Is God a bigamist? We completed our study dealing with marriage and divorce examining our relationship to Christ as the body of Christ. Our relationship and spiritual union to Christ is pictured in the marriage relationship of two believers. It is a physical picture for the world to see who we are in Christ.
We must remember that a mystery is a secret that the Lord reveals to Paul to deliver to us. It is a Bible doctrine you can believe, but you cannot always understand. There are some mysteries we are given detailed understanding, and some do not as the same amount of details. This mystery, Paul states, is a great mystery – the relationship of Christ and the Church!
We examined several scriptures that when viewed together paints a clear picture that all saved people in this dispensation of the grace of God are joined to him in a marriage relationship to be consummated at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
Scriptures with clear marriage phraseology:
2 Corinthians 11:2-3: we are espoused / betrothed to Christ, illustrated by the first couple.
Romans 7:4: we are married to the one who is risen from the dead.
Ephesians 5:22-33: our relationship to Christ is a great mystery! We are of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones, just as Eve was of Adam in the first marriage relationship – Genesis 2:23-24.
Colossians 1:18-24: Christ is the head of the body, the Church, just as the husband is the head of the wife. 1 Corinthians 12:27: we are members of his body.
1 Corinthians 6:15-20: we are joined to the Lord in one spirit.
1 Thessalonians 4:15-17: the eminent rapture of the Church Age saints will unite us forever with our Lord.
Revelation 19:7-9: the consummation of our marriage to Christ will occur after this 2,000 year engagement period known as the Mystery of the Church Age. We will make ourselves ready through the refining fire of 1 Corinthians 3:9-15 and receive our wedding garments of clean and white fine linen.
Scriptures that describe our relationship to Christ as a building project:
1 Corinthians 3:9-15: we are God's building with Christ as our foundation. We are responsible for the building materials used and will be tested by fire at the judgment seat of Christ. This is where the wrinkles and the spots of Ephesians 5:27 will be purged away, and we will be presented to our betrothed holy and without blemish.
Ephesians 2:20-22: we are building upon the foundation of Christ and the apostles and prophets.
2 Corinthians 5:1-8: The building is eternal in the heavens waiting for us. One day it will be fully realized when we are present with the Lord.
Galatians 4:26: Jerusalem, which is above in the heavens is awaiting our arrival.
Revelation 21:2, 9-26: the New Jerusalem is the abode of the Bridegroom / husband – Christ and his bride / wife – the Church Age Saints. It is a place prepared for us all who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and his finished propitious work on Calvary for our salvation.
So shall we ever be with the Lord! Amen & Amen
This is not an exhaustive look at all the scriptures that describe and define our relationship with Christ, but it is sufficient to give us clear understanding of who we are in Christ, and the position we hold with our Savior.
Your Fellow Bible Student, Ken Wooten 2 Timothy 2:15
