Wednesday, July 2, 2025

The Maturity of the Bride

 

The Maturity of the Bride

1 Cor 18-19 "But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body?"

Eph 4:15 "But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ"

James 5:7 "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain"

Cor 3:18 "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord"

Eph 6:10 "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might"

Phil 4:11-12 "I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content"

Rev 8-9 "And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb"

Rev 21:2 "And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband"

 

Aspect

Meaning

Distinction from Other Concepts

Biblical Examples

Practical Application

Related Detailed Scriptures

Basic Definition of Maturity (Greek: Telos - End/Goal)

The final stage of being filled with divine life, reaching the fullness of life

 

Transformation: Transformation is metabolic change; maturity is being filled with divine life. vs Regeneration: Regeneration is the starting point; maturity is the endpoint

Jacob from grasper (Gen 27) transformation (Gen 37)

mature blesser (Gen 47)

Not being satisfied with regeneration alone, but continually pursuing growth in Christ's life until fullness

Heb 6:1 "Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection"; Col 4:12 "that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God"; Rom 12:2; 2 Pet 1:3-4

Body Consciousness of Mature Believers

Knowing and caring for Christ's Body, having Body consciousness, and being Body-centered

Individualism:

Not personal spirituality, but Body maturity.

 Sectarianism: Transcending denominations to see one Body

Paul emphasized the function of Body members: the eye cannot say to the hand "I don't need you" (1 Cor 12)

Coordinating with all members in church life, not acting independently, seeking Body fellowship and confirmation

1 Cor 12:16 "And if the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body";; 21 "And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee"; 24 "For our comely parts have no need"

Process of Pursuing Maturity

From regeneration onward, not being self-satisfied, pressing forward to reach maturity, continually growing in divine life

 

Stagnation:

Not remaining at elementary level, but pressing forward. Complacency: Never being satisfied with current state.

 Regression: Forgetting what is behind, straining toward what is ahead

Paul said "Not that I have already obtained or am already made perfect," but must press on (Phil 3)

Daily Bible reading and prayer, attending meetings, exercising spirit in daily life, accepting enlightenment and dealing from the Word

Phil 3:12 "Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect";

 14 "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus";

15 "Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded";

Farmer and Harvest Parable

The Lord Jesus is the true Farmer, patiently waiting for believers to mature; believers are the harvest, needing to mature in life to become firstfruits

vs Impatience:

Not rushing to see the Lord's return, but letting the Lord wait for our maturity.

Passive waiting: Not passive waiting, but actively growing to maturity

James exhorted believers to be like farmers patiently waiting for the precious fruit of the earth (James 5:7)

While waiting for the Lord's coming, earnestly pursue life growth to become the firstfruits the Lord desires

Matt 13:3 Lord Jesus' parable of sowing; Rev 14:4 "These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb"; 14-15 harvest

Christ Fully Formed

Christ being fully formed within us, completely transformed into His image, reaching life maturity

External imitation: Not outwardly learning Christ, but Christ being formed within.

 Partial formation: Not partially like Christ, but fully formed

Paul travailed for the Galatians until Christ was formed in them (Gal 4:19)

Allowing Christ's nature, character, and virtues to be fully formed within us, expressing Christ in daily life

Gal 4:19 "My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you"; 2 Rom 8:29 "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son"; Eph 3:16-17

Surrender and Resurrection of Will

The neck represents the surrendered will; the Lord sees our will's surrender as beautiful; the surrendered will must be strong in resurrection

 

Passive will:

Not elimination of will, but surrender followed by resurrection strength.

Stubborn will:

Not stiff-necked, but softly surrendered.

 No will:

 Not being a puppet, but actively surrendering

The beloved's neck in Song of Songs is like David's tower, built in rows, with a thousand shields hanging, all shields of mighty men (Song 4:4)

Seeking the Lord's heart in all matters, willingly submitting to the Spirit's leading, while being strong to fight for the Lord

Song 3:4 "Thy neck is like the tower of David builded for an armoury"; 4:1 "Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair"; 4 "Thy neck is like the tower of David builded for an armoury, whereon there hang a thousand bucklers, all shields of mighty men" 2 Cor 10:3-5 spiritual warfare

Paul's Ministry Goal

To present every man perfect in Christ, making people complete and whole, for the one new man

 

Individual salvation:

Not just personal salvation, but for the one new man.

Spiritual knowledge:

Not just understanding doctrine, but life maturity.

Gift exercise:

Not just gift function, but life growth

Paul labored and strived according to God's mighty power working within him to dispense Christ into people

In ministry, not just preaching doctrine, but dispensing Christ into people to make them grow and mature in Christ

Col 1:28 "Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus"; 29 "Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily"; 3:10-11 one new man

Jacob's Maturity Process

From grasper (Gen 27) → transformer (Gen 37) → mature person (Gen 47), life measure enlarged, accepting the Spirit's discipline

Natural life:

Not improving the natural, but receiving divine life.

External change: Not outward reform, but inward transformation.

Sudden maturity: Not overnight growth, but accumulated process

Jacob lost Joseph and learned to trust God, eventually becoming one who blessed Pharaoh, embodying life maturity

Seeing God's sovereign arrangement in life's various encounters, allowing God to transform us through circumstances, enlarging our measure

Gen 27:27 Jacob's grasping; 37:31-35 losing Joseph; 43:11,13-14 trusting God; 47:7,10 blessing Pharaoh; Psa 4:1 "enlarged place"; Heb 12:5-11 "Spirit's discipline"; 2 Cor 1:8-10 Paul's experience

Gen 47:7 "And Jacob blessed Pharaoh"; 10 "And Jacob blessed Pharaoh"; 48:14-16 blessing Ephraim and Manasseh; Heb 7:7 "And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better"; 1 Tim 6:6-8 contentment

Characteristics and Marks of Maturity

Enlarged measure, accepting the Spirit's discipline, trusting and resting in the all-sufficient God, becoming a channel of blessing to others

Narrow measure: Not petty, but broad in measure. Complaining about circumstances: Not grumbling, but thanking God for His sovereignty. Selfishness:

Not for self, but becoming a blessing

Jacob blessing Pharaoh is the most powerful mark of maturity; Paul learned contentment in suffering

Not complaining in difficult circumstances, but rather thanking God and being able to bless and intercede for others

Realization of the Mature Bride

The corporate bride is the overcomers, prepared through life maturity, becoming the Lamb's wife, reigning with Christ

Individual believers:

Not individuals, but corporate bride.

General salvation: Not ordinary believers, but overcomers. Earthly enjoyment:

Not earthly blessings, but reigning with the Lord

Revelation 19 Lamb's wedding, overcomers becoming the bride reigning with Christ for a thousand years

Pursue being overcomers, overcoming the world, flesh, and Satan in this age, preparing to become the Lamb's bride

Rev 19:7 "Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready"

 6 "Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth"; John 1:29 Lamb; 3:29 bridegroom; Rev 21:2 holy city bride

Kingdom and Wedding Feast

The reigning in the millennium is the wedding feast; overcomers are both the bride and those who reign with Christ

Separate matters: The kingdom and wedding feast are not two things, but two aspects of one thing.

Future beginning: Must prepare now to participate in the future

Those invited to the wedding feast are the corporate bride, also those who reign with the bridegroom

Live a life of overcoming now, pursue life maturity, preparing ourselves for the future wedding feast and reigning

Rev 19:6 "Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth"; 9 "Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb"; 20:4 "And they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years";

God's Eternal Economy

The mature bride is the goal of God's desire and purpose; God's New Testament economy is to gain a bride for Christ

 

Mere salvation: God's goal is not just saving sinners, but gaining a bride.

Individual relationship:

Not just individual relationship with God, but corporate bride's union with Christ

Genesis shows God making Eve for Adam as a type of Christ gaining the church as bride

Not being satisfied with individual salvation, but being built together with all saints in the church to become Christ's bride

Gen 2:22 "And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man"; Rom 5:10 "saved by his life"; Eph 5:25-27 Christ loves the church; Rev 19:7-9; 21:2,9-10 holy city bride is the completion of God's economy

 

Summary Application Principles:

1.      Continuous Pursuit: From regeneration to maturity is a process requiring continuous pursuit

2.      Body Building: Individual maturity is for the Body's building and the realization of the one new man

3.      Environmental Cooperation: Accept transformation in God's sovereignly arranged circumstances, allowing measure to be enlarged

4.      Becoming Blessing: The mark of maturity is ability to bless others, becoming a channel of God's grace

5.      Ultimate Goal: All maturity is for becoming Christ's bride, completing God's eternal economy

 

*Please refer to the 2025 Memorial Day Blending Conference. General Topic: Preparation of the Bride. Chapter 3: Maturity of the Bride.

Growing to Maturity in Christ's Life vs. Presenting Everyone Mature in Christ

 

Growing to Maturity in Christ's Life vs. Presenting Everyone Mature in Christ

Rom 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Phil 3:12 Not that I have already obtained it or am already perfect, but I press on so that I may take possession of it, for which Christ Jesus took possession of me.

Phil 3:14 I press on toward the goal for the prize to which God has called me upward in Christ Jesus.

Col 1:28 He whom we proclaim, warning and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present everyone full-grown in Christ.

Col 1:29 To this end I also labor, striving according to the working of His power that powerfully works in me.

 

Analysis Item

Growing to Maturity in Christ's Life

Presenting Everyone Mature in Christ

Definition & Meaning

The process of individual believers growing, being transformed, and perfected in the divine life received at regeneration; progressing from infancy to the fullness and maturity as the terminal point

The ministry goal of apostles and ministers to dispense Christ into people, bringing them to perfection and completeness to be presented to God

Greek Original Meaning

"Maturity" (teleios) - terminal point, perfect, complete; pointing to the fullness of divine life

Same Greek word, but emphasizing the ministry work of bringing people to this terminal point

Subject

Individual believers

Ministers/Apostles

Object

One's own spiritual life

Everyone (those being ministered to)

Nature

Life process and experience

Ministry goal and work

Focus

Personal spiritual life growth and transformation

Completion and effectiveness of ministry work

Process Characteristics

Gradual process from infancy to adulthood

Metabolic inner transformation

Being filled with divine life

Renewal of natural life

Ministry work of dispensing Christ

Teaching and warning with wisdom

Supplying the riches of Christ

Completing the word of God

Maturity Standards

Able to take solid food, senses exercised

Having body consciousness

Caring for Christ's Body

Body-centered living

Full of Christ's stature

Perfect in Christ

Perfect in God's will

Full of faith and able to stand

Ready to be presented to God

Specific Stages

New believers:

Like babes desiring milk (1 Pet 2:2)

Growing: Able to take solid food (Heb 5:14)

Mature: Having body consciousness (1 Cor 12:16-21)

Perfect: Full stature of Christ (Eph 4:13)

Gospel preaching:

 Dispensing life to unbelievers

Shepherding: Supplying Christ's riches

Teaching: Completing God's word

Building: For church building

Practical Ways

Pursue life, not self-satisfied

Let divine life transform natural life

Develop body consciousness

Press forward, strain ahead

Pursue full enjoyment of Christ

• Supply Christ as the saints' portion

• Supply Christ's unsearchable riches

Complete God's word with Christ and church revelation

• Supply Christ as God's mystery

• Supply church as Christ's mystery

• Supply Christ as life

Related Scriptures

Foundation Verses:

Heb 6:1 - Press on to perfection

Col 4:12 - Perfect in God's will

Rom 12:2 - Renewed in mind

2 Pet 1:3-4 - Partakers of divine nature

Growth Verses:

Eph 4:15 - Grow up in all things into Christ

1 Pet 2:2 - Desire milk and grow

Heb 5:14 - Mature ones take solid food

Maturity Features:

1 Cor 12:16,18-19,21,24 - Body consciousness

Eph 4:13 - Full stature of Christ

Phil 3:12,14 - Press on diligently

Core Verses:

Col 1:28 - Present everyone mature in Christ

Col 1:29 - Labor striving according to His operation

Ministry Content:

Col 1:12 - Saints' inheritance

Eph 3:8-11 - Christ's unsearchable riches

Col 1:25-27 - Complete word of God

Supply Content:

Col 2:2,9 - Fullness of God's nature

Eph 3:4 - Mystery of Christ

Eph 1:23 - Church as Christ's Body

Col 3:4 - Christ as our life

Practical Examples

• From drinking milk to eating solid food

• From personal pursuit to caring for Body

• From fleshly to spiritual

• From childish to mature and stable

• From self-centered to Christ-centered

• Paul warning and teaching everyone with wisdom

• Epaphras striving in prayer for saints

• Apostles feeding the Lord's flock

Perfecting saints for Body building

Dispensing Christ's riches to people

Challenges Faced

Self-satisfaction without pursuit

Remaining in infant stage

Lacking body consciousness

Natural life not renewed

Tendency to retreat and weaken

• Unclear goals, only seeking salvation

• Lacking rich experience of Christ

• Avoiding church truth

• Unwilling to supply church matters

• Work without life dispensing

Ultimate Goal

Individual reaching Christ's full stature, becoming mature Christian

Bringing everyone to perfection in Christ for church building

Mutual Relationship

Receiver: Needs ministry's dispensing and supply to mature

Supplier: Must first be mature to supply others

Position in God's Economy

Personal realization of

God's eternal purpose

Corporate completion of

 God's eternal purpose

Relationship with Church

Mature individuals become material for church building

Ministry work directly for church building

Time Aspect

Lifelong continuous process until seeing the Lord

Specific ministry period but with lasting impact

Testing Standards

• Whether having Christ's stature

• Whether having body consciousness

• Whether able to discern spiritual things

• Whether stable and mature

• Whether those ministered to are mature

• Whether Christ is dispensed to people

• Whether church is built up

• Whether God's commission is fulfilled

 

Key Insights:

  • Both concepts point to the same Greek word "teleios" (maturity/perfection) but with different focuses
  • Personal maturity and ministry supply are complementary and indispensable
  • The ultimate goal is for the building of the church as Christ's Body and the completion of God's eternal purpose
  • The emphasis is on ministry work that goes beyond salvation to bring people to full maturity in Christ

 

*Please refer to the 2025 Memorial Day Blending Conference. General Topic: Preparation of the Bride. Chapter 3: Maturity of the Bride.