Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.
Our Epistle for this week is from Revelation 21:9-14, 21-27. Here the author is called up to see “the Bride, the wife of the Lamb” (Rev. 21:9b, ESV). The bride of Christ, we know from other passages, is the Church, those who have been called to the side of God. The Bride of Christ is called entirely pure and holy. For this reason it seems a surprise to find what we do. It is a city, the New Jerusalem, coming down from God. The whole city is introduced as the Bride. It may or may not be inhabited at this time - the text is not entirely clear on that point. But we know it is a place of peace and holiness. When inhabited, no evil will enter.
Different authors in history have made assessments of this passage. They agree that the Lord will, at some time, claim His bride, a flawless people, purified by the Christ in whom they trust. We are that people if we believe Him. Thanks be to God.
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