Pure and Spotless

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The book of Revelation describes the church as Jesus' "bride.". There is a time in the not-too-distant future that those who have been saved by Jesus will sit down with Him at a massive celebration:

Revelation 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and let us give honor to him. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself. 8 She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear." For the fine linen represents the good deeds of God's holy people.

When I think about the church, we don't seem all that pure or prepared. The prophet Daniel was given insight into how we get pure and prepared, it is as we walk through the trials of the "time of trouble" that are coming ("the wise" are those who stay close to God):

Daniel 11:32...But the people who know their God will be strong and will resist him (Daniel is describing the man of lawlessness, or the antichrist). 33 "Wise leaders will give instruction to many, but these teachers will die by fire and sword, or they will be jailed and robbed. 34 During these persecutions, little help will arrive, and many who join them will not be sincere. 35 And some of the wise will fall victim to persecution. In this way, they will be refined and cleansed and made pure until the time of the end, for the appointed time is still to come. 

The trouble that is engulfing planet earth is going to intensify, but those who belong to Jesus will be purified...we will become a "pure and spotless bride" as Paul called us. This is an amazing truth: as the darkness increases, light is also increasing. Now is the time to get close to God. He is the safe place in a time of trouble...or a time of peace!

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