MYSTERY OF THE CHURCH

“This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning CHRIST and the CHURCH” – Ephesians 5:32

The MYSTERY of the CHURCH is presented in the Bible through many Representations other than being God’s House, Building, and Temple. Perhaps this is because God doesn’t want us to have an iota of doubt as to the nature and purpose of His Church. Let’s meditate on the following Seven Biblical Portraits of the Church:

Functional Body of Christ: “Now you are the BODY of CHRIST, and members individually” (1Cor. 12:27); “For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, and ONE BODY in CHRIST, and individually member of one another” (Rom.12:4-5); “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” (Col.1:18).

Faithful Bride of Christ: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish” (Eph.5:25-27).

Fruitful Branches of the Vine: “I am the VINE, you are the BRANCHES. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. ⁷ If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples” (Jh.17:5-8). Jesus is the Vine, while members of His church – individually and collectively – are the branches.

Flock of God: “Fear not, little FLOCK; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Lk.12:32). Paul warned the Ephesus Elders: “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the FLOCK, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the CHURCH of GOD which He purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28). Peter instructed: “Feed the FLOCK of GOD which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind, nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the FLOCK” (1Pet.5:2-3).

God’s Field or Husbandry: “For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building” (1Cor.3:9). The Church is God’s Garden. God is continually at work IN and ON His Church (Jh.5:17). The term husbandry describes the ancient occupation of farming: the careful cultivation and production of crops or animals. It is the attentive use and prudent management of land and other natural resources to effectively bring forth the essential products of agriculture. Husbandry is applied in fields, pastures, vineyards, and orchards. This imagery indicates that the Christian life is a growing process; and God as our husbandman does not withhold any of His vast, limitless resources for the development of His Church.

Golden Lampstands: “The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches” (Rev.1:20). The Golden Lampstand – the Menorah – had seven flames illuminating the Holy Place, which had no windows or natural light (Exo.25:31-40). It represented the supernatural light in the place of Glory, dispelling the darkness so the priest could do his work. Jesus is the Golden Lampstand: “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (Jh.8:12). But, He also describes the Believer as “the light of the world” (Mt.5:14).

Mount Zion: “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels” (Heb.12:22).