The Open Scroll - The Bridegroom and the Bride

The Bridegroom and the Bride

By Bob Schlenker  (Prints about 8 pages)

Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. 8 Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear." (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.) 9 Then the angel said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!'" And he added, "These are the true words of God." Revelation 19:7-9

You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy. 8 All your robes are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; from palaces adorned with ivory the music of the strings makes you glad. 9 Daughters of kings are among your honored women; at your right hand is the royal bride in gold of Ophir. 10 Listen, O daughter, consider and give ear: Forget your people and your father's house. 11 The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord. 12 The Daughter of Tyre will come with a gift, men of wealth will seek your favor. 13 All glorious is the princess within her chamber; her gown is interwoven with gold. 14 In embroidered garments she is led to the king; her virgin companions follow her and are brought to you. 15 They are led in with joy and gladness; they enter the palace of the king. 16 Your sons will take the place of your fathers; you will make them princes throughout the land. 17 I will perpetuate your memory through all generations; therefore the nations will praise you for ever and ever. Psalms 45:7-17
The one who has been set above his companions is the anointed one, HaMashiach, the Bridegroom Y'shua. He will take a bride, seen here as beautiful and adorned with gold. Since the one addressed in verse 16 will make the sons princes throughout the land, this union of the Bridegroom and Bride will produce sons for Y'shua who will take the place of their fathers. A special message is given to the Bride: Listen, O daughter, consider and give ear: and the instruction is given. The Bride will listen, and obey, for he is their Lord.

Adam and Eve

There are two Adams in typology, the first man Adam and the last Adam, the Lord Y'shua. These Adams are made after similar patterns. Each Adam is also a pattern.
So it is written: "The first man Adam became a living being" ; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. 46 The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. 47 The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven. 48 As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the man from heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. 49 And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven. 1 Corinthians 15:45-49
Those who are patterned after these Adams can learn about the pattern of the first woman Eve and what would compare to the "last Eve," the bride of Christ. As Eve was taken from the first man Adam's body, so shall a Bride be taken from the last Adam's Body.
So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. 23 The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman, ' for she was taken out of man."1 Genesis 2:21-23

Joseph and Asenath

In Genesis 41:45, Joseph, a widely recognized type of Christ, receives a significant name that signifies Christ. Zaphenath-Paneah means revealer of secrets or treasury of the glorious rest. He receives a bride from Pharaoh, (God) sovereign ruler of Egypt. (Heaven)
Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-Paneah and gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, to be his wife. And Joseph went throughout the land of Egypt.
Notice that this bride was Egyptian, chosen from outside the land of Canaan - a Gentile Bride type. She is the daughter of a priest (suggesting service to God) and the daughter of Potiphera, (he who worships [to the sun]2 ) priest of On (light)3 Her name means "I shall be hated." This identifies her with her husband Y'shua, who was also hated.4

In Psalm 45's scene depicting the Bridegroom and Bride, (see above) there are two features that recall the two sons born of the union between Joseph and Asenath.
Manasseh

Listen, O daughter, consider and give ear: Forget your people and your father's house. Psalm 45:10

Ephraim

Your sons will take the place of your fathers; you will make them princes throughout the land. Psalm 45:16

Before the years of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On. 51 Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, "It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father's household." 52 The second son he named Ephraim and said, "It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering." 53 The seven years of abundance in Egypt came to an end,  Genesis 41:50-53

Isaac and Rebecca

There is another lesson about the Bride found in Genesis. In chapter 22, we see the Patriarch Abraham as a type of the Heavenly Father, willing to sacrifice his son. Isaac is a type of Y'shua as the son willing to be sacrificed. The Bride type is found in chapter 24. An unnamed servant (the holy spirit) is sent by Abraham to get a bride for Isaac (Y'shua). The characteristic attitude of those who comprise the Bride is suggested by the gifts the servant presents to the beautiful virgin he finds. (v. 22) The ring is a nose ring, speaking to me of what is used to lead livestock. The large bracelets suggest manacles. These gifts are of gold, the finest quality adornment. The bride-to-be accepts these gifts, suggesting the Bride's willingness to submit to the Bridegroom. Her name is Rebecca, which means "following." Make note that the holy-spirit type was carefully directed to search for the bride from outside Canaan but from among the Father's own people - suggestive of the Bride being chosen out from among the church. Make note of what will be seen as a common thread in Bride-type accounts, the fact that the servant makes contact with the beautiful virgin as she comes to the well to draw water.

Moses and Zipporah

In an example from the second chapter of Exodus, Moses, (whose name means "drawing out" - a type of Christ as the deliverer) takes the daughter of a priest in Midian for a bride. This Bride type compares to how Joseph had taken the daughter of a Gentile priest for a bride. Following another pattern we've seen, the Bride-type Zipporah5 was initially contacted as she came to draw water from the well.

The Woman at the Well

Y'shua met a woman at Jacob's well one day as she came to draw water. She, too, is a Bride-type. Please Read John 4 in its entirety before you continue. This woman was a Samaritan, considered to be a Gentile outside of the fold of Judaism.6 An interesting scenario develops that points out how the Bride is distinguished from the disciples. At the point where Y'shua begins a conversation with her, the narrative immediately mentions that the disciples had gone into town to buy food. (verse 8) And, at the exact point where Y'shua's conversation concludes, the disciples return. As verse 27 records: Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, "What do you want?" or "Why are you talking with her?" A puzzling statement, is it not? Let me suggest that the puzzle is resolved when the Bride-type is understood. The food that the disciples went to buy is an important element in the context. From verses 31-34, we learn that food signifies doing the will of the one who sent Jesus and to finish his work. In verses 35-38, Y'shua reveals the nature of this work. The Bride has been faithfully doing this work, and therefore has food. Those disciples who are not the Bride do not have this food and must go buy it. Those disciples do not share the Bride's special relationship with the Bridegroom and all associated benefits so they are excluded in what transpires in 4:9-26.7 As the Bride departs, the disciples return to the scene. Having bought food, they don't need to ask what Y'shua wanted or why he talks with her, they now understand about the Bride.

In the course of the conversation between the Y'shua and the Bride-type, some wonderful truths are brought forth. Comparing with the servant's coming to the well seeking someone special for Isaac's bride, we read in John 4:23: Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. Such are those who comprise the Bride. The Samaritan woman wants to know about matters of eternal life, true worship and the Messiah. The Bride comes to the well to draw water, desiring to drink of the waters about which our Lord spoke in verse 14, that will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life. The people of the town came to believe because of this woman's testimony and then because they made a direct investigation.8 I find it interesting that reference is made to property that was given as a gift to Joseph in verse 5's preface to the account. Wasn't that how he got a bride too? A final note: the two days are two thousand years.

Boaz and Ruth

Boaz (in him is strength) is a type of Christ as the kinsman-redeemer. The Book of Ruth shows us the Bride-type clearly as Ruth (satisfied, or, friend) becomes the bride of the Bridegroom-type Boaz. Ruth is descended from Moab (from Father) and thus follows the typical pattern of a Gentile Bride. The relationship between Naomi, (my pleasantness) who represents Israel, and Ruth is very significant, as are the harvest activities. Notice that Ruth is made known to Boaz by the foreman of his harvesters, an unnamed servant - a type of the holy spirit. (Ruth 2:5-6) Consider how Ruth found favor with Boaz in Ruth 2:10-13: The Bride-type Ruth, as her name implies is a friend of Israel. What wonderful revelation is revealed in Ruth 2:19-20 and following as Ruth helps bring Naomi to a special awareness of Boaz. Consider the following verse.
Is not Boaz, with whose servant girls you have been, a kinsman of ours? Tonight he will be winnowing barley on the threshing floor. Ruth 3:2
On one level, the servant girls appear to represent the church and Ruth has been among them in the fields. Winnowing barley on the threshing floor pictures the testing of the church at the selection of the Bride. I believe that the two kinds of grain barley and wheat represent the two divisions of the church whose reward will remain. The barley harvest occurs first because it ripens earlier. Y'shua himself is represented by barley. It appears that his Bride is also represented thusly. Why barley? Even to this day, a crop of barley is sometimes plowed under instead of being harvested because it conditions the soil, making it more productive for the next crop. It is a sacrificial crop! The firstfruits of the barley harvest is offered on Firstfruits, during Pesach, while the firstfruits of the wheat harvest is offered on Shavuot. Notice that when we get to the threshing floor scenario, Ruth is found at the feet of Boaz.

Solomon and the Shulamite

Solomon (peaceableness) is a type of Christ as the prince of Peace, as the one to build God's house, and the one greatest in wisdom.
Then Solomon formed a marriage alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh's daughter and brought her to the city of David, until he had finished building his own house and the house of the LORD and the wall around Jerusalem. 1 Kings 3:1
The above verse is a fantastic snapshot of the Bridegroom/Bride type in itself, but the whole of Song of Solomon appears to give us a broad portrayal. Though my understanding of it is certainly limited, I will share a few insights I think are valid.
Do not stare at me because I am dark, because I am darkened by the sun. My mother's sons were angry with me and made me take care of the vineyards; my own vineyard I have neglected. Song of Songs 1:6
The bride is not well liked, well, hated actually. The Bride is dark, suntanned from abiding in the light of the Sun of Righteousness as she works in the vineyards.
I liken you, my darling, to a mare harnessed to one of the chariots of Pharaoh. 10 Your cheeks are beautiful with earrings, your neck with strings of jewels. 11 We will make you earrings of gold, studded with silver. Song of Songs 1:9-11
As the Bride-type Rebecca had received a gold nose ring and manacle-like bracelets, this Bride-type is likened to a richly adorned mare harnessed to one of the chariots of Pharaoh.
My lover spoke and said to me, "Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, and come with me. 11 See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. 12 Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land. 13 The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me." Song of Songs 2:10-13
And so the Bride will arise and be taken to be with her Bridegroom in the spring of the year, as the early fruit is formed on the fig tree Israel. (See Romans 11:15)
Who is this who looks down like the dawn, beautiful as the moon, pure as the sun, set up as the chief one? "I had gone down to the orchard of nut trees to see the blossoms of the valley to see whether the vine had budded or the pomegranates had budded. Before I knew what was happening, my soul set me upon the lead chariot of the princely people." "Return, return, O Shulamite! Return, return, that we may gaze upon you. What is so special about the Shulamite? To be placed in the company of the sacred courts." Song of Songs 6:10-13 (Keil and Delitzsch translation)
Shulamite appears to be the feminine form of Solomon - representing "Mrs. Solomon," or, the Bride. As she is faithfully obedient to the command to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, inquiring diligently as to the status of Jerusalem and their response to Y'shua's messiahship for signs of whether the vine or pomegranates had budded, she was escorted away upon the lead chariot of the princely people to be placed in the company of the sacred courts. Those who remained missed her greatly, being then very concerned about exactly what it was that distinguished her from them.

Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego

Though Daniel was a man and not a woman, (actually, he was a eunuch) I believe that he still fits the Bride type. Have you ever considered where Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were when Daniel alone was thrown into the lion's den in Daniel 6? Why weren't they included? And where was Daniel in chapter 3's test when Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to worship Nebuchadnezzar's image and were thrown into the fiery furnace? These riddles are solved when you view Daniel as a Bride-type and Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego as those who are left behind but wash their robes in the blood of the lamb. Although these four men are all of a kind, Daniel stands out as distinct in numerous ways. (See Daniel 1:7-21) While the other three were passing the test of refusal to worship the image-of-the-beast type and fiery furnace, (great-tribulation type) Daniel was in the King's palace. (LXX)9 The Bride-type was in an exalted royal position outside the influence of the great tribulation.10

A Profound Mystery

Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church-- 30 for we are members of his body. 31 "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." 32 This is a profound mystery--but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband. Ephesians 5:22-33
What does this have to do with the Bride? I love a profound mystery! In verse 32, Paul states plainly that he was talking about Christ and the church. I only understood the mysterious riddle presented in this passage after I had become very familiar with the Bride type and her relationship with Christ and the church. The Bride people are chosen from out of the body church on the basis of submission to the Lord, as we read in verse 22, "Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord." If you're honest, you know that few members of the body actually submit to the Lord. Most are content to accept the fact that he is the Savior, but they no more submit to their Lord than most wives submit to their husbands. But, in contrast, as that rare wife who submits to her husband in everything, the Bride submits to Christ. It is not the unsubmissive but rather the Bride who will be presented to Messiah as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless!

I have often wondered what verse 31's quote from Genesis 2 meant. Comparing the account given in Ephesians 5 with the quoted acount of Genesis affords us a clue. Do you recall how I opened this article by showing how the Bride will be taken out of the body of the last Adam after the example of Eve being taken out of the body of the first man Adam?

The Profound Mystery
Ephesians 5:29: After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church-- 30 for we are members of his body. Genesis 2:23: The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman, ' for she was taken out of man." 
Ephesians 5:31: "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. Genesis 2:24: For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

In Genesis 2:23, Adam speaks about members of his body, and the woman taken out of his body who was bone of his bones and flesh of his flesh. Then, verse 24 follows. Just before that same verse appears in Ephesians 5:31, we find reference to the body of the last Adam and its members. Why? Because the profound mystery is about the Bride being taken from out of the body of Christ. And about the reason a man, specifically the last Adam will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife. It's about love, friends. Love!

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.  John 15:13-15
Showing us the greatest love, the last Adam took up his cross on behalf of his church, those from out of the world who accept his sacrifice. The Bride obediently takes up her cross on his behalf and becomes his true friends. The rest of the church neglects to take up their cross, comparing to those who are still called servants, servants who do not know their master's business. It is his friends to whom are made known the mysteries.

Now, knowing that the two who are the last Adam and his Bride will become one flesh, consider the following.

All flesh is not the same: Men have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another and fish another. 40 There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another. 41 The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor. 42 So will it be with the resurrection of the dead.  1 Corinthians 15:39-42a
Won't the Bride and Bridegroom become one flesh? Will it not be as the splendor of the sun of righteousness?

Take particular notice of the command to the wife if being Christ's bride is your desire. Submit to the Lord in everything and he will make you holy, cleansing you by the washing with water through the word. He will then be able to present you to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, holy and blameless, a worthy bride.

Now, in regards to the cleansing, it is said to be done by the washing of water through the word. This reminds me of the last supper account, which has a washing of water feature as well as two others I've noted that relate specifically to the Bride. Observe the washing of water by The Word Himself (John 1:1,14).

It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. 2 The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" 7 Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." 8 "No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." 9 "Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!" 10 Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. 12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. 13 "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.  John 13:1-17
May you be found worthy, dear friend!
John 14:21-24  Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him." 22 Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, "But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?" 23 Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.

Endnotes:

1) The last Adam’s side is mentioned in the context of where he was pierced while he hung on the cross, blood and water coming out of the wound. The side is then used as a means of identification with his crucifixion and resurrection. It seems a profound truth given that Eve was taken from the first Adam’s side while he was asleep. (return to article)

2) Psalms 19:4-5: Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun, 5 which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.(return to article)

3) The Septuagint translates the city name On as Heliopolis - the city of the sun. Malachi 4:2: But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall. (return to article)

4) John 15:18-19: If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. The Bride is not of the world, but is "Egyptian," and the world hates her - she is Asenath.! Matthew 24:9:Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. As with her Bridegroom, so it shall be with the Bride. The Bride is marked by persecution and martyrdom. (return to article)

5) Zipporah - a sparrow. Psalm 84:3 Isaiah 31:5 (return to article)

6) Because the Bride is typically portrayed as a beautiful virgin, the traditional interpretation of the woman’s character doesn’t mesh. It may well be that this woman was blameless in the matter of her five husbands. She may have been put away by a series of bills of divorcement, signifying rejection - certainly characteristic of the Bride. Or, perhaps, her husbands each died. The one she was presently with who was not her husband may have been other than a lover to her. (return to article)

7) The initial question Y’shua asks of the Bride before we learn that the disciples had gone to buy food is a key qualifier which separates people. Compare John 4:7 with Matthew 25:35 (return to article)

8) It is interesting that the Samaritan city of Sychar (meaning: drunken) is that which is known in the Tanuch (O.T.) as Shechem. Shechem is associated with the first Gentiles becoming one with Israel in circumcism, however shortlived it may have been.Genesis 34:24: All the men who went out of the city gate agreed with Hamor and his son Shechem, and every male in the city was circumcised. There is another interesting connection here because the Valley of Achor runs by the town. Hosea 2:15: There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. There she will sing as in the days of her youth, as in the day she came up out of Egypt. Certainly, the restoration of Israel has a "Valley of Achor" connection in what happened at Sychar. We know from such as Romans 11:11 that Israel wil be finally won through her envy of the Gentile church, one of the fruits of the Bride’s labor in the vineyard. (return to article)

9) Or, as variously translated: sat in the gate of the King / remained at the royal court / was at the king’s court. (Daniel 2:49) (return to article)

10) "Daniel" means my judge is God. "Belteshazzar" means Lord of the straitened’s treasure. "Hananiah" means the grace of Jah. "Shadrach" means the breast was tender. "Mishael" means who is what God is? "Meshach" means waters of quiet: who is what thou art?: biting. "Azariah" means helped of Jah. "Abednego" means servant of brightness. (return to article)