Ye are the "Body of Christ" not the "Bride of Christ"
Why do you think God created a new creature to inherit the kingdom of heaven? Why couldn't God have used the Gentile? or what about the Jew? Let us consider these questions for a moment.
Up until the first advent of Christ there was really only two species of humans on the earth. The Gentile and the Jew. The Gentile, in God's eyes were disqualified because they were under Adam's curse [dead in sin and trespass].
But the Jew was different. The Jews were of the seed of Abraham and therefore the Jews were the natural choice to inherit the promise of Abraham's covenant [Genesis 17:5] and [Genesis 17:9]. Israel having been adopted as a Firstborn Son, [Exodus 4:22-23], was the one nation in the earth that could claim Abraham's inheritance through their Jewish Messiah, Jesus Christ.
The Word of God reveals that Israel rejected the heavenly kingdom, at the first advent of Christ, [the double portion of the inheritance due a firstborn son] when they had their Messiah crucified. Then we read that a second offer of the kingdom was made to the national leaders of Israel during the book of Acts, by Paul. They rejected that offer as well God disqualified them [Acts 28:28] and took the offer of inheriting the Kingdom of Heaven to the Gentiles and any Jew that would believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God.
If a person would believe with all their heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God they would be made a new creature in Christ whether Jew or Gentile. [2 Corinthians 5:17] and [Galatians 6:15] This would qualify any person for the inheritance of the heavenly kingdom since the new creature is adopted into the family of God as a child of God. But there is conditions for this new creature to adhere to just as there had been conditions for the Jews to adhere to.
The conditions for the Jews had been "repent and be baptized for the kingdom of heaven is at hand". You see, Israel had been disobedient to God for six hundred years. God had chosen them to establish a nation in the earth and introduce all of the Gentile nations to their God. But they disobeyed and so, when the time of Christ's first advent came, God called them to repentance before they could receive the heavenly kingdom.
The conditions for the new creature is very much like the conditions that were expected of the Jews. The new creature is expected to separate themselves from the world, worship no other God, love their brothers in Christ as they love themselves, and introduce all men [the Jew and the Gentile] to Christ so they can also become a new creature and thus become a child of God, as well.
The new creature is adopted into the family of God [the Church] and they are considered to be of the body of Christ until they are called out from the raptured body or assembly of the dead [called out from the resurrection of the dead], [Philippians 3:11] just before the Judgment Seat of Christ.
The body of those called out from the resurrected dead is the body of the bride and it will only be this body of believers that will inherit the reward of ruling and reigning in the Kingdom of Heaven [as king/priests or servant kings] with Christ for 1000 years [the Lords Day] and then go on from there to inherit the city of New Jerusalem in the new heavens and the new earth in eternity.
Let us now look at these truths in more light and detail.
The Word of God states that the [church], during the dispensation of the Church, is considered to be the [Body of Christ].
[1 Corinthians 12:12] For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
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.
[Colossians 1:24] Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:
Now we know that the Word of God refers to Jesus, The Christ, as the [Last Adam]. This is very significant.
Jesus referred to this meaning [to restore to life] when he referred to His death, burial, and resurrection.
[Matthew 12:40] For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. [Matthew 17:9] And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead. [Mark 9:9] And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead. [John 2:19] Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
- [Ephesians 4:8]
- Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
- 4:14
- For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
- 4:15
- For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
- 4:16
- For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
These are those Christ calls "the overcomers", in Revelation 2 & 3 beginning in {}, or those called out from all previously raptured believers, who have died the second death and not been hurt of the second death, just before the Judgment Seat of Christ. [Philippians 3:11]
Man and woman were created as one body. Eve was taken from Adam's body and even though they were two separated bodies they were still one flesh since Adam's rib bone is what God used to create Eve.
- 2:21
- And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
- 2:22
- And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
Once God creates something it is created perfect in His eyes and for His purposes and it can't be made any more perfect. Once God creates something new, in a certain way, that is the way it will be created from then on. It does not change because God does not create anything imperfect.
Therefore, since Eve came from the first Adam's body, the Bride of Christ will come from the last Adam's body [the general assembly of all believers] just after the rapture and before the Judgment Seat of Christ has commenced.
We can get a good look at the Bride of Christ in [Hebrews 12]
- 12:22
- But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,
- 12:23
- To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
- 12:24
- And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
Notice that verse 23 said the general assembly of the firstborn. The firstborn of the Holy scriptures are those who receive the double portion of the inheritance [that is if they haven't done anything to negate that double portion as did Esau and Reuben]. They only inherited a single portion of the inheritance just as any child would inherit a single portion. Why? Because they defiled their positions as firstborn sons.
The 'firstborn' of the church are the overcomers, the faithful, the obedient that will not only receive everlasting life [the single portion] but, they will also receive the reward of being made Priest-Kings to rule and reign with Christ for 1000 years in the Kingdom of Heaven [the double portion]. This is translated as "eternal" or {age lasting} life in the King James version bible.
The title [firstborn] is synonymous with the title [Bride of Christ]. Both of these terms or titles are used in scripture to convey the idea of someone who is rewarded or inherits more than a single portion of the inheritance [in this case eternal or age lasting life and therefore a place in Christ's Kingdom for 1000 years over the Earth]. Simply said straight out, it is the gift of spirit salvation in addition to being rewarded soul salvation, as well.
Spirit salvation is a gift of God and not of the works of any man except Christ's works on the Cross; plus nothing, minus nothing. However, after being born again of the Spirit, all believers are called on to be, not only hearers but doers or laborers as well. Believers must do the 'work' of dying to self daily in order for God to bear fruit through our daily lives.
Our work, then, is to die daily to our own wants, Love God, Love our brothers and sisters in Christ, and confess our sins daily.
The firstborn inherits a double portion and in the case of the use of this term in scripture, the firstborn [in the Semitic tribes] always inherited {the kingship or leadership position of the family}, {the priest or spiritual leadership position}, and {an extra portion of any material possessions} being passed down .
In similar manner a bride inherits all things that the Bridegroom possesses.
So, we see the use of these two terms or titles being used synonymously to convey the idea that the believer who are found accepted or worthy to stand {be out resurrected from the second death} and be judged at the Judgment Seat of Christ, will share Christ's inheritance with him during the 1000 year, Kingdom reign of Christ [the Kingdom of Christ's reign from the heavenlies over the Earth].
There is a difference in being a [child] of God and a [firstborn son]. A male child [in the Jewish economy] is not considered a son until he is thirteen years of age. The Jewish bar mitzvah is the celebration of the thirteenth birthday of a Jewish boy. But, this still doesn't make him a firstborn son. This ceremony only recognizes the child now as a son [one who would inherit only a single portion of the inheritance] {a metaphor for the gift of spirit salvation}.
When a Jewish patriarch dies all of the male children inherit their share of the patriarch's possessions. The [firstborn son] becomes the leader [Prince] of the family, plus becomes the religious leader [Priest] of the family, and gets an extra portion of all material possessions. That is what the story of Esau and Jacob is all about.
Esau callously gave his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of pottage [material possessions] at a time when Esau was very weak and hungry. Therefore, Jacob received the birthright title of Prince\Priest of the family and later on, when Jacob returned to the family and met Esau out on the valley plain, Jacob made things partially right with Esau by giving Esau a large portion of his material possessions, cattle, sheep, goats, and so on. This satisfied Esau and again Esau never really ever got the double portion of their father's {Isaac's} possessions. In fact, that last transaction was the final seal on Esau's rejection of the his birthright.
I wonder how many Christians have given away their inheritance [their birthright] in the Kingdom of Heaven for the things of this world [material possessions]? This story is the Old Testament [type] for believers in this dispensation who have been neglectful of their right to inherit [with Christ] His inheritance of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Yes, we are children of God, in the since that we are saved by grace through faith and that not of our own works but by the work of Christ on the cross and we can never lose this salvation by grace as it is a gift of God and we have been adopted into the family of God and part of our inheritance, through Christ, is everlasting spiritual salvation.
But, there is a double portion that we have the potential of receiving if we are found worthy to stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ and that double portion is the [firstborn son-ship or bride-ship], or the {salvation of the soul} or {the inheritance of the Kingdom of Heaven} all synonymous terms.
But, that inheritance or salvation goes far beyond the 1000 year kingdom reign of Christ.
Christ, in his judgment of the Church of Philadelphia, gives the overcomers this promise.
So, we see that the inheritance of this position, in the government of Christ/God, carries on into the eternities.
New Jerusalem is associated with the new Heaven and new Earth which is created only after the Great White Throne judgment and this judgment occurs after the 1000 year reign of Christ. Time is no more at this time in scripture.
This inheritance of the double portion [soul salvation] is associated with the 1000 year Millennial reign of Christ and is dependant, not on the work of Christ on the cross, but rather, is dependant on our obedience and faithfulness to God by living our lives through faith and being filled by the Holy Spirit who will fill us with God's Word.
We can not do this work by our selves. It requires the help of the Holy Spirit working through us. Therefore, if we are accepted of Jesus Christ at the Judgment Seat of Christ, it is because of Christ's works in the Spirit [fruitfulness] that we are accepted [not because of our works [through the flesh] and in or of our purely human efforts without the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
The Bride of Christ must be removed from the Body of Christ, [the Last Adam] just before the Judgment Seat of Christ.
[2 Corinthians 5]
- 5:10
- For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
Will we receive a good reward [the kingdom] or bad reward [loss of the kingdom]?
- 5:11
- Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
- [1 Corinthians 3]
- 3:11
- For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
[verse 3:11 is referring to everlasting salvation]
These things are metaphors for types of works that we build upon our spirit salvation in Christ. Is your works the works of the Spirit of God through you or your own works of the flesh done for the sake of the traditions of men and not for the sake of the testimony of Jesus, the Christ?
- 3:13
- Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
[verse 3:14 is referring to Soul Salvation]
- 3:15
- If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Here is a picture of the loss of reward [Kingdom exclusion] but an unquestionable statement indicating that these believers, even though they have not overcome, shall be saved eventually to go into the everlasting life at the time God creates the New Heavens and New Earth. They can not lose their everlasting, spirit salvation.
Paul is talking to the brethren [saved people] here, not the unsaved which cannot be called brethren. The writer of the book of Hebrews also wrote his warnings to believers [saved Jews].
- [Hebrews]
- 3:8
- Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
God's rest is called the Sabbath rest in scripture {for on the seventh day God rested}.
[Genesis 2]
1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.
God considers one day as one thousand years. [
- 20:1
- And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
The one thousand years of [Revelation 20] is the Sabbath rest of Christ [Hebrews 3:11] otherwise known as the
- 4:1
- 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.
Apparently we can come short of entering into Christ's rest
- 4:4
- For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.
- 4:6
- Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:
The overcomers will enter into His rest.
"Another day" meaning the Kingdom of Heaven also known as the 1000 year reign of Christ.
Christ's rest is also our rest, [if we overcome], for, His inheritance is our inheritance. [Eph 1:11], [Eph 1:14], [Eph 1:18], [Eph 5:5], [Col 1:12], [Col 3:24]
- 4:10
- For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
If we overcome we will have "ceased from" our works "as God did from his works on the seventh day."
"Let us labour" is the definite indication that [our] works [the works of the Holy Spirit through us] are what is in view here and not the work of Christ. [2 Corinthians 5:9-11] and in addition to that we, through unbelief, can fall or forfeit our inheritance of the Kingdom of Heaven at the Judgment Seat of Christ due to unbelief [disobedience].
- 4:12
- For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged 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.
Here is a powerful picture of the Judgment of Christ and description of the "hurt of the second death".
Apparently, if one is hurt of the second death, at the Judgment Seat of Christ the soul body is separated from the spirit body and the physical body. The soul body will not be allowed into the Kingdom of Heaven. For one thousand years the soul body will be in a place wherein it must reap what it sowed.
If, however the second death has no power over a believer at this time, then the second death cannot hold them and their body changes from a redeemed body [or a body like Adam and Eve had before they fell to Satan and sin, and animated by blood] into a glorified spiritual body, animated by the Spirit of God.
Their bodies will be like Christ's body has been since the day that He ascended into the clouds. [Ephesians 4:8]
So, Paul gives us this warning:
- [1Corinthians 6:9]
- Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
And Christ gives us this warning:
- 21:8
- But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
In the case of the soul of that believer whom appears before Christ in the Kingdom of Heaven {just after the rapture, but, just before the Judgment Seat of Christ} in this condition, their soul will not enter into the Kingdom and they shall have their part [1000 years] in the lake of fire [which is the second death] if their unfaithful works are sufficient to warrant this reward, but, they will enter into everlasting heavenlies after their judgment at the Great White Throne Judgment. [Revelation 20:12] Their judgment will come just before the judgment of the damned. [Revelation 20:13-15]
What their status in the everlasting heavenlies will be is dependant on God's determinations and His alone.
- 3:15
- If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
- 20:11
- And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
The resurrection and judgment of all saved, but, unfaithful Christians who were held by the second death for 1000 years, is the first event at the judgment of the Great White Throne.
- 20:12
- And I saw the dead, small and great, stand {are resurrected} before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
After the judgment of the unfaithful saved is finished, the judgment of the everlasting damned begins.
- 20:13
- And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
{Please see [1 Corinthians 15:54-56]}
The implication in verse 15 is that there will be those present, at the Great White Throne of Judgment, who's name will be written in the Book of Life. These are the unfaithful saved who did not go into the kingdom and were held by the second death for 1000 years, but, who's names are found written in the book of life and therefore they will go on into the everlasting kingdom of God {saved, yet so as by fire}.
One might ask, at this point, what exactly happens to one whom will suffer the second death? Well, let's review.
At the time of the second death the spirit goes back to God for it has been reborn and has been sealed by the Holy Spirit; therefore. The spirit belongs to God.
The physical body [although it has been redeemed and is just like the body that Adam and Eve had before their fall into sin (bodies that could have lived fore ever)] will house the soul of those who will endure 1000 years of kingdom exclusion as their just recompense of reward.
These will be located in either the [outer darkness], {Matthew 8:12 , Matthew 22:13, Matthew 25:30} [blackness of darkness], {Jude 1:13} or, experience the lake of fire. [Revelation 20:14], and [Revelation 21:8].
and is included in the resurrection and prize of the high calling of God]
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.
resurrection like that of Christ's resurrection in the following verses.
- 3:11
- If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
What "resurrection of the dead" is Paul talking about here? He is saved therefore he is guaranteed or [already possesses] the promise of a resurrection at the time of the rapture, so he has to be talking about some other resurrection in the future beyond the generally known rapture of the saints out of the Earth. Paul goes on to explain.
- 3:12
- Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
In verses 11, 12 and 13 Paul states that this resurrection is something that he has not already attained or apprehended. This is a resurrection that is dependent upon his own works [meaning his yielding himself to the Holy Spirit in obedience to Christ's commandments] and not referring to the works of the flesh or the work of Christ on the cross.
Therefore, we see that the general rapture of the saints is dependent upon the work of Christ {a gift of God} but the "resurrection of the dead" out of the general assembly of all of the raptured Christians, whom have experienced the second death just before the Judgment Seat of Christ, is determined by who is worthy, or to say it another way, is dependent upon obedient, faithful and fruitful works by the Holy Spirit working through the saint. {2 Corinthians 5:9-11} {1 Corinthians 3:11-17}
In [verse 14] Paul calls this resurrection "the prize of the high calling". A prize is something gained by one's own work {death to self} so that works, in the Spirit, may be manifested and not the work of someone else [in this case the work of Christ on the cross].
So, to put this picture into a correct perspective then, we see first, the rapture of the saints, then secondly, we see a further separation of the saints [the faithful, obedient, overcomers separated and called out from the unfaithful, non-overcomers] in what Paul calls the "the prize of the high calling" or "called out from the resurrection of the dead" [Philippians 3:11] , then thirdly, we see the Judgment Seat of Christ and the faithful being rewarded their part in ruling and reigning with Christ during the millennial reign and then throughout the everlasting ages beyond.
For all intents and purposes then, this event could also be described as the out calling [of the bride] from those called out of the world [the body of Christ] just before the Judgment Seat of Christ. The bride will be ushered into the bridal chambers [the kingdom] or to say it another way the firstborn sons will be given their double portion of the inheritance and enter into the ruler-ship of the Kingdom with Christ as Priest\Kings.
These scriptures and others are explicit in their meaning and can be taken for their face value. The Apostle Paul is making it plain that [the fruits of a Christian's labor], after spiritual rebirth, must be accepted of him [Christ] just before the Judgment Seat of Christ in order for a saint to even have the privilege of being judged and given a reward at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
[Galatians 5]
- 5:19
- Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
These things are spoken of in the sense that if our fleshly works become habits or un-Godly lifestyles they will become those things which will keep us from fellowship with Christ and being accepted or worthy to be out-resurrected from the second dead and they will keep us from our inheritance of the Kingdom of Heaven.
This is not to say that the Christian can somehow by their own works forfeit everlasting life. That is a gift of God to the Christian. They have done no works to obtain everlasting life and they can do no works to forfeit everlasting life. Everlasting life is being born again of the Spirit of God. How can a mere mortal undo what God himself has wrought. Salvation of the spirit body cannot be forfeited.
These examples in [Galatians 5] describing the works of the flesh are not speaking of the occasional or isolated sins that pop up because we have yet to be delivered from these bodies of flesh, death and corruption, but rather, this is talking about rebellious, deliberate and habitual sin by someone who absolutely knows better but continues to live in a lifestyle of habitual sin and dies in that state.
The Holy Scriptures describe another aspect of our over-all salvation. It is called soul salvation and soul salvation {unlike spirit salvation} can be forfeited and will be forfeited if a Christian continues to live in deliberate rebellion to Christ's precepts.
So, we must continually confess all sin to Christ {I John 1:9} and trust in Christ to help us in our efforts to overcome all temptation to sin.
- 6:1
- Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
- 6:4
- But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
We shall reap our inheritance in the Kingdom, [if we faint not.]
"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad."
Finally, let's close with this promise from our Lord and our God.
Copyright © 2004, Samuel M. Ennis - Arden, N.C. All Rights Reserved