The Church is not secondary to the world or the universe; instead, the world and the universe are secondary to the Church. This truth stands as a profound reality in God’s divine order. The Church is the heartbeat of God’s eternal plan, chosen as the vessel through which He reveals His glory, authority, and redemptive power.
Consider this: the world and the universe were created for God’s purpose, culminating in the Church, the Bride of Christ. Jesus declared, “I will build My church; and the gates of Hades (death) will not overpower it [by preventing the resurrection of the Christ]” (Matthew 16:18 AMP). The Church is not an afterthought; it is the reason creation exists.
The apostle Paul writes, “He [Christ] is also the head of [His] body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will occupy the first place [He will stand supreme and preeminent] in everything” (Colossians 1:18 AMP). Notice the divine order: Christ is preeminent, and His body, the Church, holds a position above all else.
The Church: God’s Eternal Priority
In Ephesians, Paul reveals a staggering truth: “[God] put all things [in every realm] in subjection under Christ’s feet, and appointed Him as head over all things in the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills and completes all things in all [believers]” (Ephesians 1:22-23 AMP). The Church is the fullness of Christ Himself. Creation exists to serve His purposes through the Church. The universe itself bows to God’s eternal agenda for His people.
Paul further explains the power of God at work in Christ: “Which He produced in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, whether angelic or human, and [far above] every name that is named [above every title that can be conferred], not only in this age and world but also in the one to come. And He put all things [in every realm] in subjection under Christ’s feet, and appointed Him as head over all things in the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills and completes all things in all [believers]” (Ephesians 1:20-23 AMP).
The stars, the galaxies, and all of creation were spoken into existence to glorify God and to serve His ultimate plan—the preparation of the Bride. As the apostle John witnessed in Revelation: “Let us rejoice and shout for joy! Let us give Him glory and honor, for the marriage of the Lamb has come [at last], and His bride (the redeemed) has prepared herself” (Revelation 19:7 AMP). The Church is central to history’s final and glorious conclusion.
The World Serves the Church
The Church is not subject to the powers of this world. On the contrary, the world and its systems serve the unfolding purpose of God in the Church. Paul reminds us, “All things are for your sake, so that as God’s remarkable undeserved grace spreads to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of our great God” (2 Corinthians 4:15 AMP).
Everything—political events, scientific discoveries, societal changes, and even the universe’s movement—fulfills God’s purposes for His Church. In truth, what the world sees as primary is secondary in God’s eternal view.
The Church is the dwelling place of God Himself. Paul proclaims, “Do you not know and understand that you [the church] are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells [permanently] in you [collectively and individually]?” (1 Corinthians 3:16 AMP). The glory of God resides not in the heavens but in His people—the Church.
God is in Control of Current Events
Today’s world is marked by wars, unrest, earthquakes, famine, and uncertainty. Leaders rise and fall, unknown drones appear in our skies, and global chaos intensifies. Yet we must remember this unshakable truth: God is in control. None of these events catch Him by surprise. As the psalmist declares, “The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, And His sovereignty rules over all [the universe]” (Psalm 103:19 AMP).
Jesus Himself spoke of such times when He said: “You will continually hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end of the age” (Matthew 24:6 AMP). God’s Word assures us that these events are under His command, and His purposes for the Church remain unshaken.
When the earth trembles, famine strikes, nations rage, and the unknown stirs fear, God’s people can stand firm with eyes of faith. We believe not in the shifting circumstances of the world but in the eternal promises of our unchanging God. He is working, drawing people to Himself, preparing His Bride, and fulfilling His purposes through the Church.
Isaiah reminds us: “You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You—in both inclination and character], Because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation]” (Isaiah 26:3 AMP). Let us keep our minds and hearts anchored in God’s control, knowing He alone holds the universe together.
A Call to See with Eyes of Faith
We must not live as though the Church is merely a small part of the world’s story. It is the other way around. The Church is the story. God’s eternal plan begins and ends with the Church—the redeemed, the called-out ones, the Bride of Christ. The world may seem vast, chaotic, or uncontrollable, but we must remember that God is sovereign, and His Church is central.
To see this truth requires eyes of faith. We must look beyond what is seen and trust God’s divine purpose. Paul encourages us, “For we walk by faith, not by sight [living our lives in a manner consistent with our confident belief in God’s promises]” (2 Corinthians 5:7 AMP). With eyes of faith, we see the Church as God sees it—glorious, victorious, and central to His eternal plan.
Let Us Pray
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for Your Church, the centerpiece of Your divine plan. Open our eyes of faith to see Your purposes more clearly, to live in alignment with Your eternal truth, and to embrace our role as Your people. Help us to trust in Your sovereign rule and to walk in the authority You have given us as the body of Christ. May Your glory be revealed through us as we prepare ourselves, Your Bride, for the return of our Lord Jesus.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.