Christ to Marry Church

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What is the final destiny of the Church? Exactly what happens immediately after the resurrection of the dead? The answer is staggering. But first we must define exactly who and what the members of the Church are.

Return to Romans 8:1-39 and now read Ro 8:9: “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” (Rom. 8:9). To be a Christian, one must have the Spirit of God. It is that simple.

Recall that 1 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 affianced BRIDE. 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 converted 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 it [the Church] to Himself,” 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!

After Christ returns and re-establishes the government of God (Rev. 19:11-16), He becomes Ruler and Governor over all nations on Earth, with His Church. 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). 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, Christ will MARRY HIS CHURCH! This is the plain truth from God’s Word—and you have just seen it!

Christ Married Ancient Israel

The Old Covenant agreement between Christ and ancient Israel was actually a marriage agreement, or covenant. In Jeremiah 3:14, God said to Israel, “I am married unto you.” Though He did later divorce her (Jer. 3:8) for unfaithfulness, the marriage remained binding until Christ’s death.

Christ’s marriage to, and divorce from, ancient Israel followed Old Testament law—see Ezekiel 16:38 and Deuteronomy 24:1.

Now understand again that ancient Israel was actually the Old Testament Church. Many places in the Old Testament refer to her as the “congregation of Israel.” Acts 7:38 refers to Israel as the “church in the wilderness.” These terms mean the same thing. The word “church,” in Acts 7:38, and “church,” described in Matthew 16:18, are the same in the Greek.

The New Testament is different, in that it involves spiritual promises, having to do with GRACE, not merely RACE. However, Gentiles (those of other races) were permitted to become part of ancient Israel, but only on the condition that they kept the laws, statutes, and judgments that governed the country.

The Church—Spiritual Israel

All marriages end when either spouse dies. In the case of ancient Israel, her marriage ended—was no longer binding—because Christ, through His sacrifice, died. After His Resurrection, Christ was now free—eligible—to remarry.

The New Testament Church today is still Israel—only she is spiritual, not physical, in nature. She is also not confined to a particular race of people.

Here is what Paul wrote to the Ephesian congregation, which was almost entirely Gentile: “Wherefore remember, that you being in time past Gentiles in the flesh.… That at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel.… But now in Christ Jesus you who sometimes were far off are made near by the blood of Christ.… Now therefore you are no more strangers and foreigners, but FELLOW CITIZENS with the saints, and of the HOUSEHOLD OF GOD” (Eph. 2:11-13, 19).

Christ’s sacrifice was for the whole world (John 3:16). This includes Gentiles, who are the vast, predominant number of people on Earth. Most physical Israelites are, at this time, and with the world, cut off from God by sin. They are not yet included in spiritual Israel—the Church.

The Gentile Galatians also understood that they were included within spiritual Israel. Notice: “And if you be Christ’s, then are you [the Gentile Galatians] Abraham’s seed [Israel], and HEIRS according to the promise” (Gal. 3:29). The Galatians were part of spiritual Israel by grace, not race. Romans 11:1-36, particularly Ro 11:25-26, explains this in greater detail.

We have seen that the entire Church (all those converted over the past 6,000 years) is to marry Christ at His Return and the establishing of the kingdom of God. Matthew 22:1-46 shows this: “The kingdom of heaven [kingdom of God] is like unto a certain king, which made a MARRIAGE for his son” (Matt. 22:2). God is the “King” and Christ is the “Son” in this parable.

Matthew 25:1-46 also describes this coming marriage: “Then shall the kingdom of heaven [of God] be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the BRIDEGROOM.… And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the BRIDEGROOM comes; go you out to meet Him.… And while they went to buy, the BRIDEGROOM came; and they that were ready went in with Him to the MARRIAGE: and the door was shut” (Matt. 25:1, 6, 10).

The door “was shut” because some will be kept out! There will be many today who will be terribly disappointed because their ignorance of God’s Plan will (temporarily for some, permanently for others) exclude them from being part of the bride.

The state of marriage in the world today is in confusion. Many choose to live together prior to marriage, or are rejecting this God-ordained institution altogether. Others are pursuing same-sex marriage, or other “alternative lifestyles.” All these completely miss the divinely revealed supreme purpose of marriage—what it is intended to picture!

Certainly, no one who REJECTS the great transcendent meaning and overarching purpose of marriage will ever be permitted to be part of the bride that marries Christ. That would mock God’s purpose and reward rebellion!

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