The Perfect Union

  Recently, I have been studying through the book of Ephesians. I especially enjoy chapter five in which our Lord provides practical instruction to husbands and wives. To illustrate the marriage relationship, the Lord points to another relationship that is dear to His heart, that of Jesus Christ and His Church, which He refers to as His Bride. (Ephesians 5:32) The passage teaches that as Christ is head of the Church and loves it more than life, so should husbands love their own wives. (5:23) As the Church is subject unto Christ as its Head, so should wives be to their own husbands. (5:24) It has been my experience and observation for many years that when marriage is done God’s way, it works. We truly can experience the ultimate marriage as it was designed by our Creator God.

  Now, about that other relationship—Christ died, was buried and rose from the dead as payment in full for our sins. He is alive and promises eternal life to all who will place their trust in Him for forgiveness of sin. Everyone who has accepted Christ as their personal Savior is “set apart” for an eternal, spiritual union with Christ.

  The Bible declares that one day, without notice, Christ will return to earth to claim His Bride (the Church) and be united with her forever. The event is called the RAPTURE; it is described in 1 Thessalonians chapter 4.

  “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18).”

  The Bible warns that there will be scoffers (2 Peter 3:3) who reject the promises of Scripture and discourage those who would believe. Are you ready for His coming, or are you a scoffer? I choose to believe!