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Amazing Facts

Amazing Facts Audio

Amazing Facts Bible Study Guides

01 Is There Anything Left You Can Trust?

02 Did God Create the Devil?

03 Saved From Certain Death

04 A Colossal City in Space

05 Keys to a Happy Marriage

06 Written in Stone

07 The Lost Day of History

08 Ultimate Deliverance

09 Purity and Power

10 Are the Dead Really Dead?

11 Is the Devil in Charge of Hell

12 1000 Years of Peace

13 God’s Free Health Plan

14 Is Obedience Legalism

15 Who is the Antichrist?

16 Angel Messages From Space

17 God Drew the Plans

18 Right on Time

19 The Final Judgment

20 The Mark of The Beast

22 The Other Woman

23 The Bride of Christ

24 Does God Inspire Astrologers and Psychics

25 In God We Trust

26 A Love that Transforms

27 No Turning Back

You're listening to Amazing Facts Bible Study Guide, lesson number 23. Our topic, The Bride of Christ. Do all religions lead to heaven? The Bible says there is only one body or church into which Jesus calls his end-time people, the Bride of Christ. But there are literally thousands of churches today that call themselves Christian, but they each differ widely in biblical interpretation, faith, and practice. So who is the Bride of Christ? Stay tuned as we study God's Word together. Alright, what's your first question today? Okay, how is the true Church of Jesus Christ depicted in the Bible? Well, let's look at a few passages of Scripture. Jeremiah chapter 6, verse 2. I have likened the daughter of Zion to a comely and delicate woman. Revelation chapter 12, verse 1. And there appeared a great wonder in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars. Revelation chapter 19, verses 7 and 8. Let us be glad and rejoice and give honor to him, for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white, for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. We learned in an earlier study that Jesus symbolizes his true Church as a pure woman and the false or apostate churches as a harlot. So what does it mean when it says that the woman is clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and is wearing a crown of twelve stars? Okay, first, the sun represents Jesus, his gospel, and his righteousness. Psalm 84, verse 11. The Lord God is a sun. Malachi chapter 4, verse 2. But to you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall arise with healing in his wings. Without Jesus, there is no salvation. It's as simple as that. Acts chapter 4, verse 12. Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Something interesting about the moon is that the light you see coming from it is primarily reflected from the sun. The moon under her feet represents the sacrificial system of the Old Testament. As the moon reflects the light of the sun, so the sacrificial system was helpful spiritually only as it reflected light from the Messiah to come. The crown of twelve stars represents the work of the twelve disciples, which crowned the early years of the New Testament church. All right, well, so who was the baby mentioned in verse 2? Well, let's go to that Bible passage. Revelation chapter 12, verses 2, 4, and 5. Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth to devour her child as soon as it was born. She bore a male child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her child was caught up to God and his throne. The baby, of course, was Jesus. The Bible says that he will one day rule all nations with a rod of iron. Revelation chapter 19, verse 15. And he himself will rule them with a rod of iron. Psalm 2, verse 7 through 9. The Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my son. This day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron. Jesus, who was crucified for our sins, was raised from the dead and ascended to heaven. Acts chapter 1, verses 9 through 11. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. His resurrection power in our lives is one of the most essential gifts he gives to his people. So who's the dragon who tried to kill Jesus at his birth? The dragon represents Satan, who was cast out of heaven. Revelation chapter 12, verses 7 through 9. And war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought with the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought. But they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world. He was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Satan was working through the pagan Roman Empire at the time of the birth of Jesus. The ruler who tried to kill him at birth was Herod, a king under pagan Rome. He killed all the male babies of Bethlehem, hoping that one of them would be Jesus. So what does it mean that the dragon has seven heads and 10 horns? And what about a third of the stars of heaven being cast to the earth? Good questions. Let's take a look at the verses you're referring to. Revelation chapter 12, verses 3 and 4. And there appeared another wonder in heaven, and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth. Revelation chapter 17, verse 9. And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sitteth. The seven heads represents the seven hills or mountains upon which Rome was built. We now have encountered a beast with seven heads and ten horns three times in our studies. The ten horns represents the governments or nations that support the major powers in their oppression of God's people. During the reign of pagan Rome, they represented the ten barbarian tribes that supported the papacy in eventually bringing down the Roman Empire. These tribes later became modern Europe. In the last days, they represent all the nations of the world, united in the end-time coalition that will support Babylon the Great in her warfare against God's people. A third of the stars of heaven are the angels who supported Lucifer in his insurrection in heaven and who were cast out with him. Let's take a moment to review the Bible facts covered by this prophecy. 1. God's true church appears, symbolized as a pure woman. 2. Jesus is born into the church. 3. Satan, working through King Herod of pagan Rome, tries to kill Jesus. 4. Satan's plan is unsuccessful. 5. The ascension of Jesus is pictured. So what did Satan do after he failed in his plan to destroy Jesus? Revelation chapter 12 verse 13. He persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male child. Revelation chapter 12 verse 6. And the woman fled into the wilderness, for she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days. Well, since he was no longer able to attack Jesus personally, he aimed his fury and persecution at the church. Now, I'd just like to mention that in Revelation chapters 12 and 14, Jesus gives us six descriptive points to use in identifying his end time church. Watch for them as we continue our study. All right. Verse six says the woman fled into the wilderness. Can you explain what that means? Great question. The woman fled into the wilderness where she was protected for 1260 literal years from the wrath of Satan, who was working through papal Rome. The time spent in the wilderness is the same 1260 year period of papal prominence and persecution from 8538 to 1798. That is repeatedly mentioned in Bible prophecy. Remember that one prophetic day equals one literal year. Ezekiel chapter four verse six. I have appointed thee each day for a year. The term wilderness refers to solitary places of the earth where God's people could hide and escape total annihilation. And hide they did. The Waldenses, Albigenses, Huguenots, and many others. God's church would have been obliterated if they hadn't fled and hid in the wilderness during this devastating persecution by the papacy. At least 50 million people died for their faith during this 1260 year time period. God's church didn't exist as an official organization during these years. From 8538 to 1798, it was alive but not identifiable as an organized body of believers. When it came out of hiding after the 1260 years, it still had the same doctrine and characteristics as the apostolic church which entered the wilderness in 8538. We've now discovered the first two identification points. One, God's end time church would not exist officially as an organization between 8538 and 1798. Thus, two, it would have to arise after 1798. Now, there are many loving genuine Christian churches that were officially in existence before 1798. But none of these can be God's end time church into which Jesus is calling all of his people because it had to arise after 1798. This means that most of the popular Protestant churches cannot be God's true church because they existed officially before 1798. Interesting. So, God calls his end time church the remnant. What does the word remnant mean? Let's go to the book of Revelation. And this is from the King James version of the Bible. Revelation chapter 12 verse 17. And the dragon was wroth with the woman and went to make war with the remnant of her seed. Remnant means the last remaining portion. In reference to God's church, it means his church of the very last days. Which is one based on all of scripture, as was the church in the days of the apostles. Let's look at a few more identifying points. Revelation chapter 12 verse 17. And the dragon was wroth with the woman and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God and had the testimony of Jesus Christ. It would keep all 10 of God's commandments, including the seventh day Sabbath of the fourth commandment. John chapter 14 verse 15. If ye love me, keep my commandments. Revelation chapter 22 verse 14. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life and may enter into the gates into the city. It also would have the testimony of Jesus, which the Bible tells us is the spirit of prophecy. Revelation chapter 19 verse 10. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Though many sincere Christians are found in churches that do not keep the Sabbath or have the gift of prophecy, these churches cannot be God's remnant church into which Jesus is calling his last day Christians because God's remnant church will keep all of his commandments and have the gift of prophecy. Are there any other clues in the book of Revelation? Yes, the final two points are five. It will be a worldwide missionary church as seen in Revelation chapter 14. Revelation chapter 14 verse 6. Having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people. And six, it will be preaching the three angels messages of Revelation chapter 14. In summary, the first message is that God's judgment is in session now. His end time church must be preaching that the judgment began in 1844 as we learned in a previous study. It also calls upon people to worship him who made heaven and earth. The sea and the springs of water. How do we worship God as creator? The answer is in the fourth commandment. Exodus chapter 20 verses 8 and 11. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. For in six days, the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them. And rested the seventh day. Therefore, the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it. So the first angel's message commands all to worship God as creator by keeping holy his seventh day Sabbath, which he gave as a memorial of creation. The second message is to come out of the fallen churches of Babylon. Revelation chapter 14 verse 8. And another angel followed, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. Revelation chapter 18 verse 4. And I heard another voice from heaven saying, Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins and lest you receive of her plagues. And the third is don't worship the beast or receive his mark, which is observing Sunday as a holy day in replacement of the true Bible Sabbath. Beware of all counterfeits. Revelation chapter 14 verses 9 and 10. Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of his indignation. OK, let's take a moment to review the six points that Jesus gives us for identifying his end time remnant church. 1. It will not exist as an official organization between A.D. 538 and 1798. 2. It would rise up and do its work after 1798. 3. It would keep all of the Ten Commandments, including the seventh-day Sabbath. 4. It would have the gift of prophecy. 5. It would be a worldwide missionary church. 6. It would be teaching and preaching the three-point message Jesus gives us in Revelation chapter 14. OK, well, yeah, that's pretty specific. It sure is. Jesus doesn't want us guessing. Here's what he says. Matthew chapter 7, verse 7. Jesus hands you these six specifications and says, Go find my church. And he promises that those who seek for heavenly things will find them. OK, so which church is it? Jesus gave such pointed, specific, highly descriptive points that they fit one church and only one church. The Seventh-day Adventist Church. I see. Let's double check the specifications. The Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1. Did not exist as an official organization between A.D. 538 and 1798. 2. Arose after 1798. It began to form in the early 1840s. 3. Keeps all 10 of the commandments, including the Seventh-day Sabbath commandment. 4. Has the gift of prophecy. 5. Is a worldwide missionary church working in nearly all countries today. 6. Teaches and preaches the three-point message of Christ in Revelation chapter 14. Please remember that there are many loving Christians in churches that these points do not fit. But no such church can be God's remnant church into which he is calling all of his people today. Well, I have to admit, I never knew any of this information before. So what does it mean to come out of Babylon? Let's go to the Bible. Colossians chapter 3 verse 15. You were called in one body. Colossians chapter 1 verse 18. He is the head of the body, the church. The Bible says that God's people are called into one body, the church. Jesus asks those who leave Babylon to join the remnant church of which he is the head. Revelation chapter 18 verses 2 and 4. And he cried mightily with a strong voice saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen and is become the habitation of devils and the whole of every foul spirit and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. And I heard another voice from heaven saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins and that ye receive not of her plagues. Of his sheep outside his fold, here's what he says. John chapter 10 verses 16 and 27. Other sheep I have which are not of this fold. Them also I must bring and they shall hear my voice and there shall be one fold and one shepherd. My sheep hear my voice and they follow me. He also calls them my people in both the Old and New Testament. So how does a person enter that body or church? All right, let's go to first Corinthians. First Corinthians chapter 12 verse 13. By one spirit, we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks. We enter God's end time remnant church by baptism. Does the Bible provide other evidence that Jesus has only one remnant church that he's calling his people into? Yes, it does. Let's review it. First, the Bible says there is only one true body or church. Ephesians chapter 4 verse 4. There is one body and one spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling. Colossians chapter 1 verse 18. And he is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he may have the preeminence. Also, the Bible says our day is like Noah's day. Luke chapter 17 verses 26 and 27. And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of Man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives. They were given in marriage until the day that Noah entered into the ark and the flood came and destroyed them all. How many ways of escape were there in Noah's day? Only one, the ark. Once again, today, God has provided a boat, the church, that will take his people safely through Earth's final events. Don't miss the boat. Genesis chapter 7 verse 1. Come into the ark, you and all your household. In Noah's day, only eight people, including Noah, responded to God's invitation. Jesus is waiting at the door of his end time ark. Are you willing to heed his call and come into the safety of his remnant church? Wow, this is a major step, but I want to follow wherever Jesus leads. Yes, I'm willing to heed the call. But I'd like to know, is it possible that many professed Christians will be caught off guard and lost when Jesus returns? Sadly, yes. Jesus made that point crystal clear. Let's look at what he said. Luke chapter 21 verse 34. And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness and cares of this life. And so that day come upon you unawares. Mark chapter 13 verses 34 through 36. For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house and gave authority to his servants and to every man his work and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore, for ye know not when the master of the house cometh at even or at midnight or at the cock crowing or in the morning, lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. He warned of several things that will trap and destroy Christians. Surfeiting, drunkenness, the cares of this life, and sleeping. Surfeiting is overdoing in anything. Eating, working, reading, recreation, and the like. Drunkenness refers to things that bring on a stupor and give us a distaste for heavenly things. Examples include pornography, illicit sex, evil companions, neglect of Bible study and prayer, and avoiding church services. Cares of this life destroy Christians who become so busy doing perfectly good things that time for Jesus, prayer, study of the word, witnessing, and attendance of church services are crowded out. Sleeping refers to being spiritually asleep. It might be the biggest problem today. When a person is asleep, he doesn't know it. So what does the word church mean? The word church is translated from the Greek word ekklesia, which means called out ones. How fitting. Christ's people are called out of the world and Babylon into his precious fold of safety. People become a part of the remnant church by being baptized when he calls them. Well, we've got to wrap up our study for today. But let's plan to study together again soon. Our next lesson is entitled, Does God Inspire Astrologers and Psychics? You've just heard highlighted portions from lesson 23 of the Amazing Facts Bible Study Guides. To read the complete lesson, please visit www.amazingfacts.org forward slash Bible study guides. Hello, friends. This is Doug Batchelor. I'd like to invite you to dig deeper into the word of God by enrolling in our free Bible school today. Please visit us online at bibleschool.amazingfacts.org. Thank you, friends, and God bless.

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Amazing Facts Bible Study Guides

23 The Bride of Christ

Parent Series

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Recorded

Other Teachings in Series

01 Is There Anything Left You Can Trust?

02 Did God Create the Devil?

03 Saved From Certain Death

04 A Colossal City in Space

05 Keys to a Happy Marriage

06 Written in Stone

07 The Lost Day of History

08 Ultimate Deliverance

09 Purity and Power

10 Are the Dead Really Dead?

11 Is the Devil in Charge of Hell

12 1000 Years of Peace

13 God’s Free Health Plan

14 Is Obedience Legalism

15 Who is the Antichrist?

16 Angel Messages From Space

17 God Drew the Plans

18 Right on Time

19 The Final Judgment

20 The Mark of The Beast

22 The Other Woman

23 The Bride of Christ

24 Does God Inspire Astrologers and Psychics

25 In God We Trust

26 A Love that Transforms

27 No Turning Back

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