When God delivered Israel out of Egypt, He called them His “church” in the wilderness (Acts 7:38). They were “called out” from Egypt to be His special people.
Jesus told His disciples He was building a “Church” on the foundational truth that He is the Son of God from Heaven… “Upon this rock (of truth) I will build My Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).
He “calls us out” of the world by the Gospel, to obtain forgiveness of sins, to live separate from the ways of the world, and to represent Him… “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a highly-prized people; that you should show forth the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light: who in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God…” (1 Peter 2:9,10).
We’re told the joyful order of events: first the Bride is secured, then the Kingdom is established… “God at the first has visited the nations, to take out of them a people for His name (a Bride). And to this (truth) agree the words of the prophets, as it is written: ‘After this I (Jesus) will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down, and I will build again the ruins of it, and I will set it up, that the residue of people might seek after the Lord, and all the nations, upon whom My name is called,’ says the Lord, who does all these things” (Acts 15:14-17).
Called out to be taken out! What a future is ours! May we bear Christ’s name today before this unbelieving world, with the honor, dignity, faithfulness, and joy, befitting the Bride of Christ.
Comments