CHURCH, BODY, BRIDE
There is great misunderstanding as to whom will comprise the 'bride of Christ' (who is to one day reign with Christ as consort queen). We need to understand the redemptive work of the Son in relation to the bride as introduced in the New Testament, though previously set forth millenniums before. They were previously set forth in the first three chapters of Genesis, through the experience of Adam in relation to Eve; and these principles remain unchanged throughout Scripture.
Adam was the first man upon the earth. He was also a type of Christ, the second Man, the last Adam:
There is great misunderstanding as to whom will comprise the 'bride of Christ' (who is to one day reign with Christ as consort queen). We need to understand the redemptive work of the Son in relation to the bride as introduced in the New Testament, though previously set forth millenniums before. They were previously set forth in the first three chapters of Genesis, through the experience of Adam in relation to Eve; and these principles remain unchanged throughout Scripture.
Adam was the first man upon the earth. He was also a type of Christ, the second Man, the last Adam:
Rom 5:14
14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
KJV
1 Cor 15:45-47
45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
KJV
The experiences of Adam in relation to Eve, prefigures the experience of Christ in relation to His bride. Eve was created in Adam at the very beginning, but was not brought into existence as a separate entity until a later point in time. Adam was put to sleep, his side opened, and from this opening side, God took a rib and formed Eve. Eve, in this manner, was taken out of Adam and then presented back to Adam for a helpmate.
14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
KJV
1 Cor 15:45-47
45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
KJV
The experiences of Adam in relation to Eve, prefigures the experience of Christ in relation to His bride. Eve was created in Adam at the very beginning, but was not brought into existence as a separate entity until a later point in time. Adam was put to sleep, his side opened, and from this opening side, God took a rib and formed Eve. Eve, in this manner, was taken out of Adam and then presented back to Adam for a helpmate.
Gen 2:20
20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.
KJV
20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.
KJV
Adam, apart from Eve was incomplete (for she was part of his very being – bone of his bone, and flesh of his flesh). And, because of this, when presented back to Adam, Eve completed Adam. In the highest sense, Eve was still part of Adam’s body, and God looked upon both together as “one flesh.” Both together, though two entities, formed one compete person:
Gen 2:21-24
21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
KJV
In the antitype, the bride of Christ has existed in the Son from eternity. The bride’s existence and salvation date back to a past time, “before the foundation of the world”
21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
KJV
In the antitype, the bride of Christ has existed in the Son from eternity. The bride’s existence and salvation date back to a past time, “before the foundation of the world”
Eph 1:4
4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
KJV
Rev 13:8
8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
KJV
The bride, however, could not be brought into existence as a separate entity until the Son, at a time during Man’s Day, was put to sleep and His side opened. This is the significance of Calvary.
4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
KJV
Rev 13:8
8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
KJV
The bride, however, could not be brought into existence as a separate entity until the Son, at a time during Man’s Day, was put to sleep and His side opened. This is the significance of Calvary.
The work of the Spirit now is to secure a bride for the Son, this bride has to come from His body; as was typified in Eve being a part of Adam's body, (but not all of Adam's body) - she was taken from his body and then presented back to him later. It is exactly the same the "bride" is a part of Christ's body (but not all if His body), at a later date will be presented back to Him.
It is "faithful obedience" that will make that part of Christ's body presentable and qualified to be His bride.
Heb. 3:14
For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end.
KJV.
This is another proof text that shows that we are not "partakers" just by being saved, but "...by holding our confidence steadfast unto the end".
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