6. The presentation of the Church by Christ to Himself.

When every saint of God shall have been made like Christ, made “like Him” physically, mentally, morally and spiritually, and after each individual’s life and works have been examined before the Bema, then is the Church publicly presented and Eph. 5:25–27 is fulfilled—“Christ also love the Church, and gave Himself for it; That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word, That He might present it to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” The word “present” here means “to set alongside of.” Christ is yet going to set the Church alongside of Himself. The Church will share His glory and reign with Him throughout the Millennium. As saith the Scriptures—“To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne” (Rev. 3:21). The Church will then have been fitted for this exalted position, for observe that Christ presents the Church to Himself “a glorious Church.” In that day none of the defiling “spots” of sin shall be found in the Church, and not a “wrinkle”—the mark of age and corruption—shall mar its beauty, but with youth eternally renewed the Church shall then perfectly reflect the glory of Christ. Then shall He be able to say, “Thou art all fair, My love; there is no spot in thee” (Song of Solomon 4:7).

Another Scripture which tells of the presentation of the Church is to be found in Jude 24—“Now unto Him that 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 Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.” We believe the reference here to the “exceeding joy” is that of Christ Himself. This was “the joy” that was set before Him when He endured the Cross and despised the shame (Heb. 12:2).

Closely connected with the public Presentation of the Church is,