Is The Body Of Christ The Lamb's wife?

Grace ambassador

Active Member
Precious friends, I have yet to find the so-called "bride of Christ" anywhere in God's Word Of Truth.
What
I have found is the following, to the apostle John, in the prophecy of Revelation 21:9 AV:

"And there came unto me one of the seven angels...saying,​
Come hither, I will show thee the bride, The Lamb's wife."​

Is this 'bride' the same as The Body Of Christ? Notice, throughout prophecy, the terminology used:

“He that hath the bride is the bridegroom” (John 3:29 cf. Jeremiah 2:32 AV).​
“Behold The Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world”​
(John 1:29 cf. Isaiah 53:7 AV).​
“…for the marriage of The Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready”​
(Revelation 19:7 cf. Isaiah 54:4-7 AV).​

Is The Body of Christ a 'woman, herself'? Please Notice, that long before The Body of Christ, was
'Created' with, and made known to, Paul, That God Refers to Israel as 'her', Correct?:

Jeremiah 3:8 And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had
put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played
the harlot also. (cp Lamentations 2:5; Ezekiel 12:19, 13:16; Amos 5:2; and 'woman' in Revelation 12:4, 13 AV)

Is it not God's Chosen 'Nation Of Israel' who is to "endure to the end, overcoming, keeping
the commandments," according to the 'spirit of prophecy,' thus making "herself ready" for this
"Marriage To The Lamb"? Notice Christ's earthly 'prophetic faith plus works' teaching to the
lost sheep of the House Of Israel (Matthew 10:6, 15:24 AV):

"And ye shall be hated of all men for My Name's sake: but he that​
endureth to the end shall be saved." (Matthew 10:22 AV)​

James Confirms what Christ taught (on earth), that: "faith without works is dead" (James 2:17, 26;
cp Luke 7:29-30; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38 AV) to the Twelve tribes of Israel (James 1:1 AV), Correct?:
+
John Confirms, in Revelation, to the 'synagogue' assemblies:

"Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember​
therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come​
unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent."​
(Revelation 2:4-5 AV)​
"...To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of​
the paradise of God." (Revelation 2:7 AV)​
"...he that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death." (Revelation 2:11 AV)​

"I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast​
My Name, and hast not denied My faith..." (Revelation 2:13 AV)​
"...To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone,​
and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it."​
(Revelation 2:17 AV)​
"I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and​
the last to be more than the first." (Revelation 2:19 AV)​

(earthly) Prophecy / Covenants / Law for her, Israel, with "faith Plus works"

Rightly Divided (2 Timothy 2:15 AV) From “Things That Differ!” (online)

( Heavenly )
Grace / Mystery with "By Grace Through faith" For [ her, the 'bride'? ] The Body Of Christ [ Or him?]

I have searched in vain to find any of Israel's phraseology in Saint Paul’s Mystery to The Body Of Christ.
Why Is That?:

Is there not a failure in our Bible study, to distinguish between Paul's usage of a metaphor and a simile?

A well-respected theologian [F Bruce], explains :

“The confounding of the Church as the 'bride' in Ephesians 5, has resulted from not seeing
the Figure of Speech used throughout the passage is that of Simile, and not Metaphor:
`Metaphor’ places one thing for another. It is representation. `Simile’ is but resemblance.

We must therefore not say when comparing one thing with another that 'that one thing is
another." Observe the continued comparison between Christ and the Church of His Body,
and the conduct of wives and husbands. Note the presence of simile in every instance,
and the absence of the metaphor.”:

“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, AS Unto The LORD” (vs. 22).
“For the husband is the head of the wife, even AS Christ Is The Head Of The Church”
(vs. 23).
“Husbands, love your wives even AS Christ also Loved The Church, and gave
Himself for it” (vs. 25).
“For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even
AS The LORD The Church” (vs. 29).

So, is the speculation true then, that all these similes teach "one thing is another," and that:

"the Body Of Christ IS the bride"?​

Next question is:

Where is the Body Of Christ told "she should make herself ready”? Rather, is not The Body Of Christ,
By "Grace Through faith," Already 'Made Worthy' By God Himself, In His OPERATION On us, at
the moment of faith?:

1) Accepted In The Beloved! (Ephesians 1:6 AV)

2) Made [worthy] meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in Light!!
(Colossians 1:12 AV)

3) Complete In Him!!! (Colossians 2:10 AV)

Scriptural Confirmation that "The Body Of Christ" is not the 'bride' of Christ "The Lamb's wife":

What Is God's New 'creation' Under His Mystery and Grace? Is it not this?:

"Having abolished in His Flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments​
contained in ordinances; for To Make In Himself of twain One New man,​
so making Peace" (Ephesians 2:15 AV)​

Transgenderism may be Totally Confused about this, but prayerful/Careful, and diligent
Bible students shouldn't be, eh?

Thus "The Body Of Christ" is In Christ, The Man, Who Is the bridegroom,
not the [ woman, who is the ] 'bride' Correct?

Rightly Divided (2 Timothy 2:15) From Things That Differ!" (online)

Further Scriptural Confirmation That The Nation ( Twelve tribes ) Of Israel is "the bride,
the Lamb's wife":

"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." (Revelation 19:7-8 AV)​

Are these 'saints' not from the Holy Nation (Twelve tribes) Of Israel, the "bride of the Lamb"?

"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 I John saw The Holy City, New
Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for​
her Husband...Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, The Lamb's wife." (woman!)​
(Revelation 19:7, 21:2, 9 AV)​

The Nation (Twelve tribes) Of Israel (who is Definitely associated with) The Heavenly Jerusalem!"
Notice:

"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, Having The​
Glory Of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper​
stone, clear as crystal;​
And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels,​
and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children
of Israel: On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates;​
and on the west three gates.​
And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve
apostles of the Lamb. And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the​
city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.​
And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured​
the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the​
height of it are equal. And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and​
four [ twelve squared ] cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.​
And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto​
clear glass. And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner​
of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a​
chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;​
The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the​
ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth [ foundation ],​
an amethyst.​
And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the​
street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.​
And I saw no temple therein: for The LORD God Almighty and The LAMB are The Temple​
of it." (Revelation 21:1-22 AV)​

--------------------------------
Conclusion:

The "bride to be married as the wife of The Lamb" is The Holy Nation ( Twelve tribes ) Of
Israel ( woman! ), according To God's Prophetic / Covenants / Law program, and should
not be homogenized [ Mixed Up ] with, but should Be:

Rightly Divided (2 Timothy 2:15 AV) From Things That Differ!" (online)

The One Body Of Christ, Baptized By One [ Spiritual ] Baptism, By The One Holy Spirit, Into
God's 'Creation' Of the One New man, According To God's "Revelation Of The Mystery" To
One
apostle Of Grace! (Romans Through Philemon AV)

Amen.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Please be Encouraged And Edified In The LORD Jesus Christ
And In His Word Of Truth,
Rightly Divided!:

Study Rightly Divided.png
 
Precious friends, I have yet to find the so-called "bride of Christ" anywhere in God's Word Of Truth.
What
I have found is the following, to the apostle John, in the prophecy of Revelation 21:9 AV:

"And there came unto me one of the seven angels...saying,​
Come hither, I will show thee the bride, The Lamb's wife."​

Is this 'bride' the same as The Body Of Christ? Notice, throughout prophecy, the terminology used:

“He that hath the bride is the bridegroom” (John 3:29 cf. Jeremiah 2:32 AV).​
“Behold The Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world”​
(John 1:29 cf. Isaiah 53:7 AV).​
“…for the marriage of The Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready”​
(Revelation 19:7 cf. Isaiah 54:4-7 AV).​

Is The Body of Christ a 'woman, herself'? Please Notice, that long before The Body of Christ, was
'Created' with, and made known to, Paul, That God Refers to Israel as 'her', Correct?:

Jeremiah 3:8 And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had
put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played
the harlot also. (cp Lamentations 2:5; Ezekiel 12:19, 13:16; Amos 5:2; and 'woman' in Revelation 12:4, 13 AV)

Is it not God's Chosen 'Nation Of Israel' who is to "endure to the end, overcoming, keeping
the commandments," according to the 'spirit of prophecy,' thus making "herself ready" for this
"Marriage To The Lamb"? Notice Christ's earthly 'prophetic faith plus works' teaching to the
lost sheep of the House Of Israel (Matthew 10:6, 15:24 AV):

"And ye shall be hated of all men for My Name's sake: but he that​
endureth to the end shall be saved." (Matthew 10:22 AV)​

James Confirms what Christ taught (on earth), that: "faith without works is dead" (James 2:17, 26;
cp Luke 7:29-30; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38 AV) to the Twelve tribes of Israel (James 1:1 AV), Correct?:
+
John Confirms, in Revelation, to the 'synagogue' assemblies:

"Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember​
therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come​
unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent."​
(Revelation 2:4-5 AV)​
"...To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of​
the paradise of God." (Revelation 2:7 AV)​
"...he that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death." (Revelation 2:11 AV)​

"I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast​
My Name, and hast not denied My faith..." (Revelation 2:13 AV)​
"...To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone,​
and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it."​
(Revelation 2:17 AV)​
"I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and​
the last to be more than the first." (Revelation 2:19 AV)​

(earthly) Prophecy / Covenants / Law for her, Israel, with "faith Plus works"

Rightly Divided (2 Timothy 2:15 AV) From “Things That Differ!” (online)

( Heavenly )
Grace / Mystery with "By Grace Through faith" For [ her, the 'bride'? ] The Body Of Christ [ Or him?]

I have searched in vain to find any of Israel's phraseology in Saint Paul’s Mystery to The Body Of Christ.
Why Is That?:

Is there not a failure in our Bible study, to distinguish between Paul's usage of a metaphor and a simile?

A well-respected theologian [F Bruce], explains :

“The confounding of the Church as the 'bride' in Ephesians 5, has resulted from not seeing
the Figure of Speech used throughout the passage is that of Simile, and not Metaphor:
`Metaphor’ places one thing for another. It is representation. `Simile’ is but resemblance.

We must therefore not say when comparing one thing with another that 'that one thing is
another." Observe the continued comparison between Christ and the Church of His Body,
and the conduct of wives and husbands. Note the presence of simile in every instance,
and the absence of the metaphor.”:

“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, AS Unto The LORD” (vs. 22).
“For the husband is the head of the wife, even AS Christ Is The Head Of The Church”
(vs. 23).
“Husbands, love your wives even AS Christ also Loved The Church, and gave
Himself for it” (vs. 25).
“For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even
AS The LORD The Church” (vs. 29).

So, is the speculation true then, that all these similes teach "one thing is another," and that:

"the Body Of Christ IS the bride"?​

Next question is:

Where is the Body Of Christ told "she should make herself ready”? Rather, is not The Body Of Christ,
By "Grace Through faith," Already 'Made Worthy' By God Himself, In His OPERATION On us, at
the moment of faith?:

1) Accepted In The Beloved! (Ephesians 1:6 AV)

2) Made [worthy] meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in Light!!
(Colossians 1:12 AV)

3) Complete In Him!!! (Colossians 2:10 AV)

Scriptural Confirmation that "The Body Of Christ" is not the 'bride' of Christ "The Lamb's wife":

What Is God's New 'creation' Under His Mystery and Grace? Is it not this?:

"Having abolished in His Flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments​
contained in ordinances; for To Make In Himself of twain One New man,​
so making Peace" (Ephesians 2:15 AV)​

Transgenderism may be Totally Confused about this, but prayerful/Careful, and diligent
Bible students shouldn't be, eh?

Thus "The Body Of Christ" is In Christ, The Man, Who Is the bridegroom,
not the [ woman, who is the ] 'bride' Correct?

Rightly Divided (2 Timothy 2:15) From Things That Differ!" (online)

Further Scriptural Confirmation That The Nation ( Twelve tribes ) Of Israel is "the bride,
the Lamb's wife":

"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." (Revelation 19:7-8 AV)​

Are these 'saints' not from the Holy Nation (Twelve tribes) Of Israel, the "bride of the Lamb"?

"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 I John saw The Holy City, New
Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for​
her Husband...Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, The Lamb's wife." (woman!)​
(Revelation 19:7, 21:2, 9 AV)​

The Nation (Twelve tribes) Of Israel (who is Definitely associated with) The Heavenly Jerusalem!"
Notice:

"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, Having The​
Glory Of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper​
stone, clear as crystal;​
And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels,​
and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children
of Israel: On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates;​
and on the west three gates.​
And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve
apostles of the Lamb. And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the​
city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.​
And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured​
the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the​
height of it are equal. And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and​
four [ twelve squared ] cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.​
And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto​
clear glass. And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner​
of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a​
chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;​
The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the​
ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth [ foundation ],​
an amethyst.​
And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the​
street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.​
And I saw no temple therein: for The LORD God Almighty and The LAMB are The Temple​
of it." (Revelation 21:1-22 AV)​

--------------------------------
Conclusion:

The "bride to be married as the wife of The Lamb" is The Holy Nation ( Twelve tribes ) Of
Israel ( woman! ), according To God's Prophetic / Covenants / Law program, and should
not be homogenized [ Mixed Up ] with, but should Be:

Rightly Divided (2 Timothy 2:15 AV) From Things That Differ!" (online)

The One Body Of Christ, Baptized By One [ Spiritual ] Baptism, By The One Holy Spirit, Into
God's 'Creation' Of the One New man, According To God's "Revelation Of The Mystery" To
One
apostle Of Grace! (Romans Through Philemon AV)

Amen.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Please be Encouraged And Edified In The LORD Jesus Christ
And In His Word Of Truth,
Rightly Divided!:

View attachment 2384
Great topic and lots of food for thought to chew upon. You have provided lots of scripture to meditate upon.

Another thing to think about that many forget. Us gentiles are not a natural branch being grafted into the olive tree ( Israel ) in Romans 11.

Romans 11:13-24
I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I take pride in my ministry 14in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them. 15For if their rejection brought reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? 16If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.

17;If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, 18do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. 19You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” 20Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble. 21For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.

22;Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. 23And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24;After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!
 
“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His [d]elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Stop hijacking this thread with the tribulation. Last warning .

Start your own thread on the topic. I’m deleting every post in this thread that has nothing to do with the OP including my posts .
 
Is this 'bride' the same as The Body Of Christ?
Yes, and it existed in the OT as the remnant within Israel national. John the Baptist the last of the OT Prophets was part of the bride the body of Christ Jn 3 29

29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
 

Is The Body Of Christ The Lamb's wife?​

Yes.

What John’s vision in Revelation pictures is the wedding feast of the Lamb (Jesus Christ) and His bride (the Church) in its third phase. The implication is that the first two phases have already taken place. The first phase was completed on earth when each individual believer placed his or her faith in Christ as Savior.

This is a very good read:

 
There is a key question of the body of Christ described in 1 co 12.

The language describes a body that is together..where one member suffers with others, plus other language describing a unified, together entity.

How do you apply that to every believer?

Especially considering Paul calls the Corinthians 'ye are the body of Christ '.
 
I have come to put my faith in the idea that since the wedding of the Lamb ends the story of GOD's work with man that this indicates that this wedding was the purpose of our creation in HIS image in the first place.

Yes, the body of Christ IS the bride of the Lamb and perfectly created to be so. The implications of accepting this are far reaching into all our theology. The fall by the free will of HIS creation, not HIS will, forced the postponement of the wedding until HIS prodigal sheep could be returned to HIS fold and those who rejected HIS purpose for them could be banished from HIS sight.
 
There is a key question of the body of Christ described in 1 co 12.
"key question" here, correct?:

"And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured,​
all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular."​
(1 Corinthians 12:26-27 AV):​
The language describes a body that is together..where one member suffers with others, plus other language describing a unified, together entity.

How do you apply that to every believer?
Good question, as it would be difficult for a believer on the other side of the world to "suffer with them" not being in the same local assembly. Was that your point? Or was it about believers in the nation Of Israel?
Especially considering Paul calls the Corinthians 'ye are the body of Christ '.
Excellent point. So we are getting to the Meat Of Scripture That The Grace Church Today,
The 'One New Man' Is Actually The BrideGROOM Instead
of a womanly bride?

Appreciate it.

Kind regards.
 
"key question" here, correct?:

"And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured,​
all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular."​
(1 Corinthians 12:26-27 AV):​

Good question, as it would be difficult for a believer on the other side of the world to "suffer with them" not being in the same local assembly. Was that your point? Or was it about believers in the nation Of Israel?

Excellent point. So we are getting to the Meat Of Scripture That The Grace Church Today,
The 'One New Man' Is Actually The BrideGROOM Instead
of a womanly bride?

Appreciate it.

Kind regards.
Yes so 1 co 12 is describing the local church. Although putting 'local' in front of church is a misnomer also..since it is an assembly by nature.
 
When feminine language is used for His Spirit, He is literal. Just as cosmos as a term, is literal, and doesn't twist into the esau invented system of sin fiasco.
 
Thanks for this thread.

In exploring the use of these metaphors it is important to bear in mind the wife-husband relationship as understood in those ancient times. The husband was not only the masculine half or counterpart of the marriage. The husband was the lord. The wife belonged to the husband, and was expected to obey him, to be loyal to him.
By the same token, the husband was expected to see his wife as his most precious property, that he should love and protect and nurture.

So, the lordship of Christ is implied in these figures. The collective of believers are connected to God through His Anointed, His Christ, to whom they show loyalty.
Even if the husband is gone (not visible) the wife must remain loyal waiting his return.

This relationship is also present in the mind-body dualism, as understood at those times. The head (where the mind sits) rules over the body. The head is the ruler, the lord. The head is which provides air and nutrition to the body. So, the head is an appropriate metaphor of Lord Jesus… and the body a metaphor of the collective of believers.
 
Metaphors refer to literal realities.

Otherwise they are empty words, meaning anything.

Modern theology is an example of the second point above.
 
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