I've heard in several sermons by Ravenhill mention of those who attend the bride but are not the bride. You can hear this in the two hour interview with Ravenhill reccomended on the home page. First of all let me say I love Ravenhill's heart for the Lord. This has nothing to do with tainting his name or exposing a flaw. I hold this man in the highest regard and I am not fit to shine his shoes were he still with us. I am just very perplexed when he mentions the thief on the cross as a resident of the Kindgom but not a member of the bride. I would immediately reference the laborers in the field to understand one who comes into the Kingdom with little to no time in Christ(only by grace yes) and I'm not questioning the extrordinary testimony of the thief for what greater words can be said of Christ's innocence and man's guilt. Ravenhill also mentions the 5 foolish virgins in this company of those who are not the bride yet still become residents of the Kingdom. That one is more perplexing as he seems to cover this in passing but does not address the, "I don't know you" part of Christ's parable. Can anyone give me some references as to where I can research this further? Scripture first please? This is very perplexing and I have heard no teaching anywhere on such a subject. If anyone can reference a Ravenhill or anybody for that matter who teaches in detail with scripture on this please let me know. This really concerns me that I have not heard this in any prior teaching and I would like to inspect by the light of scripture.
Thanks,
ybiC
