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THE CHURCH’S UNION WITH CHRIST
THERE are some passages of Scripture which are particularly marked, as it were, by God himself, in order that we might be aware of their importance, and give to them the attention they deserve. The destruction of antichrist, and the establishment of Christ’s universal kingdom, are here represented as already effected, and as being the subjects of most exalted joy to all the hosts of heaven. And that the Church of God in all ages might look forward with earnestness to these glorious events, St. John was ordered to write them in a book, and to declare with more than ordinary solemnity, that “they were the true sayings of God.”
Without entering too minutely into the figure by which the Church’s connexion with Christ is here expressed, we will call your attention to,
I. The nuptials here announced—
The Bridegroom is our Lord Jesus Christ—
[In this view he is spoken of throughout the whole Scriptures. In the Old Testament by Isaiah [Note: Isa_54:5.], Ezekiel [Note: Eze_16:8.], Hosea [Note: Hos_2:19.], and by Solomon throughout the whole book of Canticles: and in the New Testament by John the Baptist [Note: Joh_3:29.], and John the Evangelist [Note: Rev_21:2; Rev_21:9.], and St. Paul [Note: Eph_5:31-32.], and by Christ himself [Note: Mat_9:15; Mat_22:2.].]
The bride is his Church both in her individual and collective capacity—
[Every soul at its first conversion is thus united to Christ, being made, not one flesh only, but also one spirit with him [Note: Eph_5:30. 1Co_6:17.]. Of the Corinthian Church individually did St. Paul say, “I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ [Note: 2Co_11:2.].”
But it is of the whole Church more particularly that the Apostle speaks in my text. The whole world both of Jews and Gentiles shall in due season be united under one Head [Note: Eph_1:10. ἀ í á ê å ö á ë á é þ ó á ó è á é .], and be prepared as a bride altogether fit for the heavenly Bridegroom. Doubtless it is the righteousness of Christ which alone can avail for her justification before God [Note: Dan_9:24 and Rom_3:22; Rom_10:4.]: but it is an inward righteousness of which my text speaks; and which constitutes the believer’s meetness [Note: Col_1:12.] for this high honour. In the latter day shall all the people of the world be converted to God, and become “all righteous [Note: Isa_60:21.];” not so much as a single Canaanite being left in the land [Note: Zec_14:21.]. Then shall all of them “be presented to him a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing, but be holy and without blemish [Note: Eph_5:27.].” This is the holy city that descends from God out of heaven, or in other words, this is “The Lamb’s wife [Note: Rev_21:2; Rev_21:9. before cited.].”]
Let us next advert to,
II. The blessedness of the occasion—
To the bride it will be most blessed—
[Let every one look back and see from what a state his soul has been brought to a participation of this honour [Note: Eze_16:4-6.], and to what dignity it is exalted: and can this be any thing but an occasion of joy? — — — Or let the state of the world at large be surveyed, and then let the change that shall be wrought in it be contemplated: verily the declarations of God respecting it appear utterly incredible. But thus it shall be. “All the kingdoms of the world shall become the kingdom of our God and of his Christ;” and “all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” Well then may the whole creation be called on to exult with the saints, saying, “Sing, O ye heavens; for the Lord hath done it: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for the Lord hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel [Note: Isa_44:23.].”]
To the bridegroom himself it will be an occasion of all imaginable honour and glory—
[To his electing love will every soul ascribe the blessedness conferred upon him [Note: Joh_15:16.]. Nay more, in this blessedness will every one see the fruit of redeeming love: “He loved the Church, and gave himself for it, that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, and present it to himself” in a state worthy of the relation which it has been ordained to sustain [Note: Eph_5:26.]. To all eternity will there be but one song of praise amongst them all, “To him that loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and has made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen [Note: Rev_1:5-6.].” How sweet their communion with him will be, or how rich their communications from him, I shall not attempt to describe. Suffice it to say, that, as he will be the only source of happiness to all, so will he be to them the one object of love and gratitude, of praise and thanksgiving.]
But here is matter for serious inquiry—
[All of us hope to partake of this honour and happiness: but are we all really seeking it? Have we given up ourseles to Christ? If not, how can we hope that He should give up himself to us? Are we preparing daily for that blessed occasion, “putting off the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and putting on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness [Note: Eph_4:22-24.]? If not, how can we think that he will acknowledge us in that near relation to him, the relation of a spouse? His spouse must be “all glorious within, and her clothing be of wrought gold [Note: Psa_45:13.],” or she will create in his mind nothing but disgust. I pray you, my dear brethren, deceive not your own selves. To surrender up yourselves entirely to him is nothing but your “reasonable service [Note: Rom_12:1.].” It is nothing more than what we ourselves expect in forming such a relation with a creature like ourselves. And, if you have formed no such purposes, and adopted no such measures, it is in vain to imagine that your unwarrantable hopes shall ever be realized. If you have but begun to renounce all other lovers, and to set your affections on him alone, the very angels before the throne of God have rejoiced on your account [Note: Luk_15:10.]. But, if you die before this devotion of yourselves to him has taken place, nothing remains to you to all eternity but “weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth.” Behold then, as the Apostle said to the whole Corinthian Church, so say I to you, I am at this moment desirous of “espousing you to one Husband, that I may present you, both in your individual and collective capacity, as a chaste virgin to Christ [Note: 2Co_2:2.].” O that my overtures may not be in vain! If you be but willing to accede to my proposals, in the name of the Most High God do I declare to you, that “as a bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so will your God rejoice over you [Note: Isa_62:5.].” Be not discouraged by the thought of past unfaithfulness: for he will not be extreme to mark what has been done amiss. He bids you to return to him with an assurance of forgiveness [Note: Jer_3:1; Jer_3:14.]: and, if you henceforth “walk worthy of your high calling, he will acknowledge you as his before the whole assembled universe, and raise you to a full enjoyment of his presence and glory to all eternity [Note: Zep_3:17.].]