A Collection of my Poetry taken
from my newest book Tennessee Toddy.
This book contains my old and
new works,
short stories, images, and scripture.
There has been a lot of challenges and changes
since the time of COVID. And in this we
continue to look at some of the nature, character,
and names of the church and its relevance
to how we should be thinking and
living as God’s people even in the midst of crisis
around the world (e.g., COVID, war, etc.)
And so far, in this short series since last year, we talked
about:
The church as the body of Christ
The church as the ground and pillar of truth
The church as the manifestation of the
kingdom of God, and
The separation between the Church and the
State
Today, we will end this series by learning about
the Church as the Bride of Christ.
Now how is the church called the bride of Christ?
1.) THE CHURCH IS THE BELOVED BRIDE OF
CHRIST
Throughout Scriptures, God identifies his people not
only as a people he rules and leads, but also a people
who will be the object of his love and faithfulness. The
people as his beloved wife, and himself as their
husband. And here we see the the church existing
since the Old Testament. God called and redeemed
Israel out of Egypt
To be his wife (beloved by him)
There were times when this Bride was unfaithful to the
Husband, and God would confront her of her
unfaithfulness through the prophets. But even so, the
Husband would not give up on his Bride. Even by
bringing adversities and punishment for their sins, he
seeks to restore his people—his Wife—to himself.
We see this through the prophet Hosea. God instructed
Hosea to marry a woman, who is a prostitute, Gomer.
And this serves as an example for Israel who is has
been unfaithful to God by committing spiritual adultery
(e.g., idol worship, trusting other nations). But like
Hosea still restoring his wife unto himself
unconditionally, God also promised to restore Israel to
himself.
Hosea 2:16-20Why “My Baal?” Was there a time that God is
“My Baal” of Israel? The Hebrew word “Baal” simply
means lord or possessor. And it was only proper for Israel
to call God as their “Baal,” for he is their lord and owner.
But as time passed by, the surrounding Canaanites
instituted a formal cult of worshiping an idol whom they
consider as the lord of their lands, which they call as
“Baal.”
This became a threat to Israel, and caused them to think
that this “Baal” of Canaan is just the same as their God,
Yahweh. Hence, Israel as God’s people needs to clearly
distinguish God from Baal. And Yahweh promised that he
will purify them so that they will no longer worship Baal.
Instead, they will know God himself, as their Husband.
And this also affirms God’s intimate relationship with his
people. He will not be their lord, but their husband.
Then, God promised to betroth them to himself “by
righteousness, justice, faithfulness, etc.” “forever”. These
are his bride-price. These are the qualities that mark the
relationship of God with his people. It will be a permanent
relationship.
This has a grater fulfillment in Christ and the church. Just
as God “chose” to betroth Israel to himself, God also chose
us, the church, from among all peoples in all generations
to be his people, his bride.
Christ redeems us (i.e., bride-price) not by money or
temporal things, but by his own righteousness and blood
(cf. 1 Peter 1:18-19; Eph. 5:25). By his love and faithfulness, Christ
gave himself to possess us not only to be his people but
also as his Bride.
And he gave us the Holy Spirit not only to renew our minds
so we know God and his salvation, but also to guarantee
our enduring relationship with Christ as our Husband
until the end.
As we move forward, what does this imply for us? We’ll
discuss it more later, but it’s sufficient to say now that:
If we belong to Christ as his Bride, let us not seek after
other “lovers” (spiritual adultery) like Israel did. Christ is
not only our Lord, whom we follow. He is also our
Husband who loves us, and whom we should love as well in
gratitude. No one else can love us like Christ does.
If we belong to Christ as his Bride, let us consider the love
and faithfulness we receive from him even despite our
unfaithfulness (i.e., unconditional love)
Now, we may ask, if we are already Christ’s bride, why
doesn’t it look like a reality today?We’re not yet in
unhindered fellowship/communion with Christ
We’re still struggling and suffering here on earth
2.) THE BRIDE WILL SOON BE PRESENTED IN
SPLENDOR AND BEAUTY
Understanding the context of marriage in the Biblical times will help:Betrothal – Legally binding
(violation of another man [sex with the woman] will lead
to stone to death)
Example: Matthew 18:19 – Mary betrothed to “husband”
Joseph Wedding – But there is still a future wedding,
which is the consummation of the marriage. The actual
union of the husband and wife.
Similarly, we are already “betrothed” to Christ, but we
still await our future “wedding” with him (read
Revelation 19:6-8)“Already but not yet.” It is like the
kingdom of Christ. Death and Satan have already been
overcome and Christ is reigning now. But there’s a
greater and perfect consummation of his kingdom.
Likewise, we now belong to Christ and united to him by
his Spirit. But there’s more to come: The consummation of our union with him where we will have perfect and unhindered fellowship with him.Revelation 19:6-8It
Rev. 21:2 – “Adorned” for her groom; Rev. 9,11 – The Bride “having the glory of God”
To better understand and appreciate the meaning of these texts, throughout Revelation, the church is met with various problems (e.g., sin within the church), tribulations, and persecutions by God’s enemies
We see the same principle in Ephesians 5:25-27The church here on earth will always have its “spots and wrinkles” Sin within the church Heresies within and without Adversities (persecutions, crisis)
That is why We’ll never find a perfect and secured local church!
What is its relevance today? The COVID crisis caused
Filipinos are not so religious & “maka-diyos” after all. Compare with the massive crowd in political rallies today.
This crisis helped purify the church and sanctify those who are truly his.
We desire to have our own church building and to be organized (and it is prudent to do so! It’s for our welfare). But we are also reminded of the reality that the church will never be fully settled and secured in this life. The visible church will always be affected by the imperfections of this life and keep adjusting, and will remain as long as the gospel continues to be preached and sanctify us.
we shall all appear to him in glory, “without spot, wrinkle, or any such thing.”[ILLUSTRATION] A bride who is imperfect and ordinary woman, and all her stuff (dress, make-up, brush, etc. which appear meaningless in itself).
It will not be easy. But though the church be wounded and
bruised in this life, Christ will keep her, love her, and turn her into a lovely, glorious, and perfect Bride.
Now, since this is the future marriage of the church with Christ, what should we do?
3.) THE BRIDE PREPARES HERSELF FOR THE FUTURE MARRIAGE FEAST
Revelation 19:7 – “… the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready.” Rev. 21:2 – “prepared as a bride”
[ILLUSTRATION] – Imagine a bride on the day of wedding still sleeping, hanging out with friends, busy in the office, etc?
Likewise, if we expect our wedding, our blessed union with our Savior and Lord—our Lover—we better make sure that we are ready and adorned for him!
Apparently, there’s a gap/difference between the early church Christians and the modern church. They don’t have the so many privileges that we have today (e.g., When you’re sad or anxious, you have the the screen
privileges and distractions that may prevent us from being
deeply conscious and longing for Christ’s return. (E.g.,
Somehow, technology helps alleviates our problems/needs).
Yet we must be reminded that Christ will return and will return anytime.
Scriptures are full of warning and exhortations concerning the second coming of Christ.It seems that many people today have become less concerned about spiritual and eternal things are more concerned about physical survival. But Christ warns us in that he will return like in the days of Noah, when people are too preoccupied with their earthly lives (Matthew 24:36-39).
How then, should we be prepared for the coming of Christ?
Simply put, by being faithful people and servants of Christ:
Faithful in holy and righteous livingRevelation 21:8 – The
bride is clothed with fine linen (i.e., the righteous deeds of
the saints).
Romans 13:11-14
Let us not commit spiritual adultery, and think that sin and the world will “love” us
Let us continue to exhort one another, encourage one another, watch over each other, and pray for each other. If we hope for that time when Christ will present us as a holy and spotless Bride, let us purify ourselves even now.
Faithful to the Word of God Watchful over heresies (inside and outside the church) and outright twisting of Scriptures.
Watchful over worldly philosophies and ideas that may
challenge our theological and biblical worldviews (e.g.,
Biblical anthropology vs. Transhumanism, Dataism, AI,
Digisexuals, Virtual reality)
As the world and society continue to change, let us keep
God’s Word as our primary and final authority, knowing that it is the truth of God that shall stand. And let it saturate our minds and sanctify our lives, instead of being influenced by the world.
Knowing the imminent return of Christ should keep us
watchful with our minds.
Faithful to the mission of the Church (i.e., gospel ministry)
The tendency of the modern church to be biased and
abandon (deal away) completely the things they didn’t like
in the previous churches. Roman Catholic infant baptism,
use of art —> No infant baptism, no art
Concert-like worship services —> No instruments, acapella
lang
Emotionalism —> Bawal umiyak o masyadong madala
within the church (like during times of revival)
Evangelistic explosions —> No more evangelism, no more
deliberate plans/programs
There are always tendency of error and abuse in these things
(e.g., church leadership), but evangelism and discipleship
remain a mission of the church (Matt. 28:19-20).
We must therefore seek ways to spread the gospel of Christ as a Reformed church. Pray for the lost (family, neighbors, friends, strangers)
Pray for ministers (Praying for “laborers” to be sent out –
Luke 10:2; Romans 10:14-15
Pray for ourselves (though not all are called to be ministers, we can help physically, financially*, spiritually)
Do we invest our time, efforts, and resources for the kingdom of God?
Knowing the imminent return of Christ, where he will destroy this world and judge the living and the dead, should awaken in us the concern for others (not just ourselves) and the zeal for his kingdom.
CONCLUSION
Friends, when we see crises and changing times all throughout the world, it should all the more make us mindful and expect that Christ may come anytime soon.
When Christ comes today or tomorrow, where will he find
you? In sin and rebellion to him? If so, repent now and come to Christ, or else you’ll perish!
Being faithful and waiting for him? Let us pray that God will help us to be so.
As we face these trials of our time, let us cry out, “O Lord, haste the day!” and put our hope in him. God will “grant”—by his grace—the church to be clothed in perfect righteousness in the end, to be the pure and holy and blameless Bride of Christ.
May this blessed hope cause us to stay awake!, preparing
ourselves and striving to be found faithful by our Master
and Husband, Jesus Christ.
The Bible contains several references to the church as
the bride of Christ.
In 2 Corinthians 11:2, Paul writes,
“I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy.
I promised you to one husband, to Christ,
so that I might present you as a
pure virgin to him”
5:27, Paul writes, “and to
present her to himself as a radiant church,
without stain or wrinkle or any
other blemish, but holy and blameless”
Finally, in Revelation 19:7, John
writes, “Let us rejoice and be glad and give
him glory! For the wedding of
the Lamb has come, and his bride has
made herself ready”
These verses suggest that the church is the
bride of Christ, and that Christ
is the bridegroom. The church is to be
presented to Christ as a pure virgin,
without blemish, and holy. This imagery
is used to describe the intimate
relationship between Christ and the
church, and the love that Christ has
for his people
Piled high shifting with the
wind a picturesque view
t'was so elegant a frigid,
luminescent sun-kissed scene.
Falling so fast and furious,
snow icing all on cue
appearing lacey on foliage
and shimmering ice so keen.
Burrowed into the big rocking chair
t'was sitting next to a large window
in Granny's billowing
quilts without a care
Fireplace blazing nearby crackling
was a toasty luxury oh so grand
each tall flame wrapping around a log
was indeed a scene to applaud and stand
But, lo and behold, I simply sat rocking
slurping up hot chocolate with smores
And watched the snow pile even more
contented as temps inside soars.
Wind alone made noise to send
chills through to your bones
and the tapping of the icy snow
visions of snowcream, and
got the groans.