Woes Concerning The Bride

“Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready” (Revelation 19:7 NASB).

When Christ comes back, he’s getting married. To whom, you ask? Well, the Church, of course. Paul talks about this in the latter part of Ephesians 5, as well as in 1 Corinthians 11:2. Jesus also speaks of this analogy in all four gospels. This is a more than just a minuscule doctrine.

However, in today’s world, it is common to see the Church made out to be nothing of importance. Some keep away from church altogether. Others criticize it harshly, making it out to be some kind of monster. And still others attend “church” regularly but fail to grasp the concept of what the Church really is.

Why is this? The reasons are undoubtedly far too complicated to discuss in one blog post. But generally, the Church today is a poor reflection of what Christ intended it to be. We don’t view the Church as an ekklesia, which is the Greek word translated as “church” in the Bible, meaning a “called out assembly.” We either have lost the everyday communal aspect of the church, or have sought so earnestly to fake it that we compromise other things of importance. Furthermore, the Church has a bad reputation for hypocrisy; there is much blood on our hands as a Body. The fact that the Church has not really behaved like the Church should behave has driven people to all sorts of reactions. However, simply bashing the Church is far from what I seek to do.

Considering the Church as the Bride of Christ is essential to a healthy ecclesiology; furthermore, such an understanding draws out unhealthy views of the Church and confronts them boldly. Thinking of the Church as Christ’s Bride should put fear in our hearts.

If the Church is Christ’s Bride, then woe to the Christian who sees membership as optional! Belonging to the Church is a matter of status in Christ; true Christianity cannot exist outside the context of the local church. By refusing to be a part of a church community, one is actively rebelling against God, no matter how many excuses one may make to justify it. Our individualistic culture fails to realize that Christ died for the elect, not just as individuals but as a corporate group, the called-out assembly known as the Church! Our status in Christ necessarily puts us into fellowship with other believers. Whether we accept that or reject that is a sin issue. Christ returns for a Bride, not the individual atoms that might make up a Body. To put it bluntly, anyone who is outside of the Bride of Christ does not experience a union with Christ. As believers in Jesus, we are a part of that Bride. Let us reflect that faithfully!

Also, if the Church is Christ’s Bride, then woe to him who corrupts her! False teachers and predators within the Church aren’t just messing with a bunch of dumb people. They are fooling around with Christ’s Bride! Imagine a husband whose wife was led into adultery by someone else. Should he not be furious? And the Husband we are undermining is no man; He is the Creator of all things, the Almighty God! False teachers may lead God’s people astray, and predators may take advantage of certain members, but a God who loves His Bride will surely punish those who tamper with her.

Lastly, if the Church is Christ’s Bride, then woe to him who attempts to tear her down! Criticism of the Church is acceptable only when it is constructive. Clearly sin must be rebuked and change is often necessary. However, destructive criticism which seeks only to tear down the Church is an offense to God; it’s like telling Him that His Bride is an ignorant whore who can’t do anything right. We may not think it’s a big deal when we whine and complain about the Church, but unless our complaints are made in order to promote healthy change, it is sinful. More often than not, it is our pride and arrogance that leads us to complain, and not a genuine love for God’s people. When we criticize the Bride, we should realize we are members of that Bride; when we bring shame upon the Bride, we also bring shame upon ourselves, just as an entire man (and not just his hands) would be guilty of murder. We should be humble and brokenhearted when criticizing the Church, doing so only to bring about Christ-like change.

We must recognize our status as members of Christ’s Bride. Far more often is the Church referred to as the Body of Christ instead (this is discussed by Paul in 1 Corinthians 12, as well as mentioned in Ephesians 4:12). So then, which are we—the Body or the Bride?
Both! We are the Bride of Christ, but also become one flesh with Christ. Ephesians 5:31-32 lays this out:

FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND SHALL BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH.

This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. (NASB)

So, just as a husband and wife are one flesh under the husband’s name, Christ and His Bride become one; the Bride of Christ is also the Body of Christ. Given this, the fact that we are Christ’s Bride is no less important. What beauty is found in this relationship! The idea that God would institute marriage primarily for the purpose of reflecting His relationship to His people is remarkable! This picture of Christ’s relationship to the Church should challenge us to think in new ways and hold a new respect, as well as new concern, for the Bride of Christ.

The fact is, when we fail to treat the Church like Christ’s Bride, we are sinning. But oh, how glorious it is when we see the Church as Christ’s Bride and act accordingly, serving one another and building one another up in love, purity, and grace! Let us understand that we, as a people, are Christ’s Bride, and let us with passion live accordingly.