12. What is the future of the church?

The church on earth is called, like an army, to war against spiritual darkness (Ephesians 6:12). It is not yet the church triumphant; it must wage war against spiritual darkness outside of the church and against compromise and corruption within the church. Knowing that he has but a short time, Satan is angry with God’s church (Revelation 12:12, 17) and will bring against it “a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation.” But God will intervene on behalf of His faithful people, who will be “delivered, everyone who is found in the book” (Daniel 12:1).JTL23 14.1

At Jesus’ return the church triumphant will emerge. At that time, He will be able to present “to Himself a glorious church,” the faithful of all ages, the purchase of His blood, “not having spot or wrinkle, but holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:27). Let us be faithful until that great Day of triumph (Revelation 7:9, 10)!JTL23 14.2