Is The Body Of Christ The Lamb's Wife?

[GRACE ambassador]

Precious friends, I have yet to find the so-called "bride of Christ" anywhere in God's Word Of Truth.
What I have found is the following, to the apostle John, in the prophecy of Revelation 21:9:

"And there came unto me one of the seven angels...saying,​

Come hither, I will show thee the bride, The Lamb's wife."​

Is this 'bride' the same as The Body Of Christ? Notice, throughout prophecy, the terminology used:

“He that hath the bride is the bridegroom” (John 3:29 cf. Jer. 2:32).​

“Behold The Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world”​

(John 1:29 cf. Isa. 53:7).​

“…for the marriage of The Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready”​

(Rev. 19:7 cf. Isa. 54:4-7).​

​

Is The Body of Christ a 'woman, herself'? Please Notice, that long before The Body of Christ, was
'Created' with, and made known to, Paul, That God Refers to Israel as 'her', Correct?:

Jer_3:8 And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had​

put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went​

and played the harlot also. (cp Lam 2:5; Eze 12:19, 13:16; Amos 5:2; and 'woman' in Rev 12:4, 13)​

Is it not God's Chosen 'Nation Of Israel' who is to "endure to the end, overcoming, keeping
the commandments," according to the 'spirit of prophecy,' thus making "herself" ready for this
"Marriage To The Lamb"? Notice Christ's earthly 'prophetic faith plus works' teaching to the
lost sheep of the House Of Israel (Matthew 10:6, 15:24):

"And ye shall be hated of all men for My Name's sake: but he that​

endureth to the end shall be saved." (Matthew 10:22)​

​

James Confirms what Christ taught (on earth), that: "faith without works is dead" (James 2:17, 26;
cp Luke 7:29-30; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38) to the Twelve tribes of Israel (James 1:1), Correct?:
+
John Confirms, in Revelation, to the 'synagogue' assemblies:

"Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember​

therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come​

unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent."​

(Revelation 2:4-5)​

"...To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of​

the paradise of God." (Revelation 2:7)​

"...he that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death." (Revelation 2:11)​

"I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast​

My Name, and hast not denied My faith..." (Revelation 2:13)​

​

"...To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone,​

and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it."​

(Revelation 2:17)​

​

"I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and​

the last to be more than the first." (Revelation 2:19)​

(earthly) Prophecy / Covenants / Law for her, Israel, with "faith Plus works"

Rightly Divided (2 Timothy 2:15) From “Things That Differ” (online)

( Heavenly )
Grace / Mystery with "By Grace Through faith" For [ her, the 'bride'? ] The Body Of Christ [ Or him?]

I have searched in vain to find any of Israel's phraseology in Saint Paul’s Mystery to The Body Of Christ.
Why Is That?:

Is there not a failure in our Bible study, to distinguish between Paul's usage of a metaphor and a simile?

A well-respected theologian [F Bruce], explains :

“The confounding of the Church as the 'bride' in Ephesians 5, has resulted from not seeing​

the Figure of Speech used throughout the passage is that of Simile, and not Metaphor:​

`Metaphor’ places one thing for another. It is representation. `Simile’ is but resemblance.​

​

We must therefore not say when comparing one thing with another that 'that one thing is​

another." Observe the continued comparison between Christ and the Church of His Body,​

and the conduct of wives and husbands. Note the presence of simile in every instance,​

and the absence of the metaphor.”:​

​

“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, AS Unto The LORD” (vs. 22).​

​

“For the husband is the head of the wife, even AS Christ Is The Head Of The Church” ​

(vs. 23).​

​

“Husbands, love your wives even AS Christ also Loved The Church, and gave ​

Himself for it” (vs. 25).​

​

“For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even ​

AS The LORD The Church” (vs. 29).​

So, is the speculation true then, that all these similes teach "one thing is another," and that:

"the Body Of Christ IS the bride"?​

to be continued...

 

[GRACE ambassador]

Part II

Is The Body Of Christ The Lamb's Wife?​

Where is the Body Of Christ told "she should make herself ready”? Rather, is not The Body Of Christ,
By "Grace Through faith," Already 'Made Worthy' By God Himself, In His OPERATION On us, at
the moment of faith?:

1) Accepted In The Beloved! (Ephesians 1:6)

2) Made [worthy] meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in Light!! (Colossians 1:12)

3) Complete In Him!!! (Colossians 2:10)

Scriptural Confirmation that "The Body Of Christ" is not the 'bride' of Christ "The Lamb's wife":

What Is God's New 'creation' Under His Mystery and Grace? Is it not this?:

"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" (Ephesians 2:15)​

​

Transgenderism may be Totally Confused about this, but prayerful/Careful, and diligent
Bible students shouldn't be, eh?

Thus "The Body Of Christ" is In Christ, The Man, Who Is the bridegroom,
not the [ woman, who is the ] 'bride' Correct?

Rightly Divided (2 Timothy 2:15) From Things That Differ" (online)

Further Scriptural Confirmation That The Nation ( Twelve tribes ) Of Israel is "the bride,
the Lamb's wife":

"Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for The marriage of the Lamb is come,​

and His wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in​

fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints." (Revelation 19:7-8)​

Are these 'saints' not from the Holy Nation (Twelve tribes) Of Israel, the "bride of the Lamb"?

"Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for The Marriage of The Lamb​

is come, and His wife hath made herself ready...And I John saw The Holy City, New ​

Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for​

her Husband...Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, The Lamb's wife." (woman!)​

(Revelation 19:7, 21:2, 9)​

The Nation (Twelve tribes) Of Israel (who is Definitely associated with) The Heavenly Jerusalem!"
Notice:

"And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me​

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;​

​

And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels,​

and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children​

of Israel: On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates;​

and on the west three gates.​

​

And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve​

apostles of the Lamb. And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the​

city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.​

​

And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured​

the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the​

height of it are equal. And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and​

four [ twelve squared ] cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.​

​

And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto​

clear glass. And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner​

of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a​

chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;​

​

The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the​

ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth [ foundation ],​

an amethyst.​

​

And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the​

street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.​

​

And I saw no temple therein: for The LORD God Almighty and The LAMB are The Temple​

of it." (Revelation 21:1-22)​

--------------------------------
Conclusion:

The "bride to be married as the wife of The Lamb" is The Holy Nation ( Twelve tribes ) Of
Israel ( woman! ), according To God's Prophetic / Covenants / Law program, and should
not be homogenized [ Mixed Up ] with, but should Be:

Rightly Divided (2 Timothy 2:15) From Things That Differ" (online)

The One Body Of Christ, Baptized By One [ Spiritual ] Baptism, By The One Holy Spirit, Into
God's 'Creation' Of the One New man, According To God's "Revelation Of The Mystery" To
One apostle Of Grace! (Romans Through Philemon)

------------------------------------------------------------------
Please be Encouraged And Edified In The LORD Jesus Christ
And In His Word Of Truth, Rightly Divided!

Amen.

 

[face2face]

Conclusion:

The "bride to be married as the wife of The Lamb" is The Holy Nation ( Twelve tribes ) Of
Israel ( woman! ), according To God's Prophetic / Covenants / Law program, and should
not be homogenized [ Mixed Up ] with, but should Be:

Rightly Divided (2 Timothy 2:15) From Things That Differ" (online)

The One Body Of Christ, Baptized By One [ Spiritual ] Baptism, By The One Holy Spirit, Into
God's 'Creation' Of the One New man, According To God's "Revelation Of The Mystery" To
One apostle Of Grace! (Romans Through Philemon)

------------------------------------------------------------------
Please be Encouraged And Edified In The LORD Jesus Christ
And In His Word Of Truth, Rightly Divided!

Amen.

I really liked this consideration & theme Grace!

What do you think it means that she (the bride) has made herself ready?

What makes her attractive to her groom?

F2F

 

[Scott Downey]

Precious friends, I have yet to find the so-called "bride of Christ" anywhere in God's Word Of Truth.
What I have found is the following, to the apostle John, in the prophecy of Revelation 21:9:

"And there came unto me one of the seven angels...saying,​

Come hither, I will show thee the bride, The Lamb's wife."​

Is this 'bride' the same as The Body Of Christ? Notice, throughout prophecy, the terminology used:

“He that hath the bride is the bridegroom” (John 3:29 cf. Jer. 2:32).​

“Behold The Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world”​

(John 1:29 cf. Isa. 53:7).​

“…for the marriage of The Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready”​

(Rev. 19:7 cf. Isa. 54:4-7).​

​

Is The Body of Christ a 'woman, herself'? Please Notice, that long before The Body of Christ, was
'Created' with, and made known to, Paul, That God Refers to Israel as 'her', Correct?:

Jer_3:8 And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had​

put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went​

and played the harlot also. (cp Lam 2:5; Eze 12:19, 13:16; Amos 5:2; and 'woman' in Rev 12:4, 13)​

Is it not God's Chosen 'Nation Of Israel' who is to "endure to the end, overcoming, keeping
the commandments," according to the 'spirit of prophecy,' thus making "herself" ready for this
"Marriage To The Lamb"? Notice Christ's earthly 'prophetic faith plus works' teaching to the
lost sheep of the House Of Israel (Matthew 10:6, 15:24):

"And ye shall be hated of all men for My Name's sake: but he that​

endureth to the end shall be saved." (Matthew 10:22)​

​

James Confirms what Christ taught (on earth), that: "faith without works is dead" (James 2:17, 26;
cp Luke 7:29-30; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38) to the Twelve tribes of Israel (James 1:1), Correct?:
+
John Confirms, in Revelation, to the 'synagogue' assemblies:

"Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember​

therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come​

unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent."​

(Revelation 2:4-5)​

"...To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of​

the paradise of God." (Revelation 2:7)​

"...he that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death." (Revelation 2:11)​

"I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast​

My Name, and hast not denied My faith..." (Revelation 2:13)​

​

"...To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone,​

and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it."​

(Revelation 2:17)​

​

"I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and​

the last to be more than the first." (Revelation 2:19)​

(earthly) Prophecy / Covenants / Law for her, Israel, with "faith Plus works"

Rightly Divided (2 Timothy 2:15) From “Things That Differ” (online)

( Heavenly )
Grace / Mystery with "By Grace Through faith" For [ her, the 'bride'? ] The Body Of Christ [ Or him?]

I have searched in vain to find any of Israel's phraseology in Saint Paul’s Mystery to The Body Of Christ.
Why Is That?:

Is there not a failure in our Bible study, to distinguish between Paul's usage of a metaphor and a simile?

A well-respected theologian [F Bruce], explains :

“The confounding of the Church as the 'bride' in Ephesians 5, has resulted from not seeing​

the Figure of Speech used throughout the passage is that of Simile, and not Metaphor:​

`Metaphor’ places one thing for another. It is representation. `Simile’ is but resemblance.​

​

We must therefore not say when comparing one thing with another that 'that one thing is​

another." Observe the continued comparison between Christ and the Church of His Body,​

and the conduct of wives and husbands. Note the presence of simile in every instance,​

and the absence of the metaphor.”:​

​

“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, AS Unto The LORD” (vs. 22).​

​

“For the husband is the head of the wife, even AS Christ Is The Head Of The Church” ​

(vs. 23).​

​

“Husbands, love your wives even AS Christ also Loved The Church, and gave ​

Himself for it” (vs. 25).​

​

“For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even ​

AS The LORD The Church” (vs. 29).​

So, is the speculation true then, that all these similes teach "one thing is another," and that:

"the Body Of Christ IS the bride"?​

to be continued...

The church is 'her'. not a man.

 

[Scott Downey]

Marriage—Christ and the Church​

22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.

23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might [g]sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For we are members of His body, [h]of His flesh and of His bones. 31 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”

32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

 

[Scott Downey]

'Married to another', read and see that the church is as the wife of Christ, Paul makes the comparison here

Judge with right judgment having discernment.

Romans 7

Or do you not know, brethren (for I speak to those who know the law), that the law [a]has dominion over a man as long as he lives? 2 For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives. But if the husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband. 3 So then if, while her husband lives, she marries another man, she will be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law, so that she is no adulteress, though she has married another man.

4 Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God.

5 For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death. 6 But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.

 

[Scott Downey]

If you are not married to Christ, you honestly have no part in Him, meaning you are not joined as one spirit with Christ
For the two shall become one only sanctified in a marriage under God the Father.

1 Cor 6
15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not! 16 Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For “the two,” He says, “shall become one flesh.” 17 But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.

The theme of adultery is found in how the Jews committed sin by worshipping other Gods and not the Lord.
That same idea carries on into the NT in the idea of a marriage, a joining of Christ and His church, but with much better promises.
Because if you are in this New Covenant of the Spirit, you are sealed into your salvation and preserved in Christ and all things work to your good.

The Old covenant was dependent on obedience, while the New Covenant is that you stand by faith.
God is in charge of performing the New Covenant, not your works. It is His works working in and through you to bring you to God and preserve you in Christ.

 

[Scott Downey]

The truth of Christ never leaving or forsaking us, is because the church is His bride and is His family.

Those outside of this 'family of God' have no part or place with Christ as they are not of His bones and of His flesh!!!

Ephesians 5


28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.

29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.

30 For we are members of His body, [h]of His flesh and of His bones.

31 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”

32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

 

[ScottA]

Conclusion:

The "bride to be married as the wife of The Lamb" is The Holy Nation ( Twelve tribes ) Of
Israel ( woman! ), according To God's Prophetic / Covenants / Law program, and should
not be homogenized [ Mixed Up ] with, but should Be:

Rightly Divided (2 Timothy 2:15) From Things That Differ" (online)

The One Body Of Christ, Baptized By One [ Spiritual ] Baptism, By The One Holy Spirit, Into
God's 'Creation' Of the One New man, According To God's "Revelation Of The Mystery" To
One apostle Of Grace! (Romans Through Philemon)

It is simpler than all that you have presented.

Just as the woman came out of the man, the man shall leave his mother and father and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh--again. But only those born of the same Spirit.

 

[Big Boy Johnson]

What do you think it means that she (the bride) has made herself ready?

What makes her attractive to her groom?

Turning away from sin and walking with the Lord in sincerity being un-spotted from the world

 

[Ronald David Bruno]

Part II

Is The Body Of Christ The Lamb's Wife?​

Where is the Body Of Christ told "she should make herself ready”? Rather, is not The Body Of Christ,
By "Grace Through faith," Already 'Made Worthy' By God Himself, In His OPERATION On us, at
the moment of faith?:

1) Accepted In The Beloved! (Ephesians 1:6)

2) Made [worthy] meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in Light!! (Colossians 1:12)

3) Complete In Him!!! (Colossians 2:10)

Scriptural Confirmation that "The Body Of Christ" is not the 'bride' of Christ "The Lamb's wife":

What Is God's New 'creation' Under His Mystery and Grace? Is it not this?:

"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" (Ephesians 2:15)​

​

Transgenderism may be Totally Confused about this, but prayerful/Careful, and diligent
Bible students shouldn't be, eh?

Thus "The Body Of Christ" is In Christ, The Man, Who Is the bridegroom,
not the [ woman, who is the ] 'bride' Correct?

Rightly Divided (2 Timothy 2:15) From Things That Differ" (online)

Further Scriptural Confirmation That The Nation ( Twelve tribes ) Of Israel is "the bride,
the Lamb's wife":

"Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for The marriage of the Lamb is come,​

and His wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in​

fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints." (Revelation 19:7-8)​

Are these 'saints' not from the Holy Nation (Twelve tribes) Of Israel, the "bride of the Lamb"?

"Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for The Marriage of The Lamb​

is come, and His wife hath made herself ready...And I John saw The Holy City, New ​

Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for​

her Husband...Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, The Lamb's wife." (woman!)​

(Revelation 19:7, 21:2, 9)​

The Nation (Twelve tribes) Of Israel (who is Definitely associated with) The Heavenly Jerusalem!"
Notice:

"And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me​

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;​

​

And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels,​

and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children​

of Israel: On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates;​

and on the west three gates.​

​

And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve​

apostles of the Lamb. And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the​

city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.​

​

And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured​

the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the​

height of it are equal. And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and​

four [ twelve squared ] cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.​

​

And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto​

clear glass. And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner​

of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a​

chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;​

​

The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the​

ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth [ foundation ],​

an amethyst.​

​

And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the​

street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.​

​

And I saw no temple therein: for The LORD God Almighty and The LAMB are The Temple​

of it." (Revelation 21:1-22)​

--------------------------------
Conclusion:

The "bride to be married as the wife of The Lamb" is The Holy Nation ( Twelve tribes ) Of
Israel ( woman! ), according To God's Prophetic / Covenants / Law program, and should
not be homogenized [ Mixed Up ] with, but should Be:

Rightly Divided (2 Timothy 2:15) From Things That Differ" (online)

The One Body Of Christ, Baptized By One [ Spiritual ] Baptism, By The One Holy Spirit, Into
God's 'Creation' Of the One New man, According To God's "Revelation Of The Mystery" To
One apostle Of Grace! (Romans Through Philemon)

------------------------------------------------------------------
Please be Encouraged And Edified In The LORD Jesus Christ
And In His Word Of Truth, Rightly Divided!

Amen.

This is figurative language. A marriage between a husband and his wife had always been regarded as a very special covenant, as is Christ's covenant with the Body. The difference is, Christ's covenant with us is eternal, unbreakable and peefect. We are to view this loving relationship as our marriages - but more so. We are imperfect. His marriage to the Church will be perfect, since then we will be perfected, given new bodies.

Branches were broken off of the Vine, (which began with Abraham's descendant's establishing the chosen nation); so that the Gentiles could be grafted in. One happy family. Romans 11 explains this and also that soon a remnant of Jews (who currently do not believe in Christ) will be enlightened during the Great Tribulation and grafted into the Vine as well. Likely it will happened when they see him descend and suddenly realize, opposite, we screwd up. They will mourn, but Christ will be merciful with them, test them with fire, protect them through the GT and blessed are they who persevere til the end of it, for they will enter into the Millennial Kingdom, live and dwell with their King, who will reign on His throne in a New Temple.

 

[marks]

I really liked this consideration & theme Grace!

What do you think it means that she (the bride) has made herself ready?

What makes her attractive to her groom?

F2F

As Jesus said, You shall not see Me again until you say Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the LORD.

Much love!

 

[GRACE ambassador]

I really liked this consideration & theme Grace!

What do you think it means that she (the bride) has made herself ready?

What makes her attractive to her groom?

F2F

Thanks precious friend. I believe The Scriptures Are clear about Israel's "faith plus works" to:
"make herself ready" - ie:

Is it not God's Chosen 'Nation Of Israel' who is to "endure to the end, overcoming, keeping
the commandments," according to the 'spirit of prophecy,' thus making "herself" ready for this
"Marriage To The Lamb"? Notice Christ's earthly 'prophetic faith plus works' teaching to the
lost sheep of the House Of Israel (Matthew 10:6, 15:24):

"And ye shall be hated of all men for My Name's sake: but he that
endureth to the end shall be saved." (Matthew 10:22)

James Confirms what Christ taught (on earth), that: "faith without works is dead" (James 2:17, 26;
cp Luke 7:29-30; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38) to the Twelve tribes of Israel (James 1:1), Correct?:
+
John Confirms, in Revelation, to the 'synagogue' assemblies:

"Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember
therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come
unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent."
(Revelation 2:4-5)

"...To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of
the paradise of God." (Revelation 2:7)

"...he that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death." (Revelation 2:11)

"I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast
My Name, and hast not denied My faith..." (Revelation 2:13)
"...To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone,
and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it."
(Revelation 2:17)

"I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and
the last to be more than the first." (Revelation 2:19)

(earthly) Prophecy / Covenants / Law for her, Israel, with "faith Plus works"

Precious friend, thanks for asking...

See you at the "marriage to be made In Eternity!"

 

[GRACE ambassador]

This is figurative language.

So, a simile and a metaphor are the same?

 

[Marilyn C]

The church is 'her'. not a man.

`...to create in Himself one NEW MAN...` (Eph. 2: 15)

`...till we all come to the unity of the Faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a `PERFECT MAN`... (Eph. 4: 13)

`...and that you put on the NEW MAN...` (Eph. 4: 24)

 

[Marilyn C]

Marriage—Christ and the Church​

22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.

23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might [g]sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For we are members of His body, [h]of His flesh and of His bones. 31 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”

32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Note that the husband is exhorted to love his wife as his own body as Christ loves His BODY. A doctrine is NOT based on an exhortation.

 

[Marilyn C]

'Married to another', read and see that the church is as the wife of Christ, Paul makes the comparison here

Judge with right judgment having discernment.

Romans 7

Or do you not know, brethren (for I speak to those who know the law), that the law [a]has dominion over a man as long as he lives? 2 For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives. But if the husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband. 3 So then if, while her husband lives, she marries another man, she will be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law, so that she is no adulteress, though she has married another man.

4 Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God.

5 For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death. 6 But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.

It is not the word `married,` `Gamed,` but Ginomai, `might become.` See verse 13.

 

[Marilyn C]

If you are not married to Christ, you honestly have no part in Him, meaning you are not joined as one spirit with Christ
For the two shall become one only sanctified in a marriage under God the Father.

1 Cor 6
15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not! 16 Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For “the two,” He says, “shall become one flesh.” 17 But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.

The theme of adultery is found in how the Jews committed sin by worshipping other Gods and not the Lord.
That same idea carries on into the NT in the idea of a marriage, a joining of Christ and His church, but with much better promises.
Because if you are in this New Covenant of the Spirit, you are sealed into your salvation and preserved in Christ and all things work to your good.

The Old covenant was dependent on obedience, while the New Covenant is that you stand by faith.
God is in charge of performing the New Covenant, not your works. It is His works working in and through you to bring you to God and preserve you in Christ.

You can`t be a member of Christ and also outside of Christ. The `her,` is a harlot not the Body of Christ.

 

[Marilyn C]

The truth of Christ never leaving or forsaking us, is because the church is His bride and is His family.

Those outside of this 'family of God' have no part or place with Christ as they are not of His bones and of His flesh!!!

Ephesians 5


28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.

29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.

30 For we are members of His body, [h]of His flesh and of His bones.

31 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”

32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Do you actually read what God`s word says? `...their own bodies......we are members of His Body, of His flesh and His bones.`

 

[Marilyn C]

It is simpler than all that you have presented.

Just as the woman came out of the man, the man shall leave his mother and father and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh--again. But only those born of the same Spirit.

We do NOT come out of Christ. We are IN Christ, His Body.