The BRIDE OF CHRIST refers to the first century church. Those saints were specially chosen people. Christ established His New Covenant heavenly home in the New Jerusalem, which He bought with Him at His second coming Parousia in 66ad. This is where the first century church, the BRIDE OF CHRIS, consisting of the resurrected and raptured saints in 66ad, permanently resided in His presence.
“Then I, John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven form God, prepared as a BRIDE adorned for her husband,” -Rev 21:2
The one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked to me, saying, “Come, I will show you the BRIDE, THE LAMBS WIFE.” And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, THE HOLY JERUSALEM, descending out of heaven from God.” – Rev 21:9-10
They were represented by the five wise virgins in Christ’s parable. -Matt 21:1-10. They eagerly waited for the Groom to come. They were ready and when the Groom was coming, they awoke, trimmed their lamps and went out to meet Him. The wedding took place with Christ as the Groom and the first century, raise dand raptured the church, as the Bride.
The five other virgins, whose lamps did not have oil, may have been like the “sleepers’ in the first century church, who were not genuine believers. They were caught like a “thief in the night” thus missing His coming. The Groom told them: Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.”. –Matt 25:11-12; 7;22-23; 1 Thess 5:2; Rev 3:3
The New Jerusalem is also the eternal dwelling place of the Old Testament saints. In addition, it is the permanent place for all born-again believes after they die going forward in human history. -John 1:12-13 They all have eternal life in Christ and are all brothers and sisters of each other. -Matt 19:29
The non-believing Jews of Old Jerusalem and Old Covenant had become the “harlot” to God. -Rev 19:2 Christ righteously punished and destroyed her. He took as His BRIDE, the born-again believers of the New Jerusalem, under the New Covenant. These are the made righteous forever in Christ. – Duet 24:4; Eze 44:33; Matt 5:32; 19:9; 1 Cor 6:15.
Just like a newlywed couple establishes a new home together at marriage, this is the same way the Bible describes the marriage of Christ and the BRIDE. In heaven, they build a new household together. (all believers after 70ad) are part of that new household, both covently and positionally) “in Christ: while on earth and fully experientially when they die and go to heaven. – Rev 21:24-26; 22:14-17
-Michael Alen Nichols
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(* am using a study guide written by Michael Alan Nichols as a frame of reference of my current position in my adamant studies of the scriptures… I am not 100% in agreement on all of his adamant positions … with that said, I did leave out a few of his thoughts’ but I did not rewrite his words…
I want to add some more thoughts and positions on this topic that another great writer/preacher Maurice E Rodgers- I am hoping to do a live to share some of His book, “Why Christ Has Already Come Back … And Why The Church Would Never Belileve It”
I will call ‘story time’ soon. (The teacher in me loves reading to others.)
It will be on the topic of The Wedding Invitation (3 types given)
#1)- Issued to Israel before the cross- 27-31 ad. (during the Old Covenant Age/ the Old World/Kosmos).
#2)-Given to Israel after the Cross, 31-70ad.
#3)- Given to Whosoever, after the Cross 70ad.
All my BRIDE OF CHRIST Love, ❤ Diana xo 🙂
**I will share a link to my live here later. Have a Blessed Day! 😀
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