their lives to the Lord at the time of His return for His bride, but also believers of the church down through the years who have not put Christ first in their lives but have lived to please themselves.
This multitude is seen standing before the throne and the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palms in their hands, praising God and the Lamb. Verse 14 tells us “These are they which came out of great tribulation.” Then verse 15 continues, “Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple; and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. (16) They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them nor any heat. (17) For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” What a beautiful future is before that group of believers! Yet, how much more wonderful will be the future for those who have overcome in this life and will spend eternity as the bride of the Lamb.
Isaiah 2 explains much of what will occur during this period of time. Note verse 12: “For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low.”
Isaiah 13:6: “Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.”
Joel 1:15: “Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come. Joel 2:1: “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand.” Joel 2:30, 31: “And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. (31) The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come.”
Zechariah 14:1: “BEHOLD, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee.” (v. 9) “And the LORD shall be king over all the earth; in that day shall there be one LORD, and His name one.” This chapter continues with a description of how it will be “in that day.”
Peter quotes from Joel in his sermon as given in Acts 2, mentioning the “day of the LORD,” and also speaks of the day of the LORD that will come “as a thief in the night” in 2 Peter 3:10.
These are just a few of the many scriptures concerning this great day. In comparing these scriptures, we realize this “day” will include the seven years’ tribulation, as well as the one thousand years of peace following the tribulation.
Following Paul’s teaching on the Lord’s return for the rapture in I Thessalonians 4, he continues in chapter 5:3 with a description of what will occur at the beginning of the seven years’ tribulation. “For when they (unbelievers) shall say, Peace and safety: then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.”
The tribulation period begins with the opening of seven seals. These seals contain the judgments which will be poured out upon the earth in great measure because of the rejection of Jesus’ atonement. (The last three and a half years are called “the time of Jacob’s trouble” in Jeremiah 30:7.) According to Revelation 6, following the opening of the first seal a white horse will appear whose rider will go forth “conquering and to conquer.” This rider is referring to the anti-christ, who will come on the scene conquering, not with warfare, but with a solution for peace. However this peace will be short-lived because of the opening of the second seal, which brings forth war. This will be the fulfillment of I Thessalonians 5:3. The remaining seals contain the wrath of God “which will come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.” (Rev. 3:10)
However, God’s people are not appointed to the wrath which is coming on all the world. Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it so the church could become His bride, as we mentioned in our previous lesson. But all believers are not watching for His coming. Jesus told the Sardis church (Rev. 3:3) “If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.” We again quote, “…..unto them that look for Him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” (Hebrews 9:28) Also, read Luke 21:34-36. Jesus is telling us to watch and pray always that we may be accounted worthy to escape the troubles that will come upon all the world. Jesus is not speaking to sinners here, for salvation is not something to be attained by being “accounted worthy.” No! Salvation is a gift, freely given to all who believe!
So then, how are believers accounted worthy? Paul told us in 2 Timothy 4:7- 8, that he had fought a good fight and kept the faith, and because of that, a crown of righteousness was laid up for him which the Lord would give to him “at that day.” Again, this is not speaking of the righteousness of Christ which all believers are given at the time of their salvation. But this is a “crown” of righteousness which he had attained as the “prize” he had been pressing forward to win, as he spoke of in Philippians 3:7-14. But notice, he said this same crown of righteousness which would be given to him was not to him only, but to “all them also that love His appearing.”
“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be; but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. And every man that hath this hope in Him purifieth himself, even as He is pure.” (1 John 3:2-3) It is by our “loving His appearing” that the Lord is able to purify our walk. Our love for Jesus is what causes us to think of Him, desire to please Him, and be willing to deny ourselves and follow Him. Read I Thess. 5:23-24: “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it.” It is God Who works in us and purifies us as we allow His Word to cleanse us.
However, the sad fact is that many believers are more interested in their own desires than in giving up their lives for Jesus. These are those who are asleep and not watching for His coming—and these are those who will experience a small part of His wrath before being taken to heaven sometime during the first part of the seven years’ tribulation. Revelation 6:11 gives information concerning ones who will be martyred during this time. They have not received their glorified bodies yet, but are told to “rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.” I believe some of their “fellowservants” are seen in heaven as the great multitude of chapter 7. (I say “some” because this great multitude includes not only those believers who have not yielded their lives to the Lord at the time of His return for His bride, but also believers of the church down through the years who have not put Christ first in their lives but have lived to please themselves.
This multitude is seen standing before the throne and the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palms in their hands, praising God and the Lamb. Verse 14 tells us “These are they which came out of great tribulation.” Then verse 15 continues, “Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple; and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. (16) They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them nor any heat. (17) For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” What a beautiful future is before that group of believers! Yet, how much more wonderful will be the future for those who have overcome in this life and will spend eternity as the bride of the Lamb.