UNDERSTANDING: A Future – Out of this World!

The destiny of the Church…..

The title of this article may sound unusual, so an explanation must be given. Someone might ask the question, “What is the future of the Church?” The answer could be expressed as follows: “The future of the Church is out of this world!”

 

Before exploring this theme, two points need to be established. First, we must define what is meant by “the Church”; and, second, we must briefly examine its background. Both points are important to consider but are not difficult to understand.

 

When speaking of “the Church” in this article, we are not referring to an organization but to a living organism. We are not describing a local fellowship of believers gathered in any particular place. Rather, we are thinking of all truly born-again believers from Pentecost until the return of the Lord Jesus from heaven. This vast number of people (sometimes referred to as the Church Universal) is described as the “body” of Christ on earth (Eph.1:22,23 KJV), with individual believers being called “members of His body” (Eph.5:30). They have been brought into such a position through believing on the Lord Jesus Christ and being sealed with the Holy Spirit (Eph.1:13). Human effort has played no part in any of this. A work of God’s Spirit has taken place, with salvation being imparted entirely on account of God’s grace (Eph.2:8).

 

When the subject of “the Church” is raised, many people immediately think of “the established church”. The Greek word ekklesia literally means a called-out company. (We shall return to this expression later.) Therefore in speaking of “the Church” we are not referring to a religious denomination or to a building such as a place of worship. Rather, we are viewing a “body” of people who have lived over the past two thousand years.

 

 

WHEN IT WAS STILL FUTURE

 

The second point which must be established, as suggested earlier, concerns the origin of this body of people. A key verse that can enlighten us is Matthew 16:18 in which Jesus said, “I will build my Church”. It is clear from these words that the Church of Christ did not exist at that time for He spoke of it being built in the future. Interestingly it was “from that time forth” that He began “to show unto His disciples, how that He must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things” at the hands of the religious authorities before facing death at the cross and rising again on “the third day” (Mt.16:21). The Church of Christ could not come into existence until after the Lord’s death at Calvary.

 

In Old Testament times God’s people were the Israelites. We must not confuse them with the Church of Christ mentioned in Matthew 16 which, at that time, was still future. The Lord Jesus was not speaking of the continuation of God’s Old Testament people but of something new. Unless we see this distinction, much of the New Testament will remain unclear. “The middle wall of partition” between Jew and Gentile had to be broken down so that from those two people-groups God could make “one new man” (Eph.2:14,15). That new “body” of believers was first formed on the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was sent from heaven, as described in Acts 2. The subsequent chapters of Acts tell how that fledgling group of believers proclaimed the message of salvation and how “the Lord added to the church daily” those who were being saved (Acts 2:47).

 

 

“A PEOPLE FOR HIS NAME”

 

At an important meeting held in Jerusalem, James referred to Simon Peter’s statement that God had visited the Gentiles (through the gospel message) in order “to take out of them a people for His name” (Acts 15:14). It is vital to understand these words. God’s purpose was to “take out” from the Gentiles those people who were saved, thus separating them from all the rest. Together with those early Jewish converts, these believers formed the “one body” which is referred to in Ephesians 4:4 and also in many other Scriptures. In doing this, God was delivering them “from this present evil world” (Gal.1:4) which lies under the judgment of God.

 

In contrast to the earthly blessings promised to Israel in Old Testament times, the blessings for the members of the body of Christ are spiritual and heavenly. Truths such as this shine out clearly in Ephesians where we read of how God has “blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Eph.1:3). Believers are associated with Christ who is seated at God’s right hand in the heavenly places (Eph.1:20) and are actually described as being already seated with Him there (Eph.2:6).

 

 

THE BRIDE OF CHRIST

 

The Church of Christ which is first mentioned in Matthew 16:18 is not only described as Christ’s body but also as His bride. Although it is important to recognize that the Church of Christ is a New Testament concept, helpful illustrations (or types) can be found in the Old Testament. One of the clearest pictures is in Genesis 24 where Abraham (a “type” of God the Father) sought a bride for his son Isaac (a “type” of the Lord Jesus). Abraham’s servant was sent on a long journey in order to find that bride and bring her back to Isaac. This is a beautiful picture of the work of the Holy Spirit who at this present time is forming a “bride” for the Son of God.

 

These truths are explained to us in Ephesians 5 where Paul wrote about the marriage relationship between a husband and wife and used it as an illustration of something else. “Christ also loved the Church, and gave Himself for it; that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious Church … holy and without blemish” (Eph.5:25-27).

 

In the same way that Isaac’s bride, Rebekah, was brought by Abraham’s servant to his house in order to be Isaac’s companion, believers in Christ today are destined to be with Christ in His Father’s house for all eternity. The words of the Lord Jesus in John 14 about the “many mansions” in His Father’s house where He was going “to prepare a place” for His followers (Jn.14:2,3) reflect the marriage customs which would have been very familiar to His listeners. Just as the bridegroom would come for his bride at the appointed time and take her to his father’s home, so the Lord Jesus will return for His Bride and take her to the Father’s “house” in heaven.

 

Many people lose sight of this truth and think of Christ’s people living and reigning with Him on earth. Although the words “we shall reign on the earth” in Revelation 5:10 might suggest this, it is very clear from Ephesians and Colossians that those who constitute the Body and Bride of Christ today are destined for glory. Philippians 3:20 teaches that believers, as citizens of heaven, are waiting for the coming of the Lord Jesus from heaven. He is going to return to the air above us and gather all His redeemed people to Himself that they might “ever be with the Lord” (1 Th.4:16,17).

 

 

OUT OF THIS WORLD!

 

Scripture explains how this world faces the judgment of God. “The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Th.1:7,8). However, “God hath not appointed us for wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that  …  we should live together with Him” (1 Th.5:9,10). Just as a bridegroom and bride naturally want to be together, the Lord intends that we should live with Him eternally as His Bride. His plan is to take us out of this sinful world that we might be with Him for ever.

 

The figure of the Bride can be found in Revelation where the “new Jerusalem” is described “as a bride adorned for her husband” (Rev.21:2). After the Lord’s return from heaven for the Church, “the marriage of the Lamb” will take place (Rev.19:7). What a joyful occasion that will be! Those who will share in that event are described as “blessed” (Rev.19:9). It will be the prelude to eternal joy.

 

 

 

SOME PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS

 

Wonderful as these prospects are, we must not miss the many practical applications found in the New Testament. Since we share in the victory of Christ’s resurrection and ascension, we should “seek those things which are above” at this present time and set our affection (or minds) “on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col.3:1,2).The Lord Jesus said, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness” (Mt.6:33). As a heavenly people we should give priority to the things of heaven now. Peter has reminded us that we are “strangers and pilgrims” who should “abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul” (1 Pet.2:11). 

 

A further challenge is found in 2 Peter 3:11 where the apostle asks, “What manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness”? If we have been delivered from this sinful world and have a future outside of it, surely we should be living holy and godly lives now! As we rejoice in what the Lord has promised us, may we be looking for the return of our Bridegroom and living in a way which pleases Him. In the words of John, let us “not be ashamed before Him at His coming” (1 Jn.2:28).