Israel is the wife and the Church the bride of Christ. The prophet Isaiah wrote, ‘The Maker is your husband’, Isaiah 54:5,6. In the New Testament the church is likened to a bride, Ephesians 5:22,23. As a wife or a bride the reference is to a special and intimate relationship with Almighty God. God’s plan has always been to have the created worship Him in spirit and in truth from His gift of free will.
God the Husband
The word husband, or ‘baal’, means master, owner. This denotes two people in a special relationship. A relationship that is a gift from God, where two are joined to become one flesh, Mark 10:6-8. The marriage theme began in the Garden of Eden and runs through the entire bible, ending in Revelation 22.
The book of Hosea is an allegory on the behaviour of Israel, in showing her actions as a harlot as she ran after other gods. Hosea reveals God’s steadfast love for his wife, despite her continued unfaithfulness.
Jeremiah also refers to God as a husband to Israel, Jeremiah 31: 32-34. God will form a new covenant with Israel and Judah at the return , at the start of His millennial reign on earth. He will be their God and they will be His people.
Counterfeiter
Satan is the great counterfeiter, always at work to thwart the work of God. He is out to hurt God by destroying that which God loves. This is so true in the perilous times we live in where marriage has become a mockery.
It is interesting that the Mesopotamian god was named Baal, owner or master. The idol worship that led Israel into all kind of difficulties as they hardened their heart against God. It was wicked Queen Jezebel who introduced the worship of Baal to the Israelites, 1 Kings 16:31. The same spirit is seen in Revelation 2:20.
The Bride of Christ
John the Baptist referred to Jesus as the bridegroom, John 3:29. Jesus also referred to Himself as the bridegroom and the disciples as attendants of the bride-chamber bride-chamber, or wedding guests, Mark 2:19. True believers and followers of Christ are referred to in terms of the Bride of Christ, Ephesians 5:22,23.
Jesus made a statement at the last supper, “I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the day I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom,” Matthew 26:29. This was the same public statement a Jewish bridegroom made at his wedding as he promised to take his bride to the home he had prepared for her at His father’s house. The bride and the Spirit invite all to come to the marriage supper of the Lamb, Revelation 21:9.
Paul also refers to the church, in terms of a marriage relationship, 1 Corinthians 11:2.
Bride Price
Brides were highly esteemed, so a bride-price was paid. Jesus paid the bride-price, His own sinless blood shed at Calvary. A price that is incalculable, for the Word was God and with God and became flesh and dwelt among men, John 1:14.
The New Jerusalem is also referred to as a bride, the Lamb’s wife, Revelation 21:9. The new Jerusalem is where the wife and the bride will cohabit with Almighty God and the Lamb, Revelation 21:22.
Marriage
Marriage is a contractual relationship that includes intimacy, commitment, and communication. It includes established rights and obligations on both parties. God’s eternal plan is to have a people born of the Spirit, who will live in a deep, personal relationship with Him, worshipping Him in spirit and in truth, John 4:23,24.
God doesn’t need you, but He chooses and invites you to a love relationship with Him. We all want to be desired and loved by love freely given. God’s loving relationship will last into eternity.
Ever Deepening Relationship
True marriage is not static, for there is a deepening relationship despite the trials of life. The relationship you have now will only ever grow deeper and deeper.
The Bride of the Lamb are overcomers and will receive the rewards of an overcomer as pointed out in the book of Revelation. The overcomer’s faith has been tried and tested in the fires of adversity, just as steel gains its strength from being tempered. Yet, multitudes will turn to Christ during the Great Tribulation, Revelation 7:9. They will go through unbelievable testing, to the point of giving their lives for what they believe in.
God gave all His creation a free will and it is with a free will that individuals may enter into a personal relationship with the Messiah. Satan ever plots, lies, and schemes, trying to get the created to believe that a relationship with God is bondage, just as he did in the Garden of Eden, Genesis 3:1.
Belonging
Israel will eternally be the wife of Yahweh and believing Christians will be the wife of the Lamb, Revelation 19:7. The great multitude that no one can number, Revelation 7:9, who become believers during the period of the Great Tribulation, will be another company again. Read the signs of the time and you will know that many prophecies are being fulfilled on an almost daily basis. Lift up your head for your redemption draws near, Luke 21:28.
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