Bride of Christ
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Bride of Christ is a metaphor for the Church, Ecclesia, in which Jesus states that the relationship between Christians and Jesus is like a betrothal pointing to a future wedding, when Christians are re-united with Jesus in heaven after the end of the world. Fundamental to this idea is that Jesus was not merely a human being, but was actually God Incarnate, and in the next life those who are saved will dwell with God (Jesus) forever in paradise. Thus, paradise is compared with living in Jesus' (God's) own mansion with Him.
The image originates from the Old Testament prophets, who described Israel as God's bride, for example in Isaiah 54:5.[1] In the New Testament, this image of God's people is transferred to the relationship between Christ and his church, for example Revelation 21.[2]
In the Catholic church, this image of the Church as Christ's bride can be transferred to nuns and consecrated virgins,[3] as can be seen from the title of the Australian television series Brides of Christ (1991). For some women, the image describes a more personal relationship with Jesus. Examples are Anne Catherine Emmerich, Joanna Southcott, Gertrude Morgan, Åsa Waldau.
Most Christian theologians teach that the term bride of Christ is a metaphor for the Church, particularly in that Jesus as God is not a man, God is far beyond our limited understanding, and any relationship between humans and God can only be hinted at and poorly described using any Earthly terms. Although the role of bride and bridegroom captures some aspects of our relationship with God, demonstrating the strength of God's love for us and His eternal commitment to those who chose Him, many other aspects of our relationship with God cannot be described using this metaphor (or any other human concept).
Others, however, teach that the term is meant to be taken more literally. Paul in his epistle to the Church at Ephesus exhorts the men to love their wives as Christ loved the Church. After further exhortation on marriage Paul quotes Genesis 2:24, for a man to leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife to become one flesh with her. Paul calls this a mystery because marriage between a man and a women is a prophetic act of the depth of our relationship with Jesus. This love surpasses our knowledge (Ephesians 3:18). Author Mickey McNew in his book "You At The Time For Love" (seen at http://www.unveilingthebride.com) presents this view as a doctrinal revelational writing on this subject of the bride of Christ.
