The book of Revelation speaks of a marriage between Jesus Christ and His "bride" (Rev. 19) But who is this "Bride" of Christ? Is she even for real?
In Revelation 19, the bride is clearly identified as follows:
Revelation 19:7-8 "'Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.' And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints."
A fascinating part of Revelation story amidst the horrifying visions of beasts, calamities and deaths, and ominous heavenly signs, is a vision of a perfect wedding! Yes, Jesus as the "Lamb" will be married and He has a bride in mind.
What is more interesting is that this "bride" is now making herself ready for that ultimate wedding--she knows who she is!
As the perfect groom, Jesus has not only prepared himself for the marriage but also the bride has cleansed and prepared herself for this glorious ceremony (Rev. 19:8). The Apostle Paul, in the book of Ephesians, alluded to the mystery of this relationship by making an analogy between a human-based marriage and this future relationship:
"For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. 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 might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish." (Ephesians 5:23 -27).
The bride of Christ consists of all who are "called out" of this world—both from physical Israel and Gentiles called the spiritual "Israel of God" (Galatians 6:16; also see Hebrews 12:22-23). Therefore, as God's own people whether they are a native-born Israelite/Jewish descent or Gentile, are potential bride described as part of “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His [God’s] own special people” (1 Peter 2:9). Once they repent and are baptized and received the Holy Spirit, they become members of His Body, the Church, of which Jesus is the head (Colossians 1:18).
Even now, Gentiles who become part of the Church are in the Israel of God. “For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:18-19).
According to Revelation, the 'bride of Christ' have the following key identification:
"Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus." (Rev.14:12; cf. Rev.12:17; 22:14)
Then notice this powerful statement that the apostle Paul wrote to the brethren of the Church in Corinth: “For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:2).
So this is a clear picture of a unique relationship and preparation that the Church has with Jesus Christ. The Church is betrothed, engaged to be married, to Him!
Moreover, the bride of Christ symbolically represents all those who are part of the "first resurrection" (Rev. 20:5). As it reads,
"Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years." (v.6)
Thus, the Bride is composed of all believers, since the righteous Abel, who had the Holy Spirit within them. After living a life of overcoming, and being faithful to the end, they are resurrected and given a new spiritual body free from all imperfections (Heb.11). The blood of Jesus made all these possible (Rev. 7:14)! They are then rewarded with the most intimate relationship the Heavenly Father can offer through His own beloved Son.
"Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband." (Revelation 21:2)
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