It is Jesus, Son of God who today sits at the Father’s right hand, who is soon coming for His bride. Think about that! Jesus, the unblemished Lamb who gave Himself for us!
I haven’t worn a tie for years and prefer casual over getting all dressed up, but I do try to wear clean, matching and properly fitting shirts and trousers when I’m out in public.
I cringe every time I read Ephesians 5:27, which describes the Church, the Bride of Christ as “a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.” (NIV) THAT is the bride that Jesus is coming for!
How well are we doing at being ready for our Groom? How much do we care about that?
You know that I believe that the Church in the West has a lot of work to do before we are ready for His coming, and that refining fire is coming soon to purify us and make us fit for our Groom. I Peter 1:7 speaks of that: “These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” NIV
It is important that we see the Father’s purpose in that time and humbly receive His purifying and refining work, but some will refuse Him and remain lukewarm. Those who have “eyes to see” can see it coming and turn our faces toward Him even now.
As we increasingly find our purpose, security and sense of well-being in Him, we will find ourselves set free from affection for the world and its things – and its worries! (It’s stained and torn garments.) Such Abundant Life is priceless but it requires that we surrender to the rule of Christ, which requires that we take up our cross daily – and many present churchgoers will continue to resist Him even in that Day.
Prepare yourself for painful separation in what is known in America today as “the church.”
Ken Stoltzfus
Kidron, Ohio USA
October 17, 2025
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