Jesus purchased the church with his own blood. Acts 20: 28. He gave his life for it. Eph. 5:25. God, or Christ, who was God manifested in the flesh, built himself a glorious and pure church—holy, blameless, and spotless. It is all his own. He bestows upon it the fond title of Bride: “He that hath the bride is the bridegroom.” John 3:29. “For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” 2 Cor. 11:2. Paul addresses this letter to the church of God at Corinth. 2 Cor. 1:1. He presents this church as a chaste virgin to her one husband, even Christ. John in conversation with an angel from heaven was bid to “come hither,” and he would be shown the bride the Lamb’s wife; and behold he was shown that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. Rev. 21:9-11. This is beautiful descriptive language. This holy city Jerusalem, clear as crystal, is The pure and holy virgin bride, The spotless church for which Christ died. “I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine: he feedeth among the lilies.” S. of Sol. 6:3. The Foundation Of The Church. “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor. 3:11. “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone.” Eph. 2:20. A quotation here from the Old Testament will only add strength and beauty to this subject: “Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation.” Isa. 28:16. God here gives promise of establishing Zion—the church—upon a sure foundation; namely, Christ in the great salvation day. The Kingdom Of God. Frequent reference is made throughout the New Testament to the “kingdom of God” and the “kingdom of heaven.” When the “God which is in heaven” was “revealing the deep and secret things” unto Daniel concerning Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, he also revealed unto him that in the days of those kings he would set up a kingdom which should never be destroyed, consequently would stand forever. Dan. 2:44.