J-45. WHO Is the BRIDE of CHRIST?

J-45. WHO Is the BRIDE of CHRIST?

Now, I myself was saved in the Assemblies of God Church, and in that church fellowship, I heard a lot of sermons and Bible study teachings on the coming of Jesus coming for his BRIDE. So I always assumed that the CHURCH is the bride of Christ because Jesus is coming for his CHURCH. 

But the other day, a dear sister in the Lord asked me to read a couple of articles that teach against the church as being the bride of Christ. Now, I had no idea that this was a controversial subject among Christians. In other words, I just assumed that every Christian believes that the church is the bride of Christ. She asked me if I had a study on this subject and I had to say that I did not have any “specific” study of who is the bride of Christ. But I do now, you are reading it right now. So let us get started searching the Scriptures for the TRUTH, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth no matter where God’s truth leads us.

We will start in the New Testament by doing word searches. The word “bride” is found five times in the New Testament. Here are those five verses without their context, as yet.

John 3:29.  

“He that has the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy, therefore, is fulfilled.”

According to the context which we will read later, the bridegroom is Jesus and the friend of the bridegroom is John the Baptist, the one who is doing the talking. He says MY joy is fulfilled because he heard the voice of Jesus.

Revelation 18:23.  

“And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in you; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in you: for your merchants were the great men of the earth; for by their sorceries were all nations deceived.”

I will wait on commenting on this verse until later after we have read all five verses. Here is the third verse.

Revelation 21:2.  

“And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”

Again, I will wait on commenting on this verse until later after we have read all five verses. Here is the fourth verse.

Revelation 21:9.  

“And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will show you the bride, the Lamb's wife.”

This verse along with verse 10 is the main passage of Scripture used to teach AGAINST the church as being the bride of Christ. I will explain the arguments on both sides of this controversy when we actually get into this study. Right now we are simply doing a word search on related words to the phrase “The bride of Christ”. Here is the fifth verse with the word “bride” in it.

Revelation 22:17.  

“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that hears say, Come. And let him that is thirsty come. And whosoever will let him take the water of life freely.”

Well, according to this last verse in Revelation 22:17, the Holy Spirit is NOT the bride of Christ. For you see, this verse says, “And the Spirit AND the bride say COME…”, as in, come Lord Jesus. How do we know for sure that the Spirit and the bride say come, Lord Jesus when the words “Lord Jesus” are not in this verse? That is why we need to read the context. Please read Revelation 22:20 just a few verses down.

Revelation 22:20.

“He who testifies these things says, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, COME, Lord Jesus.”

And the Spirit and the BRIDE say COME. Who is the Spirit and the Bride asking to COME? Well, to me, it is our Lord Jesus Christ. And WHO has the Holy Spirit dwelling IN them?

Please read Romans 8:14-17.

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 

15.  For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but you have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 

16.  The Spirit itself (Or Himself) bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 

17.  And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”

Before we get into the other four verses with the word “bride” in them, let us do a word search on the word “bridegroom” in the New Testament. The word bridegroom is found 16 times in 12 verses. But since there is NO controversy as to WHO the BRIDEGROOM IS, we will not be looking at those 12 verses right at the moment. From what I have researched so far, every Christian AGREES that the bridegroom is Jesus Christ. So the controversy is just concerning WHO is the BRIDE. With that being said, let us now look at the arguments AGAINST the church as being the bride.

ARGUMENTS AGAINST THE CHURCH AS BEING THE BRIDE OF CHRIST

I will highlight all the arguments AGAINST the church as being the bride of Christ in tan so that it will be easy to distinguish my answers to the following arguments that try to prove that the church is NOT the bride of Christ. I will also place the quotes from the articles that are against the church as being the bride in a different font style but I will not highlight the quotes in tan.

Argument #1.

The phrase “Bride of Christ” is NOT found anywhere in the Bible.

My answer to this argument #1.

There are many church doctrines that use words and phrases that are NOT found in the Bible. The fact that a word or phrase describing a church teaching does NOT make the teaching to be true or false. For example, the phrase “The rapture of the church” is NOT found in the Bible either but the EVENt described in the doctrine or the teaching of the rapture of the church is, indeed, found in the Bible.

So to me, argument #1 against the church being the bride of Christ is not really an argument at all. The word “bride” is in the Bible. The word “Christ” is in the Bible. And we all agree that Jesus Christ IS the bridegroom. So WHO IS the bride OF Christ because there is, indeed a BRIDE OF Christ in the Bible. And we already know from Revelation 22:17 that the Holy Spirit is NOT the bride of Christ. Let us read that verse again.

Revelation 22:17

“And the Spirit AND the bride say, Come. And let him that hears say, Come. And let him that is thirsty come. And whosoever will let him take the water of life freely.”

Argument #2.

Some Christians teach that the CHURCH is the body of Christ and ISRAEL is NOT the bride of Christ because Jesus is coming FOR the CHURCH. 

Here is a quote from one of the articles that our sister in the Lord sent to me. Just so you know that after doing my own research of the Scriptures, I have to agree with pastor Stam that is referred to in this article and I am NOT in agreement with pastor Paul, the writer of this article that is against the church as being the bride of Christ. To me, the Scriptures themselves actually prove that the church IS, indeed, the bride of Christ. You will see why I say this as you continue to read this in-depth study in God’s word. The emphasis in the quote from the article is mine.

“Through the years, Pastor Stam and I have been in about 85 percent agreement when it comes to how to rightly divide the Word of truth. However, one area that we have never seen eye to eye on is the issue under consideration. Brother Stam believes that the Body of Christ is numbered with the company of believers commonly known as the Bride of Christ. We have had a number of spirited discussions on the matter, all of which ended in the old “Mexican standoff.”

There were times as we left the room together, he would chuckle and exclaim, “Paul, someday you will see the light!”

Mindful of with whom I was discussing these eternal issues, I have weighed the evidence very carefully under the microscope of Paul’s gospel. After bringing everything into focus, I am more convinced than ever that the Body of Christ is not the Bride, the Lamb’s wife. 

To me, it seems terribly inconsistent to make distinction after the distinction between Israel and the Church and then turn around and say that they are one and the same, that is, the Bride of Christ. Of course, some teach that the “Body” is the Bride, not Israel, but this is simply not supported by the facts. One thing is clear in this discussion: the opinions of men are inconsequential in view of the eternal question, “What saith the Scriptures?”

My answer to this argument #2.

The fact that SOME Christians say that ONLY the church is the bride of Christ and NOT Israel has no bearing on the church NOT being the bride of Christ. It simply means that those Christian are not rightly dividing the word of truth. For you see, God promised to turn to Israel a SECOND time. So in truth, a REMNANT of Israel will be saved alive in their mortal bodies to enter into the 1000 year reign of Jesus to be taught of that Lord. So Israel WILL become a part of the church DURING the Millennial reign of Jesus and part of the bride of Christ at the end of the 1000 years of the world yet to come. BUT at the COMING of Jesus before the Millennium ONLY the saints who are IN Jesus Christ IN THIS PRESENT world will be given eternal life at that time to rule and reign with Jesus DURING the Millennial Kingdom.

So again, to me, this argument is not really an argument at all. Jesus said that the first will be last and the last will be first. Israel was the first “people” chosen by God but they will be the last to enter the Kingdom of heaven to receive eternal life. The Gentile people were the last to hear the Gospel and the almost all Gentile church will be the first to receive eternal life and to enter the city of God, the New Jerusalem.

So to me, argument #2 does NOT prove that the church is not the bride of Christ. Nor does it prove that only Israel is the bride of Christ. It really does not prove anything other than Paul, the writer of the quoted article above, does not have ALL the facts as yet. So I agree with pastor Stam and say, “Paul, someday you will see the light!” 

Also, please notice that I highlighted in yellow that pastor Paul uses the teaching of the Apostle Paul to draw his EVIDENCE from but he also disregards other verses of Scripture. This will become important as we learn WHY some Christians NEED the church to NOT BE the bride of Christ. I will point some of this out as we continue this study on who is the bride of Christ. But for now, please know that every false teaching NEEDS the Scriptures to be INTERPRETED to agree with their teaching or the church doctrine will fall apart. So there is almost always a MOTIVE behind every controversial subject including this controversy on who is the bride of Christ.

Argument #3.

The Scriptures are explicitly clear that the “Bride” is Israel.

 Without quoting more than necessary, I will summarize pastor Paul’s argument for Israel as being the bride of Christ. John the Baptist said that the Bridegroom is Jesus in John 3:29 which is one of the five verses that have the word “BRIDE” in it. But it is what John the Baptist says in John 1:31 that pastor Paul himself believes to be explicitly clear that the bride is ISRAEL.

John 1:31.

“And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.”

Here is a quote from pastor Paul’s article for Israel being the bride of Christ.

“The “bride” is obviously Israel. John the Baptist plainly declares in this record: “And I knew Him not: but that He should be made manifest to ISRAEL, therefore, am I come baptizing with water” (John 1:31). 

Did not our Lord instruct His disciples to “Go not into the way of the Gentiles….But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of ISRAEL”? (Matt. 10:5,6). 

Did not our Lord say concerning Himself at that time: “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of ISRAEL”? (Matt. 15:24).

Moving farther along in the gospel according to Matthew, we have the parable of the ten virgins (Matt. 25:1-13). Here we learn that only believing Israel will participate in the actual marriage of the Lamb. You will recall that there were five wise virgins and five foolish. When the bridegroom delayed his coming the lamps of the unwise virgins ran out of oil as they slumbered. Therefore, the five foolish virgins, representative of the unsaved, were unprepared when the midnight cry came “Behold, the bridegroom cometh!” While they went to purchase oil, the Bridegroom came “…and they [five saved virgins] that were ready went in with him to the marriage” (vs. 10). In addition, this portion teaches us that the marriage will take place when our Lord returns in His glory at the close of the Great Tribulation (vs. 13)”

My answer to this argument #3.

What happens when an unsaved Jew of the house of Israel BELIEVES in Jesus as the Lord and Savior? Do they remain a Jew in God’s eyes? Do they remain Israel and stay in the Jewish religion? Paul was a Jew. All the original 12 Apostles were Jews. What happened when the Apostles of Jesus were saved? What happens when an unsaved Gentile BELIEVES in Jesus as their Lord and Savior? Do they remain a Gentile in God’s eyes?

Well, the Bible itself teaches us that saved Jews and saved Gentiles become ONE and they are NO LONGER Jews and Gentiles. But rather, they are NEW CREATURES created IN Jesus Christ.

Please read Galatians 3:28,29.

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, (Or there is neither Israel nor Gentile in the church) there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all ONE IN in Christ Jesus. 

29.  And if you are Christ's, then are you Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.” 

In other words, WHOSOEVER believes in Jesus becomes part of the BODY of Jesus Christ, which IS the CHURCH. If you seriously and sincerely believe that Jesus died on the cross for ONLY Israel then I implore you to read the study “IS SALVATION FOR ISRAEL ONLY?”

In regard to pastor Paul’s interpretation of the ten virgins in Matthew 25 as the five foolish virgins being unsaved, he is partly correct but his final conclusion is in error. For you see, the foolish virgins at one time had their lamps lit and oil in their lamps. And that means they were once saved BUT they fell asleep and their lamps went out due to NOT having enough OIL in their lamps. When you trim an oil lamp, the flame will burn BRIGHTER. But if the lamp runs OUT of oil it will not burn. So to ME, all ten virgins were saved but only the five wise virgins were READY for the coming of Jesus. The wise virgins kept their vessels full of oil. The Bible speaks of both water and oil as figures of the Holy Spirit. Paul teaches us to be you BEING filled with the Holy Spirit. That means to be filled again and again. Please read the study “STIR UP THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT IS WITHIN YOU!” This is why Jesus warns his church to WATCH so that his bride will be READY when Jesus returns.

Let us read Revelation 3:2-6 where we see the CHURCH is again WARNED by Jesus to WATCH and be ready for the coming of Jesus. Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians chapter five that Jesus is coming like a THIEF in the night and for us to WATCH and NOT sleep as others do. But rather we are to be sober and vigilant to not be like the children of the night.

Revelation 3:2-6.

“Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found your works perfect before God. (Jesus is talking TO the CHURCH saying to SOME in the church that he has not found their WORKS to be perfect before God. Jesus is warning the lukewarm Christians to watch because they are ready to die, as in, LOSE their salvation because of their WORKS being ungodly)

3.  Remember therefore how you have received and heard, and hold fast, and REPENT. If therefore you shall NOT watch, I will come on you as a thief, and you shall not know what hour I will come upon you. (The church is not “APPOINTED” to the wrath of God but that does NOT mean that not one single Christian will suffer the wrath of God. For you see, the Bible ALSO says that the children of DISOBEDIENCE will suffer the wrath of God. Please read Ephesians 5:6-8. “Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things comes the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Eph 5:7  Be not you, therefore, partakers with them. Eph 5:8  For you were sometimes darkness, but NOW are YOU light in the Lord: WALK as children of light:” Now, if it is not possible for a Christian to sin or it does not matter if a Christian sins then why does the Apostle Paul WARN us to NOT be partakers of the wrath of God with them? Paul says YOU are the children of the light so WALK as the children of the light)

4.  You have a few names even in Sardis which have NOT DEFILED their garments, and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. (All Christians need to understand that IF a Christian lives in a lifestyle of sin and they do NOT REPENT of their living in sin then they are essentially serving Satan. They are obeying the WRONG voice. And if they DIE while living in a lifestyle of sin then they will lose their salvation. And if they are living in sin when Jesus returns they will NOT be ready, They will be found UNWORTHY to receive eternal life and they will be left behind to suffer the WRATH of God. Please read the study “IS ONCE SAVED  ALWAYS SAVED BIBLICAL?”)

5.  He that OVERCOMES, the SAME shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will NOT blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. 

6.  He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” 

So in conclusion to argument #3, I do NOT agree with Pastor Paul concerning ISRAEL as being the bride of Christ because Israel is NOT saved UNTIL they believe in Jesus as their Messiah. And once a Jew BELIEVES in Jesus then they are no longer a Jew in the eyes of God. They are a NEW CREATURE created IN Jesus Christ. And thus, they become a member of the BODY of Jesus Christ which is the CHURCH.

Please read Galatians 6:15,16.

“For IN Christ Jesus neither circumcision avails anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. 

16.  And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and (Or BUT) mercy, and upon the Israel of God.”

For you see, Israel is NOT SAVED until they BELIEVE that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Now, God promised to turn to Israel a SECOND time which will be at the second coming of Jesus. God will lift his wrath to save a REMNANT of Israel to go into the Millennium in their mortal bodies to be taught of the Lord. There will also be a remnant of Gentiles left alive in their mortal bodies to go into the Millennium as well. Think of the 1000 year reign of Jesus like another church age. And those saved during the Millennium will be added to the body of Christ. And thus, Israel is ALSO part of the bride of Christ at the END of the 1000 year reign of Jesus.

Argument #4.

The church is ALREADY eternally SECURE and thus the church is READY, But since the bride makes HERSELF ready then the church can NOT possibly be the bride of Christ. But Israel is NOT ready, and therefore, Israel is the bride of Christ because Israel still needs to make herself ready.

My answer to this argument #4.

Here is the MOTIVE for WHY pastor Paul and other Christians who teach AGAINST the church as being the bride of Christ. They NEED the church to NOT be the bride of Christ because IF they teach that the church IS the bride of Christ then their whole theology of “once saved always saved” falls apart. Pastor Paul, the one who wrote the arguments AGAINST the church being the church is a once save always saved grace alone eternally security you can never lose your salvation Christians. And OSAS grace ALONE Christians sincerely believe that NO works of any kind are needed to be READY to receive eternal life in the world to come. And since Revelation 19:7 plainly states that the wife has made HERSELF ready that would DESTROY his belief system of eternal security once saved always saved theology. So that is WHY OSAS believers preach AGAINST the church being the BRIDE of Christ. They would have to STOP being GRACE ALONE Christians if they see the TRUTH that the church IS the bride of Christ.

Let us read this verse in its CONTEXT. For you see, to a hardcore grace alone Calvinistic Reformed Theology PRE-tribulation rapture believing Christian the very thought that WE make OURSELVES READY is a “blasphemous” statement to them. So THEY need the church to NOT be the bride of Christ. For you see, to THEM, making yourself ready is BOASTING. To them, making yourself ready is WORKS and we are saved by grace ALONE. Eternal security grace ALONE Christians have no TRUE understanding of WHAT “work” Paul is talking about in Ephesians 2:8,9. Paul is talking about the works of the Law of Moses contained in ordinances that were nailed to the cross. Keep reading the CONTEXT in verse 15.

Ephesians 2:15.

“Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;”

That means that all the ceremonial laws such as all the Sabbath days including the weekly Sabbath days were abolished on the cross. No more DIETARY laws. The only commandments that Christians must keep lest they sin are the MORAL commandments under the New Covenant written in the New Testament. And IF we sin then we must REPENT and CONFESS our sins. Let us go ahead and read the passage of Scripture where the Lamb’s wife makes HERSELF ready so you can see for yourself that the bride of Christ IS the CHURCH.

Please read Revelation 19:7-9.

“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the MARRIAGE of the Lamb is come, and his WIFE has made herself READY. 

8.  And to her it was GRANTED that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: FOR (Or BECAUSE) the fine linen is the righteousness of SAINTS. 

9.  And he said unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he said unto me, These are the true sayings of God.” 

Now simply ask yourself the following questions. “WHO are the SAINTS? Are not the members of the BODY of Jesus Christ called the SAINTS? The Apostle Paul refers to the members of the body of Christ being saints some forty times. And the WIFE of the Lamb is GRANTED to wear a white robe which is the righteousness of the SAINTS. Are not the souls under the altar in Revelation 6:8-11 who are given white robes SAINTS? Will unsaved Israel be given white robes at the coming of Jesus when he comes to rapture the SAINTS? Will Israel be raptured WITH the church at the second coming of Jesus BEFORE the 1000 year reign of Jesus? Will Israel rule and reign WITH Jesus during the Millennium? Will Israel be given eternal life AT the second coming of Jesus? Are not those who come out of the great tribulation in Revelation 7:13-17 who are given white robes SAINTS? 

Revelation 7:13-17.

“And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? And from where did they come? 

14.  And I said unto him, Sir, you know. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. (Sounds like the CHURCH to me. When a Christian lives in sin he or she DEFILES their garment with the stains of sin. And when they REPENT and CONFESS their sin they WASH their garment in the blood of the Lamb which cleanses them from all their unrighteousness. Again, please read all the studies under the heading >>>CAN WE LOSE ETERNAL LIFE?<<<)

15.  Therefore, are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sits on the throne shall dwell among them. 

16.  They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sunlight be on them, nor any heat. 

17.  For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.”

Back in Revelation 19:7-9 where the Lamb’s WIFE made herself ready we read that it was GRANTED to her to be arrayed in white. And then we read the BLESSED are THEY that are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb. And when we compare Scripture with Scripture. In Revelation 3:14-22, Jesus is talking to the church at Laodicea. He starts off by saying that it would be better if they were hot or cold but because they were “LUKEWARM” Jesus will spew them out of his mouth. Then Jesus ends his talk with the lukewarm Christians by saying that only those who OVERCOME will be GRANTED the right to sit on his throne to rule and reign with him during the 1000 years.

Please read Revelation 3:21,22.

“To him that OVERCOMES will I GRANT to sit with me in my throne, even as I also OVERCAME, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 

22.  He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit said unto the churches.” 

Now we know that when Jesus returns that the righteous faithful saints in the church will be given eternal life to rule and reign with Jesus during the 1000 year reign of Jesus. But what once saved always saved Christians have failed to see is that our actually RECEIVING eternal life is CONDITIONAL. And ONLY the good and faithful servants who DO or who KEEP the moral commandments under the New Covenant written in the New Testament will be given the RIGHT to eat of the tree of life.

Please read Revelation 22:14,15.

“Blessed are they that DO his commandments, that they may have RIGHT to the tree of life, and may ENTER IN through the gates into the CITY. (And all those who SURVIVE the wrath of God will NOT enter into the CITY. Only the SAVED IN Jesus Christ will be granted the right to receive eternal life and enter into the City, New Jerusalem to rule and reign WITH Jesus over the mortals outside the city during the millennial reign of Jesus)

15.  For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loves and makes a lie.” 

Argument #5.

The Lamb’s WIFE is the CITY, the Holy Jerusalem. And therefore, the bride of Christ can NOT be the church.

My answer to this argument #5.

Simply ask yourself the following questions. “What is a CITY?” Are not cities filled with PEOPLE? WHO is IN the city of God called the Holy Jerusalem?

Now, I myself believe that the City of God is both LITERAL and also spiritual, as in, we are called “living STONES” built up to be a “spiritual house”, according to 1 Peter 2:5. 

Let us read Ephesians 2:18-22.

“For through him, we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.  (Speaking of both Israel and Gentile, as in, ANY Jew or ANY Gentile WHOSOEVER BELIEVES can be saved. So the Apostle Paul is talking to the CHURCH of both Jews that became Christians and Gentiles who became Christians)

19.  Now, therefore, you are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 

20.  And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone; (Paul also said in 1 Corinthians 3:11 that Jesus is the foundation that is laid and no other foundation)

21.  IN whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord: 

22.  IN whom you also are built together for a habitation of God through the Spirit.”

So the church is likened to a building and a HOUSEHOLD or a COMMUNITY. Jesus said that he would BUILD his church upon the rock which I believe is “revelation knowledge’ that comes from the Father through the Holy Spirit. When Peter said to Jesus that he is the Christ, the Son of the Living God Jesus said that Peter was blessed because the Father REVEALED this truth to him. And upon this rock, I will build my church Jesus said. Let us take a minute and read this verse.

Matthew 16:16-18.

“And Simon Peter answered and said, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. 

17.  And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed are you, Simon Barjona: FOR (Or BECAUSE) flesh and blood has NOT revealed it unto you, BUT my Father which is in heaven. (Or blessed are you Simon, son of Jona BECAUSE my Father has REVEALED this truth to you that I am the Christ the Son of the living God and NOT that man taught this to you)

18.  And I say also unto thee, That you are Peter, and upon this rock, I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

Jesus CHANGED his name to Peter which means a PIECE of a larger rock. In other words, Peter was given thus far a PIECE of much bigger revelation knowledge. Then Jesus said upon THIS ROCK I will build my church. And the Greek word translated as ROCK here means a massive boulder. So to me, I believe the rock is referring to “revelation knowledge from the Father” that He gives to us as little pieces at a time to build the big picture of who Jesus is, according to the WHOLE word of God.

Getting back on track, Jesus also is prophesied to build the CITY of God.

Please read Isaiah 45:13.  

“I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways: he shall build my CITY, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward, saith the LORD of hosts.” 

And when we read about the “descriptions of the Holy Jerusalem we see that the wall of the city is built upon the FOUNDATION of the APOSTLES of Jesus Christ.

Please read Revelation 21:9-14.

“And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will  SHOW you the BRIDE, the Lamb's WIFE. 

10.  And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, 

11.  Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; 

12.  And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names that are written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: (Spiritually speaking of the SAVED of Israel DURING the Millennium. IT is AFTER the Millennium that the New Jerusalem comes down out of heaven)

13.  On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. 

14. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.”

So the WALL which has the twelve gates representing the saved of Israel SITS on the FOUNDATION of the twelve Apostles of Jesus. The TWELVE foundations have the TWELVE names of the TWELVE Apostles of Jesus.

So to me, those who teach AGAINST the church being the bride of Christ try to use the CITY called the Holy Jerusalem as a way to misdirect Christians away by way of DISTRACTION. I mean how can a CITY be the CHURCH in their line of reasoning. But the Bible uses a lot of parables, a lot of figures, shadows, and types. The Bible also uses “figurative” language such as the Lamb referring to Jesus. And in the same way, the CHURCH is the DAUGHTER of Jerusalem. For you see, the Apostle Paul said that Jerusalem is the MOTHER of us ALL.

Please read Galatians 4:26.  

“But Jerusalem which is ABOVE is free, which is the MOTHER of us all.”

To me, Judah seems to be a figure representing the church, and Israel speaks of the children of Israel. Here is one example as to why I say this.

Jeremiah 23:6.  

“In his days Judah shall be SAVED, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.”

Judah representing the church will be SAVED to enter into the CITY but Israel will dwell SAFELY on the surface of the earth during the Millennium. Here is another verse where Judah seems to be a picture of the church.

Hosea 11:12. 

“Ephraim compasses me about with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit: BUT Judah yet rules with God, and is faithful with the saints.”

And Jesus is of the tribe of Judah.

Argument #6.

A simile is NOT a metaphor. In other words, passages of Scripture where the Apostle Paul makes the comparison between the marriage of husband and wife to the relationship of the church with Jesus Christ does NOT prove that the church is the bride of Christ.

My answer to this argument #6.

To me, this is another argument used to DISTRACT Christian away from the truth. The argument is that supposedly a “simile” is NOT a “metaphor” because when words like “AS A” Husband are used  then that is a “simile” that is just making a COMPARISON between two things. But a metaphor is using words such as the word Lamb that actually REFERS to Jesus.

Now I want you to THINK for yourselves dear children of God. If one uses that kind of logic then every parable Jesus ever told is a “SIMILE”. And, therefore, according to this FAULTY logic, none of the parables of Jesus ACTUALLY REFER to the Kingdom of God because Jesus was COMPARING earthly things to the Kingdom of God. And on the other side of the coin of this faulty logic is that if even one verse says “AS A” Lamb then it does NOT ACTUALLY REFER to Jesus because NOW it is a so-called “Simile” which is just a COMPARISON.

Acts 8:32.  

“The place of the Scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:”

1 Peter 1:19.  

“But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:”

Revelation 5:6.  

“And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.”

So then, according to THEIR faulty logic, the Lamb of God does NOT ACTUALLY REFER to Jesus so you can not use such verses of Scripture because they are “SIMILES” and NOT “METAPHORS”

Well, I strongly disagree with their faulty logic so I am going to use the verses of Scripture that they CLAIM that they do not have any hint of the Apostle Paul teaching us that the CHURCH IS the bride of Christ. Let us start with 2 Corinthians 11:2 where the Apostle Paul is clearly teaching us that he has ESPOUSED the CHURCH to ONE HUSBAND who is Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians  11:2.  

“For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have ESPOUSED you to ONE HUSBAND, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” 

In the next argument number seven, those who teach against the church being the bride of Christ try to counter this verse by using Matthew where Jesus says there will be NO marrying in heaven. Why will there be NO marrying in heaven? Because we will already be married to our one husband, Jesus.

Before I forget about those first five verses with the word “BRIDE” in them let me quote the one I skipped over. To me, it proves beyond any shadow of a doubt that the CHURCH IS the bride of Christ.

Please read Revelation 18:23.  

“And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in you; (WHO is the light of this PRESENT world, the church or Israel?) and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in you: for your merchants were the great men of the earth; for by their sorceries were all nations deceived.

24.  And in her (Speaking of the great city Babylon) was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.” 

And in Revelation 18:4-6 we see a picture of the rapture of the church where a voice from heaven says COME OUT of her my people that you be NOT partaker of her sins. Some Christians are not aware that ALL the SAINTS will be given the HONOR to help Jesus execute the vengeance and wrath of God. And this verse clearly shows us that the people being called out of Babylon are definitely executing the WRATH and vengeance of God.

Please read Revelation 18:4-6.

“And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. 

5.  For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. 

6.  Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she has filled, fill to her double.” 

The word “wrath” is found 198 times in the Bible and all the numbers that divide 198 are DOUBLE digits, 99x2, 66x3, 33x6, 22x9, and 11x18.

We know and all agree that the VOICE of the bridegroom is Jesus. So WHO is the VOICE of Jesus on the earth in this PRESENT world? Is it the CHURCH? Or is it ISRAEL? To me, it is the church. I believe that the TWO witnesses are the Christians in this PRESENT world and Israel in the world yet to come. So in truth, the BRIDE is BOTH the CHURCH and ISRAEL. But at the rapture of the CHURCH Jesus is coming for his BRIDE in this PRESENT world. And then in the harvest of the saint during the Millennium that will occur after the 1000 year reign of Jesus has ended that is when ISRAEL will become a part of the BRIDE of Christ. So like most controversies, there is a little truth on both sides.

Argument #7.

Jesus said there will be NO MARRYING in heaven.

My answer to this argument #7.

Yes, Jesus did indeed say that there will be no one given in marriage in heaven. Let us go ahead and read that verse of Scripture.

Luke 20:34-36.

“And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry and are given in marriage: (Speaking of two individual people, a man, and a woman, marrying each other)

35.  But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage: (Again, speaking of individual people, a man, and a woman marrying each other)

36.  Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.”

The context is about a woman having seven husbands because her previous husbands all died. And the Jews were asking who would be her husband. And the answer is NONE of them because there will be no one given in marriage in heaven of individual people. 

BUT the remnant of Israel, as well as those who will be left of the nations, will be in their mortal bodies and THEY marry and have children during the Millennial reign of Jesus. And that is ANOTHER reason for WHY Israel is NOT the bride of Christ AT the coming of Jesus BEFORE the Millennium.

And besides all of that, the CHURCH will already BE MARRIED to ONE husband, Jesus Christ.

Argument 8.

The Book of Revelation reads like the Old Testament and, therefore, NONE of the Book of Revelation applies to the church, but rather, the whole book of Revelation is about ISRAEL.

My answer to this argument #8.

Personally, I have never heard any Christians make this claim that NONE of the Book of Revelation applies to the church. I mean, how can any Christian believe that the letters to the seven churches in Asia do NOT apply to the CHURCH? They are written TO the church! The Apostle John is a Christian. The Revelation of Jesus Christ is given to the CHURCH.

This is another reason that shows why SOME Christians NEED to teach against the church as being the bride of Christ. For you see, if a Christian believes grace alone “once saved always saved”, then the letters to the CHURCHES absolutely DESTROY their man-made theology that a Christian can never lose their salvation no matter what they do or do not do. And that is WHY they NEED the church to NOT be the bride of Christ. 

So then, pastor Paul, the writer of the article who gave the above 8 arguments AGAINST the church being the bride of Christ is also a PRE-tribulation rapture of the church believer. Now. I personally believe in the POST tribulation rapture of the church. And for why I believe in the post-tribulation pre-Millennial teaching please read the studies under the heading >>>PROPHECY-THE COMING OF JESUS<<<

But for now, let us continue with the arguments below which are from another article written by another Christian who also teaches AGAINST the church being the bride of Christ. Now, for the most part, he has many of the SAME arguments, so since I already covered those arguments, there is no need to cover them again.

Argument #9.

The comparison of our relationship to God with the covenants, promises, or vows made in marriage is helpful. The Word does make those comparisons. I don't refute that. God has made a lot of promises to us similar to those we make to each other when we get married.

But as far as my personal relationship with God? I am a friend of God. He is my Dad, and I am His son, too. In the Scripture, it reads "...whereby we cry Abba (literally: "daddy"), Father." The closeness and intimate nature of our relationship with Him have the quality of the relationship between a father and a son, not a relationship between spouses. He is a Dad who has promised me an inheritance and the ability to come boldly to His throne of grace.

My answer to this argument #9.

To me, this is not a Scriptural argument, but rather it is just a “personal” OPINION. Just because we have a Father and child relationship with Almighty God the Father does NOT mean that we can NOT have a husband and wife relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus, the Christ.

So to me, the comparisons between the earthly marriage of husband and wife to our spiritual “ESPOUSAL” to be married ONLY to our ONE husband, Jesus is very helpful.

Argument #10.

Neither Jesus nor the Apostle Paul NEVER refers to the church as being the bride of Christ.

My answer to this argument #10.

The truth of the matter is that BOTH Jesus AND the Apostle Paul teach us that believers in Jesus are the bride of Christ. We already looked at 2 Corinthians 11:2 but let us read it again before we look at what Jesus has to say about the church being the bride of Christ.

2 Corinthians  11:2.  

“For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have ESPOUSED you to ONE HUSBAND, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.”

Now let us look at the words of Jesus that clearly teach us that the believers in Jesus ARE the children in the bridechamber that the BRIDEGROOM is returning to take as his WIFE. We are “ESPOUSED” to Jesus to be our ONE husband. Please read the following verses of Scripture. 

Matthew 9:15.  

“And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.”

Mark 2:19.  

“And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.”

Luke 5:34.  

“And he said unto them, Can you make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them?”

CLEARLY, Jesus is speaking of himself as the BRIDEGROOM and all of the children of the Kingdom who are followers of Jesus as being the BRIDE waiting in the bridechamber. This is clearly teaching us that all believers in Jesus are “ESPOUSED” to our Lord and Savior. And the children of Israel will enter the Kingdom LAST because as a whole Israel rejected Jesus as their Messiah at his FIRST coming. That is one of the reasons why Jesus is coming again a SECOND TIME.

Now let us read some parables of Jesus that clearly teach us that there will be a MARRIAGE for God’s Son. Please read the following verses of Scripture.

Matthew 22:2.  

“The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, (By analogy the certain king is speaking of the eternal invisible King Yahweh the Father) which made a MARRIAGE for his son,”

Matthew 22:4.  

“Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the MARRIAGE.”

The call of the Gospel was given to the Jews FIRST. And when they did NOT answer the call to come unto the MARRIAGE then God turned the call to the marriage to the Gentiles.

Matthew 22:9.  

“Go you therefore into the highways, and as many as you shall find, bid to the MARRIAGE.”

Now those who teach AGAINST this parable of Jesus as being the bridegroom and the bride as being those who are invited to the MARRIAGE is that verse 10 says “GUESTS” and not the bride. Let us read verse 10 first, and then I will explain why I believe that argument is flawed and invalid.

Matthew 22:10. 

“So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with GUESTS.”

Their argument is “This verse says GUEST and not the bride. And everyone knows that the GUESTS at a wedding are NOT the BRIDE.”

And my answer is that the word “guests” means those who are INVITED. And are we not all INVITED to be saved? So we are God’s GUESTS into His Kingdom. Now let us read the same verse using all those “INVITED” in place of the word “guests”.

My paraphrased version of Matthew 22:10. 

“So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with all those who who were INVITED [to the marriage that accepted the eternal King’s invitation to the MARRIAGE to His Son].”

They also argue that verse 12 says that one of the “GUESTS” did not have on a wedding garment.

Now to me, that argument actually proves that the “GUESTS” are indeed the BRIDE but SOME of those invited to the MARRIAGE of God's Son will NOT be found WORTHY and they will be cast into outer darkness. Again, let us read verse 11 from the KJV, and then we will read my paraphrased version using both verses.

Matthew 22:12.  

“And he said unto him, Friend, how came you in here NOT having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.” 

I mean, what “guests” wear WEDDING garments as being “GUESTS” to observe a wedding? This verse actually proves that verse 10 should have been translated as those who were INVITED. Let us read my paraphrased version of the last five verses of Scripture.

Matthew 22:10-14.

“So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with all those who were INVITED [to the marriage that accepted the eternal King’s invitation to the MARRIAGE to His Son].

11.  And when the king came in to see those INVITED to the MARRIAGE, he saw there a man which had NOT on a WEDDING GARMENT: (Meaning that some who accept God’s so great a salvation do not ENDURE unto the end to receive a wedding garment)

12.  And he said unto him, Friend, how came you in here NOT having a wedding garment? (Jesus said that many would come and say, Lord, Lord who will be told to depart from him because they have sin in their life and they are NOT WORTHY to receive eternal life) And he was speechless. 

13.  Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 

14.  For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Now, WHO are the ones that are CALLED? Whosoever hears the gospel of Jesus Christ is the one called or invited to be saved. WHO are the ones who are chosen? The few who answer the call of the gospel to be saved and obey the teachings of Jesus. And WHAT is the whole parable about? Being called to the MARRIAGE to God’s Son. 

But sadly, there will be some who answer the call of the gospel to be saved but they do not OBEY the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They do NOT KEEP their garment spotless. When we first believe we are GIVEN the free gift of God’s RIGHTEOUSNESS to wear as our pure clean spotless garment. But when we sin our once white garment becomes blemished with the spot of sin. And all we have to do to WASH our spotted garment is to REPENT and confess our sin. God is always faithful to forgive us of all our sins and CLEANSE us from all our unrighteousness IF we repent and confess of sins. 

BUT some Christians are wrongly being taught that they do NOT have to repent and confess any sin because they already did that when they first believed.

And I say to those so-called eternal security Christians who THINK that they can never lose their salvation to read ALL the studies that I have written of this subject under the heading >>>CAN WE LOSE ETERNAL LIFE?<<< But for now, here are a few more verses of Scripture where Jesus himself teaches that the CHURCH is the bride of Christ.

Matthew 25:10.  

“And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready (Speaking of the BRIDE of Christ who made herself ready by keeping her garment white and CLEAN by WASHING her garment in the blood of the Lamb) went in with him to the MARRIAGE: and the door was shut.”

This verse of Scripture is speaking of the RAPTURE of the CHURCH where ONLY the FAITHFUL SAINTS who are READY for the coming of Jesus will be found WORTHY to enter into the JOY of our Lord. And those who are NOT READY will be left behind to suffer the WRATH of God, INCLUDING the disobedient Christians.

Here is a verse that is used to try and support a pre-tribulation rapture of the church. It is TRANSLATED as “from” the wedding but the Greek word also means “FOR” the wedding.

Luke 12:36.  

“And you yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, (Or master. In old Jewish culture the wives called their husband, lord which means master. So Jesus is saying that we are waiting for our espoused husband) when he will return from (Or more precisely when he will return FOR) the wedding; that when he comes and knocks, they (The BRIDE) may open unto him immediately.”

Now not every type or figure fits every single detail of what they are shadowing in the future. But many Christians are aware of the “THIRD DAY” types and shadows in the Old Testament that teach us that the rapture of the church will take place on the third 1000 year long day. So two 1000 year-long days are almost at the end to begin the THIRD DAY or the 1000 year long DAY of the Lord. And the following verse that has the “THIRD DAY” analogy also has a MARRIAGE. Please notice that Jesus and his DISCIPLES are invited to the marriage. Again, every detail of a type does not fit perfectly but I thought you should decide for yourself.

John 2:1,2.  

“And the THIRD DAY there was a MARRIAGE in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there:

2.  And both Jesus was CALLED, and his disciples, (Were CALLED) to the marriage.”

Now some Christians may not have seen as yet that Jesus was CALLED to righteousness the SAME as we are CALLED to righteousness. Jesus is our BROTHER the firstborn from the dead ones among many BRETHREN. Jesus is the firstborn from the dead ones to be made perfect in the IMAGE of God. Jesus is the firstfruits unto God. Jesus is the first FAITHFUL witness. Jesus is the BEGINNING of God’s NEW creation of righteous immortal humans. Jesus is our CAPTAIN, our example to follow. Jesus BECAME God’s ETERNAL Son AFTER the cross. The writer of the Book of Hebrews says, “But WE see Jesus MADE a little LOWER than the angels and CROWNED with glory and honor.” Now, mainstream Orthodox Christianity sees Jesus as the eternal God the Son, the second person of a so-called Godhead Trinity God who became flesh but yet remained the fully Almighty God having TWO natures at the SAME time, one divine, and one human. So how can we, being human. Follow the steps of a fully Almighty God? Please read the studies under the heading >>>WHO IS JESUS ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE?<<< But for now, let us read some verses in Isaiah where Yahweh prophesied to call his servant to righteousness and to build his CITY.

Isaiah 42:6.  

“I the LORD have CALLED you in righteousness, and will hold your hand, and will keep you, and give you for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;”

Isaiah 45:13.  

“I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways: he shall build my CITY, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward, says the LORD of hosts.”

Isaiah 1:26.  

“And I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counselors as at the beginning: afterward you shall be called, The CITY of righteousness, the faithful city.”

Isaiah 61:10.  

“I (Speaking of the Messiah) will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorned herself with her jewels.”

By our GOOD fruits, we bear we lay up TREASURES in heaven. So I imagine that Jesus has a mountain of treasure laid up in heaven. So to me, Almighty God the Father will give His Son the PEOPLE of the Holy CITY Jerusalem as his WIFE to become permanently ONE with the SAINTS his church or his CALLED-OUT ones. At the coming of Jesus, the faithful saints will become ONE with Jesus even as Jesus and the Father are ONE. So the church as being espoused to Jesus as his bride is figurative language of MARRIAGE to be made ONE. In closing, please read the following verses of Scripture.

Revelation 19:7-9. 

 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the MARRIAGE of the Lamb is come, and his wife has made herself ready.:

8.  And to her was GRANTED (Or given the right) that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of SAINTS.

9  And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the MARRIAGE supper of the Lamb. (Please read Revelation 22:14,15 where we see this phrase “Blessed are they” who are given the RIGHT to eat of the tree of life and to ENTER into the CITY of God. Revelation 22:14,15. “ Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. Rev 22:15.  For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.” This agrees perfectly with the parable of Jesus about the Kingdom of HEAVEN the king is preparing a MARRIAGE for his Son and the ones found UNWORTHY are cast out into outer darkness and NOT allowed to ENTER the CITY. Many are called but few are chosen. So get yourself READY for the coming of Jesus and STAY READY by keeping sin out of your life. Please read the study “HOW YOU CAN LIVE YOUR LIFE FREE FROM SIN!” Israel will enter the Kingdom of God but NOT the Kingdom of HEAVEN at the coming of Jesus. Then at the end of the Millennium all those who will be saved DURING the Millennium will be GRANTED the right to eat of the tree of life to be united as ONE with the rest of the firstfruits unto God) And he said unto me, These are the true sayings of God.”

I understand that there is not always a clear distinction between the phrase “Kingdom of Heaven” and “Kingdom of God” and that they are used interchangeably but there is a clear DIFFERENCE between the glorified saints in the CITY of God in the AIR and the MORTALS down on the surface of the earth. And during the Millennium, Israel will be in their mortal bodies down on the surface of the earth and the BRIDE of Christ will be IN the CITY of God called the Holy Jerusalem that will not come DOWN out of heaven until she comes down to the New Earth that God will create after the 1000 years has ended.

So those who are married, husbands care for your wife as Jesus cares for his church. And for those who are not married, esteem others better than yourself like Jesus gave his life for others. One last passage of Scripture and you can decide for yourself as to WHO is the bride of Christ.

Please read Ephesians 5:23-33.

“For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body. (Notice that NO comparison is made between Christ and ISRAEL. ONLY the CHURCH is compared with MARRIAGE. Remember that the ONLY NAME whereby we MUST be saved is the name, Jesus. And ISRAEL does NOT believe that Jesus is the Messiah. BUT when Israel DOES come to believe that Jesus is their Messiah THEN they will be saved and become the CHURCH in the world to come. The word church means CALLED-OUT ones. So in the world to come all the saved DURING the world to come will ALSO be the Bride of Christ because they will ALSO be CALLED-OUT ones which are the CHURCH)

24.  Therefore, (Or for this very reason) as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.

25.  Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

26.  That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 

27.  That he might present it (Or that he might present HER)to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it (Or that SHE) should be holy and without blemish.

28.  So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loves his wife loves himself. 

29.  For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord the church:

30.  For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. (Like Eve was  of the FIRST Adam) 

31.  For this cause, shall a man leave his father and mother and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 

32.  This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. (Becoming ONE like in MARRIAGE between a HUSBAND and his WIFE)

33.  Nevertheless, let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverences her husband.”

Below are some Old Testament verses that I may add later to this study. 

Old Testament bridegroom verses.

Psa_19:5  Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.

Isa_61:10  I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorned herself with her jewels.

Isa_62:5  For as a young man married a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.

Jer_7:34  Then will I cause to cease from the cities of Judah, and from the streets of Jerusalem, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride: for the land shall be desolate.

Jer_16:9  For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will cause to cease out of this place in your eyes, and in your days, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride.

Jer_25:10  Moreover I will take from them the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the candle.

Jer_33:11  The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD.

Joe_2:16  Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.

Thanks for reading, and may God bless you richly as you continue to seek the TRUTH of the WHOLE word of Almighty God. 

And to me, the truth concerning who Jesus TRULY is, according to the Bible ITSELF, is the Biblical Unitarian view of Jesus. 

Once Christians, Jews, Muslims, and even atheists understand the REASON that Yahweh CREATED the Son of MAN, Jesus, was to have DOMINION over the work of Yahweh’s hands. 

And after you understand that the REASON that Yahweh did that is to STILL His ENEMIES, Satan and the fallen angels. 

Then you can understand that God made His human Son to become “a” Lord, “a” King, and “a” God, under and subject to his God and Father in order to JUDGE Satan and the fallen angels. 

For a deeper understanding of this WAR that Lucifer and one third of the angels waged against the throne of Almighty God, please read the studies under the subject category called ** Q-0 Why Are We Here?  Is God at WAR? **.

More studies are coming in this SHORTER Biblical Unitarian view of who Jesus is according to the WHOLE word of God. 

If you have a PARTICULAR verse of Scripture that you would like to know the sound Biblical Unitarian meaning, then please email me at MarkatAMatterOfTruth@Gmail.com and let me know.

For further and more in-depth studies on this subject of Jesus being created to STILL the enemies of Yahweh, please read the studies called D-25. A NEW LOOK at JOHN 1:1, In the BEGINNING! 

And also read the study called D-28. The PRE-ADAMIC LUCIFERIAN FLOOD! 

At the top of my homepage, there are subjects or categories which contain compiled lists of ** ALL Studies! ** I have written on that particular subject. So, if a link within a study is broken, then click on ** ALL Studies! ** to find the suggested study.

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Thanks again for reading, and may God bless you richly as you continue to seek the TRUTH of the WHOLE word of Almighty God. 

And to me, the truth concerning who Jesus TRULY is, according to the Bible ITSELF, is the Biblical Unitarian view of Jesus. 

And again, for ALL of the studies on the Biblical Unitarian view of Jesus, please click on the subject heading ** D-0 The BIBLICAL UNITARIAN VIEW of Jesus! **

And for the SUBJECT on the true foundation of the church, please click on the subject heading ** C-0 The TRUE FOUNDATION of the Church! ** 

This way you can just send ONE link to those who you want to share the TRUE sound Biblical FOUNDATIONAL teachings of the church that Jesus and his Apostles taught in the first century church.

Your brother in our Lord Jesus Christ,

Brother Mark.

My heartfelt prayer is that all Christians RETURN to the TRUE FOUNDATION of the church that is taught by the very Apostles of Jesus in the first century. 

So let us all come into the UNITY of the faith and return to what Jesus and his Apostles taught us in SIMPLICITY in the New Testament. 

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