Are all Christians the Bride of Christ?

Ravenhill said in one of his sermons that he didn't believe that all Christians would be (or are) the Bride of Christ. That doesn't seem right to me. Is there is anyone here that agrees with Ravenhill? If so, what is your reasoning?

[b]EDIT[/b]

It's on the sermon titled, "Hell No Exits" at about 56:40.

Here is the surrounding context:

"Revelation 21, and verse 7 says, 'He that overcometh shall inherit all things.' You know, we've such sloppy theology [b]'everybody that's saved is gonna be in the bride of Christ' - I don't believe it for a minute. I don't believe that. How did God make a bride for Adam? Did He take all of Adam? He took a part of Adam. And When Jesus comes for the bride He's not coming for every believer I'm sure of that.[/b] What makes us get so arrogant and feel so secure that we're so holy and wonderful? Listen, if you can't stand an extra long sermon, (if you hear me often enough you'll hear them), if you get uncomfortable after an hours preaching what in God's name are you going to do in the millenium?"

Then he goes on to talk about other things.

hmmmm, yes I would agree with everything you said.
However, maybe I didn't make it clear what the question was. Concerning the people who are genuinely saved and going to heaven - will there be a distinction between some who are the Bride of Christ and others who, though still in heaven, are not the Bride of Christ?

That doesn't seem right to me. Is there is anyone here that agrees with Ravenhill?

I heard a similar thing said by a well known preacher/teacher from England back in the 70's, Brother G. W. North - who is now with the Lord. He stated that some believers “won’t be in the Bride.” But personally I have never understood this, nor tried to. Leonard Ravenhill and Brother North were from the same British Holiness background and, therefore, of a similar Holiness persuasion.

Could there be a link here? Is this theological concept derived from British Holiness teaching, or for that matter, Holiness theology in general?

The real question, as has already been commented upon, is 'are all Christians, Christians?'

Just because someone walks an aisle, signs a card, and says they want to ask Jesus into their heart doesn't automatically make them a Christian.

2 Timothy 2:19, "...God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: The Lord knows those who are his, and, Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity."

Here is what Ravenhill meant:

Romans 9:6-8 (Not all of Israel is Israel)
6Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:
7Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
8That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

This statement by Ravenhill is like saying not all Christian churches are actually the body of Christ. God knows who is the real body of Christ.

Church is referred to as many things in the bible:
The Bride, the word makes many mentions of this throughout...not just in Revelation.
As a virgin
As a wife
As children
As lambs
As sheep....and so on.

Ravenhill is simply stating a truth. Yet, we must be carefull that we do not take this statement and apply it to individuals. This decision of who really is a Christian is only answered by God...we should not look into our own congregation and start deciding along with God...this person will not be part of the bride (the church) when Christ comes back.

Our job is to encourage and correct those that are in the "system" as my brother so well put it, and help them to become a part of the virgin bride.

James 4:11-17
11Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.
12There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?
13Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:
14Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
15For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
16But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.
17Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

many times he would give his opinion in his messages (like " a guitar is a backslidden harp")

Ravenhill makes this "tongue-in-cheek" comment in just about every message I've heard. It always elicits laughter. Just like the one about John Wesley at his death leaving behind only a couple of coins, a Geneva gown, some silver spoons...and, umm, something else...I can't seem to remember...oh, yes! the Methodist church!

I don't think his jocular comment on guitars being backslidden harps is meant to be taken over-seriously. We know Ravenhill spiritually supported Keith Green, who used guitars in his music. The comment he made about not all believers being at the Wedding Banquet was based off of Matthew 25 and the parable of the 10 virgins. He simply noted that though all 10 of the women were virgins, 5 actually entered in while the other 5 were shut out of the Bridegroom's feast. The whole thing had to do with distinctions being made in heaven.

I'll try to get the name of the sermon, as I have it on VHS (and it's always a pain trying to find something on VHS).

Brother Paul

Great response...we all should take man's understanding of the word carefully and thoughtfully....no one is to be 100% trusted...we ALL lack perfect understanding.

That's what makes SI so much fun for some and frustrating for others.

Some people believe that they have all the truth and the understanding thereof so they are always frustrated...some people are here to share what they understand up to this season of their lives and are happy just to share.

Can you tell us which sermon this is? It would be good to see the statement in context. Thanks.

I'll try to find it. I believe it was in either "Hell No Exits" or "Judgment Seat of Christ."

It's on the sermon titled, "Hell No Exits" at about 56:40.

Here is the surrounding context:

"Revelation 21, and verse 7 says, 'He that overcometh shall inherit all things.' You know, we've such sloppy theology [b]'[i]everybody that's saved is gonna be in the bride of Christ[/i]' - I don't believe it for a minute. I don't believe that. How did God make a bride for Adam? Did He take all of Adam? He took a part of Adam. And When Jesus comes for the bride He's not coming for every believer I'm sure of that.[/b] What makes us get so arrogant and feel so secure that we're so holy and wonderful? Listen, if you can't stand an extra long sermon, (if you hear me often enough you'll hear them), if you get uncomfortable after an hours preaching what in God's name are you going to do in the millenium?"

Then he goes on to talk about other things.

So after seeing it again in context, I'm still confused :-(
Is he talking about the distinction between true converts and false converts, or the distinction between Christians that are the bride and Christians that arn't the bride?