Show me, in the bible, that we are the Bride of Christ (Challenge!).

[JesusRules1]

Rev 21:9 And 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.

Rev 21:24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.
Rev 21:25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.
Rev 21:26 And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.
Rev 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

The bride of Christ is all people that has access to the New Jerusalem,for the bride of Christ is the New Jerusalem,and all that dwell within that has been saved.

Rev 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

The saints are the witness to the world,and spread the Gospel,and say join yourself to the kingdom of God,and here is says the Spirit and bride say,come,so obviously it is the Spirit and the saints that say,come,so the bride is the saints.

 

[willybob]

Rev 21:9 And 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.

Rev 21:24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.
Rev 21:25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.
Rev 21:26 And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.
Rev 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

The bride of Christ is all people that has access to the New Jerusalem,for the bride of Christ is the New Jerusalem,and all that dwell within that has been saved.

Rev 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

The saints are the witness to the world,and spread the Gospel,and say join yourself to the kingdom of God,and here is says the Spirit and bride say,come,so obviously it is the Spirit and the saints that say,come,so the bride is the saints.

Yes sir Jesus Rules: the saints (the 144,000, the TWO witnesses when 2 or more are gathered in His name) they are as the bride washed clean in white robes. Some seem to think it is the sinners wearing their filthy rags at the wedding supper......

 

[popeye]

Jesus prayed " oh Jerusalem,Jerusalem,how I would have gathered you to myself as a mother gathers her chicks,but you would not"

Are you thinking he was referring to stone,wood,and mortar?

 

[willybob]

greetings popeye: and?

 

[RomansToPhilemon]

You often hear Christians say that the Body of Christ (the church) is the bride of Christ. I've looked at verses that people use but the context reveals that the topic has nothing to do with such a title but simply the dynamic between a husband and wife (treating each other with love).

So, I continued to look into it and in so doing, it seems that the bride is in reference to Jerusalem.

Revelation 21:9-10 King James Version (KJV)

9 And 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.
10 And 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,

I find no where in scripture that we, the Body of Christ, are referenced to as the Bride of Christ. In fact, we are even described as guests of the Bridegroom (in parables). So why then is it so widely accepted that the Church is the Bride of Christ when scripture shows no foundation for such a belief (in my understanding)?

I am completely open to being shown the truth on this matter if there is a case to be made, but so far, in my studies and reading, I have found no such evidence to describe us as the Bride of Christ. Only Jerusalem, plainly stated as the Lamb's wife in Revelations.

The teaching mostly derives from poor bible study. Most do not rightly divide the word of truth today (2 Tim 2.15). The bride of Christ is Israel. That is not the body of Christ. We are the body, not Christ's bride. How can Christ's body also be it's own bride lol. It doesn't even make logical sense. I'll leave a video here for you to watch and show you what's going on.

[video=youtube;QnP1WTkP24Q]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnP1WTkP24Q[/video]

 

[BeyondET]

Here he is talking about the mystery of the Harpozo.

Harpozo,, is this a Greek reference.

1 thes 4:17
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

 

[RickyZ]

Some have taken the Bride of Christ metaphor and attempted to turn it into a elitism - Who is part of the Bride, who is not?

Of all the tribes of Israel, only one was allowed into the temple/tabernacle. Is that elitist? Or was that just metaphorical too?

 

[JGIG]

Originally Posted by JGIG

Just a drive-by post, as this has been an area of interest to me, as well, BenFTW =).

I think, like many areas in Scripture, there has been much confusion and not much less false doctrine fashioned around the over-stretching of Biblical metaphors. Everything from the 'wife of God' (OT) to the Bride of Christ (NT) to the Tree of Life to the olive tree (there are so many more - the list is long).

Metaphors are used to take something that's familiar to help describe/explain something that's unfamiliar. It's as simple as that.

Some have taken the Bride of Christ metaphor and attempted to turn it into a elitism - Who is part of the Bride, who is not?

It's a METAPHOR, folks, not a definition of a people.

Just my 2 cents.

Carry on ,
-JGIG

"Hallelujah!For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.”

Hello JGIG,

With all due respect, metaphor's do not wear wedding garments. The term "bride" is a collective name for those who belong to the body of Christ, who are those seen receiving their fine linen, bright and clean at the wedding of the Lamb. The bride is indeed the church.

14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ,and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh. (from Rom. 13)


26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” (from 1 Cor. 1)
​

We're clothed with the righteousness, holiness, and redemption of Christ - 'being clothed' also a metaphor. The evidence of that is Christ in us, the hope of glory and the Fruit that He produces in us. This is not 'clothing' received at a future date, but upon receiving the gift of salvation. In Christ, we ARE righteous, holy, and redeemed!

What Christ has accomplished and who we are in Him is what sets us apart.

As for how the 'Final Things' will actually happen, I'm content to trust that God has it all planned out, and I'll be there to participate as He unfolds all in His perfect timing and as He intends.

Grace and peace to you,
-JGIG

 

[popeye]

Originally Posted by JGIG

Just a drive-by post, as this has been an area of interest to me, as well, BenFTW =).

I think, like many areas in Scripture, there has been much confusion and not much less false doctrine fashioned around the over-stretching of Biblical metaphors. Everything from the 'wife of God' (OT) to the Bride of Christ (NT) to the Tree of Life to the olive tree (there are so many more - the list is long).

Metaphors are used to take something that's familiar to help describe/explain something that's unfamiliar. It's as simple as that.

Some have taken the Bride of Christ metaphor and attempted to turn it into a elitism - Who is part of the Bride, who is not?

It's a METAPHOR, folks, not a definition of a people.

Just my 2 cents.

Carry on ,
-JGIG

I'm leaning in this direction as well. Metaphors being taken too far, and too literal.

No, you both are wrong on the bride of Christ.

Take ,for example,the "body of Christ"

Is that a metaphor?

No,we are the body of Christ. We are not "as a body of Christ"

What you would need to make the bride a metaphor,would be an absence of the bride metaphorically pointing to an actual bride.

Question;is there an actual bride? or... Is there a "physical dynamic" to the saints in heaven with the saints BECOMING A WIFE?

Rev 19 "the BRIDE has become THE WIFE. Not,the saints ,as a bride,becoming as a wife.

The game changer is the book of Ruth.
Without Ruth there will always be a muddied picture of rev.

The gentile bride,is joined to the jewish wealthy land owner.

From wiki;
"In marrying Ruth, Boaz revives Elimelech's lineage, and the patrimony is secured to Naomi's family. For those substituting, redeeming factors, Ruth's husband is considered by some Christians to be a type of Jesus.[SUP][11][/SUP][SUP][12][/SUP]
Their son was Obed, father of Jesse, and grandfather of David. Boaz is mentioned in both the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Luke as an ancestor of Jesus"

The typology is vivid.

Jesus,and his gentile bride.

 

[Ahwatukee]

14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ,and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh. (from Rom. 13)

Forgive me JGIG, but the reference to "clothe yourselves" in the scripture above has nothing to do with when the bride/church receives her fine linen, white and clean at the wedding of the Lamb. That is just a misapplication of scripture. When the church/bride is gathered at the coming of the bridegroom, then we stand at the Bema seat and be judged for our works, whether good or bad, and receive reward or loss of reward. AT that time we will also receive our wedding clothes at the wedding of the Lamb.

It will be a literal event which will take place in heaven.

 

[popeye]

14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ,and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh. (from Rom. 13)


26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” (from 1 Cor. 1)
​

We're clothed with the righteousness, holiness, and redemption of Christ - 'being clothed' also a metaphor. The evidence of that is Christ in us, the hope of glory and the Fruit that He produces in us. This is not 'clothing' received at a future date, but upon receiving the gift of salvation. In Christ, we ARE righteous, holy, and redeemed!

What Christ has accomplished and who we are in Him is what sets us apart.

As for how the 'Final Things' will actually happen, I'm content to trust that God has it all planned out, and I'll be there to participate as He unfolds all in His perfect timing and as He intends.

Grace and peace to you,
-JGIG

No,that is one dimensional.

You are saying that because we are metaphorically clothed,the white robes in rev are voided out.

It is both. We are clothed with righteousness,Christ,and we are clothed in white robes later,literally,which JESUS SAYS is the righteousness of Christ.

 

[JGIG]

Of all the tribes of Israel, only one was allowed into the temple/tabernacle. Is that elitist? Or was that just metaphorical too?

19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (from Heb. 10)​

We live after the Cross and in the New Covenant under the High Priest, Christ, yes? And all, Jews and Gentiles, are welcome into God's kingdom in Christ, yes?

2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. (from Eph. 3)​

We are all members of His Body; there are no elite, as the following metaphor clearly communicates:

​

12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.


15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.


21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.


27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31 Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.
And yet I will show you the most excellent way. (from 1 Cor. 12)
​

And that most excellent way? The definitive teaching on love:

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge,and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.


4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.


13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (from 1 Cor. 13)​

All will be revealed in God's good time/timing. I can rest in that .

-JGIG

 

[JGIG]

No, you both are wrong on the bride of Christ.

Take ,for example,the "body of Christ"

Is that a metaphor?

No,we are the body of Christ. We are not "as a body of Christ"

What you would need to make the bride a metaphor,would be an absence of the bride metaphorically pointing to an actual bride.

Question;is there an actual bride? or... Is there a "physical dynamic" to the saints in heaven with the saints BECOMING A WIFE?

Rev 19 "the BRIDE has become THE WIFE. Not,the saints ,as a bride,becoming as a wife.

The game changer is the book of Ruth.
Without Ruth there will always be a muddied picture of rev.

The gentile bride,is joined to the jewish wealthy land owner.

From wiki;
"In marrying Ruth, Boaz revives Elimelech's lineage, and the patrimony is secured to Naomi's family. For those substituting, redeeming factors, Ruth's husband is considered by some Christians to be a type of Jesus.[SUP][11][/SUP][SUP][12][/SUP]
Their son was Obed, father of Jesse, and grandfather of David. Boaz is mentioned in both the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Luke as an ancestor of Jesus"

The typology is vivid.

Jesus,and his gentile bride.

In Hebrews 2:11, we are told that Christ is not ashamed to call us brothers. So will He be joined to brothers and make them His wife? Of course not!

We who are in Christ are ALREADY joined with Christ:

15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! 16 Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” 17 But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit. (from 1 Cor. 6)​

The picture of a marriage is a METAPHOR to help us understand the union, the commitment, the intimacy, of our relationship with God in Christ. Likewise with the metaphors of brothers, the adopted, the slave set free, the body, and yes, the picture that the account of Ruth paints, which points to what God would accomplish in Christ.

Metaphors are meant to help us to understand concepts, not to be specifically definitive.

-JGIG

 

[JGIG]

Forgive me JGIG, but the reference to "clothe yourselves" in the scripture above has nothing to do with when the bride/church receives her fine linen, white and clean at the wedding of the Lamb. That is just a misapplication of scripture. When the church/bride is gathered at the coming of the bridegroom, then we stand at the Bema seat and be judged for our works, whether good or bad, and receive reward or loss of reward. AT that time we will also receive our wedding clothes at the wedding of the Lamb.

It will be a literal event which will take place in heaven.[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

If that's how it plays out, then great! In Rev. 19 itself, however, it clearly states that the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints, not actual clothing:

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. (from Rev. 19)​

And Whose righteousness is the righteousness of the saints?

30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. (from 1 Cor. 1)​

There are some, however, who will try to parse and divide the Body of Christ into who they conclude is actually the 'Bride of Christ' and who will merely be guests at the feast.

You've seen it here on this very thread.

These types of theological endeavors usually end up tearing down instead of building up the Body, and also often end up just being a distraction. Like for me today, sigh.

No,that is one dimensional.

You are saying that because we are metaphorically clothed,the white robes in rev are voided out.

It is both. We are clothed with righteousness,Christ,and we are clothed in white robes later,literally,which JESUS SAYS is the righteousness of Christ.

No, I'm saying that they are both pictures of what Christ has provided for us and who we are in Him. How that plays out when God reveals the 'Final Things' remains to be seen. I'm guessing the reality of what He's got planned goes beyond our ability to see in the prophetic glass darkly as we do now.

I guess the point I'm trying to make is this: If you're in Christ, YOU'RE READY. You are righteous in Him. Whether that comes with white linen later or not matters not - eternity for those in Christ is NOW. Our job now is to love and be light in our spheres of influence to bring as many to Christ in this life as we can, and to bring them up in the maturity of who they are in Christ so they can in turn do the same.

-JGIG

 

[wsblind]

You often hear Christians say that the Body of Christ (the church) is the bride of Christ. I've looked at verses that people use but the context reveals that the topic has nothing to do with such a title but simply the dynamic between a husband and wife (treating each other with love).

So, I continued to look into it and in so doing, it seems that the bride is in reference to Jerusalem.

Revelation 21:9-10 King James Version (KJV)

9 And 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.
10 And 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,

I find no where in scripture that we, the Body of Christ, are referenced to as the Bride of Christ. In fact, we are even described as guests of the Bridegroom (in parables). So why then is it so widely accepted that the Church is the Bride of Christ when scripture shows no foundation for such a belief (in my understanding)?

I am completely open to being shown the truth on this matter if there is a case to be made, but so far, in my studies and reading, I have found no such evidence to describe us as the Bride of Christ. Only Jerusalem, plainly stated as the Lamb's wife in Revelations.

Then this would put into question whether we are "in Christ" or not. The Bride of Christ is mystery doctrine, and is intimately tied to being in Christ or Christ in you. His Body, His flesh........2 becoming one flesh.

28So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; 29for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, 30because we are members of His body. 31FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND SHALL BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH. 32This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.

There is a heavenly(church age believers) Jerusalem and an earthly Jerusalem(Israel) in the new heaven and new earth.

 

[RickyZ]

19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (from Heb. 10)​

We live after the Cross and in the New Covenant under the High Priest, Christ, yes? And all, Jews and Gentiles, are welcome into God's kingdom in Christ, yes?

2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. (from Eph. 3)​

We are all members of His Body; there are no elite, as the following metaphor clearly communicates:

​

12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.


15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.


21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.


27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31 Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.
And yet I will show you the most excellent way. (from 1 Cor. 12)
​

And that most excellent way? The definitive teaching on love:

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge,and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.


4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.


13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (from 1 Cor. 13)​

All will be revealed in God's good time/timing. I can rest in that .

-JGIG

You DID touch upon one thing I hoped you would ... the Israelites would bring their offerings to the temple/tabernacle, where the Levites would take it in. Whereas on the new earth we will bring our goods into the city ourselves. The veil has been torn, hallelujah!

So you really don't believe the new earth and heavens, the new Jerusalem, et al are actual real things to come? They're all just metaphor?

There's a lot in your writings that makes me smile, because you have a lot of pleasant surprises to come! Enjoy them my friend!

 

[popeye]

If that's how it plays out, then great! In Rev. 19 itself, however, it clearly states that the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints, not actual clothing:

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. (from Rev. 19)​

And Whose righteousness is the righteousness of the saints?

30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. (from 1 Cor. 1)​

There are some, however, who will try to parse and divide the Body of Christ into who they conclude is actually the 'Bride of Christ' and who will merely be guests at the feast.

You've seen it here on this very thread.

These types of theological endeavors usually end up tearing down instead of building up the Body, and also often end up just being a distraction. Like for me today, sigh.




No, I'm saying that they are both pictures of what Christ has provided for us and who we are in Him. How that plays out when God reveals the 'Final Things' remains to be seen. I'm guessing the reality of what He's got planned goes beyond our ability to see in the prophetic glass darkly as we do now.

I guess the point I'm trying to make is this: If you're in Christ, YOU'RE READY. You are righteous in Him. Whether that comes with white linen later or not matters not - eternity for those in Christ is NOW. Our job now is to love and be light in our spheres of influence to bring as many to Christ in this life as we can, and to bring them up in the maturity of who they are in Christ so they can in turn do the same.

-JGIG

The parable of the 10 virgins has half of that group left out.

The game changer is "oil"

You have several dynamics in that parable.

Virgins
Lamps
Waiting
Groom
Light
Refusal of imparting (what the wise HAD MORE OF)
half the virgins (church) unable to enter (the marriage chamber.)

 

[popeye]

Btw,the foolish do get to the wedding. And are seen in heaven as the innumerable number.

 

[Zmouth]

For ye are bought with a price: 1 Cor 6:20


And David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth Saul's son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal, which I espoused to me for an hundred foreskins of the Philistines. 2 Sam 3:14


Ye are bought with a price; 1 Cor 7:23


For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 2 Cor 11:2

too soon?

 

[popeye]

In Hebrews 2:11, we are told that Christ is not ashamed to call us brothers. So will He be joined to brothers and make them His wife? Of course not!

We who are in Christ are ALREADY joined with Christ:

15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! 16 Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” 17 But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit. (from 1 Cor. 6)​

The picture of a marriage is a METAPHOR to help us understand the union, the commitment, the intimacy, of our relationship with God in Christ. Likewise with the metaphors of brothers, the adopted, the slave set free, the body, and yes, the picture that the account of Ruth paints, which points to what God would accomplish in Christ.

Metaphors are meant to help us to understand concepts, not to be specifically definitive.

-JGIG

You are working hard to metaphor" dynamics" into abstracts.

Take the office of "king" as an example.
Ruler
Leader
Governor
One who occupies a throne.
(those are all definitions)

Now there is an office( king) and an office holder (persona)

Position and/or reality of that position.(seated,and physical reality of that position.)

David was king,and Saul was stripped before David was seated and operating as king.

John the Baptist was the high priest positionally,yet Caiaphas,a roman appointee,OCCUPIED that spot.

Jesus ,"the resurrection" was at one point "not resurrected"

We the church are POSITIONALLY seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus,even though we live here on earth.

You seem to completely deny this dimension of study/fact.

Some take that same one dimensional component,and make job a metaphorical story,and revelation a book of metaphors about Christianity in general