Hebron church of Christ

Don’t Forget:•VBS starts tonight!•Gospel Meeting, July 11-15

Welcome to the

June 6, 2010

The Bride of Christ

Revelation 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband

II Corinthians 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ

I. The Betrothal

II.The Wedding Procession

III. The Marriage Feast

The BetrothalII Corinthians 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ

–We are not fully married to Christ yet

–We are betrothed to Him

to betrothas a bride

The Betrothal• In a Hebrew betrothal:

– The dowry was paid•Genesis 29:18 …I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter

– The contract was drawn•Genesis 29:19 …It is better that I give her to thee, than that I should give her to another man: abide with me

– The people were bound (Matthew 1:18-19)

The Betrothal• The betrothal represents God’s scheme of

redemption– The dowry has been paid

•I Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price…

– The contract has been drawn•Luke 17:10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do

– We are bound (Romans 12:1-2)

The Wedding Procession

• For the wedding procession:– The bridegroom waited for the time to be

right•John 3:29 …the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him…

– The bride’s company prepared themselves at the bridegroom’s home•Matthew 25:1-6 …went forth to meet the bridegroom…and at midnight…

– A cry was made to alert the company (Rev. 18:23; Jer. 7:34; Matt. 25:6; John 3:29)

The Wedding Procession

• The procession represents the Second Coming– Christ is waiting for the time to be right

•Matthew 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only (II Peter 3:10)

– We must prepare ourselves to meet the bridegroom•Matthew 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour…

– A cry will be made (I Thessalonians 4:13-18; John 5:28-29)

The Marriage Feast• For the marriage feast:

– A large-scale event was undertaken•John 2:3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine

– Only those bidden to the feast were welcome•Matthew 22:2-10

– Once the feast began, no one was allowed in•Matthew 25:10-12 …the door was shut…I know you not...

The Marriage Feast• The marriage feast represents the judgment

scene– A large-scale event will be undertaken

•Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God… (II Peter 3:7-10)

– Only those bidden to heaven will be welcome•Matthew 25:21, 23, 30

– Once the feast begins, the door will be shut•Luke 16:26 …a great gulf fixed…•I Thessalonians 4:17 …so shall we ever be…

Are you a part of the bride?

Will you be a part of the feast?

Consider During the Lord’s Supper:

Ephesians 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.