One of my favorite movies of all time is Princess Bride. It’s a great story about true love. There is adventure, hardship, witty writing, good music, great scenery. It is a timeless tale and in the end love wins. The story takes place as a grandfather is reading a book to his grandson who was ill at home. During an intense moment in the movie/story, the grandfather breaks away to comfort his grandson. The Princess Bride is going to be okay. In spite of the mocking and the sharp teeth of the approaching eels, she is not going to die.
“She doesn’t get eaten by the eels at this time.”
“What?!”
“The eel doesn’t get her. I’m explaining to you, because you look nervous.”
It is not an overstatement to say that our culture constantly mocks and threatens Christians. Nearly every television situation comedy, or new movie released, makes it a point to ridicule the idea that marriage is between one man and one woman. Or instead of trusting in a Sovereign God, people would prefer to trust in a sovereign government. Contradict these ideas at your own risk. The narrative in popular culture is that Christianity is what is wrong with society. If those people did not exist, we would have no problems. [tweet_box design=”default”]The narrative in popular culture is that Christianity is what is wrong with society and if it did not exist, we would have no problems.[/tweet_box]
Many people rant and rail against, or for, political leaders to solve their problems. Many publish slogans like, Love wins! plastered across a rainbow with all of it’s beautiful colors. They speak of love, but spew hatred against those who remind them that there is a Perfect Creator Who created perfectly. [tweet_box design=”default”]They speak of love, but spew hatred against those who remind them that there is a Perfect Creator Who created perfectly.[/tweet_box]
What Has Happened?
After God created all things, man and woman sinned against the Him. They did not honor God as God (Rom. 1:21). Instead of trusting and obeying Him, they chose to do what they thought was right. This is the definition of sin. They did not trust Him.
As sin continued to increase, God continued to reveal His plan to return all things to perfection. In due time, God sent His only Son, Jesus, to be born of a virgin (Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:23). Jesus existed through all eternity, but chose to humble Himself to become a man (John 1:1-3; Phil. 2:5-7). Jesus, the Perfect God, entered His creation perfectly, without sin (John 1:14, 18).
Jesus lived a perfect life and when He was crucified on the cross, He died in perfection. Jesus did not die for His own sins, but for the sins of many (Matt. 1:21; 20:28). God’s plan is to make all things new (Rev. 21:5). He raised Jesus from the dead. Jesus is alive and all who turn from their sins (honoring self as a god, instead of God) and believe that Jesus is the Perfect Son of God (and only acceptable sacrificial payment for their sins) are alive in Christ (Mark 1:15; Acts 20:20-21). To use biblical words, the people who repent and believe are saved from God’s coming judgement against sin.
The bible has many names for God’s children. One such word is bride. All who repent and believe on Jesus are called the bride of Christ (2 Cor. 11:2; Rev. 21:2). God is continuing to join people from all nations, tribes and tongues into a beautiful, pure, faithful bride for His Son, Jesus (Rev. 5:9; 7:9). His bride will not chase after other grooms, but will remain faithful to Jesus, alone. This will continue, until God finishes His work (Eph. 1:1-10).
What Is Going to Happen? Love wins!
It is amazing that God saves people like you and me, the most unlikely of people. He gathers us from the most unlikely of places. Ultimately He will restore us from our sinful natures to reflect the Perfect perfectly. He will perform His work by bringing us through suffering. It is through suffering that we learn to trust our Lord as He deserves (Heb. 2:10). Some of this suffering comes in the form of attacks from unfair laws and an aggressive, hostile culture. But take courage, bride of Christ! “She doesn’t get eaten by the eels at this time.” In spite of the way it looks, Jesus’ Bride does not get destroyed by those who hate her and what she represents. Yes, all who are contrary to God will continue to gather around the bride of Jesus and ultimately attempt to destroy her. The world will continue to come against Christians and ultimately against Jesus, Himself (Rev. 12:17; . It will get worse, before it gets better.
And I saw the beast and the kings of the armies assembled to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. (Rev. 19:19)
It will look like the Jesus’ bride will be doomed. The laws and culture of all nations will continue to battle against people of faith in Christ. Ultimately, they will gather for the final war on Jesus and His bride.
Satan … will come out to deceive the nations … to gather them together for the war. And they came up … and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city [bride of Christ], and … [wait for it] … fire came down from heaven and devoured them. And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. (Rev. 20:7-10).
Yes, Love Wins! God loves His Son and His children. Jesus loves the Father and His bride. He wins. God created perfectly and God will return all things to perfection to the praise of His glory. There will be no more sin, no more death, no more crying and no more danger. I’m only telling you this, because you look nervous. Storm clouds are gathering around the the Lord’s bride, but don’t be nervous. Instead, be faithful. Maybe watch less television. Trust our heavenly Father. It is certain that He will present a beautiful, spotless bride to His Son, Jesus. It is also certain that Jesus will not allow His bride to be eaten by eels.
[tweet_box design=”default”]Jesus will not allow His bride to be eaten by eels.[/tweet_box]