Many a sermon has been preached on this subject. Always pointing out that the Bride is the Church (Believers) and the Bridegroom is Christ. Now it is interesting that the term “Bride of Christ” is never used in the scripture. The word “BRIDE” is found in 5 verses in the New Testament, so let’s look at these:
John 3:29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.
If you put this verse back into context, it is John the Baptist answer to the Jews asking him if he were the Christ. It would appear that the Bridegroom he speaks of is Christ (Jesus whom he had baptized). But who is the Bride? So let’s look elsewhere the Bride and Bridegroom are mentioned. They are all in the Book of Revelation written by the Apostle John.
Revelation 18:23 And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the brideshall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.
The text (Chapter 18) appears to be speaking about events near or at the end of the seven years of Tribulation. The Bridegroom, Christ (established in John 3:29) is done speaking, and so is the Bride. But who or what is the Bride?
Revelation 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a brideadorned for her husband.
The text (Chapter 21) is at the end of the seven year Tribulation and the start of Eternity. Of course the Husband is the Bridegroom: Christ. And the Bride, could it be the holy city, new Jerusalem?
Revelation 21:9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.
In the same text we find a further description of the Bride, she’s the Lamb’s wife. We find the answer to that in the following Text:
John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
John 1:36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
In the last text where the Bride is mentioned in in Revelation 22:17.
Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
The Spirit mentioned is the Holy Spirit. See Luke 11:13, Ephesians 1:13, 4:30, and 1 Thessalonians 4:8. The Holy Spirit is mentioned many or times in scripture, usually by Spirit. Part of the Godhead; God, Son and Spirit.
In conclusion it would appear that the Bridegroom is Christ and the Bride is the new Jerusalem, a city for the Jews which Christ will rule from (a continuance of David’s throne). A fulfillment of God’s Covenant with Abraham and all Jews. ISAIAH 62 Jerusalem, the Bride
An interesting side note. It appears in Isaiah 54:5-6 that Israel is called the wife of God. Speaking to Israel the Lord says:
Isaiah 54:5-6 For thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called. For the Lord hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God.
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