Article
The Assembly 3 - The Bride
Published since 20. Dec. 2024
Bible passages:
Ephesians 5:25-27; Revelation 21:9
Categories:
"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish." (Eph 5:25-27)
"Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, “Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.”" (Rev 21:9)
Main idea: Love and Submission
Essential characteristics:
- It is a relationship of the love of ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More (Ephesians 5:25).
- The bride is subject to ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More (Eph 5:24).
- The term "bride" shows us the purity and freshness of love (Rev 21,1-8).
- The expression "wife" shows us the depth and constancy of love (Rev 21,9).
- There is an earthly and a heavenly bride:
- The earthly bride is the people of Israel (Isa 62:5; 54:7, 8 and Hos 2:18- 22).
- The AssemblyThe literal meaning is “called out”: • called out of "the darkness" (1. Pet 2:9)—this refers to the area where there is a lack of light about God Himself, His... More - precious pearl - was so precious to Him that He gave everything for it (Mt 13:46; Eph 5:25) -> indication of love.
- The pearl is the symbol of flawless beauty in unity, as is the bride (Eph 5:27).
- There are three areas of Christ's love for his bride:
- Past: He has loved her (Eph 5:25).
- Present: He is now purifying her for Himself (Eph 5:26). He nourishes (inwardly) and cares for (outwardly) her (Eph 5:29).
- Future: He presents them glorified to himself (Eph 5:27).
- At the marriage of the Lamb, the bride is given to ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More to share His glory for eternity (Rev 19,6-9).
- At the wedding, the bride will wear a dress characterized by the worksAnother word for deeds or actions. God's works are perfect (Gen 1:31), men's can be good works (Matt 5:16) or dead (Heb 6:1). On the basis of his works, unbelieving... More 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:
- RaptureThe rapture of the believers is one of the great mysteries that was unknown in the OT and is only described in the NT (1 Cor 15:51). It describes the... More (1 Thes 4:13-18)
- judgment seat of ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More (2 Cor 5:10; Rom 14:10; Rev 19:7)
- introduction into the Father's house (Jn 14:2,3)
- judgment of the false church (Rev 19:1.2)
- marriage of the Lamb (Rev 19:7)
Participants in the wedding:
- the Lamb = the Lord Jesus himself
- the Bride = all the truly redeemed of the time of graceTo the one who earns something through performance, the reward is not according to grace but according to debt (Rom. 4:4). Grace is a favor that is not given by... More
- 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 ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More)