10 Listen, daughter, and pay careful attention:
Forget your people and your father’s house.
11 Let the king be enthralled by your beauty;
honor him, for he is your lord. Psalm 45:10-11

A long time ago I saw the front cover of Moody Monthly. It was a photo of a beautiful bride in a flowing white gown. The woman had a black eye (from being in a fight), and the caption read something like this: “Is this what The Bride of Christ Looks Like Today?”

As I read this passage the imagery of a wounded Bride – the Church – came into my mind. But this scripture and the passage in Revelation 21:2 doesn’t bear that out.

“I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.” Revelation 21:2

No, both [passages paint a great picture of a Bride in all her glory. What Christ sees in the Church and what we see are two different things.

We see one that is fragmented, bickering and fighting among denominations, totally divided in purpose and responsibility, and derelict of duty.

But Christ sees it differently. He sees one that is vibrant and evangelistic, helping the poor and needy around the world, shining the beacon of truth into vast areas of darkness, and a force for good in the world.

We merely have a narrow view of the Church in America. Christ has a much more global and accurate view.

Rejoice Brothers and Sisters that the Bridegroom awaits His Church. We still have much work to do, but the Day is approaching.