The Judgment of the Bride

This is hard for some, but it really needs to be considered:

One of the most unfortunate errors that stems from not reading the book of Revelation to the Church is that she presumes the events described in it are primarily the judging, the sifting, and the qualifying of the world for salvation.

This is far from the truth. Revelation is describing a wedding...it is describing the judging, sifting, and qualifying of the Church unto a BRIDE. It isn't primarily a letter of warning and promise to the world, although anyone from the world can respond to it at anytime. It is a letter of warning and promise to the church, those who claim to have responded.

Revelation 1:11saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”

The time for judgment comes first to the church, then, after 1,000 years of renewal, to the world. Just as the church has experienced the "first fruits" of the Spirit groaning in the earth leading up to her own testing, the world will experience the adoption on the earth for 1,000 years, then comes a final testing.

1 Peter 4:17For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?

18Now “If the righteous one is scarcely saved,

Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?”

19Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.

This is the judgment of the world:

Revelation 20:7Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison

8and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea.

9They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them.

10The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

For this reason, the true Bride will find her GLORY in her time of testing...the tribulation...not inventing theology to avoid it. The tribulation is a test presented to the Church. The test of the church comes to the whole world, just like the test of Israel came to gentiles, as well. The point of the test is to find the fruits of claiming to know Him and claiming to be watching for Him.

Romans 5:1Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

2through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

3And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;

4and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

5Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

John the baptist prepared Israel to pass the test if they would follow him in repentance. The spirit and power of Elijah is doing the same now. John didn't have a miracle ministry. He had a truth ministry. The spirit and power of Elijah will be like kind, greater measure. Yes, an outpouring is coming that will make Acts 2 look like what it is: first fruits, but the point of the end time pouring out is that same as the Acts 2 pouring out...repentance. Peter preached repentance at the Acts 2 revival.

Acts 2 tested the disciples just as much as it INVITED unbelievers to their own testing. Ananias and Sapphira...believers...were some of the casualties of Acts 2.

The Great Tribulation is primarly about testing BELIEVERS, not unbelievers. The arrogance of the Bride-to-be is being tested even in the way she thinks about the Great Tribulation. Many arrogantly think they already passed a test they aren't even studying for. This is what the Pharisees did.

One church described in Revelation 2 and 3 has chosen the better part and passed the test already. That is Philadelphia. Philadelphia, as many already know, means "brotherly love." Actual readiness isn't actually about just me...My readiness is reflected in my concern for other's welfare in the Great Tribulation. It will be a judgment on the church to some degree that the world suffers her testing, just as it is a judgment on Israel that gentiles suffered hers.

The whole world will be influenced by the testing of the Bride. Philadelphia realizes that and has chosen the weakness of lovesickness for Jesus by a continual gazing (watching and praying, like Peter wouldn't do before that tribulation). Philadelphia's watching and praying pours out into a love for brother. Many think "I am ready" not realizing actually readiness means a concern for those around you that leads you to "feed sheep" for no earthly reward. Readiness is not about simply being ready to die and be rewarded. Its about actually embracing the act of good governing...loving people with truth and revelation of justice and mercy...aka speaking truth in love. THAT is what a crown is about....good government.

Revelation 3:10-11 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. (11) Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.

To not respond to the test is to choose a different judgment. That different judgment is the 2nd resurrection/death the world is waiting for....and the Great White Throne Judgment.

Revelation 3:2-3 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. (3) Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.

Revelation 20:4-6 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. (5) But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. (6) Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.

The more I respond to the test in repentance on the FRONT end, the less of the Great Tribulation I will suffer. It isn't just about me, though...it also touches what I ALLOW to go on around me where I could say something...again, truth in love:

Revelation 2:18-23 "And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, 'These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: (19) "I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. (20) Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. (21) And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. (22) Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. (23) I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.

Many are making the great pharisaical error of thinking they are "in" and the others are out. Reading and teaching Revelation forces many uncomfortable realities to the surface...but it is in finding the Biblical connections to those realities that KEEPS me from learning them the hard way. I need to convince myself of MY need for judgment. That is called repentance...it produces a heart change...a Christ-likeness.

If you want the better resurrection described in Hebrews 11...the judgment for rewards...the bema seated...the judgment seat of the first resurrection...the resurrection of the just...then you want to embrace repentance in tribulation.

Right now, great tribulation is unfolding across the earth. Is it THE Great Tribulation? I think so, but who really cares...its great enough to respond to.

Just as in Jesus' first coming, MANY will miss the fact they are being tested right now...waiting for greater and greater signs while responding less and less. Anecdotal information and outdated teaching will be found to have been incredibly costly. Revelation is being unsealed. Do I have the humilty to watch and recieve it, or will I be like Peter...ignoring the warnigns to my own loss?

Jesus doesn't want me to get ready to die, that won't need my help at all. He wants me ready to feed others revelation with vision of my own cross and the rewards of my own resurrection.

Luke 14:14 And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just."