The church was not, and is not, the subject of prophecy. Prophecy is occupied with God’s dealing in government on the earth, at the center of which is Israel. It is important for believers to understand this, else much in the Bible will cause confusion. The church is an entity quite distinct from Israel: “Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God” (1 Cor. 10:32).
In Matthew we find that the church was a future thing. Peter was but a stone (“Peter” in Greek is petros, a “stone”); Christ is the Rock. He is the builder, and the building is His. It is perfect; the gates of hell cannot prevail against it (Matt. 16:15-18).
Scripture also presents a view of the church in relation to human responsibility. Paul as a wise master-builder laid the foundation—Jesus Christ—upon which others build, not only gold, silver and precious stones, but also wood, hay and stubble (1 Cor. 3:10-12).
The decay that has come in is spoken of in the Epistles of John, Jude and 2 Peter. In the addresses to the seven churches in Revelation we have a view of the church in its various phases of decline. However, it is not the church itself that is the subject of prophecy, but the moral ruin of Christendom in this earthly scene. While the bride, “a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing” (Eph. 5:27), will be called away at the rapture, the empty profession that remains (the great harlot; Rev. 17:1 JnD) will be spewed out of His mouth (Rev. 3:16). The Lord will then again take up Israel—the natural branches (Israel) being grafted into their own olive tree (Rom. 11:24).
N. Simon