Let’s critique the argument point by point, using
SP principles, textual logic, and full Scriptural integration.
CLAIM BEING MADE:
Let’s break this down into sections, evaluate each, and offer a response.
SECTION 1: 2 Corinthians 11 — Espousal, not Identity
SP Response:
- The language Paul uses: “I have espoused you to one husband” is not merely metaphorical. He is acting as a father presenting a virgin bride.
- In SP, espousal language is covenantal language. That is, it signifies a joining, not just an illustration of moral conduct.
- 2 Corinthians 11:2:

This is more than a comparison; it is a
pattern repetition of
Eve being presented to
Adam.
SECTION 2: Ephesians 5 — Christ is head of the church, but not husband?
The argument admits marriage language but avoids the
bridal identification.
SP Response:

The text does not say
“is like” or
“as if”—Paul explicitly says:

In SP,
mystery = hidden reality made visible by Christ.
This is
not analogy, it’s
revelation.
SECTION 3: OT Bridal Imagery Applied Only to Israel
SP Response:
- Yes, Israel is called the bride in the OT (Isaiah 62, Hosea 2), because she represents the initial elect covenant people.
- But in SP, we must always ask:
Christ marries:
- Those drawn from Israel (first bride)
- Those drawn from the nations (second bride)

OT Israel is a
type, but not the
exclusive referent of the bride.
SECTION 4: Revelation 21 – The New Jerusalem = the Bride
SP Response:
Yes—
Revelation 21:9–10 says:
But the conclusion that this means the
bride is not the church is flawed.
Here’s why:
- The New Jerusalem is a city composed of people.
- The New Jerusalem is prepared as a bride:
- Rev 21:2: “prepared as a bride adorned for her husband”
- This is visual language—it means the city is made up of the redeemed, both OT and NT saints.
- Twelve tribes + Twelve apostles:
- This shows unity of the covenants—Israel and the Church are joined as one bride.

In SP, Revelation 21 is the
final form of the bride—
Eve built from the side of the last Adam—not two separate brides.
SECTION 5: Nations Entering the City (Rev 21:24) = Proof that Church ≠ Bride?
SP Response:
- This confuses access to the city with identity as the city.
- The nations bring glory into her because they were redeemed by her intercession (as in Zechariah 8:23).
- The bride is the city—but those outside are not her, even if they are saved.
Final SP Evaluation:
Church is not the bride | Contradicts Paul’s plain teaching (Eph 5) |
OT Israel alone is the bride | She is a type, not the fulfillment |
Revelation’s “city” is not the church | The city is the final form of the church |
Paul only uses espousal metaphorically | He explicitly says it's about Christ and church |
There are multiple brides | No SP pattern supports a polygamous Christ |
Christ has one bride, formed from both Jew and Gentile, built into
one body, presented as
one chaste virgin, and united to Him in the
heavenly city which
is the church in glory.