Bride of Christ / Messiah

[Mikhael]

I wanted to find out who the Bride of Christ is? Please give me a scriptural (New Testament or Tanakh) answer and show references. This is a question that came up from my wife a couple of years ago and, like the tithing thing, I think what I've found might be a surprise to everyone. I do not wish to go into it yet until people have responded and backed up their positions.

Be Well,
Mikha'el

[visionary]

There is also a description of the setting of the Table of Shewbread. It reminds me of the day when we will be invited to sit at the table all set up for the Wedding Feast.

Exodus 25:29 And thou shalt make the dishes thereof, and spoons thereof, and covers thereof, and bowls thereof, to cover withal: of pure gold shalt thou make them.30 And thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me always.

Matthew 22:1-14 And Yeshua answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, 2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, 3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. 4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. 5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: 6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. 7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. 9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. 10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. 11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
It is time for us to put on the fine linen that Yeshua has provided and come in and be united with Yeshua for eternity at the wedding ceremony. We are to spiritually come here to receive the final hidden manna, our new name, and to know the name of God at the appointed time.

Revelation 19:8 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.

This is speaking of the bride of Christ. Her fine linen is the righteousness of saints, which makes her the body of believers.

Revelation 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; 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 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

There was two stories that Yeshua told, one regarding marriage, and one about the king returning to His kingdom. It is in these parable that we are to see Jesus as the Bridegroom and soon to be wed and the other where as the crowned King returning to claim what is His. Let us go over the Ten Virgins Parable in

Matt 25:1-13 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins which took their lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

How many people today make light of the Day of Atonement and not see the wedding....when the feast of trumpets should have woken them up to the event? I think that during the feast of trumpets, the two witnesses will bring to light the wedding, the invitation, and call people out of Egypt like Moses with plagues. All the preparation material necessary to seal the saints, cloth the bride of Christ with fine linen, and invite everyone to the wedding.

So it is very important to be ready Rev 3:20 "and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately." Why would they open unto him immediately...because they were expecting him, looking forward to this moment, and knew what to expect when he arrives.

Luke 12:37 Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching" verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants."

There has been two times in history where the body of believers were looking for the return of Christ. Once in the life time of the apostles, next when the people came out of the dark ages and the Word of the Lord was convicting in the soon return of the Lord in the 1800's and now when all the different prophectic signs are lining up on different dates but around this time period depending upon which material was used for calculations. There has been a great revival in the body of believers that believe that this is the final call and Christ will soon return. This is the third watch. I believe that this is a special time when the Lord is dishing out meat, the big juicy stuff that would take mature believers to swallow. I believe that we will see the two witnesses appear on the horizon opening up Revelation like never before. They will open up the Word of God that will take the mystery out of God, it will be clear to the world. There will be no excuse not too.

Numbers 10:2-3 Make two silver trumpets for yourself; you shall make them of hammered work; you shall use them for calling the congregation and for directing the movement of the camps. When they blow both of them, all the congregation shall gather before you at the door of the tabernacle of meeting.

There was one marriage covenant with God, Israel broke this, and then Judah shortly followed. Yeshua has come to re-new that marriage covenant with Israel, and to bring other wedding guests to the wedding feast. Remember all are invited to the wedding but they have to have the proper attire (pure garments) but the marriage is between God/Jesus and Israel.

Now the Bride may present herself spotless before the groom.

1 John 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

1 Kings 8:61 Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.

Psalm 18:30 As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.

Psalm 18:32 It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.

Psalm 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

Psalm 37:37 Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.

Psalm 50:2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined.

Psalm 101:2 I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.

Psalm 119:96 I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.

Proverbs 4:18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

Proverbs 11:5 The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

[Imago Dei]

Hi Mikha'el,
My name is Michael too. Nice to meet you.
I'd like to share with you a little of my own understanding of who the Bride of Christ is. I am convinced that the Bride of Christ and the Wife of the LORD are one and the same.What I mean is I believe it all depends on who the people of God are. Are there two groups of elect, as the dispensationalists teach, or rather is there one chosen group which includes believers of all ages? In other words who is the church and who is Israel? I truly believe that the "church", in distancing itself from the early jewish believers, has in a sense lost track of it's own identity. The church is part and parcel of the chosen people of God. The lost sheep of the House of Israel and therefore members of the commonwealth of Israel as the quote from Ephesians indicates.

Isaiah 54:5 For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.
6: For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God.
7: For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee.
8: In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.



Ephesians 2:11-20

11 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh--who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands-- 12that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (See Hosea 2:25 , Romans 9:23-26, and Isaiah 57:19)


Christ Our Peace
14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.


Christ Our Cornerstone
19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.

A lot more can and has been said better by people a lot more intelligent than I. I don't post here very often and I hope this point of view makes sense. Also I would suggest you go to tnnonline.net and check out an article called "When Did the Church Begin?" Very informative. Food for thought anyway. Take care brother.

Yours in the Lord,
Imago

[I’m_Lesha]

The bride is the New Jerusalem, adorned with all its precious jewels. Jesus returned to heaven to the marriage of the Lamb.

Daniel 7
13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

Revelation 19
6 And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, "Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!
7 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."

>>We (humans) are not part of the marriage ceremony.

Revelation 21
2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.
10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;

Matthew 22
1 And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said:
2 "The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son,
3 and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come.
4 Again, he sent out other servants, saying, "Tell those who are invited, "See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding."

>>They are being invited to the wedding feast.

Revelation 22
17 And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

Luke 22
28 "But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials.
29 And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me,
30 that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel."

Revelation 19
8 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.
9 Then he said to me, "Write: "Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!"'

>>I believe there is a misconception of verse 8. She is not arrayed in the righteousness of Yeshua, but the righteous acts of the saints. The saints will inhabit the bride of Christ, not be the bride of Christ.
The parable of the wise and foolish virgins is a parable of those entering the marriage hall, the Holy City, not into the marriage itself.

Just my thoughts on the subject.;)

Lesha

[Mikhael]

I can't get into it right now, but Lesha you are correct. How can one receive an invitation to the mariage supper table if they're supposed to be the bride sitting next to the groom.

I'd like to say more, but at this time I'm pressed for time and tomorrow is father's day. I have a big day out with my wife and kids.

Shalom,
Mikha'el

[Henaynei]

tomorrow is father's day. I have a big day out with my wife and kids.

Shalom,
Mikha'el Mazel Tov!! Happy Father's Day!!!

[I’m_Lesha]

I can't get into it right now, but Lesha you are correct. How can one receive an invitation to the mariage supper table if they're supposed to be the bride sitting next to the groom.

I'd like to say more, but at this time I'm pressed for time and tomorrow is father's day. I have a big day out with my wife and kids.

Shalom,
Mikha'elI am correct?:doh:

I am never correct!

No one ever agrees with me.:blush:

Thank you Mikhael you have just made my day! :hug:

Happy Fathers day!

Lesha