Closer To Heaven
|
|
|
28 August 2023 | Dear Aunt Sevvy, Have you noticed that pulpits—the high-built “sacred desks” that preachers once preached from—have in recent years been replaced by little satanic book stands? There is essential symbolism in the preaching of the God’s Word from the grand elevated pulpit. Now many preachers speak from a tiny lectern, so […] Source: https://atoday.org/aunty-why-dont-preachers-preach-from-pulpits-anymore/
The Big Bible Summit! For more info visit: https://www.afsummit.org/ Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qu9y-qy53gc
Using one final element of the ancient wedding, in Ephesians 5:25-27 Paul portrays Christ as the One who: (6) presents the bride (to Himself!). In ancient times the bride would be given away by the best man, best men, or her father. Never by her groom! Here, though, Paul imagines Jesus presenting the church as bride to Himself.
Image © Review & Herald Publishing from GoodSalt.com
Paul uses marriage customs and roles to highlight Christ’s relationship to the church in an unfolding, chronological pattern: 1. Betrothal. Christ offered Himself up for the church (as “bride price”) and so became betrothed to her (Ephesians 5:25). 2. Preparation for the wedding ceremony. The attentions of the bridegroom continue in his present efforts to sanctify and cleanse the bride (Ephesians 5:26). 3. The wedding ceremony itself. Christ’s present attentions are in view of the “presentation” of the bride at the wedding (Ephesians 5:27). This last element looks to the grand wedding celebration at His return when Christ, the Bridegroom, will come to claim the church as bride and present her to Himself (Ephesians 5:27; compare 2 Corinthians 11:1-2; Colossians 1:21-23, Colossians 1:28).
Ancient weddings often began with a nighttime parade (see Matthew 25:1-13). The groom and his entourage would gather at the groom’s home — the couple’s new home — and with grand ceremony begin a procession. Lit by torches and accompanied by joyful, lilting music and great rejoicing, the crowd jostles toward the home of the father of the bride. Gathering up the bride there or meeting the bride’s own procession on the way, the parade would convey the couple to their new home, where the guests would settle into a weeklong feast, culminating in the wedding ceremony, when the bride would be presented to the groom.
When Paul portrays Christ presenting the church to Himself, he alludes to this grand parade and to the moment of presentation. In doing so, he provides a moving portrait of Christ’s return as a future wedding ceremony, when the long betrothal between Christ and His church is complete and the wedding celebrated.
| What message should we take for ourselves from all this positive, happy, and hopeful imagery? |
(0)The post Tuesday: The Church as the Bride of Christ ~ Part 2 appeared first on Sabbath School Net.
Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/tuesday-church-as-bride-of-christ-part-2/
No matter where you are–at the end of a glacier or on the streets of Manhattan–you can find God there. Find God wherever you are. All you have to do is look–because He has never left you. Watch this #short clip from this episode of Revival and Mission: https://youtu.be/e9KC9SnHUjM.
————————————————————————————
The Seventh-day Adventist Church has been an established denomination since 1863. It is a global Christian family with over 21 million members who hold the Bible as the ultimate authority. We are believers who promise to help people understand the Bible to find freedom, healing, and hope in Jesus. Want to learn more about the Seventh-day Adventist Church? Visit our website at: https://www.adventist.org/ Click the notification bell so that you never miss a new video! Find us on social media by following the links below:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheAdventistChurch
Twitter:https://twitter.com/adventistchurch
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adventistchurch/ Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0WvIrmWj-Q
Dr. Frank Hasel and guests represent the diversity that exists within the church. Different cultures, races, genders, and backgrounds make up our worldwide church family, and yet, the Holy Spirit unites us as one. Find the full video about the 14th Fundamental Belief: Unity in the Body of Christ here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1A3-qtY1ek. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVMEvDnPKk8
Intercer is a website with biblical materials in Romanian, English, Hungarian and other languages. We want to bring the light from God's Word to peoples homes. Intercer provides quality Christian resources...[Read More]
