The second step in the Jewish wedding system was known as the preparation. This was the period of the betrothal. It lasted for at least one year but could last much longer if, for example, the arrangement was made when the bride and groom were children. During the period of the preparation, the bride was prepared to be a fitting wife for her mate. It was also the period of time in which she was observed for her purity, which is why the betrothal always lasted for a minimum of one year, to allow at least a full nine months to pass to make certain that the bride was a virgin at the time of the betrothal.

The application of the stage of the preparation of the Bride of Christ (the Church) is that the Bride is even now in the process of being perfected for the Groom (Christ). Two passages deal with this stage. The first is II Corinthians 11:2 – “For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy; for I espoused you to one husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin to Christ.”

The second passage is Ephesians 5:26-27 – “...that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word, that he might present the church to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.”

According to verse 26, the Church is now undergoing a process of sanctification. The word “sanctification” means “to be set apart.” The Church, then, is now being set apart to eventually be presented a pure virgin to Yeshua (Jesus’ name in Hebrew), in accordance with II Corinthians 11:2. Furthermore, verse 26 points out that she is being cleansed by this means of sanctification, which is by the washing of the water with the word. It is not by water baptism, but by the water of the Word of God. As the Church becomes more and more conformed to what the Word of God teaches, she in turn becomes more and more the virgin to be presented to Him. Verse 27 follows, giving the purpose for the process of sanctification in verse 26. The purpose for this process of sanctification is to present to Jesus Christ a glorious Church.

He then gives the four characteristics of a glorified Church. First, it will have no spot, meaning that there will be no outward defilement. Second, there will be no wrinkle, meaning that there will be no evidence of age. Third, it will be holy, meaning that it will eventually reach full sanctification. Fourth, there will be no blemish, no inward defilement. This will take place ultimately at the time of the Judgment Seat of Christ, when the members of the Church in this judgment will have the wood, hay and stubble burned away and the gold, silver and precious stone purified by that fire of judgment.

Then in verse 29, Paul reveals the one way that the Church is being made into a glorious church: “...for no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as Christ also the church...” The church is being nourished, meaning that it is being built up and given strength. Moreover, the Church is being cherished, meaning it is cared for with warmth and tenderness.

God has given us everything we need to build us up and to strengthen us by giving us the Holy Spirit. II Corinthians 1:21-22 tells us that the Lord has given us the Spirit in our hearts as a deposit (a token of our bridal inheritance). Through Him we receive many gifts according to I Corinthians 12:8-11. If we are willing to be vessels through which the bridal gifts flow out to touch the lives of others, God will give us as much as we can receive.