EC WordVibes
Focus: The Church and the 2nd Coming of Christ
The key moment of the second coming of Christ is the Rapture, where He gathers His beloved Bride (The Church) to Himself that they may reign together on the earth. Let us consider what is The Church and their significance to Christ.
The Church is a new species of people created/built by Jesus Christ. The human race descended from Adam, hence they are earthly/natural, but The Church is literally formed within Christ and therefore considered heavenly (_*1 Corinthians 15:47-48, Ephesians 2:10, Ephesians 5:30*_). They are seated together in heavenly places in Christ, and endowed with His power and authority to execute His will on earth.
How does one become a part of The Church? In Matthew 16:18, the disciple Simon declared his revelation of who Jesus was and in response Jesus revealed Simon's spiritual identity— _the Rock_— renaming Him Peter. Jesus taught it is that through the divine revelation of who He is (The Christ) coupled with the acknowledging of our sinful state that one gets saved. Ephesians 2:1-8 further describes the extent of our sinful state and how it is by grace (the work of the Holy Spirit in the heart to manifest Christ's life) we are saved. When a person truly repents, He comes and baptizes them in Himself, making them one with Christ and by extension The Church.
Jesus continued His teaching in Matthew 16:18 expressing that the gates of hell (spirits of darkness and death) shall not prevail against His Church. History has proven this. The Devil has never been successful in destroying the Church. In fact, the influence of God through the prayers, preaching and life of righteous saints overpowers the influence of darkness in a soul.
The only One able to remove the Church from the earth is Jesus Himself (at the rapture), which will precede the wrath of God upon the world. This judgment is considered just and righteous on His part as He was faithful to adequately warn all nations to repent or face His impending wrath (_*Matthew 24:14*_).
Following this outpouring of His wrath, Christ will begin His millennial reign on earth with His Bride. During this period, Satan will be sealed away in a bottomless pit, hence having no influence on the earth.
Considering the wonder of this Church and the hope that awaits it, let us examine ourselves to see whether we are truly saved and if not, surrender to the Lord today. If you are in The Church, do everything to guarantee your place in the glorious rapture.
Let the words of this old refrain also bring comfort and strength to your soul as you await His return: "_Coming soon, Jesus in all His glory, not just a Savior but a reigning King. Coming soon and the whole world will be witness. Oh be ready, for He is coming soon!_"
June 1, 2025
Ministered by Andrew Norman
Summarized by Darien Callum
Video of Message