67. The idea that God cares only for our faith and pays no attention to our actions is a new heresy concocted from the first two heresies, [instantaneous salvation and predestination,] discussed just above in §§65, 66. It is amazing to note that when the wisest people of our age deeply examined and unfolded the concepts within faith alone, they brought forth this idea as the third pup born of the she-wolf of predestination. Yet because this offspring is insane, ungodly, and Machiavellian, the pup is kept still wrapped up in its afterbirth to keep its hideousness out of sight. Its insanity and ungodliness is in fact described and rejected, though, in Revelation Unveiled 463.

101. The church belongs with the Lord. Because of the spiritual marriage between what is good and what is true, the Lord is called Bridegroom and Husband and the church is called Bride and Wife. Christians know this from the Word, especially from the following passages in it.

John said of the Lord, “The bridegroom is the one who has the bride. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices because of the bridegroom’s voice.” (John 3:29)

Jesus said, “As long as the bridegroom is with them, the children of the wedding cannot fast.” (Matthew 9:15; Mark 2:19, 20; Luke 5:34– 35)

I saw the holy city, the New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. (Revelation 21:2)

The angel said to John, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb,” and from a mountain he showed him the city, the holy Jerusalem. (Revelation 21:9, 10)

The time for the Lamb’s wedding has come; his bride has prepared herself. Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb. (Revelation 19:7, 9)

“I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the bright and morning star.” And the spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And those who hear, say, “Come!” And those who are thirsty, come. Those who wish to, take the water of life freely. (Revelation 22:16, 17)