Luke 21:36 is Not a Rapture Passage

[David in NJ]

Because you were still not responding to my posts. You were replying, but not to my content. I've posted many passages of Scripture to you over the course of a few threads, that all make some fairly plain, straightforward sayings, which you seem to not accept, but instead of telling me what you think those passages actually mean, examining the text with me, you repost your list of things that more or less announce your view and disagreement with those who don't share it, but don't address the Scriptures I'm sharing.

So I'm saddened that we cannot have a discussion on these passages.


Nowhere in this passage does it name "the disciples" such that you could include future gentile believers. And in point of fact the disciples are not named. John speaks with some of the Jews, about Jesus, and how Jesus is the Groom, he is but the friend of the Groom. He Whom God has sent.

To whom was Jesus sent? To the lost sheep of Israel. To whom did Jesus go? To the children, not to the dogs. To whom did God promise to wed? To Israel.

How is the church identified? With Christ. His body, His bones. We are likened to a bride in several places, similies, however, we are identified as His body, concretely, in several places.

Much love!

This scripture was given to you a while back.

Here it is without any supposed comment.

27John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. 28You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’
29He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. 30He must increase, but I must decrease. 31He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. 33He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. 34For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure.
35The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. (Genesis)
36He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

John the Baptist identifying the Disciples of Jesus as the Bride and Jesus as the Groom.

Agree with John or Disagree?

 

[marks]

This scripture was given to you a while back.

Here it is without any supposed comment.

27John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. 28You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’
29He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. 30He must increase, but I must decrease. 31He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. 33He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. 34For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure.
35The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. (Genesis)
36He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

John the Baptist identifying the Disciples of Jesus as the Bride and Jesus as the Groom.

Agree with John or Disagree?

Quote the specific verse that you think says that. He doesn't say that.

And though I've responded to this repeatedly, you've ignored that response. This has become entirely one sided. you copy and past the same post over and over, quoting the passage as though it says something it doesn't, and ignore my reponse to that. We're going in circles.

Much love!

 

[GTW27]

Are you OK?

Much love!

Thank you for asking Yes I am fine. After writing those words they put out a tornado watch. My dog and I found another place to be for a few hours. I came home to a place untouched by the storm but there was a tornado south of here and damage. This has become the norm, and these things will affect everyone in this country, and around the world, but just as covid affected this country more, so will the storms. I know The Lord is not happy with this country and the fruit of it's doings. This I have known from the beginning. Thanks again marks.

 

[David in NJ]

Quote the specific verse that you think says that. He doesn't say that.

And though I've responded to this repeatedly, you've ignored that response. This has become entirely one sided. you copy and past the same post over and over, quoting the passage as though it says something it doesn't, and ignore my reponse to that. We're going in circles.

Much love!

27John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. 28You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’
29He who has the Bride is the Bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears Him, rejoices greatly because of the Bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. 30He must increase, but I must decrease. 31He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. 33He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. 34For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure.
35The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. (Genesis)
36He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

 

[marks]

29He who has the Bride is the Bridegroom;

And to whom did God promise He would wed? Israel. How is the church identified? The body of Christ? Is the church ever once called the bride of Christ, or, wed to Christ, or, wed to God, or, promised to be wed to God? No, to all of these. Is the church compared to a bride? Yes, in several passages. Is the church actually called a bride? No, it is not.

Does this passage mention the church? No. Was Jesus sent to the Gentiles? No. Was Jesus sent to Israel? Yes. Did God promise to wed Israel?

Yes. In fact, He did. He promised exactly that.

Will He keep His promise? Yes. He will. And then will be a great feast, and many will come from the east and the west . . .

Much love!

 

[Spiritual Israelite]

And to whom did God promise He would wed? Israel. How is the church identified? The body of Christ? Is the church ever once called the bride of Christ, or, wed to Christ, or, wed to God, or, promised to be wed to God? No, to all of these. Is the church compared to a bride? Yes, in several passages. Is the church actually called a bride? No, it is not.

That is completely false. You are denying the obvious here. Have you never read this:

Ephesians 5:22 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. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 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. 28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: 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.

So, in this passage Paul talks about how wives should submit themselves to their husbands, as unto the Lord. And he said "the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church". And he said "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it". And then later he sums up everything he said in Ephesians 5:22-31 by saying "This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church". He was clearly saying here that the church is the bride/wife of her husband, Jesus Christ. It couldn't be more clear. Yet, here you are denying that the church is the bride of Christ even though it so clearly is.

Does this passage mention the church? No. Was Jesus sent to the Gentiles? No. Was Jesus sent to Israel? Yes. Did God promise to wed Israel?

Yes. In fact, He did. He promised exactly that.

Will He keep His promise? Yes. He will. And then will be a great feast, and many will come from the east and the west . . .

You have the wrong Israel in mind. God will not wed the nation of Israel that consists mostly of Christ rejecters. He will wed Spiritual Israel which consists only of those who belong to Christ (Romans 9:6-8; cross reference Galatians 3:26-29; 4:28, 6:15-16). Also, it does not say that Jesus cares more about Israel than the Gentiles and only sees Israel as His bride. That's nonsense. He spoke of His Gentile followers here:

John 10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Can you not see here that He talked about both of His folds (Israelite believers and Gentile believers) becoming one fold? Why do you try to separate what Jesus has brought together as one? Why do you try to make it as if Jesus cares more about the Jews than the Gentiles even though there is neither Jew nor Gentile in His church?

 

[Spiritual Israelite]

Luke 21:36 KJV
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Jesus didn't speak this to the church, which would have been through Paul, the apostle to the gentiles. Jesus spoke this to Israel, to whom He had been sent.

This is not a "rapture" passage, it regards escape, that is, to flee the things that will come to pass.

There is a manuscript variant here, some read, "and pray always, that you may have strength to escape all these things that shall come to pass".

In whichever way you read this passage, this "escape", "to flee", is an active voice verb, which means that the one referenced is doing the action.

In the rapture, those "in Christ" who are being "caught up", this is the passive voice, they are being acted up, not doing the acting. Grammatically, these cannot be the same. If they were, these verb tenses would agree.

Being caught up in the rapture is a matter of being "in Christ". Fleeing the things to come is a matter of being found worthy, or of having sufficient strength, again, depending on your manuscript.

The one enduring to the end shall be saved. Those in Judea flee to the wilderness! Pray that your flight not be on the Sabbath! Pray that you have the strength!

Much love!

How long have you interpreted that passage this way? It's highly unusual for someone who believes in a pre-trib rapture to interpret the passage in this way.

Anyway, the context of that verse is in relation to escaping things that would occur on the entire earth.

Luke 21:33 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. 34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

I don't see anything in your post that takes the actual context of Luke 21:36 into account. The context is found in the verses immediately preceding it. First, Jesus said "heaven and earth shall pass away" and then He said in relation to that, "take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares". Notice He refers to "that day". What day? The day that heaven and earth will pass away. He said in verse 35 "as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth". This is a global event Jesus was talking about here. I'd say earth passing away qualifies as a global event. Jesus was warning people to not be caught off guard by it and to pray to escape it. How else could someone escape something affecting "the whole earth" except to be taken off of the earth?

He said to be careful to not let the day that heaven and earth pass away to catch them unaware. He clearly implied that if it did catch them unaware then it would not be good for them. He implied that they would not escape it if it caught them unaware. It's very similar to what Peter wrote here:

2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Just like Jesus did in Luke 21:33-36, Peter spoke of heaven and earth passing away and said it would be unexpected and affect everyone on the entire earth. And he spoke of this in relation to the second coming of Christ because he said "we according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness". You can see in 2 Peter 3:4 that "His promise" refers to the promise of His second coming. What Peter was saying is that despite the destruction of the heavens and the earth that he said would happen unexpectedly, we are looking forward to "new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness".

So, bringing this back around to what Jesus talked about, we should pray to escape this coming global destruction that is a result of the wrath of God against unbelievers (see 2 Peter 3:7). How else can we escape it except to be changed to be immortal and to be caught up to meet the Lord in the air when He comes? There is no other way. So, I disagree with your claim that Luke 21:36 is not about the rapture since the rapture is the way in which we will escape the global wrath of God that will "come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth" (all except those who escape it, of course) on the day that Jesus returns and the heavens and the earth pass away in favor of "the new heavens and new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness".

 

[marks]

That is completely false. You are denying the obvious here. Have you never read this:

Would you like me to post the Scriptures which teach each of those things I've stated?

This passage is a wonderful passage showing marriage to again be a simile for our relationship to Christ, which is closer still, as we are bone of His bone and flesh of His flesh.

What He clearly says is that we are His body. "Baptized into Christ" doesn't have an human counterpart, however, marriage is given as a simile.

You have the wrong Israel in mind. God will not wed the nation of Israel that consists mostly of Christ rejecters.

He will wed the people He promised, the people to whom Hosea prophesied.

Also, it does not say that Jesus cares more about Israel than the Gentiles

I've never said this, nor do I think this. It is your straw man.

Can you not see here that He talked about both of His folds (Israelite believers and Gentile believers) becoming one fold? Why do you try to separate what Jesus has brought together as one?

I'm telling you what the Bible says about these things. Either it says it or it doesn't. And in reality, I'm pointing to what it says.

Why do you try to make it as if Jesus cares more about the Jews than the Gentiles even though there is neither Jew nor Gentile in His church?

More straw.

Much love!

 

[ewq1938]

Check the word study. Don't just read commentators. Check the word study, if you don't see it the same as me after that, OK, so be it. But don't just read a commentary.

Much love!

I read yours, and from scholars and I agree with the scholars that define captivity as captivity. Captivity is captivity not freedom.

 

[ewq1938]

It looks like Gill and I are in agreement. Interesting!

He said they are in captivity not being freed from it. That is not agreement.

"This designs the present captivity of the Jews"

They are still in captivity today. It's the same analogy of being blinded.

 

[ewq1938]

This is a separation on the earth, and not final judgment, which will happen at the Great White Throne.

It doesn't happen on Earth and it is the final judgment for the unsaved as they go into fire:

Mat 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

Rev 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

 

[marks]

He said they are in captivity not being freed from it. That is not agreement.

"This designs the present captivity of the Jews"

They are still in captivity today. It's the same analogy of being blinded.

Finish the quote.

when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem: not from the Edomites, Tyrians, and Philistines, that had carried them captive in the times of Ahaz; nor from Babylon, where they had been carried captive by Nebuchadnezzar; for nothing of what is after foretold followed upon the return of these captivities: but this designs the present captivity of the Jews, and the restoration of them to their own land; of which see Isa_52:8.

Isaiah 52:8 KJV
Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall bring again Zion.

Gill correctly identifies this "return the captivity" as referring to the restoration of Israel to their own land. He compares it to Isaiah 52:8, When the LORD shal bring again Zion, the time to sing.

So yes, the present captivity of Israel, and their restoration to their promised land.

Which is exactly what I think also.

Much love!

 

[marks]

I read yours, and from scholars and I agree with the scholars that define captivity as captivity. Captivity is captivity not freedom.

The idiom is to return your captivity, and some variations on that.

Deuteronomy 30:2-3 KJV
2) And shalt return unto the LORD thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul;
3) That then the LORD thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath scattered thee.

Job 42:10 KJV
10) And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.

Psalms 14:7 KJV
7) Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the LORD bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

Psalms 85:1-2 KJV
1) To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah. LORD, thou hast been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob.
2) Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah.

Jeremiah 29:14 KJV
14) And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.

Jeremiah 30:3 KJV
3) For, lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the LORD: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.

Jeremiah 32:44 KJV
44) Men shall buy fields for money, and subscribe evidences, and seal them, and take witnesses in the land of Benjamin, and in the places about Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, and in the cities of the mountains, and in the cities of the valley, and in the cities of the south: for I will cause their captivity to return, saith the LORD.

Ezekiel 39:25 KJV
25) Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Now will I bring again the captivity of Jacob, and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for my holy name;

Joel 3:1-2 KJV
1) For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem,
2) I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.

Do you see the pattern of usage?

Much love!

 

[David in NJ]

And to whom did God promise He would wed? Israel. How is the church identified? The body of Christ? Is the church ever once called the bride of Christ, or, wed to Christ, or, wed to God, or, promised to be wed to God? No, to all of these. Is the church compared to a bride? Yes, in several passages. Is the church actually called a bride? No, it is not.

Does this passage mention the church? No. Was Jesus sent to the Gentiles? No. Was Jesus sent to Israel? Yes. Did God promise to wed Israel?

Yes. In fact, He did. He promised exactly that.

Will He keep His promise? Yes. He will.

Much love!

Your question: Is the church ever once called the bride of Christ, or, wed to Christ, or, wed to God, or, promised to be wed to God?

God says YES to all of these!

Starting with John 3:29 - We are given the OFFICIAL Anouncement of a TWO who are Betrothed to each other.

And to whom did God promise He would wed? Israel. How is the church identified? The body of Christ? Is the church ever once called the bride of Christ, or, wed to Christ, or, wed to God, or, promised to be wed to God? No, to all of these. Is the church compared to a bride? Yes, in several passages. Is the church actually called a bride? No, it is not.

Does this passage mention the church? No. Was Jesus sent to the Gentiles? No. Was Jesus sent to Israel? Yes. Did God promise to wed Israel?

Yes. In fact, He did. He promised exactly that.

Will He keep His promise? Yes. He will. And then will be a great feast, and many will come from the east and the west . . .

Much love!

Here for you my Brother.

The Bride of Christ

This Thread is for identifying from Scripture who the Bride of Christ is. The Bride of Christ are the Disciples of Christ = John 3:25-29 Then there arose a dispute between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purification. And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with...

www.christianityboard.com

 

[David in NJ]

That is completely false. You are denying the obvious here. Have you never read this:

Ephesians 5:22 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. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 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. 28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: 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.

So, in this passage Paul talks about how wives should submit themselves to their husbands, as unto the Lord. And he said "the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church". And he said "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it". And then later he sums up everything he said in Ephesians 5:22-31 by saying "This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church". He was clearly saying here that the church is the bride/wife of her husband, Jesus Christ. It couldn't be more clear. Yet, here you are denying that the church is the bride of Christ even though it so clearly is.


You have the wrong Israel in mind. God will not wed the nation of Israel that consists mostly of Christ rejecters. He will wed Spiritual Israel which consists only of those who belong to Christ (Romans 9:6-8; cross reference Galatians 3:26-29; 4:28, 6:15-16). Also, it does not say that Jesus cares more about Israel than the Gentiles and only sees Israel as His bride. That's nonsense. He spoke of His Gentile followers here:

John 10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Can you not see here that He talked about both of His folds (Israelite believers and Gentile believers) becoming one fold? Why do you try to separate what Jesus has brought together as one? Why do you try to make it as if Jesus cares more about the Jews than the Gentiles even though there is neither Jew nor Gentile in His church?

Please continue with your insight here = The Bride of Christ

 

[David in NJ]

And to whom did God promise He would wed? Israel. How is the church identified? The body of Christ? Is the church ever once called the bride of Christ, or, wed to Christ, or, wed to God, or, promised to be wed to God? No, to all of these. Is the church compared to a bride? Yes, in several passages. Is the church actually called a bride? No, it is not.

Does this passage mention the church? No. Was Jesus sent to the Gentiles? No. Was Jesus sent to Israel? Yes. Did God promise to wed Israel?

Yes. In fact, He did. He promised exactly that.

Will He keep His promise? Yes. He will.

Much love!

Your question: Is the church ever once called the bride of Christ, or, wed to Christ, or, wed to God, or, promised to be wed to God?

God says YES to all of these!

Starting with John 3:29 - We are given the OFFICIAL Anouncement of TWO who are Betrothed to each other.

The Bride of Christ

This Thread is for identifying from Scripture who the Bride of Christ is. The Bride of Christ are the Disciples of Christ = John 3:25-29 Then there arose a dispute between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purification. And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with...

www.christianityboard.com

 

[ewq1938]

Finish the quote.

when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem: not from the Edomites, Tyrians, and Philistines, that had carried them captive in the times of Ahaz; nor from Babylon, where they had been carried captive by Nebuchadnezzar; for nothing of what is after foretold followed upon the return of these captivities: but this designs the present captivity of the Jews, and the restoration of them to their own land; of which see Isa_52:8.

The part that is important is the captivity which isn't being freed from captivity. Present captivity! That remains to this day.

Isaiah 52:8 KJV
Thy watchmen shall lift up the voice; with the voice together shall they sing: for they shall see eye to eye, when the LORD shall bring again Zion.

Gill correctly identifies this "return the captivity" as referring to the restoration of Israel to their own land. He compares it to Isaiah 52:8, When the LORD shal bring again Zion, the time to sing.

So yes, the present captivity of Israel, and their restoration to their promised land.

Which is exactly what I think also.

You said, "Are you familiar with the Hebrew idiom "bring again your captivity" or "return your captivity"? This doesn't mean going into captivity, it means coming out of it, back to their homeland."

Only the homeland part matches. You said captivity means not going into captivity but it doesn't mean that and Gill does not agree with you on that.

We are off topic so let's get back to Matthew 25 and Rev 20 etc.

 

[Ronald D Milam]

And to whom did God promise He would wed? Israel. How is the church identified? The body of Christ? Is the church ever once called the bride of Christ, or, wed to Christ, or, wed to God, or, promised to be wed to God? No, to all of these. Is the church compared to a bride? Yes, in several passages. Is the church actually called a bride? No, it is not.

They do not understand the Two Brides, even though we are given shadows that show two brides, Leah and Rachel, they do not understand the Wedding Pattern even though Jesus harped on it over and over, because they do not see Spiritually, so don't fret. Just do as Jesus did, feed them truth it will be a testimony unto us on judgment day that we obeyed the spirit and put forth the truth, as Ezekiel 3:16-18 commands us to do.

Lets see if they can grasp this:

The Wedding Pattern

The Lord gave Israel seven feasts in Leviticus 23. The Lord refers to the feasts as appointed times (mowed – Strong’s H4150). Mowed means an appointed time, a specific time. Our Heavenly Father knows the End from the Beginning, and the seven specific appointed times of the seven feasts give us an outline of His overall plan and I believe that some appointed times have been, and all will be literally fulfilled.

Within the Word of God is the pattern of the Church as the Bride of Christ (hereafter noted as Church) being wed to Jesus, and it is preserved to this day in the practice of the traditional Jewish wedding (hereafter noted as Jewish Wedding). This is not to say that the Church has replaced Israel in the Lord’s plan; quite the opposite. Please see Romans 11:11-18, and Romans 11:25-26.

There are two brides found in Scripture, and Rachel and Leah show us this. Please see Leah, the Bride, and Leah's Children.

When I first realized the connection between the feasts and the steps of the wedding, I was troubled by the Fall Feasts. Although "Trumpets" is a favorite feast for those of us listening for the trumpet of the Lord, I could not clearly in my mind make these feasts fit the Church. The Fall Feasts seem to point to the people Israel. Therefore, when I realized there were two different brides which would be dealt with in separate manners, the pieces seemed to fit together.

First, the Lord chose a people (Israel) that would be His bride, His wife. Several times in the Old Testament the Lord describes Israel as His wife. It all began when the Lord chose Abraham and promised him that his descendants would be a great and numerous people. But at Mount Sinai the chosen wife became spiritually adulterous and worshipped the Golden Calf. Time and again, through the prophets, the Lord called for Israel to return to Him.

Finally, the Lord told Israel,

"I am sought of [them that] asked not [for me]; I am found of [them that] sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation [that] was not called by my name.” - Isaiah 65:1

Praise His name, the Lord turned to the Gentiles. In the New Testament the Church, composed of Jews and Gentiles, is also described as the Bride of the Lord Jesus, the second bride of Scripture. The Bible shows us these two brides in the same manner and pattern as the Jewish wedding, and the Jewish wedding fits the themes of the seven appointed times given by the Lord.

The Lord gave the Children of Israel three Spring Feasts in Leviticus 23:4-14, Passover, Unleavened Bread and Firstfruits. Here is how they were fulfilled:

Passover - Jesus paid the price for our sins when He died on the Cross. Jesus was the Lamb of God. (John 1:29) Jesus was the Passover Lamb.

Firstfruits - The day we recognize as Resurrection Sunday is the Jewish Feast of Firstfruits. Jesus was the Firstfruits of the grave. (I Corinthians 15:20)

Unleavened Bread - According to Scripture, “Passover Week” is the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Leavening is figurative of sin; Jesus was “unleavened,” without sin. Jesus paid the price at the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

There is a thread of continuity that flows through the seven feasts, or appointed times, first given by the Lord. Here are the steps taken in completing the Jewish wedding and its application to the wedding of the Church to the Lord Jesus, followed by how this ties to the seven appointed feasts of Israel:

The steps of the traditional Jewish wedding:

1 – Selection of the Bride
Jewish Wedding - The Son chooses the Bride – the Father makes the arrangements
Church - John 15:16 – “You did not choose Me, but I chose you . . .”

2 – The Bride Price established
Jewish Wedding - The father of the bride must be reimbursed for the loss of his daughter.
Church - I Corinthians 6:20 - “For you were bought with a price.” The Bride price was paid when Jesus died on the Cross.

We who are saved by Jesus were sought by the Lord. (Isaiah 65:1) Jesus paid the price on Passover. The appointed times of Firstfruits and Unleavened Bread complete the picture of Jesus being resurrected and being sinless, the spotless Lamb of God.

The Spring Feasts have all been literally fulfilled.

Pentecost, or the Feast of Weeks, was the fourth appointed time given by the Lord in Leviticus 23:15-22.

Just as the Lord deals with the Church in a separate manner from His chosen, the Jews, I strongly suspect that Pentecost, which is separate from the Spring Feasts and the Fall Feasts, is specific to the Church.

Each year at Pentecost, Jewish synagogues read the entire Book of Ruth. The story of Ruth takes place at the wheat harvest, or Pentecost. This book is a picture of the Lord Jesus and His Gentile bride. Boaz, the Jew, was the kinsman-redeemer. Jesus is our Redeemer. Ruth was a Moabitess, a Gentile. The Church is the Gentile Bride. That very day, the Day of Pentecost, Boaz redeemed Ruth. The marriage is not mentioned, only the commitment, the betrothal, is recorded. The marriage of Boaz and Ruth is noted in conclusion, but not discussed.

Boaz gave Ruth six measures of barley. A measure of barley was a day’s wages. (Revelation 6:6). I think this is a picture of mankind being paid for six millennial days’ work. The Bride, or the Church, will not have to struggle after six millennial days or six thousand years. According to Biblical chronology, it has been about six thousand years.

The six measures of barley were also part of the traditional Jewish wedding Bride price. Boaz said, “Do not go to your mother-in-law empty-handed.”

“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” - I Corinthians 6:20

At the Feast of Pentecost the Bride of Christ was given the Gift of the Holy Spirit and through this Jesus committed to complete the betrothal of the Church when He comes again.
“in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” - Ephesians 1:13-14

The steps of the traditional Jewish wedding:

3 – The Betrothal
Jewish Wedding - More than mere “engagement”, it was a permanent arrangement. Recall the story of Joseph and Mary.
Church – The attachment of the Church to the Lord is also permanent, and forever. “This is the bread which came down from heaven--not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.” (John 6:58) And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand. (John 10:28)

4 – The Marriage Contract
Jewish Wedding – A written agreement committing each party to the marriage.
Church - The New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34) is our written agreement containing the promises of God. Jesus said, “If ye continue in my word, [then] are ye my disciples indeed;” (John 8:31)

5 – The Bride must consent
Jewish Wedding – This is not entirely an arranged marriage; the bride must agree.
Church – “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved;” (Mark 16:16) “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” (Romans 10:9)

6 – The Bridal Gift and the Cup of the Covenant
Jewish Wedding – A glass of wine is taken upon the signing of the contract.
Church – Each time we gather around the Lord’s Table, we remember the “contract.” “And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave [it] to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament (covenant), which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” (Matthew 26:27-28)

Jewish Wedding – The Bride is given a gift by the groom.
Church - The Holy Spirit is given by Jesus –– “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 2:38) This, of course, occurred on the Day of Pentecost.

7 – The Ceremonial Purification of the Bride
Jewish Wedding - The next step for the Bride after she is betrothed is a ceremonial cleansing. In Biblical times the Bride would use a Mikvah, which was pool of water, in which she would immerse herself.
Church - Acts 2:41 – “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized (immersed); and that day about three thousand souls were added [to them]."

 

[Ronald D Milam]

CONTINUED.....

The Church is an insertion in the Lord's Plan. Israel was the original bride. I believe that the Lord Jesus will come for His bride, the Church, in a separate event (the Rapture) from the Lord's return for His bride, Israel. From this point forward in the Jewish Wedding process, following the purification of the bride, in my opinion the Church will be dealt with separately in the time defined as the Church Age, or the Age of Grace. This period of time will extend from the Day of Pentecost described in Acts chapter two, to the day when the Lord Jesus calls us Home.

8 – The Groom would prepare a room for the Bride in his father’s house
Church - John 14:3 – “I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself.”

The father of the groom determines when the room is ready. The groom does not determine the time of the wedding. “But of that day and hour knoweth no [man], no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” (Matthew 24:36)

9 – The Bride is consecrated and set apart
Church - I Peter 2:9 – “But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people.”

10 – The Groom returns with a shout, “Behold, the bridegroom comes!”
Church - I Thessalonians 4:16 – “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God.”

11 – The Bride and Groom go to the wedding chamber.
Church – This period when the Bride and Groom spend time together seems to show that the Bride of Jesus will be with Him in Heaven. This appears to indicate a pre-Tribulation gathering of the Church, and is described in Isaiah 26:20; “Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.” Praise the Lord!

12 – The Marriage Supper
Church – “‘Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.’ And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me, ‘Write: Blessed [are] those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’” (The Revelation 19:7-9)

In my opinion, the Feast of Pentecost is still being fulfilled and will be completed when the Lord Jesus comes for His bride.

I believe that in the remaining steps of the Jewish Wedding process, the steps will be fulfilled for Israel in a separate manner.

The steps of the traditional Jewish wedding:

8 – The Groom would prepare a room for the Bride in his father’s house
Jewish Wedding – In Biblical times the groom would add a room to his father’s house. At that time, families lived together.
The father of the groom determines when the room is ready. The groom does not determine the time of the wedding.

9 – The Bride is consecrated and set apart
Jewish Wedding – The Bride is spoken for and belongs to no one else. Again, refer to Mary and Joseph. (Matthew 1:18-19)
At this point in the process, the Bride is always in readiness. She does not know when the Groom will return for her. For example, see Matthew 25 – The Parable of the Ten Virgins.

10 – The Groom returns with a shout, “Behold, the bridegroom comes!”
Jewish Wedding – This was frequently done at midnight for surprise. Matthew 25:6 (the Parable of the Ten Virgins) – “And at midnight a cry (shout) was [heard]: ‘Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him!’”

Scripture tells us that a prophetic day can equal a year.

“After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, [even] forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities.” - Numbers 14:34

The seven days the Jewish bride and groom spend in the wedding chamber appear to equate to seven prophetic years, which parallels the last seven years of Daniel’s prophecy, and is the basis for the concept of seven years of Tribulation.

“Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.” - Daniel 9:27

The Song of Moses, Deuteronomy 32:1-43, is a summary of the Lord’s dealings with Israel. From the summary given by Moses, and many other Scriptures, it appears that the Day of Atonement will be the Day when the Lord Jesus sets foot on the Mount of Olives and fights against all nations.
“Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. And his feet shall stand in that day upon the Mount of Olives, which [is] before Jerusalem on the east.” - Zechariah 14:1-4

Daniel’s last seven days (Daniel 9:27) appear to parallel the seven years of the Tribulation, while the Bride of Christ is in Heaven consummating union to Jesus Messiah and celebrating with the marriage supper. The next appointed time is the Day of Atonement. This indicates that at the end of the Tribulation, the Lord Jesus will return to redeem and make Atonement for Israel.
The latter part of the Song of Moses is prophetic of the Last Days. The very last verse of the Song of Moses says:

“Rejoice, O ye nations, [with] his people: for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful unto his land, [and] to his people.”
The Hebrew word translated as “merciful” is kaphar (Strong’s H3722), and is rendered “make atonement” in the vast majority of its appearances in the Old Testament. Therefore, this verse could say “He will provide atonement, for His land and His people.”

In the Revelation, the Return of Jesus as King of kings and Lord of lords immediately follows the Marriage supper of the Lamb.

“And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him [was] called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes [were] as a flame of fire, and on his head [were] many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he [was] clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies [which were] in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. ” – Revelation 19:11-14

Note that the “armies [which were] in heaven” were clothed in fine linen, white and clean, just like the Bride was given in the preceding verse Revelation 19:8. This identifies the “armies” as the Bride of Christ, Saints and Children of God, who will return in victory with the Lord Jesus.
It appears that this day will be the fulfillment of the Day of Atonement.

The next, and last, appointed time is the Feast of Tabernacles which was an eight-day event. It occurred at the time of the fall harvest, and was to be a time of joy and celebration.

“Thou shalt observe the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in thy corn and thy wine: And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that [are] within thy gates.” - Deuteronomy 16:13-14

The word tabernacle can be a noun or a verb. With the Tabernacle in the wilderness the word is used as a noun, but it is also a verb describing where the Lord dwelled, or tabernacled, with Israel. In the Kingdom Age the Lord Jesus will dwell, or tabernacle, with mankind.

In the Deuteronomy instructions the Children of Israel are told to celebrate for seven days. In the instructions given in Leviticus 23:33-43 they are told to hold a sacred assembly on the eighth day. In the Bible, seven is the number of completion. Therefore, eight is the number of new beginnings. Noah and his family were eight persons, and represented a new beginning for mankind. A male child was to be circumcized on the eighth day, at the beginning of his life. King David, who laid the foundations for the beginning of the Kingdom of Israel, was the eighth son of Jesse. This eighth day of the Feast of Tabernacles indicates new beginnings.

The steps of the traditional Jewish wedding:

11 – The Bride and Groom go to the wedding chamber.
Jewish Wedding - The marriage was consummated in the wedding chamber. The Bride and Groom stayed in that wedding chamber for seven days.

12 – The Marriage Supper
Jewish Wedding – A wedding feast was given for the Bride and Groom.
After the traditional Jewish Wedding the Bride and Groom lived together. This fits the picture of the Lord living, or tabernacling, with His people in the Kingdom Age and forever!

The Children of Israel were also instructed to live in booths or tents during this feast. This was to be a memorial of the time when the Lord delivered Israel from Egypt. The Feast of Tabernacles is about the Lord living with mankind and will be fulfilled when the Lord tabernacles with Israel and mankind during the Millennial Kingdom. At that time there will be a New Beginning for the Kingdom of God and His two brides.

The prophetic parallels between the Jewish Wedding and the Church’s Biblical Wedding are simply amazing! What a wonderful picture and wonderful hope this pattern gives to those who are saved and are the Children of God. And only the God of Creation could place this pattern within and throughout the sixty-six books of His Word. Our Heavenly Father is the ultimate Wedding Planner! May His name be praised forever!

 

[David in NJ]

They do not understand the Two Brides, even though we are given shadows that show two brides, Leah and Rachel, they do not understand the Wedding Pattern even though Jesus harped on it over and over, because they do not see Spiritually, so don't fret. Just do as Jesus did, feed them truth it will be a testimony unto us on judgment day that we obeyed the spirit and put forth the truth, as Ezekiel 3:16-18 commands us to do.

Lets see if they can grasp this:

The Wedding Pattern

The Lord gave Israel seven feasts in Leviticus 23. The Lord refers to the feasts as appointed times (mowed – Strong’s H4150). Mowed means an appointed time, a specific time. Our Heavenly Father knows the End from the Beginning, and the seven specific appointed times of the seven feasts give us an outline of His overall plan and I believe that some appointed times have been, and all will be literally fulfilled.

Within the Word of God is the pattern of the Church as the Bride of Christ (hereafter noted as Church) being wed to Jesus, and it is preserved to this day in the practice of the traditional Jewish wedding (hereafter noted as Jewish Wedding). This is not to say that the Church has replaced Israel in the Lord’s plan; quite the opposite. Please see Romans 11:11-18, and Romans 11:25-26.

There are two brides found in Scripture, and Rachel and Leah show us this. Please see Leah, the Bride, and Leah's Children.

When I first realized the connection between the feasts and the steps of the wedding, I was troubled by the Fall Feasts. Although "Trumpets" is a favorite feast for those of us listening for the trumpet of the Lord, I could not clearly in my mind make these feasts fit the Church. The Fall Feasts seem to point to the people Israel. Therefore, when I realized there were two different brides which would be dealt with in separate manners, the pieces seemed to fit together.

First, the Lord chose a people (Israel) that would be His bride, His wife. Several times in the Old Testament the Lord describes Israel as His wife. It all began when the Lord chose Abraham and promised him that his descendants would be a great and numerous people. But at Mount Sinai the chosen wife became spiritually adulterous and worshipped the Golden Calf. Time and again, through the prophets, the Lord called for Israel to return to Him.

Finally, the Lord told Israel,

"I am sought of [them that] asked not [for me]; I am found of [them that] sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation [that] was not called by my name.” - Isaiah 65:1

Praise His name, the Lord turned to the Gentiles. In the New Testament the Church, composed of Jews and Gentiles, is also described as the Bride of the Lord Jesus, the second bride of Scripture. The Bible shows us these two brides in the same manner and pattern as the Jewish wedding, and the Jewish wedding fits the themes of the seven appointed times given by the Lord.

The Lord gave the Children of Israel three Spring Feasts in Leviticus 23:4-14, Passover, Unleavened Bread and Firstfruits. Here is how they were fulfilled:

Passover - Jesus paid the price for our sins when He died on the Cross. Jesus was the Lamb of God. (John 1:29) Jesus was the Passover Lamb.

Firstfruits - The day we recognize as Resurrection Sunday is the Jewish Feast of Firstfruits. Jesus was the Firstfruits of the grave. (I Corinthians 15:20)

Unleavened Bread - According to Scripture, “Passover Week” is the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Leavening is figurative of sin; Jesus was “unleavened,” without sin. Jesus paid the price at the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

There is a thread of continuity that flows through the seven feasts, or appointed times, first given by the Lord. Here are the steps taken in completing the Jewish wedding and its application to the wedding of the Church to the Lord Jesus, followed by how this ties to the seven appointed feasts of Israel:

The steps of the traditional Jewish wedding:

1 – Selection of the Bride
Jewish Wedding - The Son chooses the Bride – the Father makes the arrangements
Church - John 15:16 – “You did not choose Me, but I chose you . . .”

2 – The Bride Price established
Jewish Wedding - The father of the bride must be reimbursed for the loss of his daughter.
Church - I Corinthians 6:20 - “For you were bought with a price.” The Bride price was paid when Jesus died on the Cross.

We who are saved by Jesus were sought by the Lord. (Isaiah 65:1) Jesus paid the price on Passover. The appointed times of Firstfruits and Unleavened Bread complete the picture of Jesus being resurrected and being sinless, the spotless Lamb of God.

The Spring Feasts have all been literally fulfilled.

Pentecost, or the Feast of Weeks, was the fourth appointed time given by the Lord in Leviticus 23:15-22.

Just as the Lord deals with the Church in a separate manner from His chosen, the Jews, I strongly suspect that Pentecost, which is separate from the Spring Feasts and the Fall Feasts, is specific to the Church.

Each year at Pentecost, Jewish synagogues read the entire Book of Ruth. The story of Ruth takes place at the wheat harvest, or Pentecost. This book is a picture of the Lord Jesus and His Gentile bride. Boaz, the Jew, was the kinsman-redeemer. Jesus is our Redeemer. Ruth was a Moabitess, a Gentile. The Church is the Gentile Bride. That very day, the Day of Pentecost, Boaz redeemed Ruth. The marriage is not mentioned, only the commitment, the betrothal, is recorded. The marriage of Boaz and Ruth is noted in conclusion, but not discussed.

Boaz gave Ruth six measures of barley. A measure of barley was a day’s wages. (Revelation 6:6). I think this is a picture of mankind being paid for six millennial days’ work. The Bride, or the Church, will not have to struggle after six millennial days or six thousand years. According to Biblical chronology, it has been about six thousand years.

The six measures of barley were also part of the traditional Jewish wedding Bride price. Boaz said, “Do not go to your mother-in-law empty-handed.”

“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” - I Corinthians 6:20

At the Feast of Pentecost the Bride of Christ was given the Gift of the Holy Spirit and through this Jesus committed to complete the betrothal of the Church when He comes again.
“in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” - Ephesians 1:13-14

The steps of the traditional Jewish wedding:

3 – The Betrothal
Jewish Wedding - More than mere “engagement”, it was a permanent arrangement. Recall the story of Joseph and Mary.
Church – The attachment of the Church to the Lord is also permanent, and forever. “This is the bread which came down from heaven--not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.” (John 6:58) And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand. (John 10:28)

4 – The Marriage Contract
Jewish Wedding – A written agreement committing each party to the marriage.
Church - The New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34) is our written agreement containing the promises of God. Jesus said, “If ye continue in my word, [then] are ye my disciples indeed;” (John 8:31)

5 – The Bride must consent
Jewish Wedding – This is not entirely an arranged marriage; the bride must agree.
Church – “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved;” (Mark 16:16) “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” (Romans 10:9)

6 – The Bridal Gift and the Cup of the Covenant
Jewish Wedding – A glass of wine is taken upon the signing of the contract.
Church – Each time we gather around the Lord’s Table, we remember the “contract.” “And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave [it] to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament (covenant), which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” (Matthew 26:27-28)

Jewish Wedding – The Bride is given a gift by the groom.
Church - The Holy Spirit is given by Jesus –– “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 2:38) This, of course, occurred on the Day of Pentecost.

7 – The Ceremonial Purification of the Bride
Jewish Wedding - The next step for the Bride after she is betrothed is a ceremonial cleansing. In Biblical times the Bride would use a Mikvah, which was pool of water, in which she would immerse herself.
Church - Acts 2:41 – “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized (immersed); and that day about three thousand souls were added [to them]."

Good stuff except for "Two Brides"

Christ does not have "Two Brides" - Leah and Rachel

Leah and Rachel represent the Bride under the Old Covenant and the Bride under the New Covenant

The Old Covenant is gone - done away with = "you do not put new wine into old wine skins."

The Bride of Christ

This Thread is for identifying from Scripture who the Bride of Christ is. The Bride of Christ are the Disciples of Christ = John 3:25-29 Then there arose a dispute between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purification. And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with...

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