#12 – Marriage Supper of the Lamb

 

Following the Judgement Seat of Christ is a marriage where the “bride of Christ” is joined with Christ.

In this study we have worked diligently to rightly divide the Word of Truth, understanding that the majority of the Bible is in two main divisions: The Jew and The Gentile. Often those who wrongfully divide the word of truth often misplace God’s plan for His chosen people; Israel. Even to the point of “stealing” the promises of Israel and placing them on the Church.

Just as we found the Judgement Seat of Christ having part of its meaning in symbolism… We find the event of the Marriage of Christ to his Bride also contains symbolism too.

The Bride of Christ

The meaning of the bride has been argued as a doctrine for a long, long time. So to have a better understanding of the Marriage that takes place in Heaven after the Judgement Seat of Christ and before the second coming… we must learn a little more about who the bride is.

Note: We must cautious to read purposefully the scriptures within the basics of understanding and rightly dividing. Often people “read too much” into scripture placing prophetic references where there is only a historical reference. I have found much of the confusion about the bride in the scriptures is by this wise. (see information on prophecy in lesson 7)

Two Brides  

There are “Two Brides” mentioned in the Scriptures. One in the Old Testament, and the other in the New Testament.

Israel

Remember that many things that we find up to the Acts Chapter 7 were written with the anticipation that Israel would accept Christ as the Messiah.

Jesus brought the New Covenant preaching the kingdom to be revealed…

The Church age was extended transferring the New Covenant to all who would believe (kingdom postponed) Giving it to the Church through the Gentile rather than the Jew.

It is also incorrect to name the New Testament church as a Gentile Church because the purpose of the Church was to have no affiliation (neither bond nor free, Jew or Gentile) But rather a change in the delivery system of the Gospel.

It is important to make and review this distinction as that many wrongfully place Israel as the bride of Christ. Let’s look at some distinctions:

The First Bride (The Bride of God – Jehovah) Israel

Jeremiah 31:31  Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:

32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:

Isaiah 54:5  For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.

6 For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God.

7 For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee.
(Tribulation Refference)

Because of her Whoredoms, Israel is a cast off wife, but God, her husband, promises to take her back when she ceases from her adulteries. Think of it like a separation. They are still married just not “together”.

Jeremiah 3:1  They say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man’s, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the LORD.

2 Lift up thine eyes unto the high places, and see where thou hast not been lien with. In the ways hast thou sat for them, as the Arabian in the wilderness; and thou hast polluted the land with thy whoredoms and with thy wickedness.

3 Therefore the showers have been withholden, and there hath been no latter rain; and thou hadst a whore’s forehead, thou refusedst to be ashamed.

Note this nugget:

Ezekiel 16:2  Son of man, cause Jerusalem to know her abominations,

Didn’t Paul say he had not known sin except it been for the law?

Romans 3:19  Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

She (Israel) will not be taken back as a Virgin, but as a Wife.  

The Church – The Bride of Christ

It is a VIRGIN that the Lamb (Christ) is to marry. So the Wife (Israel) of the Old Testament cannot be the Bride (Virgin) of the New Testament.

2 Corinthians 11:2  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.

Ephesians 5:27  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.

The Event

After the Judgement Seat of Christ is when the Church (bride) is presented without blemish as a Virgin

Revelation 19:7  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.

9 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.

When you look at the information in the light of God’s separation it becomes clear that the Church is the Bride of Christ, that the tribulation is where God calls His people back to Him to set things straight. These are separate, and necessary for both.