Page 99 - Jesus is coming - Class version

96 JE8D8 18 COMING.

And yet it is her blessed privilege, in all her affliction,
44
to know that she travails in the birth of souls, which are
born from above by the Holy, Ghost (John 3), and that
the gospel (good news) of the Kingdom, which she preaches
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is the power of God unto salvation unto all who believe.
The Bride of Christ.
"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved
the Church, and gave Himself for it, that He might sanc-
tify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
that He might present it to Himself a glorious Church,
not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that
it should be holy and without blemish."
In this precious passage (Eph. 5) the Church, as the
Bride of Christ, is typified by the most intimate, tender
and sacred relationship known among the children of men.
Abraham's servant went into a far country (Gen. 24)
to seek a bride for Isaac, who was the honored type of
Christ as a sacrifice. Gen. 22. So has the Holy Spirit
come into the world to seek a Bride for Jesus. The ser-
vant said, "Hinder me not." So the Holy Ghost is striv-
ing with the world, and pleading with cold-hearted pro-
fessors, that He may hasten the presentation of the brida
to the Bridegroom. See Mat. 22:2-10.
Rebekah said, "I will go." So the Bride should be
'
the last days scoffers, -walking 4. Traitors, heady, highmind-
after their own lusts.
ed, lovers of pleasures more than
1 Tim. 4 :1. Now the Spirit
lovers of God ;
speaketh expressly, that in the
latter times some shall depart 5 - Having a form of godli-
from the faith, giving heed to ness . but denying the power
seducing spirits, and doctrines thereof: from such turn away.
Also 2 Tim
of devils -
'
4 -1-5 '
2 Tim. 3 :1. This know also, , .... . .
that in the last days perilous ( *, V * My " ttle
f whom
times shall come. . T J *ra a11 *
, y
2. For men shall be lovers of b*
1 ou>
their own selves, covetous, boast-
ers, proud, blasphemers, diso- Also * Cor - 4 :15 ; Phile. 10.
bedient to parents, unthankful, (45) Rom. 1:16. For I am
unholy, not ashamed of the gospel of
3. 'Without natural affection, Christ: for it is the power of
trucebreakers, false accusers, in- God unto salvation to every one
continent, fierce, despisers of that belleveth ; to the Jew first,
those that are good, and also to the Greek.