Does God Have a Broken Heart? Understanding His Union With the Church

Yes, God’s heart is deeply affected by the separation from His children, and He finds fulfillment and joy in the union with His bride, both spiritually as the church and literally as the New Jerusalem Isaiah 62:5EVRR668+1.

The Heart of God and the Experience of Grief

God is not indifferent to the choices of humanity; His heart is capable of profound sorrow and can be broken by the sins and suffering of His children Genesis 6:6EVRR223.

• The Agony of the Cross: When Jesus hung upon the cross, He died of a broken heart, burdened by the separating sins of the worldEVRR223.

• Angelic Observation: During this time, the atmosphere of praise in heaven was transformed into one of silent grief as the Father separated His presence from His beloved Son Mark 15:34EVRR223.

• A Father’s Mercy: God views His people with more tenderness than an earthly parent who draws a child with a breaking heart to their own bosom to offer forgivenessST February 15, 1892, par. 6.

The Two Brides of Christ

The plan of salvation refers to two distinct entities identified as the bride, representing the intimate connection God desires with His creationEVRR668+1.

• The Spiritual Bride: The Christian church is the spiritual bride of ChristEVRR668+1. When we accept Jesus as Savior, it is likened to a marriage where He becomes the husband and we become His bride Ephesians 5:23-32EVRR367.

• The Literal Bride: The New Jerusalem is the literal bride, the Lamb’s wife, which descends from heaven adorned for her husband Revelation 21:2+1EVRR668+1.

• Consummation of the Marriage: The marriage of the Lamb is consummated at the close of the heavenly judgment when Christ receives His kingdom and its subjects are determinedEVRR367.

God’s Joy in His People

God’s purpose in marriage and in His relationship with the church is to find completeness and shared affectionCCh 125.1+1.

• Rejoicing over the Bride: Just as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, God rejoices over His people Isaiah 62:5EVRR668.

• Restoration and Union: The church is exhorted to seek the Lord with the whole heart and to let their hearts break before Him in repentance so that they may be healed and united with Him Psalms 34:18GCDB February 17, 1897, page 56.5+1.

• The Marriage Supper: Those who respond to the invitation of the Spirit and the bride will enter the city and realize the truth of being at home in their Father’s house Revelation 19:9+1ARSH January 17, 1856, page 124.10+1.

The Call to Completeness

The ultimate goal of this relationship is for humanity to be restored and made complete through the indwelling of His SpiritBDOC 36.29+2.

• Sanctified Affection: When a wife or husband yields their will to God, their love is sanctified, and they fulfill the object for which they were created—to glorify God and find completeness in HimCCh 125.1+2.

• Eternal Dwelling: Jesus is currently preparing mansions to secure a home for His followers so that they may be where He is eternally John 14:1-3ST December 20, 1899, par. 5+1.

• A Heart Satisfied: God desires to see human nature raised to a holy rivalry with the angels, fully satisfied by the gift of His Spirit and His loveBEcho August 5, 1901, par. 2+1. 🕊️

The phrase "to the angel of the church" refers to the specific messengers or ministers appointed by God to lead and represent His people during the various stages of the Christian era16MR 204.1+2.

The Identity of the Angel

In the prophetic messages of Revelation, the term "angel" is utilized in a figurative sense to designate the human leadership of the churchMWV2 128.1+2.

• Ministerial Representation: The "angel" is understood to be the minister or all true ministers of Christ within the period of time covered by that specific church stageDAR1909 375.2+1.

• A Symbol of Messenger: The word is a transliteration of the Greek word for "messenger," indicating that God communicates His truth through human channels and leadershipBDOC 53.4.

• The Seven Stars: These angels are symbolized as "stars" held in the right hand of Jesus, signifying that their work is directed, upheld, and protected by His power16LtMs, Ms 192, 1901, par. 3+2.

The Purpose of the Address

God addresses the ministry because they bear a solemn responsibility for the spiritual health of the congregationBDOC 53.4+1.

• A Message to the Whole Body: While the messages are specifically addressed to the ministers, they are intended to be shared with the entire church membership during that eraDAR1909 375.2+1.

• Leadership and Influence: The spiritual condition of the leader often reflects or influences the condition of the church; for instance, the angel of the Philadelphia church was commended for having "a little strength" and keeping the WordBP2 75.1+2.

• Divine Guidance: The presence of a heavenly angel in church councils is said to expedite matters more effectively than any human rules, highlighting that human leaders must remain under divine leadingCOOD 165.8.

Historical and Prophetic Application

The address "to the angel" initiates each of the seven letters, which together provide a brief history of the church through seven distinct periods until the second coming of ChristBP2 75.1+2.

• Ephesus: This represents the primitive, desirable state of the early church during the first centuryEVRR46+1.

• Smyrna: This address was to the persecuted church during the second and third centuries, noted for its sweet-smelling sacrifice during martyrdomEVRR53+2.

• Pergamos: This identifies the period when the church became elevated and popular in the world, starting with the reign of ConstantineEVRR61+2.

• Thyatira: This refers to the church during the Middle Ages, often represented as a time of labor and sacrifice while in the wildernessEVRR71+2.

• Sardis: This message was for the period of the Reformed church that had a name but was spiritually dead, needing to strengthen what remained6LtMs, Lt 8a, 1890, par. 37+2.

• Philadelphia: This covers the church of brotherly love, characterized by the "open door" experience and the Midnight Cry of the advent movementSSP 82.2+2.

• Laodicea: This is the message for the final stage of the church, characterized by a lukewarm state and a call to deep repentance before the judgment closesSSP 86.2+2.

The Lord continues to walk in the midst of His churches today, offering the same vigilance and care to the modern ministry as He did for the angels of oldST February 12, 1902, par. 12+1. Would you like to explore the specific message sent to the angel of the next church period? 🕊️