WHERE DID

                    THE BRIDE GO?

If the church of today is supposed to be the Bride of Christ, then it might be well to ask some pertinent questions.  When the Bridegroom comes, what will be the criteria for the chosen one upon whom He will bestow His love and acceptance?

In the book of Genesis, chapter 29, the story is recorded of the deceptive maneuver of Laban in substituting Leah, his "tender eyed"  daughter for Rachel, whom Jacob loved.  Jacob had even worked seven years for the hand of the beautiful Rachel, only to be cheated and deceived by the crafty Laban.  He will could have asked the question, "Where did the bride go?"

We typically think of the bride as a young lady full of joy as she anticipates walking down the aisle to be met by the groom.   Tradition had led many brides to be attired in white, that symbolic color of purity as far as fabric  is concerned.  Of all the times in her life, this is the moment when the bride makes certain that she looks her very best. Nothing must be out of place or soiled.

Think of the counsel given in 1 Timothy, chapter two, and in 1 Peter, chapter three, regarding adornment.  The Bible has something to say about ornaments and self-display.  What about the principles of Christian modesty and simplicity?  It God asking too much of the church today in terms of holiness and purity?  Would Jesus find His bride in our midst at the present time?

Since the ring issue has been handled by the 'higher court," it seems that too many were just waiting for a green light to get decked  out.  That slightly cracked

 door opened widely and now we have tiny earrings, bold finger, necklaces, colorful fingernails, and who knows what will come next?

I have welcomed people to the Adventist Church whom I thought were visitors, only to learn that they were baptized church members.  And the question returns to haunt me frequently, "Where did the Bride go?"  It seems to me that God is calling for His people to be in the world but not of the world!

We need to be very, very careful that we do not compromise ourselves in order to be popular or less-conspicuous  and in the process lose our identity as Seventh-day Adventist Christians!

How tragic it would be if multitudes of honest-hearted people, looking for the last-day church, would pass us by in search of the real thing.  Let's not forget our great heritage!

Remember, one day soon the Bridegroom will come and He knows who are His.  By returning to a high level of holiness and loving Christian spirit, we can be identified as the body of believers who have been purchased by the precious blood of Jesus.

My prayer is that the Bridegroom will give us power from above to rededicate ourselves to godliness, purity, and kindness, and to see a spirit of witnessing among His people unparalleled in this century.

Then we can lift up our heads and rejoice, for we shall in reality be the Bride of His choice!    

Please SEE "ANCIENT PAGAN AND MODERN CHRISTIAN SYMBOLISM" BY THOMAS INMAN. (AMAZON.COM)

July 5, 1990, Vol. LXXXIX. No. 7. The Atlantic Union GLEANER is published monthly by the Atlantic Union Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists.  400 Main Street. South Lancaster, MA 01561. Printed by Review and Herald* Publishing Association, 55 West 0ak Ridge Drive, Hagerstown, MD 21740. Third-class postage paid at Hagerstown, MD 21740. Annual subscription price, $7.60. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Review and Herald* Publishing Association, 55 West Oak Ridge Drive, Hagerstown, MD 21740.