What is the purpose of the Church and where will it exist after the resurrection? This has often been a source of curiosity and contemplation. What will be their destination and purpose after being caught up to meet the Lord Jesus in the clouds?
The Meeting of the Bride and Bridegroom
One day, the Lord Jesus Christ will return from heaven, the dead in Christ will be resurrected, and those of us who are alive will be gathered together with them to meet the Lord in the air. As the Scripture promises, we will be with the Lord forever.
“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
According to these verses, when the Lord Jesus Christ returns, those who belong to Him—or rather, those who are “in Him” (1 John 5:20)—will be gathered together to be with Him and will remain in His presence for eternity.
The Marriage (The Union of Head & Body)
The moment of his return marks the period of the union of the Head and Body, often referred to as the Marriage—the joining together of the Bride and Bridegroom (Revelation 19:7). This union will be instant, magnificent, and inexplicably powerful (1 Corinthians 15:52). From that moment forward, no longer two, they are one in every sense of the word. Furthermore, God, who is not the author of division, declares that what He has joined together, no one can separate (Matthew 19:6).
The saints, or the Bride, will be united with Christ Jesus for eternity because He lives forever (Revelation 1:18). This unbreakable bond ensures that the bride will always be with Him, wherever He may be. Their union is everlasting—they will never be apart, never separated. This profound truth is reaffirmed by Jesus in John 14:3, where He promises His disciples that although He is leaving, He will return to bring them to Himself, so that they may be with Him always, sharing in His presence for all eternity.
Since, the bride of Christ is assured to be with Him eternally, wherever He may be. Now, let us examine the specific location or locations referred to as “where I am” that Jesus spoke of. Where is this place where the bride will dwell with Him forever?
Inseparable Forever
“For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth …” (Romans 7:2, KJV).
As discussed, once the marriage takes place, and the bride and bridegroom are united, they are bound together for all eternity. Their union goes beyond the idea of simply one being where the other is. On the contrary, since Jesus is the head and the Church is His body, their oneness means they can no longer be seen as separate entities. They will be no more ‘they’.
The word ‘Christ’ essentially means ‘anointed,’ and in Scripture, it can refer to Jesus Christ or, when standing alone, the collective anointed body. That body is representative of the active manifestation of God’s will and government. For God, being invisible and never seen (1 Timothy 6:16; John 1:18), fulfills His purposes and works through this union.This united entity embodies the head and body together—because all believers are one in Christ (Galatians 3:28).
Verses of prophecy relating to a period after Jesus Christ’s ascension into heaven, where the word ‘Christ’ stands alone, in most, if not all cases, refers to the complete, inseparable union. It neither individually refers to Jesus Christ or the Church, nor the Bridegroom or the Bride, but the one, inseparable government of God Almighty.
The Inheritance of the Earth
“…Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee … the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession” (Psalms 2:7-8, KJV).
It is evident that the above Psalm is a clear reference to Jesus Christ, and is further confirmed by the Apostle Paul in Acts 13:33. This connection becomes even more compelling when you consider the undeniable truth that there is only one begotten Son, as affirmed in John 3:16, which highlights the unique and divine nature of His relationship with God. Therefore, since we know that Psalms 2:7 is a unique reference to Jesus Christ, we can examine verse 8 further.
The Inheritance of the Nations
Jesus Christ, the firstborn son of God, was promised an earthly, eternal inheritance before he ever stepped foot upon this earth. It was prophesied that one day this righteous Branch would reign and prosper (Jeremiah 23:5) upon the very same earth that he walked upon (The Future Throne of the Lord Jesus Christ). However, God did not just promise him an earthly inheritance, as a human would inherit an estate, he willed that the firstborn would not only inherit the earth but would have the government of God resting upon his shoulders, meaning that the righteous rule of the Almighty God would be entrusted to him. It will be carried out by him.
During this time, the earth will celebrate as Christ takes His rightful place to govern (Genesis 49:10), ending the reign of the Gentiles as depicted in Daniel 2. He will strike the foundation of Gentile rule, causing it to collapse entirely, and the wind of Almighty God will sweep away every remnant of it from the earth (Daniel 2:35). For the Kingdom of God will come with power (Mark 9:1), shattering and consuming all earthly kingdoms (Daniel 2:44), leaving behind neither root nor branch (Malachi 4:1), nor seed to later spring up (Nahum 1:9). During this glorious time, Christ will reign over the House of Jacob eternally (Luke 1:33).
The House of Jacob symbolizes the entirety of God’s household, encompassing both Jews of physical lineage and faith, and those born into the household through faith alone (Romans 9:6-8). It signifies the ultimate unity of one house, as beautifully depicted in Ezekiel 37:15-28. In this passage, the Lord instructs the prophet to take two sticks, bind them together, and make them one in his hands—illustrating a powerful demonstration of God’s future plan for not only the geographical nation of Israel but the entire, unified House of Jacob.
This act foreshadows the day when God will bring both houses together, forming one unified family under His divine authority. In this eternal house, Christ will reign forever, and Jesus Christ as King of Kings and Lord of Lords (1 Timothy 6:15).
Where I Am, Ye Shall Be Also
The saints in Christ, are destined to reign over the nations together with Jesus Christ (Revelation 3:21), as they will reside in His presence wherever He dwells, and He will hold dominion over all (Daniel 7:14).
This profound idea is vividly depicted in Luke 19:16-19, through the parable of stewardship. In this narrative, a servant entrusted with one pound multiplies it into ten, while another increases it to five. Because of their diligence, faithfulness, and wise stewardship, the first servant is rewarded with authority over ten cities, and the second is given control over five, symbolizing the saints sharing in Jesus Christ’s governance during the millennial reign, and highlighting their roles in leadership in His divine kingdom.
Timing of Fulfillment
The Word of God is clear, and thankfully, the timing of these events is not hidden, offering comfort and hope (1 Thessalonians 4:18), especially to those who endure suffering for the name of Jesus. The union between the Body, the Church (Colossians 1:24), and the Head, Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:18), will occur “at the last trump” (1 Corinthians 15:52, KJV). This moment corresponds to the sounding of the final trumpet among the seven trumpets mentioned in Revelation, as affirmed:
“And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.” (Revelation 11:15, KJV).
The Length of the Saints’ Millennial Rule
When Jesus Christ returns to earth, he returns as ruler of the nations, the head of the government of God, for the government of God will rest upon his shoulders (Isaiah 9:6). When the union or marriage occurs, the governance of that rule will be one and span the entire period of the millennium—a literal 1,000-year period that encompasses the final age of time itself (The Millennial Reign of the Kingdom of God).