The Bride of Christ

[Rmf3175]

Hey guys,

I was wondering if anyone could give any specific verses, and context, describing exactly who the body of believers are who make up the Bride.

In Revl. John says the Saints, but is there anything more specific?



Thanks, Ryan:)

[kgreen20]

Every member of Christ's Body is also a member of His Bride. It's part of the salvation package, not something you must earn. (Good thing, too, because none of us could earn it! =))

I don't have a Bible on me, at the moment, so I'll leave the giving of verses to others, at least for now.

[SuzyQ]

Just as a Jewish bride arrayed herself in ornaments, Christ's bride is to put on spiritual oranments.

Worship
Jeremiah 2:32..........Does a maiden forget her jewelry, a bride her wedding ornaments ? Yet my people have forgotten me.

Instruction
Proverbs 1:8-9..........Listen my son to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teachings.They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adore your neck.

Fellowship
Ezekiel 16:8-14
In the same way the fellowship of believers with God and one another is an ornament of grace preparing the bride for the return of her groom.

Evangelism
Isaiah 49:16-18
Lift up your eyes and look around; all your son's gather and come to you. As surely as I live," declare the Lord, you will wear them as ornaments; you will put them on, like a bride."

[Rmf3175]

I was always taught that, but ran accross this in the RR articles. It's at the very end of the article.


The Most Extravagant Wedding Feast Ever

The Church Age saints of God whom the Bible says have white robes of righteousness will be the wife of the Lamb (Jesus Christ). This is the bride the Apostle Paul wrote about as follows: “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 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. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 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. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church” (Eph. 5:25-32).

A number of views on exactly who the bride will be have been a cause for debate. The purpose here is to present what God’s Word says, advising each child of God to study, pray and seek Holy Spirit direction while considering this awesome topic of prophecy yet future. The Scripture on the marriage supper of the Lamb we are given specifically says: “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. 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. 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” (Rev. 19:7-9).

The bride will forever be with her Lord, the King of all Kings. All saints of all ages will have different duties to perform and offices to administrate, but the body of believers who constitute the Bride of Christ will be with Him forever in a special relationship, while serving Him as He wills, based upon bema rewards earned while during earthly life.


http://www.raptureready.com/rr-eternal-rewards.htm


I think I understand. The believers in the age of grace (pentecost til' rature, and through the trib) will be the bride. The way we will serve the Lord (being His bride) will be determined on the rewards He issues at the bema judgement. (Casting the rewards, or crowns, back to Him acknowledging that He was the one who gave us the ability to earn them in the first place).

While, at the same time, be given tasks and positions to occupy, and be resopnsible for.

Like a queen in a monarchy rules over certain stuff, but is still the bride of the King.

Is this the correct understanding of this?

[Hootmon]

Take a look at item mbs-015 The Wife of Jehovah and the Bride of Messiah

http://www.ariel.org/ffruit.htm#top

II. THE CHURCH: THE BRIDE OF THE MESSIAH

What God has to say about the Church and her relationship as the Bride of the Messiah is radically different from what has been said regarding Israel as the Wife of Jehovah. The Bride of the Messiah is the universal body of true believers. The “local church” is that portion of the universal Church living in a specific geographical area. But the Bride of the Messiah is not limited to some local church somewhere nor is it limited to any specific denomination. It is composed of all believers regardless of their geographical location and denominational affiliation.

There are four key passages of the New Testament that speak concerning the relationship of the Church as the Bride of the Messiah. It must be kept in mind, however, that the Church is pictured today as an engaged Bride who is not yet joined by marriage to her husband.

[NovaStorm]

The believers in the age of grace (pentecost til' rature, and through the trib) will be the bride. I've always gone with Pentecost to the Rapture being the Bride of Christ while the Tribulation Saints hold another honor. Then the next group would be the millennial saints thus ending the addition to the multitudes that belong to the kingdom of God.

Anyway, it all really begins directly following the rapture, this starts the bridal week which is actually seven years. Here, this study will explain it, there are also resources at the bottom of the page there. http://bibleprophesy.org/introwedding.htm
Also, if I recall correctly, old Jewish customs used to dismiss the obligation of the Groom from going to war for those seven years, which in the case of the Tribulation, Jesus does not return to earth to make war until the end of the seven year Tribulation.

So I guess what the Tribulation Saints will be doing is showing up for the wedding as the invited guests among the other guests; those that are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb as it is taking place.

[Rmf3175]

Cool, thanks guys. :hat

[LivingbyFaith]

Hey guys,

I was wondering if anyone could give any specific verses, and context, describing exactly who the body of believers are who make up the Bride.

In Revl. John says the Saints, but is there anything more specific?



Thanks, Ryan:)

That is my oldest son's name too :).

I purchased a really good study Bible about 4 years ago,it's The King James Study Bible,and it has so many resources that my regular Bible didn't have and has helped so much in better understanding the Word of God. For example,here's what it says at the front of it,"Rather than thousands of brief notations on the Bible text,the study system has in-depth annotations that punctuate the text in over 5,700 places with useful insights on what the Bible authors are saying. These annotations include background information to help you put Bible events,teachings,and personalities into their proper setting."
And there are doctrinal footnotes,personality profiles and info. about archaeological sites too.
I'm just telling you about this,because this has been probably the best investment(money wise) that you could ever make!

Well,anyways,I'm going on and on about something that really wasn't even the topic of your question :doh,so I hope I can help a little.

In 1 Corinthians,chapter 12,especially verses 12-31;you will find teaching about the Body of Christ.
and...
In Ephesians,chapter 5,especially verses 22-33;you will see theaching where marriage is symbolic of the church(the Bride of Christ).

[Rmf3175]

:thankyou2:hug