The Church in Symbols

"Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army pith banners" (Cant. 6:10). 

Here we have in symbols a beautiful description of the characteristics of the Church of Jesus Christ. When a boy I thought the "church" consisted only of a building with seats and a bell, and several joiners. Of course these things are all right in their places, but "the Church" means a thousand times more than these things. My purpose in this chapter is to paraphrase this beautiful picture of the Church. For convenience, I will divide it into five parts.

1. "Who is she that looketh forth as the morning" "Morning" is used to symbolize three things. First, it is used to symbolize "Life." Ever since the world began, the dawn of the day has been used to symbolize the dawn of life, and the setting sun to symbolize the night of death (Eccl. 12: 2). This is a true characteristic of the Church of Jesus Christ, as He has so beautifully said, in John 10: 10, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." There is not a dead member in the Church of Jesus Christ. There may be dead ones belonging to the meeting-house, who have no knowledge of when they were born from above; but it is not so in tie Church of Jesus Christ.

Secondly, "Morning" is used to symbolize Hope, and "Evening," Despair. Of all the grand and noble institutions upon earth, there are none to be found that can inspire hope into the breast of a heartbroken, forlorn, despairing soul who is nearing the greedy jaws of death, and is on the margin of the grave. But the religion of Jesus Christ will turn his night into day, and give him beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.

Thirdly, "Morning" is also used by poets and artists to symbolize Prosperity and Success, while "Evening" is used to symbolize Defeat and Failure. The Church of Christ is truly an institution of prosperity. When we look back nearly two thousand years and observe her in her infancy, as Jesus, her great Head, stood in that upper chamber, surrounded by eleven humble followers, and offered that great High-Priestly prayer; and see what she is to-day, with her thousands of followers in every land, besides the blood-washed millions who have gone to be with their Lord. Thus we see plainly that it is by no means a non-successful institution. Therefore she does not need to beg and tease sinners, saloon-keepers, and ungodly men for their blood-money, for her perpetuation. Away with such nonsense!

2. "Fair as the Moon." The moon here symbolizes three things. First, it is used to symbolize innocence, righteousness. What a beautiful characteristic is this of the Church! The first stratum in the kingdom of grace is righteousness. Hence, every one of her members is righteous from every standpoint. Their lives and conduct are clean, upright and holy, like unto that of the Son of God.

Secondly, the moon is used to symbolize Purity or Holiness. Some preachers say that it is a new doctrine and never heard of in the Church before. But according to the Bible (which is the Christian's unerring guide) the Church of Jesus Christ has always been a holy church, ever since the day of Pentecost. Paul said, in Eph. 5: 25, 26, "Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it; that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."

Thirdly, the moon is used to symbolize Peace and Serenity. How beautifully this harmonizes with the prophecy of Isaiah, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulders: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace" (Isa. 9:6). Truly the religion of Jesus Christ brings peace and contentment to every kingdom, nation, people, and tongue that will accept it; and as the prophet has said, "And He shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more" (Isa. 2:4).

3. "Clear as the Sun" (1. e., brilliant as the sun). The thought expressed here is, that as the sun dispels the darkness and brings light and warmth to all of the sons of Adam, just so does the true Church, with the lamp of Divine truth. It dispels ignorance, error, and superstition everywhere it goes, and scatters the fire of divine love from sea to sea and from shore to shore.

4. "Terrible as an Army" (i. e., resistless as an army). "An Army" is used to symbolize power and strength.. Who can stand before a praying, fasting, weeping church Is there any marvel that the Red Sea rolled up like a window-shade, the walls of Jericho fell down, the sun was stopped on his wonted course, the lion's jaw was locked, and three thousand souls were converted in a day

5. "With Banners." The word "banner" stands for Victory and Conquest. Some people preach and teach that Jesus will finally gain the victory over Satan's kingdom, some day. But according to my Bible He has the victory now, and not only does He have the Victory, but His Church has the victory. Paul says, "He led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men" (Eph. 4:8). "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand" (John 10: 28).