Aspects of the Bride of Christ Part 1/6.

An in-depth personal view of this fascinating topic by Guest Blogger Alex Smith

The term “The Bride” sounds like a female-oriented, romantic, ruffles-and-lace type of wording. Although the symbolism used is from a feminine perspective, the Biblical concept encompasses both women and men in the Body of Christ.

WOMEN who are saved, in the New Testament, are included in being called “sons of God” —even though it’s a masculine term.

MEN who are saved, in the New Testament, are included in being called “the Bride” (of Christ) —even though it’s a feminine term.

·        Both terms are metaphors for aspects of our relationship with the Lord.

·        Both have characteristics that are well worth studying, and aspiring toward in our walk with Jesus.... to press in to developing our hearts toward Him.

We need to understand “what it’s all about... what these things mean.” 

Let’s examine the doctrine of “the Bride of Christ”.

FIRST POINT... and this is VITAL:

There ARE varying levels of Relationship with the Lord that we may pursue. 

This is never calling into question the Lord’s love for us; this is about varying levels of our love for Him.

It’s NOT an exclusive “club”... “Gold card members, please; oh— if you have a Platinum Card you should feel REALLY posh!” — (NO! ! ! Down with Spiritual Pride! -II Corinthians 10:12 says “...comparing themselves among themselves are NOT WISE.”)

This is a Call to more deeply LOVE the Lord with All Your Heart, All Your Mind, All Your Soul, and All Your Strength— which is the First and Greatest Commandment. (Mark 12:30)

Jesus said, “Ye are my friends, IF ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth [from now on] I call you not SERVANTS, for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you FRIENDS, for all things that I have heard from my Father I have made known unto you.” (John 15:14 – 15)

There is a difference right there: being a servant of God is good! But it is not the same as being a friend of God.

·        Abraham was called “the friend of God” (II Chronicles 20:7, Isaiah 41:8, James 2:23)

·        Moses had a close relationship to YHWH; in Exodus 33:11 it says “And YHWH spoke unto Moses FACE TO FACE, as a man speaketh unto his friend.”

Now I should like to draw your attention to another image of varying levels of relationship:

Paul compares husbands and wives with the Church [literally, the Called-Out Ones] and Christ, in Ephesians 5:21 - 32.

Some have pointed out that he does not write the term “the Bride”, but “the Body” in this text. However, he makes clear that the metaphor applies, by joining “love your wives as your own bodies” with the love of husbands to wives, and then Christ and the Church (vs. 32). The word “mystery” (English, KJV) is merely a transliteration of the Greek word ‘musterion’, which more properly translated should be “a hidden secret that IS revealed to those On The Inside— to those ‘in the Know’ ” (meaning to US)... there IS something hidden in this, that IS, or shall be, REVEALED.

This passage in Ephesians is a general analogy. It seems to apply to ALL of the Church— to ALL who are born again and truly saved... but we see in the other Scriptures a delineation between “the Bride” and other figures of speech, representing “levels of relationship”. 

But although it is written in this general manner, comparing Scripture with Scripture, we do know that there will be people who will love the Lord in a greater measure— and those who do indeed love the Lord, but in a lesser measure. (DON’T judge your brother, or even yourself— just press in with your whole heart! –Romans 14:10, I Corinthians 4:3) 

SPECIFICALLY, there are passages in the Gospels that show us these various relationship “levels”. I say— pursue a deeper love for the Lord at all times! Seek to be more committed to Him... more surrendered in your heart, more “dead to Self” and alive to the Lord!

Jesus said, in John 14:2, “In my Father’s house are many ‘abiding places’.” (not just one)

In I Corinthians 15:41 - 42 Paul writes that as one star differs from another star in “glory”— so also is the resurrection of the dead. Here, “stars” represent saints, born again people— not angels. (Angels do not die and get resurrected: WE do). But he is saying that just as stars have different magnitudes, or brightness levels, so do we.

In Revelation chapters 4, 5, and 7 we see people in the heavenly realm “round about the Throne” (Rev. 4:4), “in the midst of the Throne” (4:6 and 5:6), “a great multitude before the Throne” (7:9) All these speak of differing locations, some nearer, some not quite as near.

John 3:29 John the Baptist is speaking of a future “Wedding”. Jesus said of John that he was “more than a prophet... there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist...” (Luke 7:26b and v.28a) John spoke forth things that quite probably he himself didn’t even understand, but were given by the Spirit of God. 

I Peter 1:10 - 12 speaks of the prophets who wanted to search out the meanings of the Salvation of which they prophesied— that they themselves didn’t fully understand; and in verse 12 it says that “unto US they did minister the things”... meaning, that although they were speaking to the people of their own generation, it applied to US, yet in their future. This passage is about Salvation in particular, but can be applied to any general revelation of the Scriptures, partly hidden from the prophet who spoke of it. 

He (John the Baptist) said, “He that hath the BRIDE, is the Bridegroom: but the FRIEND OF THE BRIDEGROOM, who standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the Bridegroom’s voice...” (John 3:29)

We may plainly see that “the friend of the Bridegroom” means John the Baptist himself. And that "The Bridegroom" means JESUS.

But then, WHO is “the Bride” ? Israel? Israel at that time was mostly backslidden, divided into the sects of the Pharisees (whom Jesus thoroughly rebuked, and compared to a fruitless tree to be cut down), the Sadducees, who were the liberal politicos of the day, and the ‘Am-ha-arretz’ – “the people of the Land” who were your average sinners. Jesus called them “lost sheep”, Matthew 15:24. 

John said that Jesus “HATH the Bride”. Even though God will regather those in Israel unto Himself one day— this prophetic word by John referred to something much closer and near at hand... the Called-Out Ones (the church). Paul said, “I am jealous over you with a Godly jealousy: for I HAVE ESPOUSED YOU TO ONE HUSBAND, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” (II Corinthians 11:2)

In those days, espousal/ bethrothal was AS BINDING AS MARRIAGE. This is why the angel said to Joseph in Matthew 1:20 “do not be afraid to take unto thee Mary THY WIFE...” when he had been minded to divorce her quietly. They WEREN’T married yet, but “espoused” or “betrothed” (what we would call “engaged”) —but it was as binding as marriage. So to get out of it, he would have had to file for a formal divorce. And even though they were not yet married, she WAS called his “wife”, not just “fiancée” (our modern term; an older one would be “betrothed”).

So for John to say that Jesus “hath the Bride” would apply to his church— the ‘ekklesia’ or “called-out ones” during this Age of Grace... and Israel, at the End of the Day of the LORD when they truly turn back to Him and accept the Messiah that they once rejected. At THAT time, God will gather them back unto Himself.

This is “introducing” the concept that 1) there will be a Heavenly “Wedding”, and 2) barely mentioned —not focussed on— that there will be “the Bride” but also “the Friend of the Bridegroom”. The “Bride” at this point is STILL OBSCURE.

We, in our Western culture, are pretty much flamboyant show-offs (“Look at my ring! Oh, I’m engaged!”)  But in that eastern, oriental culture (as with Muslim countries today), women did NOT “show off”... they remained sequestered; hidden like an unopened rosebud in a fountain in the centre of a secret garden. 

It’s something to think about. 

In Matthew 22:1 -14, here is Jesus speaking forth a Parable of a Wedding Feast.

Here in verses 2 -10 we read the first part, applying to the Jewish nation and their “spiritual leaders” and the Just Judgement against them for rejecting God’s prophets... making flimsy excuses in verse 5 (see the parallel passage in Luke 14:16 - 24 for those), and finally in verse 6 actually persecuting the messengers of the Lord. In the second half of the parable (vss. 11 - 14) we have a sobering warning of one WHO WAS IN THE WEDDING FEAST being cast out!

The man in Verse 11 HAD NOT ON A WEDDING GARMENT.

In those days, a king or high official who made such a feast, personally PROVIDED THE GUESTS with their Wedding Garments.

What KIND of “garment” had been issued to this fellow? And once HAVING been issued to him, how could he then not have it?

The answers would be in Isaiah 61:10 “...He hath clothed me with the garments of Salvation, and the robes of Righteousness, as a Bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and AS A BRIDE ADORNETH HERSELF WITH HER JEWELS.” 

Notice the combined imagery of the Bridegroom AND THE BRIDE in this. In those days, the future bridegroom would give the bride her jewels to wear. This applies to Jesus giving us his righteousness, and us “putting on Christ”, and the Godly attributes of character that come from him. (Galatians 3:27, Romans 13:14, Colossians 3:12)

In Revelation 19:7 - 9, John writes of the CULMINATION (in our future) OF THE SPIRITUAL REALITY of these prophetic symbols:

“Let us be glad and rejoice: for the Marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife [or, Bride] has MADE HERSELF READY. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in Fine Linen, CLEAN AND WHITE: for the Fine Linen is [or, represents] the Righteousness of Saints. And he said unto me, ‘Blessed are they which are called unto the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.’ ”

Notice in both passages, that the Lord gives us “garments”, but also that we “adorn ourselves” and “make ourselves ready”. There is a reciprocal measure from us— it’s not just the Lord and none of us. He gives: We respond.

So what did this man in Matthew 22 not have? And HOW did he not have it? The only possible answer is that he HAD BEEN GIVEN the Righteousness of Jesus Christ (as a garment)... and that by willful sin, “took it off”. Hebrews 6:4 - 6 issues a sobering warning in conjunction with this Parable and the fate of that man.

Now... NOT MENTIONED SPECIFICALLY in this parable: what about “the Bride?”

Again, the Bride is “hidden from view”. Mentioned? Well... yes... in that YOU CAN’T HAVE A WEDDING FEAST, without the Bride!                            That’s what it is about ! ! !                                  A wedding is ABOUT a bridegroom marrying his bride. 

Another parable in the Gospel, “The Wise and Foolish Virgins”, Matthew 25:1 -13

AGAIN, we have a WEDDING PARTY. 

You CAN’T have a Wedding, without the Bride. 

This parable is ABOUT the “virgins”, equivalent to our modern bridesmaids. Five were wise, and took extra olive oil for their lamps, and five were foolish— and although they WERE in the “virgin/ bridesmaid” category, and they DID have lamps, and they DID have oil (before it ran out), they were rejected at the door.

BUT... here’s my point: where is “the Bride?”

The King James Version, and in fact many Bibles drawn from the GREEK texts, do not even mention “the Bride”. 

But the Coptic text, the Syriac text, and the Latin Vulgate (which was made from much earlier Greek texts than we currently possess) ALL DO:

The ending of Matthew 25:1 “...and went forth to meet the Bridegroom AND THE BRIDE.” 

When I was in Youth Group in the early 1980’s, I had made the comment that I didn’t want to be a “foolish virgin”, but a wise one… I certainly did not want to run out of Oil. But another fellow replied “What? I don’t want to be a ‘virgin’, wise or foolish! They were all asleep! I want to be in ‘the Bride’ –she’s not asleep: she’d be up, getting her dress ready, looking out the window, looking out the door, ‘Is he coming yet?’ ”. That revelation took me to a whole new level in understanding, right there. 

In Revelation 19:7 - 9 John writes that the Bride has “made herself ready” (HER action) but conversely, that she was given to be arrayed in fine linen, which represents the Righteousness of saints (GOD’S action). In verse 9, notice that John writes: “Blessed are they which are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” This shows forth that there is not only “the Bride” (who is not called—the event is “for” her!) but also those who will be there… but are called, not part of “the Bride”.  These verses show two categories… both saved.

In Revelation 22:17 John writes, “And the Spirit and the Bride say ‘Come!’ and let him who hears say ‘Come!’ and let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the Water of Life freely.” (see also Rev. 21:6) Notice that there are THREE categories here (“the Bride”, “him who hears”, and “him that is athirst”) — but ALL are Saved... ALL will come and take of the Water of Life.

Establishing this doctrine in the New Testament, we have clear figures of varying “levels” of relationship —all part of God’s Kingdom (all Saved).

·        The Wedding Feast — yet future, includes all of God’s chosen ones

·        The Wedding Guests; some referring to the religious rulers of 1st Century Israel who rejected the Messiah; some referring to born-again saints, given “garments of Righteousness” by the Lord

·        The “virgins” —five wise, five foolish, akin to our modern bridesmaids (NOT the same relationship as “the Bride”, but yes, part of the Wedding even so.)

·        The Bridegroom, meaning Jesus himself

·        The friend of the Bridegroom, John the Baptist in specific; possibly others who announce the Bridegroom, all through the ages of the Church- but we know that there will be “ ‘Elijah’ before the great and dreadful Day of the LORD” (Malachi 4:5), some kind of End Time, Last Days fulfillment of this prophecy. Whether it means just one person, or whether it means a group— it refers to possessing the spirit and power of Elijah; Jesus said that John the Baptist was “the Elijah which was to come— but they didn’t recognise him, and did to him whatever they wanted” (Matthew 17:12). John was the fore-runner to the Messiah, announcing his coming. It makes sense that in the Last Days, there could be a person, or more likely a group of people, functioning in this same way, announcing the second coming of the Messiah— fitting into this picture as “the friend of the Bridegroom”.

·        The Bride, generally inferred much of the time (hidden from view, but there), and specifically mentioned in a couple places, such as Matt. 25:1 and Revelation 19:7 - 9, and Revelation 22:17

Part 2/6 is next.