Ecclesiastes 9.3

³This isan evil in all that is done under the sun: that one thing happensto all. Truly the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil; madness isin their hearts while they live, and after that they goto the dead.

Ecclesiastes 9.1, 2

¹For I have considered all this in my heart, so that I could declare it all: that the righteous and the wise and their works arein the hand of God. People know neither love nor hatred byanything they see before them. ²All things come alike to all:
One event happensto the righteous and the wicked;
To the good, the clean, and the unclean:

To him who sacrifices and him who does not sacrifice.
As is the good, so is the sinner.
He who takes an oath as he who fears an oath.

Enlightenment, Dark Ages, art and science, and a bit more.

What's your excuse for not praying for revival?

Patrick was bound by the Lord to remain in Ireland.

You shouldn't go to war not properly dressed.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.Ephesians 5.25-27

A call for holiness

The Church and all its members are the Bride of Jesus Christ. We enjoy a mysterious, intimate, passionate, joyous, and wholly pleasurable relationship with the One Who has bound us to Himself in love. We see Him enthroned in splendor; we meet with Him in His glory; we know the reviving power of His presence and grace; and we serve with Him according to His purposes in the world.

“You are the salt of the earth…You are the light of the world…Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5.13-16

Three metaphors

As the temple, nation, and servants of the Lord Jesus, church members are weapons of righteousness in His hands, equipped, sent, and active in seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, bringing the beauty, goodness, and truth of the Lord to their Personal Mission Fields and the world.

“For I have bent Judah My bow,
Fitted the bow with Ephraim,
And raised up your sons, O Zion,
Against your sons, O Greece,
And made you like the sword of a mighty man.” Zechariah 9.13

The Church militant

Theologians sometimes refer to the Church on earth in any given era as “the Church militant.” The Scriptures go so far as to refer to the Church as the warhorse of the Lord, His conveyance in battle against the forces of wickedness and sin (cf. Ps. 45.3-5; Rev. 6.2; Zech. 10.3).

“If I then, yourLord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.” John 13.14

Built by ministry

We have mentioned that the Lord Jesus is building His Church as a glorious temple and a holy nation unto the Lord. We’re not talking about buildings or denominations here, but of people, men and women redeemed by Jesus Christ and called together into local fellowships, where they labor to build the Church according to Jesus’ designs and plans.

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9

A holy nation

From His throne at the Father’s right hand, the Lord Jesus Christ is building His Church, working by His Word and Spirit to bring together and beautify a Body of people characterized by ministry, unity, and maturity.

...Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God by the Spirit. Ephesians 2.20-22

Dwelling place of God

Foundational to Christ’s vision for His Church is that it should be a dwelling place where He and His people live together in the salvation He provides.