What will the church be like when Christ presents it to Himself?
Christ will present the church to Himself as a glorious called-out assembly, without spot, wrinkle, or any such thing. It will be holy, set apart, and without blemish, having been sanctified and cleansed by the washing of water by the Word, as members of His body made one with Him.
Les explains that Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it so He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word—not baptismal water, but Scripture. He will present it, the body, the church, to Himself as a glorious called-out assembly, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but holy, set apart, without blemish. Les also ties this to marriage: husband and wife become one flesh, and believers are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones, because they have been united with Him. Paul says this speaks concerning Christ and the church, the body.
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.