Who is the bride of Yeshua? (The answer many surprise you!)—Part One

What does the Bible say about the spiritual bride of Yeshua the Messiah? Many biblically informed The Messiahians believe that all who are “saved” will automatically become the bride of the Messiah. Is this what the Bible really teaches? In Matthew 5:19, Yeshua reveals that there are levels of rewards in his eternal kingdom based on one’s good works relating to Torah-obedience. Some saints will be the least in his kingdom and some will the be the greatest in his kingdom. How does this relate to who will be the bride of Yeshua and who will not be the bride? In this article, we will discuss these issues and attempt to answer these questions.

Yeshua Will Marry Someone When He Returns

In his Parable of the Wedding Feasts, Yeshua makes clear prophetic allusions to his upcoming marriage to his spiritual bride. 

The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son… (Matt 22:2)

The Saints Are the Bride of Yeshua

Who is the spiritual bride of Yeshua? Both the Tankah (Old Testament) and the Testimony of Yeshua (the New Testament) speak of people of Elohim marrying YHVH.

Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of The Messiah; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto Elohim. (Rom 7:4)

For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to The Messiah. (2 Cor 11:2)

Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of Elohim. (Rev 19:7–9)

And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies. I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know YHVH. (Hos 2:19–20, see verses 14–23 for context)

Here Hosea is speaking about a future event where YHVH will regather lost and scattered Israel into the land of Israel make a marriage covenant with them where they will be his people and he will be their Elohim. 

Marriage Is a Type of Yeshua’s Marriage to His Bride, the Saints

In his Epistle to the Ephesians, Paul speaks about a spiritual mystery, and then links it to Messiah Yeshua, the saints and then to marriage.

“ For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”  This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband, (Eph 5:31–33)

What does Paul seem to be implying here?

The Godhead Is a Picture of Marriage

Elohim (plural) is both male and female, and he created man—male and female—in his likeness and image (Gen 1:26–27). The Bible reveals that YHVH Elohim is our Father in heaven (Isa 63:16; 64:8; Mal 1:6). Yeshua is the Son of YHVH Elohim, the Father (Ps 2:7 cp. Acts 13:33; Heb 1:5; 5:5), and at the same time the Scriptures ascribe the name YHVH to him (e.g. Rom 14:10–11; John 18:5 cp. Exod 3:14). If there is a Father and a Son, then is there a mother in the Godhead? Perhaps. The Scriptures reveal that the Holy Spirit (Heb. Ruach haKodesh and in the feminine gender in Hebrew) is part of the Godhead. Is this the feminine side of Elohim, or “wife” of Elohim, of whom Yeshua was the only begotten Son? Perhaps. This may be what Paul was referring to when he describes what the proper relationship between a husband and wife should be (Eph 5:22–31), and then likens the marriage between a husband and wife to that of Yeshua and he church and he calls it “a great mystery” (Eph 5:32).

Not All the Saints Will Be the Bride of Yeshua

As noted above, it’s a common conception in the church that all those who are “saved” will automatically become the bride of Yeshua. But is this what the Scriptures really teach? Yeshua discusses this issue in his Parable of the Ten Virgins.

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.… (Matt 25:1–13)

A key take-away point from Yeshua’s parable here is that not all saints will be the bride of the Messiah. In this parable, the virgins are a Hebraism for a virtuous woman (as opposed to a whore). There are only two types of women in the Bible: virtuous ones (e.g. virgins and faithful married women) and immoral ones (e.g. fornicators, adulterers, whores). A woman can be virtuous, although she may not be walking perfectly before YHVH. In the parable, all ten women were virgins, and were redeemed (and were thus walking with YHVH), but not all were ready to be the bride, therefore, not all were allowed into the wedding. 

Elsewhere Yeshua taught that there are different levels of rewards for the saints in his kingdom. Some will be the least and some will be the greatest (Matt 5:19). Some saints will have charge over five cities, ten cities or no cities (Matt 25:14–29). 

Moreover, the Tabernacle of Moses is a picture of salvation. To be inside of it represents the saint’s salvation. However, within the tabernacle itself, there were three chambers: the outer courtyard, the holy place and the holy of holies. The latter represents the highest place of honor and spiritual intimacy with YHVH and is directly under the glory cloud. This innermost chamber is a spiritual picture of not only the throne room of Elohim, but also of the wedding chuppah or place of the bride and bridegroom. Not all saints will make it to that highest place representing the deepest intimacy in their spiritual relationship with YHVH Yeshua. The five foolish virgins who lacked the oil of the spirit and the oil of the Torah could be considered to be the carnally-minded believers which Paul rebuked in his letter to the Corinthians who were like spiritually babies. These may be like outer court believers (in the tabernacle symbology), or those who will least in the kingdom (as Yeshua describes those who are short on Torah in Matt 5:19).

The New Jerusalem Is the Bride of Yeshua

The  Bible teaches that there are other aspects to the bride of Yeshua as well. The New Jerusalem is also the bride of the Messiah.

And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from Elohim out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. (Rev 21:2)

And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from Elohim… (Rev 21:9–10)

YHVH to Marry the Land of Israel

The land of Israel is also the bride of Yeshua the Messiah.

Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for YHVH delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married. (Isa 62:4)

How Can YHVH Marry the Land, the People and the City?

We see from above that the Scriptures teach that in the future YHVH will marry (some of) the saints ( who redeemed Israel, or the Israel of Elohim, Gal 6:16) the land of Israel and the New Jerusalem. How is this possible and do these Scriptures contradict each other? Quite simply, the Scriptures reveal that the land of Israel, the city of Jerusalem and the people of Israel are all one. The eternal destinies of each of these three entities are tied together spiritually and prophetically with that of the other. The Scriptures record over and over again that if the people sin, than YHVH brings judgment on all three (i.e. the people, Jerusalem and the land of Israel). If the people obeyed YHVH, then he blessed all three. YHVH’s heart is tied to all three as well—his people Israel, the land of Israel, and Jerusalem; Scriptural affirms repeatedly that all three are indivisibly linked. 

In the future, when end times Israel is regathered and restored to their promised land inheritance, YHVH will dwell among them as their king, and they will be blessed. The New Jerusalem—the abode of the immortal saints—will make its appearance at that time as well. Clearly, in YHVH’s mind, to marry one is to marry all. Or to put it in terms that we can understand, he will marry a redeemed Israelite bride who lives in the land of Israel in the New Jerusalem. In Hebrew thought, one can’t have a bride without a home and a land for her to live in; all three come in one indivisible package. 

YHVH Married Ancient Israel at Mount Sinai

The concept of YHVH Elohim marry his people, Israel, has its biblical roots at Mount Sinai after the Israelites exodused Egypt.

Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Adonai YHVH, and thou becamest mine. (Ezek 16:8)

Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am YHVH, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments: And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a Elohim: and ye shall know that I am YHVH your Elohim, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for an heritage: I am YHVH. And Moses spake so unto the children of Israel: but they hearkened not unto Moses for anguish of spirit, and for cruel bondage. (Exod 6:6–9)

Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”…Then all the people answered together and said, “All that YHVH has spoken we will do.” (Exod 19:5–6, 8)

YHVH Divorced Ancient Israel Because of Her Apostasy

Eventually, Israel committed spiritual adultery by forsaking Elohim and attaching herself to the demon-gods of the heathen nations around her, thus forcing Elohim to divorce her.

And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also. (Jer 3:8)

In Jeremiah, we see that YHVH divorced the house of Israel (the Northern Kingdom).

Judah hath dealt treacherously, and an abomination is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah hath profaned the holiness of YHVH which he loved, and hath married the daughter of a strange god. (Mal 2:11)

Malachi implies that YHVH also divorced the house of Judah (the Southern Kingdom).

Yeshua Died So That He Could Remarry Redeemed Israel

We have already seen that YHVH divorced ancient Israel (both the Northern Kingdom and the Southern Kingdom because of her spiritual adulteries. Yet, there are other passages in the Tanakh that indicate that YHVH will marry Israel at sometime in the future. The Torah forbids a man to remarry his adulterous wife (Deut 24:1–5). So how could YHVH remarry ancient Israel whom he had divorced because she had committed adultery bringing on her the wages of sin, which is death (Ezek 18:4)? It’s not possible to marry a dead bride. The answer to this dilemma is that Yeshua died in her (our) place, and will remarry the one new man, born again redeemed Israelite bride at his second coming. (For a fuller discussion on this subjects, see my teaching on this topic at http://www.hoshanarabbah.org/pdfs/divorce.pdf.)

Other Members of the Bridal Party

In the Hebraic wedding as outlined in the Scriptures, there were other participants in the weddings including the groom’s attendants, parents of the bride and groom, and the invited guests. At this point, I’m not clear as to who all these may be in the future scenario of the wedding of the Yeshua and his saints. (For more information on the biblical wedding scenario and how it relates to YHVH’s plan of salvation and the seven biblical feasts see http://www.hoshanarabbah.org/pdfs/love_story.pdf.)

Other References to the Bride of Yeshua

The Song of Solomon is believed by many biblical researchers, including me, to be a reference to the love of Yeshua for his bride. This whole biblical book is about the marriage of YHVH Yeshua to his bride, the people of Israel or  redeemed Israel, or, as Paul terms it, the one new man (Eph 2:15), or the Israel of Elohim (Gal 6:16).

Here is an excerpt from my unpublished book about the prophetic implications of Yeshua turning the water into wine and how that portends his own future wedding. This explains the marriage of Yeshua to his bride from a little different vantage point.

Yeshua’s First Recorded Miracle: Water to Wine

John 2:1–12— And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Yeshua was there, and both Yeshua was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Yeshua said unto him, “They have no wine.” Yeshua said unto her, “Woman, what have I to do with you? Mine hour is not yet come.” His mother said unto the servants, “Whatever he says unto you, do it.” And there were set there six water pots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. Yeshua said unto them, “Fill the water pots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And he said unto them, “Draw out now, and bring it unto the superintendent of the dining room.” And they brought it. When the superintendent of the dining room had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not where it came from (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the superintendent of the dining room called the bridegroom and said unto him, “Every man at the beginning does set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse, but you have kept the good wine until now.” This beginning of miracles did Yeshua in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him. After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples, and they continued there not many days. 

Prophetic Points to Analyze:

verse 1— and the third day

verse 1— a marriage

verse 1— in Cana of Galilee

verse 3— wine

verse 6— six water pots of stone

verse 7— water

verse 10— old versus new wine

verse 11— this was the first miracle of Yeshua’s ministry

“And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee …” The phrase “the third day” is a prophetic term meaning “in three thousands years” or “in the third millennia” (cp. Gen 22:4; Exod 19:11; Hos 6:2). In this passage, “the third day” is pointing to the time when there will be a marriage between Yeshua and his bride (the saints, Rev 19:7–9). 

The wedding occurred at Cana of Galilee. Galilee is in the historic homeland of the house of Israel (Ephraim) or Northern Kingdom, yet in the time of Yeshua all the Israelites who lived in the northern part of Israel were called “Jews.” However, some of these could have descended from either of the two houses of Israel. By this time, Ephraim had lost her title as a separate kingdom having been deported as slaves into Assyria. When some from Judah returned from their captivity in Babylon having maintained their Jewish identity, those of the Northern Kingdom still living in the land who joined themselves to Judah likewise became known as “Jews.” Similarly, in the modern Jewish Orthodox religion, if a non-Jew converts to Judaism he becomes adopted into Judah, becomes a “Jew,” and is granted all the rights of a full-blooded descendant of Judah, including the right to immigrate to Israel as a citizen of that nation.

The wedding Yeshua attended was a prophetic shadow of his own wedding that will occur at his second coming just prior to the beginning of the Messianic Era or Millennium. His bride will be neither Jew nor Greek (Gentile), but will be to the one new man, which is a reunited kingdom of Israel or the whole house of Israel (Eph 2:11–19) comprised of both of the houses of Israel and Judah with each being accompanied by their Gentile companions (Ezek 37:15ff); that is, their mixed multitudes including their “Ephraims” and “Manassehs” (who had an Egyptian mother) and their Rahabs and their Ruths (who were totally non-Israelitish).

What is the significance of six stone water pots? Why the change from water to wine? The latter wine was better than the former. The Jewish sages teach that the Torah is equivalent to water stored in clay pots (a metaphor for humanity, with clay pots being the most average of vessels), and that Torah-truth descends drop by drop (like rain) until it is a river (of life). Water stays fresh only in clay (not gold or silver) vessels. Though water grows stale in a pot, Torah never grows stale, for in this regard it is like wine that improves with age. Wine, unlike water, gladdens the heart. So Torah in a human vessel is similar to both water and to wine. Wine is merely enriched water, or Torah at a higher, richer state. At Yeshua’s own wedding, he, who is both the Living Torah-Word of Elohim and the Written Torah-Word, will elevate Elohim’s Torah-Word to a higher state for the enrichment of those attending the wedding supper of the Lamb during the Messianic Age (Millennium). Wine is the fruit of a vineyard. Israel is YHVH’s vineyard182 (Isa 5:1–7; Jer 12:10–11). During the Millennium, he will enjoy the fruits of his labor from his vineyard.

It is significant that this is the first miracle that the Gospels record that Yeshua performed. Indeed, it will require a miracle for the 2700 year old breach between the two houses of Israel to be healed, as well as their breach with their Elohim and his Torah-covenants. Only Messiah Yeshua will be able to heal this rift and bring the two houses back together as prophesied in Ezekiel 37:15–28. The result of reunion will be the formulation of a renewed Torah covenant or marriage agreement (ketubah) with his bride, the restored and reunited people of Israel (Jer 31:31, 33). The fact that this was Yeshua’s first recorded miracle underscores the importance that should be placed on the reunification of the two houses of Israel as a significant part of the gospel message. The “good news” is that of the restored and reunited kingdom of Israel!

 

4 thoughts on “Who is the bride of Yeshua? (The answer many surprise you!)—Part One

  1. Natan, what do you think about Psalm 45 in regard to the marriage of the Lamb.

    180 gallons of plonk is quite some party!

    John

    • Psalm 45 is definitely reminiscent of the Song of Solomon in its tone and is a wonderful picture of our Messiah Bridegroom. There are great depths in this psalm that can be explored.

      This is but one of another of the many prophetic allusions to Yeshua contained in the Tanakh, which we can look back with 20-20 hindsight and clearly see, but were missed by most people in Yeshua’s own day. With this in mind, I wonder how clear or understanding really is about Yeshua and his second coming? I don’t have an answer on this one.

      Psalm 45 also raises our hopes in this dark era in which we all live, as we look forward in faith anticipating the arrival of our Bridegroom King!

      Also, the wine at Yeshua’s wedding party wasn’t grape juice either!

      For 15 years we pastored a congregation that met in a Baptist church until we retired from pastoring going on three years ago. It always amazed me that the church’s bylaws stated that no alcohol could be on the premises, so when doing our Passover seder there, we were forced to use grape juice instead of wine. Many times we held our seder elsewhere because of this ridiculous and unbiblical prohibition. Yet, while the Baptists forbad wine, they regularly cooked ham for their potlucks and church parties. Don’t even get me going on their pagan Xmas and Easter celebrations! It’s always amazing to me how humans are so adept at twisting the Word of Elohim by forbidding what he commands, and permitting and even extolling what he forbids. This is the confused mixture of truth and error, good and evil—the spiritual Babylon out of which YHVH is calling his people—Yeshua’s bride to be. HalleluYah!

  2. Ahmein! and Amen! Brethren, I have ‘Seen the Bride! Yes the virgin beaming with light and smiles burning bright… She is stunning, in the glimpse of her through my own eyes she became very bright… I had to step back and wonder, “can anyone be that lovely?” My entire being lit up like a power station illuminating every spot and wrinkle within me, suddenly I knew i needed cleansing on a whole new level. Actually, the light was so bright within me the spots and wrinkles were manifested. I have seen a preview of her glorious image. She is razor sharp, rock solid, soft and humble to tears and absolutely resolute to chastity to One (Ehad) that she looked at me has tamed me, challenged me and now i know the truth of the Ruach’s word to me in years past, “only authentic celestial Love can redeem man, and this does not come from man but from Elohim only! I have been stunned and overwhelmed by Yael for 9 months; Selah

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