The Daily Word of Righteousness

When a Christian Dies, #19

That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe thou hast sent me. (John 17:21)

It may be noticed that we not only are one in Christ in God but also are one with all the members of the Body of Christ:

It is mentioned several times in the Old Testament that the saints were "gathered to their people." It appears also from the testimonies of dying believers of our day that we go to be with our families and friends.

However, in the Day of Christ's appearing we shall be made one with those who are in Christ as we are. The flesh-and-blood ties will no longer be primary. There are infinitely closer ties even now—eternal bonds of the body and blood of Christ, of the Spirit of God.

Jesus referred to this transition from fleshly ties to spiritual ties when He exclaimed, "For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother" (Matthew 12:50).

The self-seeking of religious people has caused the Christian Church to be divided into thousands of warring camps. There will be enough tribulation and persecution in the days that are ahead to cause the true saints to flee from the self-seeking churches. The work of unifying the Body of Christ will commence before the Lord returns.

In the hour of the Lord's appearing the Glory of God will enter the members of the Body of Christ until they are one with the oneness of the Godhead. They will be one in Christ in God, one Body of Christ, one eternal Temple of God, one Wife of the Lamb.

This is just the beginning. Throughout the thousand-year Kingdom Age the work of bringing the new Jerusalem, the Wife of the Lamb, to maturity and unity will continue until the holy and radiantly beautiful Jerusalem is ready to descend from Heaven and be established forever on the earth as the Kingdom of God.

The Wife of the Lamb is being created on the body and blood of the Lamb. Today the firstfruits of the Wife is learning to live by Jesus as He lives by the Father. When Jesus is ready to appear she will be clothed in the white linen of the righteous deeds of the saints. Then the Father and the Son will enter her until her light blazes in the gross darkness of this world. She will be part of Jesus forever and will follow Him wherever He goes. She will ride with Him, being as terrible as an army with banners, in the Day of the Lord.

Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. (Revelation 19:7)

To be continued.