On the Church and her identity
The Epistle on the Nature, Identity, Mission, and Eternal Role of the Church
To the Church of the Firstborn, the Last Eve; redeemed by the blood of Christ, sanctified by His Spirit, and called to proclaim His glory among the nations. Grace and peace to you from Him who is, and who was, and who is to come.
I. The Nature of the Church
Beloved, the Church is the masterpiece of God’s redemptive plan. She is not a mere human institution but a living organism, born of the Spirit and bound together in Christ. She is the Body of Christ, inseparably united to Him as the Head, and she is the Bride of Christ, awaiting the day of her full glorification (Ephesians 5:25–27; 1 Corinthians 12:27).
The Church is a royal priesthood, chosen to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:5). She is the New Jerusalem, the mother of all believers, who embodies the fulfillment of God’s covenantal promises to His people (Galatians 4:26; Hebrews 12:22). In her, the wisdom of God is displayed to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 3:10).
II. The Identity of the Church
The Church’s identity is found in her union with Christ and her participation in His mission. She is the assembly of the redeemed, called out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). As the Bride of the Lamb, she is destined for glory, to reign with Christ in the new heavens and the new earth (Revelation 21:9–14).
The Church is also a warrior, enlisted in the armies of heaven. Her weapons are not of the flesh but mighty in God for the pulling down of strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4). She battles not against flesh and blood but against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12).
III. The Role of the Church in Spreading the Gospel
The Church is entrusted with the greatest mission in history: to proclaim the gospel of the Kingdom to all nations. As Jesus commanded, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19–20).
This mission is not merely a human endeavor but a divine commission. When the Church proclaims the gospel, she participates in the eternal purposes of God. She joins the ranks of the angels, who declare the glory of God in the heavens (Psalm 19:1) and minister to the heirs of salvation (Hebrews 1:14). She walks in the footsteps of the prophets, who proclaimed the coming of the Messiah, and the apostles, who bore witness to His resurrection.
Through the preaching of the gospel, the Church calls men and women into the Kingdom of God, delivering them from the dominion of darkness (Colossians 1:13). This work aligns her with the armies of heaven, for each soul redeemed strengthens the forces of righteousness against the kingdom of darkness.
IV. Christians as Part of Heaven’s Armies
Beloved, consider your place in the armies of heaven. When you spread the gospel, you wield the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17). You are clothed in the armor of light, equipped to stand firm in the evil day (Romans 13:12; Ephesians 6:13).
You are not alone in this battle. Angels fight alongside you, ministering to those who inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:14). The prophets of old cheer you on, for they longed to see the days in which you live (Hebrews 11:39–40). The apostles join you in spirit, for they laid the foundation upon which you now build (Ephesians 2:20).
This mission incorporates you into the cosmic narrative of redemption. As Christ leads the armies of heaven, clothed in a robe dipped in blood, His Church follows Him, clothed in fine linen, white and pure (Revelation 19:11–14). By proclaiming the gospel, you prepare the nations for the coming reign of Christ and declare His victory over sin, death, and Satan.
V. The Eternal Role of the Church
The Church’s role in spreading the gospel is not limited to this present age. It prepares her for her eternal role in the new heavens and new earth. In eternity, the Church will reign with Christ, serving as kings and priests to God (Revelation 20:6). She will participate in the administration of God’s Kingdom, mediating His glory and wisdom to the redeemed creation (Revelation 22:5).
Moreover, the Church will continue to proclaim the glory of God, not to the lost but to the saved and to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places. She will be a living testimony of God’s redemptive power, a bride who reflects the radiance of her Bridegroom for all eternity.
VI. A Call to Lean into Your Mission and Identity
Beloved, in these perilous times, when the seals of Revelation unfold and the kingdom of darkness presses hard, the Church must not shrink back. The gospel must go forth with greater urgency, for the time is short, and the day of the Lord is near.
Lean into your identity as God’s warrior and witness. Proclaim the gospel with boldness, knowing that you are not alone. Angels fight beside you, prophets and apostles stand with you, and Christ Himself leads you. Remember that your labor is not in vain, for every soul redeemed adds to the victory of God’s Kingdom.
Fix your eyes on Jesus, the Captain of your salvation, and follow Him wherever He leads. The time is short, and the battle is fierce, but the victory is assured. Let the Church arise, shining with the light of Christ, and declare to the world, “The Kingdom of God is at hand!”
To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God, our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.
Yours in the service of the King,
A Fellow Soldier in the Armies of Heaven
