PAUL wrote to the Ecclesial members at Corinth: "I am jealous over you with a godly jealously; for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ." (2 Cor. 11:2). The natural, then, is a basis for the spiritual. On her espousal, a young girl busies herself in preparation for the coming marriage. She prepares her trousseau chest, and it is expected of her that she shall remain faithful to her espousal, that she shall remain pure and undefiled, her chastity inviolate, with no other associations than the one of her espousal. Paul in Eph. 5:1-7 appeals to the espoused members of Christ's Ecclesia that they "walk in love, as Christ also has loved us," but fornication (i.e. unchastity before marriage) and all uncleaness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints: Let no man deceive you with vain words (as so often is the case, both naturally and spiritually), for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience." "Be not ye therefore partakers with them."

The faithful remnant of the espoused has busied herself in preparation for the coming marriage. Her trousseau chest is being filled with good works, and a character developed along lines well-pleasing to the Husband-to-be. Her chastity has been maintained and she refuses to be enticed or cajoled into unlawful associations with any other. So that, when the Lord Jesus Christ comes to claim His Bride for Himself, it will be said of her: "His wife hath made herself ready" (Rev. 19:7; 21:2). By the union of the Bride and Bridegroom in the Marriage of the Lamb (Rev. 19:7) they will be made one. In the marriage union the espoused Bride will be clothed with her house from heaven 2 Cor. 5:1-4, and thereby will be "born of the Spirit." The union will be complete, and she shall be "like Him" (1 John 3:2-3). Together they will rule in the Kingdom Age of 1,000 years.

As we consider these marvellous joys which are held in store for the faithful among the Ecclesia, can we be anything but inspired to greater purity of faith and life? The unfaithful, in the day of her glory, is pictured as being "arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked (margin -gilded) with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornications" (Rev. 17:4). Compare this frightful picture with this glorious one of the faithful in the day of her glory: "To her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white; for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints" (Rev. 19:8). The responsibilities of the espoused Bride of Christ are clear. Is our chastity (individual and collective) being preserved?

"Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb."

"These are the true sayings of God." - E. B. W.

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