The world has developed the fine art of “passing the buck.” It can be found in every walk of life. It has even slipped into some of our churches. Some people try to get others to take on their duties, obligations, assignments, and missions while remaining on the sidelines, guarding the water bucket.

Joel declares the Day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh, it is at hand. The coming of Jesus will also signify the coming forth of the Church, his saints, his Bride. It is closer than we think!

Paul’s hope was in Jesus Christ, and he was not conformed to the philosophy and beliefs of this world. And that is not all. Paul says we are “persecuted,” oppressed, downtrodden, and mistreated, “but not forsaken” (2 Corinthians 4:9). We are not deserted or rejected, which is strange to the world, but not to the Body of Christ.

The Bride of Christ, his Church, his Body, cannot afford to let its light go out. We are symbolic of his grace. We are his lighthouse. If our light goes out, nothing can be funneled or transferred through us. A lighthouse does not shine for itself. It shines for others. A lighthouse does not live gloriously. Vigorous waves, day and night, plunder it, but it keeps right on shining.

Sin is spiritual quicksand. We may think we could never get trapped in it, but if we are caught in sin, we may already be in quicksand. Sin is the spiritual quicksand of this world.

An all-out attempt is underway, a campaign with one goal: to change the name of the church, the Bride of Christ, into a figure of man’s imagination—into the image of his likeness.

A snare has been laid in the path of the Bride of Christ. The world cannot separate the bridegroom, Jesus Christ, from his church.

Jesus is about to be honored at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, and his wife has made herself ready. He knows exactly what he is looking for. Many are called, but few are chosen. The Lord’s standard has never changed.