Topical Bible: Church: Lamb's Bride

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The term "Lamb's Bride" is a metaphorical expression used to describe the Church in its relationship with Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. This imagery is deeply rooted in biblical theology and is prominently featured in the New Testament, particularly in the book of Revelation. The concept of the Church as the Bride of Christ underscores themes of purity, devotion, and the eschatological union between Christ and His followers.

Biblical Foundation

The imagery of the Church as the Bride of Christ is most explicitly found in Revelation 19:7-9 : "Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him the glory. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. She was given clothing of fine linen, bright and pure." This passage highlights the eschatological celebration of the marriage supper of the Lamb, where the Church, as the Bride, is presented in purity and righteousness.

The Apostle Paul also alludes to this relationship in Ephesians 5:25-27 , where he instructs husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the Church: "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless." Here, the sacrificial love of Christ for the Church is paralleled with the marital relationship, emphasizing the sanctification and holiness of the Church as His Bride.

Theological Significance

The metaphor of the Church as the Lamb's Bride carries profound theological implications. It signifies the intimate and covenantal relationship between Christ and His Church. This relationship is characterized by love, commitment, and fidelity. The Church, as the Bride, is called to remain faithful and devoted to Christ, reflecting His love and holiness in the world.

The bridal imagery also points to the future hope and consummation of this relationship. The marriage supper of the Lamb represents the ultimate union of Christ and His Church, a time of rejoicing and fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. This eschatological vision provides believers with hope and motivation to live in anticipation of Christ's return.

Purity and Preparation

The Church, as the Bride, is called to prepare for the coming of the Bridegroom. This preparation involves living a life of holiness and purity, as depicted in Revelation 19:8 : "She was given clothing of fine linen, bright and pure." The fine linen symbolizes the righteous acts of the saints, indicating that the Church's readiness is demonstrated through faithful living and obedience to God's Word.

The parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-13 further illustrates the importance of readiness and vigilance. The wise virgins, who were prepared for the bridegroom's arrival, represent those who live in expectation and readiness for Christ's return. This parable serves as a warning and encouragement for the Church to remain watchful and prepared.

Covenantal Relationship

The concept of the Church as the Bride of Christ is rooted in the covenantal relationship established by God. Throughout Scripture, marriage is often used as a metaphor for God's covenant with His people. In the Old Testament, Israel is depicted as the unfaithful wife, while God remains the faithful husband (e.g., Hosea 2:19-20). In the New Testament, this covenantal relationship is fulfilled and perfected in Christ and His Church.

The Church's identity as the Lamb's Bride emphasizes the transformative power of this covenant. Through Christ's sacrificial love and redemption, believers are brought into a new covenant, marked by grace and eternal life. This relationship calls the Church to live in a manner worthy of the calling, reflecting the love and faithfulness of Christ to the world.

Nave's Topical Index

Ephesians 5:22-32
Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands, as to the Lord.
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Revelation 22:17
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that hears say, Come. And let him that is thirsty come. And whoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

That Christ is the Bridegroom, Having the Church as his Bride ...
... a fast, and call a healing; assemble the people, sanctify the Church, gather the ...
in the Apocalypse: "Come, I will show thee the new bride, the Lamb's wife. ...
/.../cyprian/three books of testimonies against the jews/19 that christ is the.htm

Periods of Church History.
... may disappear and go the way of all flesh; but the Church Universal of ... only exchange
her earthly garments for the festal dress of the Lamb's Bride, and rise ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 4 periods of church.htm

The Portrait of the Bride
... The emblem is transferred in the New Testament to Christ and His Church. ... in that
magnificent description in Revelation of 'the Bride, the Lamb's wife,' and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/the portrait of the bride.htm

Organically One.
... Still, she is the Lamb's Bride-elect; and the holy Church, which without spot or
wrinkle shall one day be presented to the heavenly Bridegroom, is concealed ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxx organically one.htm

The Church of God.
... the church of God at Corinth.2 Cor.1:1. He presents this church as a ... heaven was bid
to "come hither," and he would be shown the bride the Lamb's wife; and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter vii the church of.htm

The Unity of the Church.
... The Holy Church throughout the world, "the Bride, the Lamb's wife," is one, not
many, and the elect souls are all elected in her, not in isolation. ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon xvii the unity of.htm

Address in Lambeth Chapel, at the First Session of the Lambeth ...
... awful responsibility to God, as a council of the Bishops of His Church. ... The
responsibility is greater when division has marred the beauty of the Lamb's Bride. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/whipple/five sermons/iv address in lambeth chapel.htm

The Doctrine of the Church i. Definition; Distinctions.
... This is a great mystery (Eph.5:32). The Bride becomes the wife of the Lamb
(Rev.21:2). V. THE ORDINANCES OF THE CHURCH. 1. BAPTISM. ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrine of the church.htm

The Marriage of the Lamb.
... These constitute the bride, the Lamb's wife; for as "the husband is the head of
the wife," even so "Christ is the head of the church," Eph.5:23. ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the marriage of the lamb.htm

In the Holy of Holies.
... I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife." "He ... from God."(705) Clearly, then,
the bride represents the ... to meet the bridegroom are a symbol of the church. ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /24 in the holy of.htm