Reply To: Ecclesiology Discussion Board

[Pchris]

I will like to clearly state that I disagree with this belief, the following statements further buttresses my stance.
The bride is the symbol of the church. A symbol means a visible reference for an invisible thing. The church is Jesus’ bride, “wife of the lamb” and when we admire a man, respect him , appreciate him, and reference him, we are careful what we say about his wife and all the more so , in public. We check out suspicions, we are vigilant not to let personal disappointments fester into a global cynicism towards her.
We go out of our way not to regard her , speak of her, or criticize her in his presence in any way that would puzzle or dishonor her husband. We show little esteem for a groom when we insult his bride.
So, those who genuinely admire and worship Christ will not only reverence his person but also His perspective.
In Ephesians 5:31-32, Apostle Paul describes the relationship between Christ and the church as a mystery as revealed in the relationship between a husband and wife.
The beautiful picture of a bride and a groom is a reflection of the relationship between Christ and His bride, the church.
The bride, which is somewhat a futuristic symbol, symbolizes
a. The depth of love and acceptance that the church enjoys from the Lord. This love is seen in the huge sacrifice Christ paid .
b. It symbolizes the union of the church with the Lord , for we are one with the Lord.
The great groom’s choice of his bride is remarkable not only is she ” a chosen race” (1 Peter 2:9) but he chose her in her ungodliness, not because of any beauty she possessed. Not only did Christ choose the church for her salvation, but also to be an instrument of divine revelation world. Not just an instrument, but the central vessel in making God known in this world and in this age.
In Ephesians 3 when Paul offers praise to God the father, he says ” to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus “. We expect ” in Christ Jesus” as the focal point through which God’s glory is displayed but here she is , his bride , side by side with Christ himself, the bride groom : “to him be glory in the church” , this echoes the centrality of the church in making God known
Jesus loves the church as his own body, he emphatically does not hate his own flesh, but he nourishes it and cherishes it ( Ephesians 5:29).
It is important to note that it is the church in the scriptures that stand as the bride not each individual believer. “I” am not the bride , “You” are not the bride , however we are part of the church universal and we are the bride.
The old testament saints went to a place of comfort and rest called “sheol” which is translated “the grace” or “the realm of the dead” when they died. The old testament taught life after death and that everyone departed from this life went to a place of conscious existence.
The new testament equivalent of sheol is Hades. Luke 16: 17-31 shows that prior to Christ’s resurrection, Hades was divided into two compartment: a place of comfort where Lazarus was (Abraham’s bosom) and a place of torment where the rich man was. Until Christ sacrifice himself on the cross , heaven was not open to the old testament saints . Their sins were covered up, atoned for but they were not taken away. The death of Christ is what took away sin and allowed these saints to go to heaven . At his ascension, Jesus brought them to where they could not go before ( heaven). It is very important to note that a bride and a groom are not invited to their own wedding , so obviously there are attendees at the marriage supper who are neither the bride or the groom . The old testament saints will be the guests at the marriage supper in heaven. This alone reinforces the special privilege we have in the Holy nation that is the church of Jesus Christ, his bride.