New Jerusalem Seen in Ephesians, 19

Ephesians 5:22-33 has some words about husbands and wives. However, it mainly uses them as a picture of Christ and the church. Therefore it is also a picture of New Jerusalem, “the wife of the Lamb,” Jesus Christ (Rev. 21:9).

Ephesians 5:25-27 shows three steps taken by Christ for His marriage. First (v. 25), “Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her.” By His death on the cross He redeemed and rescued us from sin and death and “destroy[ed] him who has the might of death, that is, the devil” (Heb. 2:14).

Second (v. 26) “that He might sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing of the water in the word.” This is an ongoing process now, sanctifying, renewing, transforming us by the Spirit’s inward washing. (This washing is a matter of life different from but based on the washing of our sins by the blood.)

Third (v. 27) “that He might present the church to Himself glorious.” This is consummated in Revelation 19:7 with rejoicing. The glorious church becomes the glorious New Jerusalem. The church, fully sanctified by the washing, is “holy and without blemish” (v. 27) to be the holy city.

Along with the three steps summarized above, v. 29 says that Christ nourishes and cherishes the church. From the beginning of the New Testament He is the bread of life to nourish us and He is the tree of life as our eternal nourishment in New Jerusalem. And from now through eternity He tenderly cares for us, He cherishes us.

Posted by Don on December 3, 2025

https://newjerusalem12.wordpress.com/2025/12/03/new-jerusalem-seen-in-ephesians-19/