We are the Bride of Christ

We are the Bride of Christ

 

In Scripture, Jesus is called our “bridegroom” or “husband” (Isaiah 54:5) and those who follow Him are called His “bride”, or the “bride of Christ”.  The “Church” is another name for all the followers of Christ. So, the Christian Church – all of the believers, now and down through the ages, are referred to in the Bible as the “bride of Christ.” And we Christians – the Church - are also called “the body of Christ” as we are all members of one body.  (1 Corinthians 12:27)  

 

Scripture says: “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 (Jesus) might present her (the Church) to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.”  (Ephesians 5:25-27)  

 

Scripture says that God created the bride of Christ.  (Matthew 16:18) and she was chosen before the foundation of the world.  (Ephesians 1:4) The Father created her and paid a large dowry for His bride.  She was “bought with a price.” The blood of Christ was shed for her.  (1 Corinthians 6:20, 1 Peter 1:18-19) And the Father gave her to His only Son, Jesus Christ. (John 17:6) She is truly beloved. 

 

When a person believes in Christ, he or she is given the Holy Spirit to guide, comfort, and teach, and live in her or his heart.  And the Bible says that this same Holy Spirit we receive also seals us for eternity.  So, our bridegroom puts a “seal” on us to show that we belong to Him.  The Bible says: “He who establishes us with Christ and anoints us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.”  (2 Corinthians 21b-22)

 

Christ also pledges to His bride that He is preparing a place for her (us) in heaven and that He will return to earth for her that she may be with Him.  (John 14:3) And, as His bride, we will long for His return.  And His banner over us is love. (Song of Solomon 3:1; 2:4 and 6:3) Christ is faithful to us (His bride) so we should be faithful to Him. 

 

Christ washes and cleanses His bride and makes her eternal and alive and beautiful.  And He gives her His righteousness. (Jeremiah 23:6, Isaiah 53:6 and Romans 3:24-25) He rejoices over His bride (Isaiah 62:5) (John 3:29) The Bible also records the bride rejoicing over Him: “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord. My soul shall be joyful in my God:  For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation.  He has covered me with His robe of righteousness.”  (Isaiah 61:10).

 

The Church, the bride of Christ, is described as glorious.  The Bible says: “And I, John saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as the bride adorned for her husband.”  And the marriage of the Lamb (Christ) takes place with the bride covered in righteousness (white linen) (Revelations 19:7-9) And the groom’s “banner over her is love”. “He brings me to His banqueting table and His banner over me is love.” (Song of Solomon 2:4)

 

We don’t understand this “mystery” – the mystery of Christ being our bridegroom and of us becoming His glorious sinless powerful bride!  We can only vaguely imagine and wonder at what it might all mean or what it will be like when we see Jesus face to face!  But we realize that it will be glorious beyond anything we could imagine! 

 

Scripture says: “Beloved, we are the children of God, and it has not yet been revealed to us what we shall be, but we know that when He (Jesus) is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”  (1 John 3:2) “We now see as through a glass darkly, but then face to face.  We now know in part, but then we shall know as we are known.”  (1 Corinthians 13:12)

 

All are invited to come join the ranks of the Saints who will someday soon go marching into heaven.  Scripture says: “And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come”!  And let the person who hears say, “Come”!  And let the person who thirsts come.  Whoever desires, let that person take the water of life freely.”  (Revelations 22:17) And the Bible also says: “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”  (Romans 10:9) Have you accepted your invitation?  Have you tasted of the water of life?  When the Saints go marching into heaven, will you be in that number?