Main idea: Love and Submission

Essential characteristics:

1. It is a relationship of the love of Christ (Ephesians 5:25).
2. The bride is subject to Christ (Eph 5:24).
3. The term “bride” shows us the purity and freshness of love (Rev 21,1-8).
4. The expression “wife” shows us the depth and constancy of love (Rev 21,9).
5. There is an earthly and a heavenly bride:
   1. The earthly bride is the people of Israel (Isa 62:5; 54:7, 8 and Hos 2:18- 22).
   1. The heavenly bride is the assembly (Mt 13:46 and Acts 20:28).
6. The Assembly – precious pearl – was so precious to Him that He gave everything for it (Mt 13:46; Eph 5:25) -> indication of love.
7. The pearl is the symbol of flawless beauty in unity, as is the bride (Eph 5:27).
8. There are three areas of Christ’s love for his bride:
   1. Past: He has loved her (Eph 5:25).
   1. Present: He is now purifying her for Himself (Eph 5:26). He nourishes (inwardly) and cares for (outwardly) her (Eph 5:29).
   1. Future: He presents them glorified to himself (Eph 5:27).
9. At the marriage of the Lamb, the bride is given to Christ to share His glory for eternity (Rev 19,6-9).
10. At the wedding, the bride will wear a dress characterized by the works of the saints (Rev 19,8). One garment – one bride; righteousness of the saints – every single act of faith.

Timeline (in part) until the marriage of the Lamb:

1. Rapture (1 Thes 4:13-18)
2. judgment seat of Christ (2 Cor 5:10; Rom 14:10; Rev 19:7)
3. introduction into the Father’s house (Jn 14:2,3)
4. judgment of the false church (Rev 19:1.2)
5. marriage of the Lamb (Rev 19:7)

Participants in the wedding:

1. the Lamb = the Lord Jesus himself
2. the Bride = all the truly redeemed of the time of grace
3. the invited = all Old Testament believers (and probably also all children who have not died capable of making a decision, as well as believers who have never heard of Christ)