She is beautiful

The final image used in the bible for the church is a beautiful bride.

Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

Revelation 21:1-5

Our passage is alive with mixed metaphors, but the image is clear and powerful. The final destiny of the church is to be with God, bound to Jesus, as his wife.

God himself is the one who has prepared the bride - he has given us our garments and made us beautiful.

You wouldn't dream of being critical of any bride on their wedding day - and you wouldn't dream of doing it for the church, on the day spoken of here. So why do we do it now?

Lets keep the end in view, and pray that beauty into our life now.