The Bride is to be without spot or wrinkle. Jesus wishes it would be the whole church. Eph. 5:27. It is clear from Rev. 21:9 followed by 21:24, and Zech 14:16 that some people will not live there but will walk in and out (thus they are guests). From 21:27, some people will not be allowed in. We have thus established at least 3 groups. Those who live there (actually are) the city, another group that goes in and out, and a third not allowed to attend. The issue is, who is who?
We have a couple of options. Option 1. Jesus is eventually successful in his desires from Eph 5:27, and all the church is the bride. That's what I would like to see, too. Then, the other two groups would be the people with good hearts, who are unsaved, and then the evil people. OR Option 2. The Bride is some small subgroup of the Church, perhaps the remnant. Then the other groups are the remainder of the church and the unsaved.
Revelation gives us a delineation of 4 groups who respond to the New Song of ch. 5. The elders and living creatures of ch. 5, The sealed of ch. 14, the victorious of ch. 15, and the rest of ch. 19. Each group is farther away from the throne, and has a less complete response to the song. It's a matter of opinion from this point on. A person can believe the bride is groups 1&2 only, 1&2&3 or all four groups. Scripture does not tell us.
My estimates are based on experience. I certainly do not act like Jesus 100%. I know Christians who act like Jesus 99% and 10%, and pretty much anywhere in-between. I think "spot" and "wrinkles" refers to the missing 1% to 90%. I have studied a lot of Christian history, and served in a lot of churches in a lot of denominations. If you set the bar at acting like Jesus 95% and trying, the number is around 2% in my experience. If you have different experience, please share. Part of my experience is that the other 98% simply are not trying, and if confronted, will make every excuse possible, and misquote Scripture (or more likely church tradition) to prove they don't have to. That's why I set the bar there. When a person refuses to change, then the spot and wrinkle problem is way greater. Bleach and irons only work on cooperative clothing.
Case 1. All the church is the Bride. I conclude it will take a long time, given the state of affairs I see. This is not to say that God can't change it in a day. I imagine that's part of what the tribulation is for (if you're mid- or post- trib). Case 2. Only a small percent, maybe the same 2% I see, or whatever number is really correct that I don't see, is the bride, and everyone else is in groups 3 or 4 or the 4 groups in Revelation.
We have a couple of options. Option 1. Jesus is eventually successful in his desires from Eph 5:27, and all the church is the bride. That's what I would like to see, too. Then, the other two groups would be the people with good hearts, who are unsaved, and then the evil people. OR Option 2. The Bride is some small subgroup of the Church, perhaps the remnant. Then the other groups are the remainder of the church and the unsaved.
Revelation gives us a delineation of 4 groups who respond to the New Song of ch. 5. The elders and living creatures of ch. 5, The sealed of ch. 14, the victorious of ch. 15, and the rest of ch. 19. Each group is farther away from the throne, and has a less complete response to the song. It's a matter of opinion from this point on. A person can believe the bride is groups 1&2 only, 1&2&3 or all four groups. Scripture does not tell us.
My estimates are based on experience. I certainly do not act like Jesus 100%. I know Christians who act like Jesus 99% and 10%, and pretty much anywhere in-between. I think "spot" and "wrinkles" refers to the missing 1% to 90%. I have studied a lot of Christian history, and served in a lot of churches in a lot of denominations. If you set the bar at acting like Jesus 95% and trying, the number is around 2% in my experience. If you have different experience, please share. Part of my experience is that the other 98% simply are not trying, and if confronted, will make every excuse possible, and misquote Scripture (or more likely church tradition) to prove they don't have to. That's why I set the bar there. When a person refuses to change, then the spot and wrinkle problem is way greater. Bleach and irons only work on cooperative clothing.
Case 1. All the church is the Bride. I conclude it will take a long time, given the state of affairs I see. This is not to say that God can't change it in a day. I imagine that's part of what the tribulation is for (if you're mid- or post- trib). Case 2. Only a small percent, maybe the same 2% I see, or whatever number is really correct that I don't see, is the bride, and everyone else is in groups 3 or 4 or the 4 groups in Revelation.
I don't know what new-age ecumenical Christianity has your mind but I think you're either WAY off, or not as correct as you think.
The Bible lays down rules and, depending upon them, most of not all modern churches fail to do what the Bible says. How many insist women where head coverings? The Bible says they should but 90% of the 'church' do not say this is important - though Paul states it is.
So we are to take some Biblical statements in light of attitudes of the time - that is the usual response.
I personally agree - though it puts me at odds with the 'church' I fellowship with.
It does illustrate though how much the modern church is NOT the Bride unless the Bride is allowed to ignore all the 'rules' stated in the NT.
Does the bride allow worship and prayers to those that are not God? I would say no - but prayers to those dead are the basis of the Catholic saint system.
Far from being 'all inclusive' the definition of the bride suggests that the church/bride includes those that are in it, at those that are not are, by the judgement of Christ, not.
This might be individuals but could just as easily be whole sects (sections) of those that call themselves Christian.
Most of Christendom is fast to condemn, for example JW, as non-Christian. But they accept those that speak-in-tongues. They deny Mormons but accept the more modern belief of the rapture (invented by a Scottish girl in the 18th or 19th century).
The NARROW gate is not necessarily ALL those who say they believe in Christ - perhaps it is those whole believe in what Christ truly is?
That could be a very few compared to the size of modern Christianity.
I put forward another thought based upon scripture where Christ says "unless you have done these things I will say I don't know you" (I paraphrase).
If a Christian does all the church stuff and such and is a bit of a nasty person most of the time (I've met them and might be considered one perhaps) then Christ will turn his back.
This is related to the fact we are told - judgement will be when Christ returns. Christ has been given the job (by God) to judge mankind.
So all who are judged will be judged through (dia is the greek) Christ.
The bible says none shall get to the kingdom of God, except through Christ (dia).
This means that any who Christ says YES to - will get their through Him.
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