I am sorry, this is something you may already have seen and understood. But I am just now getting it. It opens so many questions about the bride, the bridegroom, offspring, the guest and who are the servants. I have always viewed the crucifixion and the day of Pentecost as the day the church was born. Is that the truth? No. The church was washed clean and sanctified on the day of Pentecost. But that was not her beginning. I have always understood Paul as the beginning of the planting of the real church. Is that the truth? Or was Paul the Father of the Church of the gentiles?
1 Corinthians 4:17 KJV
[17] For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.
Romans 16:4 KJV
[4] Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
Acts 14:27 KJV
[27] And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.
Yet Acts 7:37-38 speaks of the Church all the way back to the wilderness:
[37] This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear. [38] This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:
Ephesians 3:9-10 KJV
[9] And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: [10] To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
Fellowship: what does it mean? A mystery to be seen by all men. One word that displays God...fellowship.
Now it makes sense. There was "the church" as far back as in the wilderness.
Ephesians 5:22-23 KJV
[22] Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. [23] For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
His body. The LORD's church. All the way back into the wilderness.
For His church The LORD came in the flesh as Jesus Christ. Why?
Ephesians 5:25-27 KJV
[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 to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Ephesians 30-32 KJV
[30] For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. [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.
His Church. His Body. Christ. The church redeemed and washed clean. But she originated in the wilderness. Fellowship? Are we not called to fellowship? Are we not called to love the brethren. Our Brethren? That includes the Jews also? The brethren. If we say the Jews have been replaced, or Done away with; then isn't that us hating our own body. I am speaking of those that are His "This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear."
Are we not all the bride, apart of the body; the glory of the husband; a servant. a Helper. an Aid. Another. then Children of the Bridechamber? Do we produce children of bridechamber? I am so confused. "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."
Are we not called to be servants: helper/aid/another. Not male. Not female. Not bound. Not free. But a servant unto the LORD.
2 Corinthians 8:23 KJV
[23] Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.
Acts 15:22 KJV
[22] Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely , Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:
Romans 16:1 KJV
[1] I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:
Who is the harlot we are told to come out of? Who are those invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb:
Revelation 3:17-20 KJV
[17] Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: [18] I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. [19] As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. [20] Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Sup...fellowship.