Jesus, the
Christ as the bridegroom whose bride is the church — John 3:29; Matthew 9:15; Revelation 19:7 — culminating in the marriage supper of the Lamb.
The image of Christ as bridegroom and the church as bride runs from the Old Testament prophets through to Revelation's final scene. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Hosea, and Ezekiel pictured Israel as the wife of YHWH. The New Testament continues the imagery with Christ as the bridegroom and the church as his bride. John the Baptist called himself 'the friend of the bridegroom' (John 3:29). Jesus referred to himself as 'the bridegroom' (Matthew 9:15). Paul described the church as betrothed to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2). Ephesians 5:25-27 explains Christian marriage by reference to Christ's love for his bride. Revelation 19:7-9 climaxes the Bible with 'the marriage of the Lamb' — the consummation of history. What this title teaches. (1) Christ loves his church with the deepest, most personal love possible. (2) The church is not an organization but a beloved bride. (3) Christ paid the bride-price — his own life (Ephesians 5:25). (4) The relationship is exclusive — Christ wants 'a chaste virgin' (2 Cor 11:2). (5) The future is glorious — the marriage supper. The bridegroom image is the deepest image of grace.
“He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom's voice.”
“And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them?”
“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it... that he might present it to himself a glorious church.”
“The marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready... Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.”
“For I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.”
Receive Christ's love for his church — personal, costly, exclusive. Live in the betrothal — pure, watchful, expectant. Look forward to the marriage supper. The bridegroom is coming.
Because his relationship with the church is the most loving, intimate, and exclusive possible — marriage. John the Baptist called himself 'the friend of the bridegroom' (John 3:29). Jesus called himself 'the bridegroom' (Matthew 9:15). The image culminates in 'the marriage of the Lamb' (Rev 19:7-9).
The church — all true believers gathered to Christ. Ephesians 5:25-27 — Christ loved 'the church... that he might present it to himself a glorious church.' Not a denomination, not an institution — the people Christ has redeemed. The bride includes believers from every age and nation.
Revelation 19:7-9 — the culmination of history. After Christ returns and judges, the marriage of Christ and his church is celebrated. 'Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.' It is the wedding feast of eternity, the joy of redemption complete.
Ephesians 5:22-33 grounds Christian marriage in the Christ-church relationship. Husbands love as Christ loves the church. Wives respect as the church should Christ. Marriage is a parable of the bigger reality. Living it well displays the gospel.