Scripture to Read: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-2
God created us because He desires fellowship with us. God does not need us, but He chose us even before we were created (Ephesians 1:4). God has always loved us (Ephesians 2:4-5), and His plan has always been to redeem us from the curse of sin and death. As far as when Christ will return for His bride, only God the Father knows (Matthew 24:36; Mark 13:32; Acts 1:6-7). Christ also referred to His return for His bride in John 14:1-3, “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3 If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” To understand what Christ said in John 14:1-3, we must know Jewish marriage customs. When a man got engaged to his future wife, he would go back to his father’s house and build the bridal suite. When the bridal suite was completed, the bridegroom still had to wait for his father to tell him when it was time to get his bride. Christ said to us in John 14:1-3 that He was going to build the bridal suite in His Father’s house and that He would return for us. That day will be a surprise for us, His bride.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you today about His return for us, through Christ?
2. Who will you share Christ with this week so that they also may be included as part of the bride of Christ?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!