You said Jesus is coming for His bride. What difference is there between the Bride, and a born-again person, that does not have a intimate relationship with the Lord?

Elsa Carstens
Klerksdorp, South Africa

The Church (all born-again believers collectively) is represented as a chaste virgin (2 Corinthians 11:2). According to marriage customs explained in biblical texts, the Church (the Bride) is now in the betrothal stage, promised to Jesus Christ. As His fiancée, He wants us to live holy lives. The Church, or Bride, is to be clothed in fine, white linen (Revelation 19:7, 8). Her wedding gown will actually be composed of righteous deeds she (the believers) performed while on earth.

Her wedding takes place in heaven, but the Marriage Supper occurs on earth. At the hour when Christ returns to earth with His Bride, a 1,000-year honeymoon begins.

The Judgment Seat of Christ takes place immediately upon His coming. You will note from Revelation 20:5 that lost people are not resurrected until after the Millennium, after the resurrection of the saved and the Judgment Seat of Christ. We can rest assured that the teaching of the Bible will not give comfort to those who do not want to give up their sins. The true Biblical teaching of the Judgment Seat of Christ should call Christians to a dedicated and holy life because of the wonderful rewards that will be theirs at that time.