Bride of Christ
The metaphor of Bride & Bridegroom is GOD's favorite relationship metaphor, both in Torah, Old Testament and in New Testament:
- Genesis promise, *I AM your GOD and you are MY people*
- Covenant keeper
- Hosea & Gomer
- Song of Songs
- JESUS & HIS bride, the church.
Comprehension of all the rights and priviledges of being *one/married in/HIS bride* is the ultimate gift that generates blessing the moment one understands and accepts HIM. It is GOD's willl that we, HIS people, be rooted and grounded in HIS love so deeply, intimately and fully that we purpose for only *one thing* which is being more and more intimately immersed in HIS love, all the time. From this position of resting completely in the glow of realizing & feeling & receiving total love of GOD, nothing is impossible. And so one moves into the waltz with HIS love that is so alluring it magnetizes others into feeling HIS love. This glow is the higher calling for the Bride, to represent how good all the time HE always is.
There are other relationship metaphors in the Judao-Christian Word of GOD: savior & lost sinner potter & clay Father & Son good shepherd & sheep Master & servant Friend of GOD HIS BELOVED.
The ultimate and superior level of relationship with HIM is full realization of being HIS BELOVED. FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE... John 3:16
The Bride of Christ is a metaphor for the Church, Ecclesia. 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 Revelations 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.
See also
- Bridal theology
- Mystical marriage
Notes
- ↑ Isaiah 54:9. Bible.
- ↑ Book of Revelations 21:9-27. Bible.
- ↑ Consecrated virgins and widows. Catechism of the Catholic Church.
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