Replies

I'll answer both your posts 60 and 61 here. I'll start with the rapture watchman question. No it absolutely causes me no anxiety. All believers are awaiting the rapture, and we all share the same saving beliefs. Everything that has to do with our salvation and the finished work of Christ we share, I believe. These other things we discuss are not crucial to our salvation, so are interesting and able to make us grow in the Lord and become stronger in His Word, but they do not change anything in regard to our salvation, our inheritance, or our walk with God. So, no, whether we are the "Bride of Christ" or the "One New Man" that is raptured, we're going to be raptured. Because our faith is in the finished work of Christ. Praise God!

Regarding the "Bride of Christ"/"One New Man" question, the Church the Body of Christ is called a "man" in Eph. 2:14 and in Eph. 4:13. But also read 2 Cor. 11:2. OH NO! What is Paul saying here?! Paul is saying he is jealous over his own converts that he might present them to Christ just like a chaste virgin is presented to her husband. His job is not to present the whole Church the Body of Christ to Jesus Christ, so using this as an analogy of the Church being a chaste virgin to Christ could not be what he means. Each of us will have rejoicing in our own converts (1 Thess. 2:19). I would like to know that any person I've had the honor of leading to the Lord would be spotless in their Christian walk. Of course they won't be, none of us are, but I think I can see what Paul is talking about here.

Like you say, I do not know but, Thank God, God knows! All I know for sure is that the New Jerusalem, which is now in heaven and will come down when Christ returns is the bride of Christ, the Lamb's wife. According to Rev. 21:9,10. And ALL believers, from OT saints, to all who have died in Christ, to all who are alive at His coming for us in the air, to those tribulation saints, are part of the New Jerusalem, the Bride of Christ, the Lamb's wife!