WHO IS THE BRIDE OF CHRIST? ITS NOT YOU OR ME?

[MorningGlory]

Everything in the Bible is not a Metephor but when the words "like" or "as" are used it IS a metaphor. Something is being likened to. That is why the New Jerusalem is adorned "like" a bride going out to meet her bridegroom. 

The meaning of 'as' or 'like' depends on placement.  The Scriptures clearly state that the New Jerusalem is the Bride of Christ and then in Rev. 21 11, proceeds to describe the city.  It says what it says as I have said many times.  These passages are NOT metaphorical or the angel would have said 'let me shew you a city adorned like a Bride'.  It doesn't say that..

Revelation Chapter 21 -  KJV

⁹And 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.

¹⁰And 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,

¹¹Having the glory of God: and her light [was] like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;

[1x1is1]

So the angel took John to the top of the mountain and showed him a metaphor?  I don't think so. 

John compares "the holy city" to a bride -- "prepared AS A BRIDE adorned for her husband" (Rev 21:2). Then he personifies the Bride (the Church) by saying "I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife" (Rev 21:9).  But since he had already shown us who the Lamb's wife is in Rev 19:7-8 -- THE SAINTS -- he expects us to understand that the Church is being personified by the city. What's so hard to understand? Christ does not marry gold, silver, and precious stones, so that should be your clue right there.

Well, here it is again: show me where it says the Bride is us, the believers. 

 6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

7 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.

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.

9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

Hello Sister,

This topic reminds me of Pre Tribulation discussions.  We all know that if there is a Pre Tri, then even the Post, None and Mid Tribbers will be included in the Pre.  I usually end up telling them, I'll explain it to you on the way up.  Now, I am just wondering, if it turns out that We are indeed the Bride, will you fight tooth and nail Not to be the Bride? 

I am with Ezra on this.  I find it easy to understand why we are the Bride.  I want to be the Bride.  Not being the Bride would be less to me.

 

 

[SINNERSAVED]

⁹And 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.

There is such a thing as "personification", and in this verse the city personifies the inhabitants (the saints). Christ does not have a heavenly “bricks and mortar” Bride (which should be so obvious that it does not need to be mentioned).  But Christians stumble over this verse again and again because they do not bother to go back to Revelation 19:6-9 (which was already mentioned but obviously ignored). So let’s see who the Lamb’s Wife really is -- the saints clothed with the righteousness of Christ:

 

 6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

7 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.

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.

9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

I just posted those same verses just before you.  I don't see that they refer to US as the Bride.  I think we are the guests at the Marriage Supper. 

I  agree with you M.G, the clothes in white saints , we are the people and the guest of the marriage celebration, not the bride, it is clear in these passages above that we are not the bride.

[Ezra]

⁹And 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.

There is such a thing as "personification", and in this verse the city personifies the inhabitants (the saints). Christ does not have a heavenly “bricks and mortar” Bride (which should be so obvious that it does not need to be mentioned).  But Christians stumble over this verse again and again because they do not bother to go back to Revelation 19:6-9 (which was already mentioned but obviously ignored). So let’s see who the Lamb’s Wife really is -- the saints clothed with the righteousness of Christ:

 

 6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

7 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.

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.

9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

I just posted those same verses just before you.  I don't see that they refer to US as the Bride.  I think we are the guests at the Marriage Supper. 

I  agree with you M.G, the clothes in white saints , we are the people and the guest of the marriage celebration, not the bride, it is clear in these passages above that we are not the bride.

1. Who are the saints?

2. What is this righteousness depicted as "fine linen, clean and white"?

3. What is the connection between "his wife" (v 7) and "to her was granted" (v 8)?

4. Don't all brides eventually become wives?

5. What does Ephesians 5:22-33 have to say in this regard?

6. Why is Scripture ignored when it is plainly there for all to see and accept?

 

[SINNERSAVED]

⁹And 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.

There is such a thing as "personification", and in this verse the city personifies the inhabitants (the saints). Christ does not have a heavenly “bricks and mortar” Bride (which should be so obvious that it does not need to be mentioned).  But Christians stumble over this verse again and again because they do not bother to go back to Revelation 19:6-9 (which was already mentioned but obviously ignored). So let’s see who the Lamb’s Wife really is -- the saints clothed with the righteousness of Christ:

 

 6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

7 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.

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.

9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

I just posted those same verses just before you.  I don't see that they refer to US as the Bride.  I think we are the guests at the Marriage Supper. 

I  agree with you M.G, the clothes in white saints , we are the people and the guest of the marriage celebration, not the bride, it is clear in these passages above that we are not the bride.

1. Who are the saints?

2. What is this righteousness depicted as "fine linen, clean and white"?

3. What is the connection between "his wife" (v 7) and "to her was granted" (v 8)?

4. Don't all brides eventually become wives?

5. What does Ephesians 5:22-33 have to say in this regard?

6. Why is Scripture ignored when it is plainly there for all to see and accept?

 

we are Gods people , of his kingdom to come, we are not the bride, we are cleansed and washed white as snow in the blood of jesus, when we have by faith over come and given our white linen, then we know we are part of his kingdom,  he calls us friend, he calls us brother and sister,  he calls us the sons of God , the children of God, I think you are mis -interpreting scripture,

I am not ignoring any scripture, please show me what you are pointing too, ?

[Marilyn C]

⁹And 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.

There is such a thing as "personification", and in this verse the city personifies the inhabitants (the saints). Christ does not have a heavenly “bricks and mortar” Bride (which should be so obvious that it does not need to be mentioned).  But Christians stumble over this verse again and again because they do not bother to go back to Revelation 19:6-9 (which was already mentioned but obviously ignored). So let’s see who the Lamb’s Wife really is -- the saints clothed with the righteousness of Christ:

 

 6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

7 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.

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.

9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

I just posted those same verses just before you.  I don't see that they refer to US as the Bride.  I think we are the guests at the Marriage Supper. 

I  agree with you M.G, the clothes in white saints , we are the people and the guest of the marriage celebration, not the bride, it is clear in these passages above that we are not the bride.

1. Who are the saints?

2. What is this righteousness depicted as "fine linen, clean and white"?

3. What is the connection between "his wife" (v 7) and "to her was granted" (v 8)?

4. Don't all brides eventually become wives?

5. What does Ephesians 5:22-33 have to say in this regard?

6. Why is Scripture ignored when it is plainly there for all to see and accept?

 

we are Gods people , of his kingdom to come, we are not the bride, we are cleansed and washed white as snow in the blood of jesus, when we have by faith over come and given our white linen, then we know we are part of his kingdom,  he calls us friend, he calls us brother and sister,  he calls us the sons of God , the children of God, I think you are mis -interpreting scripture,

I am not ignoring any scripture, please show me what you are pointing too, ?

Hi Sinnersaved,

Good on you to keep to what God has shown you & not get emotionally swayed.

Marilyn.

 

 

[MorningGlory]

So the angel took John to the top of the mountain and showed him a metaphor?  I don't think so. 

John compares "the holy city" to a bride -- "prepared AS A BRIDE adorned for her husband" (Rev 21:2). Then he personifies the Bride (the Church) by saying "I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife" (Rev 21:9).  But since he had already shown us who the Lamb's wife is in Rev 19:7-8 -- THE SAINTS -- he expects us to understand that the Church is being personified by the city. What's so hard to understand? Christ does not marry gold, silver, and precious stones, so that should be your clue right there.

Well, here it is again: show me where it says the Bride is us, the believers. 

 6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

7 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.

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.

9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

Hello Sister,

This topic reminds me of Pre Tribulation discussions.  We all know that if there is a Pre Tri, then even the Post, None and Mid Tribbers will be included in the Pre.  I usually end up telling them, I'll explain it to you on the way up.  Now, I am just wondering, if it turns out that We are indeed the Bride, will you fight tooth and nail Not to be the Bride? 

I am with Ezra on this.  I find it easy to understand why we are the Bride.  I want to be the Bride.  Not being the Bride would be less to me.

 

 

That's ridiculous; if I am wrong and have misunderstood what God meant, I'm sure He will understand.  It's not a salvational issue.  Now show me the verse, or verses, that state that we, believers, are the Bride of Christ.  Rev. 21 states that the angel showed John Jesus' wife, the New Jerusalem.  So it's your contention that the Bride is somehow then shifted to being the Church?  That makes no sense.  I stand by my belief since I read it in Scripture. 

[Marilyn C]

⁹And 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.

There is such a thing as "personification", and in this verse the city personifies the inhabitants (the saints). Christ does not have a heavenly “bricks and mortar” Bride (which should be so obvious that it does not need to be mentioned).  But Christians stumble over this verse again and again because they do not bother to go back to Revelation 19:6-9 (which was already mentioned but obviously ignored). So let’s see who the Lamb’s Wife really is -- the saints clothed with the righteousness of Christ:

 

 6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

7 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.

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.

9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

I just posted those same verses just before you.  I don't see that they refer to US as the Bride.  I think we are the guests at the Marriage Supper. 

I  agree with you M.G, the clothes in white saints , we are the people and the guest of the marriage celebration, not the bride, it is clear in these passages above that we are not the bride.

1. Who are the saints?

2. What is this righteousness depicted as "fine linen, clean and white"?

3. What is the connection between "his wife" (v 7) and "to her was granted" (v 8)?

4. Don't all brides eventually become wives?

5. What does Ephesians 5:22-33 have to say in this regard?

6. Why is Scripture ignored when it is plainly there for all to see and accept?

 

Hi Ezra,

Here are my answers to your questions -

1. Who are the saints? God`s word tells us there are saints from Israel & the Body of Christ. If you are specifically referring to `the saints` in Rev. 19: 8 then it is the people of Israel that Christ has come to reconnect again with. Zech. 12 : 7 tells us that He will go to the tents of Judah first then the house of David & Jerusalem. They will look on Him whom they have pierced. v. 10)

2. What is this righteousness depicted as "fine linen, clean and white"? This `righteousness` was accounted to them (OT) for their faith in God, prior to Christ`s ascension.

3. What is the connection between "his wife" (v 7) and "to her was granted" (v 8)? ...the righteous acts of the saints, (of Heb. 11. OT saints) Whereas the Body of Christ has Christ as their righteousness. (Christ Jesus who became for us wisdom from God & righteousness... 1 Cor. 1: 30. - note not righteous acts but Christ our righteousness. This only applies to the Body of Christ post ascension, as it was not possible before then. The OT saints has to do righteous acts as you noted in Rev. 19: 8) 

4. Don't all brides eventually become wives? Israel is called His wife by God & forever betrothed to Him. (Isa. 54: 5 `For your Maker is your husband....` & Hosea 2: 19 `I will betroth you to me forever.` ) So who is ignoring scripture there Ezra?

5. What does Ephesians 5:22-33 have to say in this regard? God is saying here that men should love their wives as Christ love His BODY. An exhortation, not a new doctrine Ezra.

6. Why is Scripture ignored when it is plainly there for all to see and accept? Again I believe it is you who do not understand scripture, bro.

Marilyn.

 

 

Edited November 21, 2015 by Marilyn C

[Kan]

God called Israel His wife... the heavenly city is called a bride, the church and saints are called a bride, the new Jerusalem is called the mother of us all, and so on.

Interchangeable illustrations.

The point of naming is not so much what something is, but about the relationship it has.

As Christ loved the church, so should men love their wives....etc

[Ezra]

Ephesians 5:25-33 AN IGNORED DOCTRINE

 

WHOM DID CHRIST LOVE AS A HUSBAND, AND FOR WHOM DID HE GIVE HIMSELF? THE CHURCH

25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

 

WHOM WILL CHRIST PURIFY? THE CHURCH

26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

 

WHOM WILL CHRIST PRESENT TO HIMSELF AS A BRIDE? THE CHURCH

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.

 

WHO ARE MEMBERS OF CHRIST’S BODY? THE CHURCH

30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

 

DOES HUMAN MARRIAGE TYPIFY CHRIST AND THE CHURCH? YES

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.

 

IS THE HUSBAND-WIFE RELATIONSHIP OF CHRIST AND THE CHURCH A “GREAT MYSTERY”? YES

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