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 Bridal Mysticism

Bridal Mysticism... anyone ever heard of it? On another thread someone mentioned it breifly, but I had never heard of it until last week. Then that very day I received a magazine from a discernment ministry, and the main article was about fallen leaders (meaning Christian leaders), allegations of homosexuality (Ted Haggard, Paul Crouch, etc), and how one thing they all seem to have in common is doctrine called "Bridal Mysticism".

I'm just learning about it, altho during my time in the chaotic Charismatic world I heard all of this stuff, but didnt put it all together. The more I read that article I realized I had heard all this before.

Someone please help me explain this doctrine if you know about it. Basically what they teach is that the not only is the church is the "bride of Christ", but each believer is the "bride of Christ". So when I die, I will be married to Jesus.

Sound a little gay? Uh... yes. I never heard it put blatantly like that in any of my time in the Charismatic world, but as with everything else, each false teaching becomes more and more bold.

But I do remember hearing preachers saying things like "you (meaning the individual) are the bride of Christ", and many of the worship songs are "love songs" to Jesus. Songs like "Jesus... lover of my soul". I heard one recently where a man was singing a worship song, and the words were coming from Song of Solomon... and the man was singing "Jesus, I want to feel the kisses of your lips". I believe this was a Vineyard song.

Folks... we (individually) are [b]NOT[/b] the Bride of Christ. We are (individually) joint heirs with Christ. We are adopted sons and daughters.

The CHURCH is the Bride of Christ in a metaphrocial sense. God established marriage to mirror (or shadow) as an example what it will be like when the church (all of us) get to Heaven and are joined together with Jesus. Not the other way around.

I know this sounds disjointed and probably isnt making any sense. I'm still trying to wrap my brain around this whole false doctrine. Thats why I'm asking for someone to step up and help fill in the blanks for me.

Anyway... the premise of the article (which isnt available online) was that perhaps some of these leaders are falling into homosexuality because of bridal mysticism. Personally, I think thats a bit of a stretch. But I'm sure that if someone already has a bent toward homosexuality, this doctrine doesnt help any.

And isnt just like Satan to take a legitimate doctrine and pervert it into something like Bridal Mysticism?

And I understand this is orginally a Catholic doctrine? Anyone know? Could this perhaps explain the high number of Catholic Priests that are gay? (not to mention the satanic vow of abstinence that they take... "forbidding to marry")

I apologize that I cant remember the name of the magazine I read all this in. I'll try and find it and let y'all know the name of it later.

So... I thought this would make a for an interesting discussion.

Krispy

 2007/2/15 13:07
davidt
Member



Joined: 2006/5/21
Posts: 327


 Re: Bridal Mysticism

Much of the doctrine can be pulled out of the Song of Solomon.

I think it is true that God does see His church as beautiful. I also think that this teaching can be brought to an extreme. The word "mysticism" can sound weird but it is really just a communion, fellowship, or intimacy with God. On the one hand many lose the view that God is affectinate to His church and mix up justification with sanctification though in a sense they cannot be seperated. And others turn the grace of God into lasciviousness. Many dangers come from subtle abberations, but as you said they become more and more bold as their power grows.

 2007/2/15 14:35Profile
vico
Member



Joined: 2005/5/25
Posts: 258


 Re:

Has anyone read Hudson Taylor's book "One with Christ"??? Does it have anything to do with this???
I just finished reading it, i was blessed by it. but now that you mention this... i wonder if maybe this was the point he was trying to get across!?!
if any of you have read this book, let me know what you think.

 2007/2/15 15:04Profile
Mattie
Member



Joined: 2004/7/23
Posts: 210


 Re:

While there is much emotionalism and mysticism in contemporary Christendom today, we cannot deny the reality that the church is the Bride of Christ, He is the Bridegroom, and we are awaiting the Marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev 19:9). Throughout the prophetic books God calls Israel His bride and compares His relationship to her as that of a marriage.

Any truth in Scripture can be taken to extremes. That's like saying speaking in tongues is mystical because of the abuse that has been done to that today. But Scripture is clear that tongues is biblical.

So Scripture must be our authority. And it's clear that we are to see Christ's church as a bride

 2007/2/15 15:30Profile
John173
Member



Joined: 2007/1/30
Posts: 289
Omaha

 Re:

[color=000099]Eph 5:31,32 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. [/color]

One key word here is mystery. I disagree that we are not individually the bride, but the problem is trying to teach this as doctrine. The best I can come up with is the idea of the relationship between a husband and wife being the most intimate relationship we can know here on earth, it is so intimate as to be termed "they shall become on e flesh." Part of the problem we have in understanding this relationship as a type of our relationship with Christ is our inability to seperate the physical side of intimacy in marriage out of the equation. Somehow we try to equate this with our relationship to the Lord and get hung up there. The intimacy between a godly man and his godly wife has much more to do with a joining of the heart than it does with joining in the bedroom. My wife is now part of me. And yes this is a mystery. I am now part of Christ, I am joined to Him, and yes, this too is a mystery.

What this means to me is that what ever level of understanding we may have must be imparted by the Holy Spirit. Whatever is in my heart, however it is in my personal understanding, I truly cannot communicate in words, and even what little I do understand, for the most part it remains a mystery.

In the end I must agree that trying to use this as a regular portion of teaching is a mistake. Because we are fallen it is too easy to go way off track and end up falling into sin.

These are just my thoughts. I am not taking up a position or critisizing other members beliefs.

In His Love,

Doug


_________________
Doug Fussell

 2007/2/15 15:43Profile









 Re:

Quote:
While there is much emotionalism and mysticism in contemporary Christendom today, we cannot deny the reality that the church is the Bride of Christ, He is the Bridegroom, and we are awaiting the Marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev 19:9). Throughout the prophetic books God calls Israel His bride and compares His relationship to her as that of a marriage.



I dont disagree with what you've said. I think if you re-read my post you'll see that.

Krispy

 2007/2/15 16:00
Goldminer
Member



Joined: 2006/11/7
Posts: 1178
Alabama

 Re: Bridal Mysticism

It seems to me the problem is going from sex in marriage and thinking that act is carried over into the bride of Christ. I believe we will be one in spirit for the flesh profiteth nothing. It is a spiritual marriage not a fleshly marriage.

I do not believe teaching on the bride of Christ or mysticism brought about sin in these peoples lives, it was the lust of the flesh and leaving the love of God, becoming a bride with filthy clothes. Depising the pure gift of God only to be cast out no longer a bride, unless repentence comes.

I for one am looking forward to the marriage supper of the Lamb and asking God to point out anything in me that makes a black mark on my garments. This requires time in His presence, seeking His face and falling in love with Him in an appropriate way.

As far as mysticism goes I have read just about every book by Madam Jean Guyon, Teresa of Avila, Francios Fenelon, Thomas a'Kempis and John of the Cross, even though I'm not catholic. I have never heard anything weird like this. Just people who loved time alone with their Savior and longed for intimacy with him. There was never any flesh attached to it, in fact they sought to keep the flesh crucified.

We could take any doctine and make a case for deviations. The Lord's supper taken to extreme could cause us to be drunkards or gluttons. We can't blame the doctrine, but our own sinful flesh not being brought under the control of the Holy Spirit.


_________________
KLC

 2007/2/15 16:39Profile
Mattie
Member



Joined: 2004/7/23
Posts: 210


 Re:

Quote:
One key word here is mystery. I disagree that we are not individually the bride, but the problem is trying to teach this as doctrine.



All Scripture is inspired of God. Anything God has placed within His Word, especially what is emphasized consistently should be taught to us. The issue of being a bride plays a significant part in the eternal purpose of the church.

Almost the entire book of Hosea has to do with the issue of God's people acting as a harlot and not acting as His bride

 2007/2/15 17:11Profile
PaulWest
Member



Joined: 2006/6/28
Posts: 3405
Dallas, Texas

 The Mystical Union between Christ and the Saints

Here's how a Puritan would explain this grotesque "Mystic Bride" thing based off a Song of Solomon reference. Notice the utter absence of any sexual connotation; this carnal, wicked abominable thought is replaced, instead, by breathings of holiness and moral purity as Watson teaches the truth of the genuine marital union between Christ and his beloved church.


Mystical Union between Christ and the Saints

"My beloved is mine, and I am his." (Song 2:16)

In this Song of Songs we see the love of Christ and his church running towards each other in a full torrent.

The text contains three general parts:
1. A symbol of affection: "My beloved."
2. A term of appropriation: "is mine."
3. A holy resignation: "I am his."

Doctrine: There is a marital union between Christ and believers. The apostle, having treated at large of marriage, winds up the whole chapter thus: "This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church" (Eph. 5:32). What is closer than union? What sweeter? There is a twofold union with Christ:
1. A natural union. This all men have, Christ having taken their nature on him and not that of the angels (Heb. 2:16). But if there is no more than this natural union, it will give little comfort. Thousands are damned though Christ is united to their nature.

2. A sacred union. By this we are mystically united to Christ. The union with Christ is not personal. If Christ's essence were transfused into the person of a believer, then it would follow that all that a believer does should be meritorious.

But the union between Christ and a saint is:
(a) Federal: "My beloved is mine." God the Father gives the bride; God the Son receives the bride; God the Holy Spirit ties the knot in marriage - he knits our wills to Christ and Christ's love to us.

(b) Effectual. Christ unites himself to his spouse by his graces and influences: "of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace" (John 1:16). Christ makes himself one with the spouse by conveying his image and stamping the impress of his own holiness upon her.

This union with Christ may well be called mystical. It is hard to describe the manner of it. It is hard to show how the soul is united to the body, and how Christ is united to the soul. But though this union is spiritual, it is real. Things in nature often work insensibly, yet really (Eccles. 11:5). We do not see the hand move on the dial, yet it moves. The sun exhales and draws up the vapors of the earth insensibly yet really. So the union between Christ and the soul, though it is imperceptible to the eye of reason, is still real (I Cor. 6:17).

Before this union with Christ there must be a separation. The heart must be separated from all other lovers, as in marriage there is a leaving of father and mother: "Forget your own people, and your father's house." (Psalm.45:10). So there must be a leaving of our former sins, a breaking off the old league with hell before we can be united to Christ. "Ephraim shall say, What have I to do any more with idols?" (Hos. 14:8), or as it is in the Hebrew, "with sorrows." Those sins which were looked on before as lovers, are now sorrows. There must be a divorce before a union.

The purpose of our marital union with Christ is twofold:
1. Co-habitation. This is one purpose of marriage, to live together: "that Christ may dwell in your hearts" (Eph. 2:17). It is not enough to pay Christ a few complimentary visits in his ordinances - hypocrites may do so - but there must be a mutual associating. We must dwell upon the thoughts of Christ: "he that abides in God" (I John 3:24). Married people should not live apart.

2. Fruit bearing: "That you may be married to another; to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God." (Rom. 7:4). The spouse bears the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness (Gal. 5:22). Barrenness is a shame in Christ's spouse.

This marriage union with Christ is the most noble and excellent union:
(a) Christ unites himself to many. In other marriages only one person is taken, but here millions are taken. Otherwise, poor souls might cry out, "Alas! Christ has married So-and-so, but what is that to me? I am left out." No, Christ marries thousands. It is a holy and chaste polygamy. Multitudes of people do not defile this marriage bed. Any poor sinner who brings a humble, believing heart may be married to Christ.

(b) There is a closer union in this holy marriage than there can be in any other. In other marriages, two make one flesh, but Christ and the believer make one spirit: "But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him." (ICor. 6:17). Now as the soul is more excellent than the body, and admits of far greater joy, so this spiritual union brings in more astonishing delights and ravishments than any other marriage relationship is capable of. The joy that flows from the mystical union is unspeakable and full of glory (I Peter 1:8).

(c) This union with Christ never ceases. "Thrice happy they whom an unbroken bond unites" (Horace). Other marriages are soon at an end. Death cuts asunder the marriage knot, but this marital union is eternal. You who are once Christ's spouse shall never again be a widow: "I will betroth you to me forever" (Hosea 2:19). To speak properly, our marriage with Christ begins where other marriages end, at death.

In this life there is only the contract. The Jews had a time set between their engagement and marriage, sometimes a year or more. In this life there is only the engagement and contract; promises are made on both sides, and love passes secretly between Christ and the soul. He gives some smiles of his face, and the soul sends up her sighs and drops tears of love. But all this is only a preliminary work, and something leading up to the marriage. The glorious completing and solemnizing of the marriage is reserved for heaven. There, in heaven, is the marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev. 19:9) and the bed of glory perfumed with love where the souls of the elect shall be perpetually consoling themselves. "Then shall we ever be with the Lord" (I Thess. 4:17). So death merely begins our marriage with Christ.

Application 1: If Christ is the head of the mystical body (Eph. 1:22), then this doctrine beheads the Pope, that man of sin who usurps this prerogative of being the head of the church, and so would defile Christ's marriage bed. What blasphemy this is! Two heads are monstrous. Christ is Head, as he is Husband. There is no vice-husband, no deputy in his place. The Pope is the beast in Revelation (Rev. 13:11). To make him head of the church, what would this be but to set the head of a beast upon the body of a man?

Application 2: If there is such a marital union, let us test whether we are united to Christ:
1. Have we chosen Christ to set our love upon, and is this choice founded on knowledge?

2. Have we consented to the match? It is not enough that Christ is willing to have us, but are we willing to have him? God does not so force salvation upon us that we shall have Christ whether we want to or not. We must consent to have him. Many approve of Christ, but do not give their consent. And this consent must be:
(a) Pure and genuine. We consent to have him for his own worth and excellence: "You are fairer than the sons of men" (Psalm. 45:2).

(b) A present consent: "now is the acceptable time" (2 Cor. 6:2). If we put Christ off with delays and excuses, perhaps he will stop coming. He will leave off wooing. "His spirit shall no longer strive," and then, poor sinner, what will you do? When God's wooing ends, your woes begin.

3. Have we taken Christ? Faith is the bond of the union. Christ is joined to us by his Spirit, and we are joined to him by faith. Faith ties the marriage knot.

4. Have we given ourselves up to Christ? Thus the spouse in the text says, "I am his," as if she had said, "All I have is for the use and service of Christ." Have we made a surrender? Have we given up our name and will to Christ? When the devil solicits by a temptation, do we say, "We are not our own, we are Christ's; our tongues are his, we must not defile them with oaths; our bodies are his temple, we must not pollute them with sin?" If it is so, it is a sign that the Holy Spirit has produced this blessed union between Christ and us.

Application 3: Is there this mystical union? Then from that we may draw many inferences:
1. See the dignity of all true believers. They are joined in marriage with Christ. There is not only assimilation but union; they are not only like Christ but one with Christ. All the saints have this honor. When a king marries a beggar, by virtue of the union she is ennobled and made of the blood royal. As wicked men are united to the prince of darkness, and he settles hell upon them as their inheritance, so the godly are divinely united to Christ, who is King of kings, and Lord of Lords (Rev. 19:16). By virtue of this sacred union the saints are dignified above the angels. Christ is the Lord of the angels, but not their husband.

2. See how happily all the saints are married. They are united to Christ, who is the best Husband, "the Chief among ten thousand" (Song 5:10). Christ is a Husband that cannot be paralleled:
(a) For tender care. The spouse cannot be as considerate of her own soul and credit as Christ is considerate of her: "He cares for you" (I Pet. 5:7). Christ has a debate with himself, consulting and projecting how to carry on the work of our salvation. He transacts all our affairs, he attends to our business as his own. Indeed, he himself is concerned in it. He brings fresh supplies to his spouse. If she wanders out of the way, he guides her. If she stumbles, he holds her by the hand. If she falls, he raises her. If she is dull, he quickens her by his Spirit. If she is perverse, he draws her with cords of love. If she is sad, he comforts her with promises.

(b) For ardent affection. No husband loves like Christ. The Lord says to the people, "I have loved you," and they say, "In what way have you loved us?" (Mal. 1:2). But we cannot say to Christ, "In what way have you loved us?" Christ has given real demonstrations of his love to his spouse. He has sent her his Word, which is a love-letter, and he has given her his Spirit, which is a love-token. Christ loves more than any other husband:
Christ puts a richer robe on his bride: "For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels." (Isa. 61:10).
In this robe, God looks on us as if we had not sinned! This robe is as truly ours to justify us, as it is Christ's to bestow on us. This robe not only covers but adorns. Having on this robe, we are reputed righteous, not only as righteous as angels, but as righteous as Christ: "that we might be made the righteousness of God in him" (2 Cor.5:21).
Christ gives his bride not only his golden garments but his image. He loves her into his own likeness. A husband may have a dear affection for his wife, but he cannot stamp his own image on her. If she is deformed, he may give her a veil to hide it, but he cannot put his beauty on her. But Christ imparts "the beauty of holiness" to his spouse: "Your fame went out among the nations because of your beauty, for it was perfect through My splendor which I had bestowed on you," (Ezek. 16:14). When Christ marries a soul, he makes it lovely: "You are all beautiful, my love" (Song 4:7). Christ never thinks he has loved his spouse enough until he can see his own face in her.
Christ discharges those debts which no other husband can. Our sins are the worst debts we owe. If all the angels should contribute money, they could not pay one of these debts, but Christ frees us from these. He is both a Husband and a Surety. He says to justice what Paul said concerning Onesimus, "But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account." (Philem. 1:18).
Christ has suffered more for his spouse than ever any husband did for a wife. He suffered poverty and ignominy. He who crowned the heavens with stars was himself crowned with thorns. He was called a companion of sinners, so that we might be made companions of angels. He had no regard of his life; he leaped into the sea of his Father's wrath to save his spouse from drowning!
Christ's love does not end with his life. He loves his spouse forever: "I will betroth you to me forever" (Hos. 2:19). Well may the apostle call it "a love which passes knowledge" (Eph. 3:19).

3. See how rich believers are. They have married into the crown of heaven, and by virtue of the marital union all Christ's riches go to believers: "communion is founded in union." Christ communicates his graces (John 1:16). As long as Christ has them, believers shall not be in need. And he communicates his privileges - justification, glorification. He settles a kingdom on his spouse as her inheritance (Heb. 12:28). This is a key to the apostle's riddle, "as having nothing, and yet possessing all things" (2 Cor. 6:10). By virtue of the marriage union, the saints have an interest in all Christ's riches!

4. See how fearful a sin it is to abuse the saints. It is an injury done to Christ, for believers are mystically one with him: "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" (Acts 9:4). When the body was wounded, the Head, being in heaven, cried out. In this sense, men crucify Christ afresh (Heb. 6:6), because what is done to his members is done to him. If Gideon was avenged upon those who slew his brethren, will not Christ much more be avenged on those that wrong his spouse (Judges 8:21)? Will a king tolerate having his treasure rifled, his crown thrown in the dust, his queen beheaded? Will Christ bear with the affronts and injuries done to his bride? The saints are the apple of Christ's eye (Zech. 2:8), and let those who strike at his eye answer for it. Isa 49:26 "I will feed those who oppress you with their own flesh, and they shall be drunk with their own blood as with sweet wine" (Isa.49:26).

5. See the reason why the saints so rejoice in the Word and sacrament, because here they meet with their Husband, Christ. The wife desires to be in the presence of her husband. The ordinances are the chariot in which Christ rides, the lattice through which he looks forth and shows his smiling face. Here Christ displays the banner of love (Song 2:4). The Lord's Supper is nothing other than a pledge and security of that eternal communion which the saints shall have with Christ in heaven. Then he will take the spouse into his bosom. If Christ is so sweet in an ordinance, when we have only short glances and dark glimpses of him by faith, oh then, how delightful and ravishing will his presence be in heaven when we see him face to face and are for ever in his loving embraces!

Application 4: This mystical union affords much comfort to believers in several cases:
1. In the case of the disrespect and unkindness of the world: "in wrath they hate me" (Psalm. 55:3). But though we live in an unkind world, we have a kind Husband: "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you" (John 15:9). What angel can tell how God the Father loves Christ? Yet the Father's love to Christ is made the copy and pattern of Christ's love to his spouse! This love of Christ as far exceeds all created love as the sun outshines the light of a torch. And is not this a matter of comfort? Though the world hates me, Christ still loves me.

2. In the case of weakness of grace. The believer cannot lay hold on Christ, except with a trembling hand. There is a "spirit of infirmity" on him, but oh, weak Christian, here is strong consolation: there is a marital union. You are the spouse of Christ, and he will bear with you as the weaker vessel. Will a husband divorce his wife because she is weak and sickly? No, he will be the more tender with her. Christ hates treachery, but he will pity infirmity. When the spouse is faint and ready to be discouraged, Christ puts his left hand under her head (Song 2:6). This is the spouse's comfort when she is weak. Her Husband can infuse strength into her: "My God shall be my strength" (Isa. 49:5).

3. In the case of death. When believers die, they go to their Husband. Who would not be willing to cross the gulf of death that they might meet with their Husband, Christ? "I desire to loosen anchor" (Phil. 1:23), and be with Christ. What though the way is dirty? We are going to our friend. When a woman is engaged, she longs for the day of marriage. After the saints' funeral, their marriage begins. The body is a prison to the soul. Who would not desire to exchange a prison for a marriage bed? How glad Joseph was to go out of prison to the king's court! God is wise; he lets us meet with changes and troubles here, so that he may wean us from the world and make us long for death. When the soul is divorced from the body, it is married to Christ.

4. In the case of passing sentence at the day of judgment. There is a marriage union and, oh Christian, your Husband shall be your judge! A wife would not fear appearing at the bar if her husband was sitting as judge. What though the devil should bring in many indictments against you? Christ will expunge your sins in his blood. Could he possibly say, "I shall condemn my spouse?" Oh, what a comfort this is! The Husband is judge! Christ cannot pass sentence against his spouse without passing it against himself. For Christ and believers are one.

5. In the case of the saints' suffering. The church of God is exposed in this life to many injuries, but she has a Husband in heaven who is mindful of her and will "turn water into wine" for her. Now it is a time of mourning with the spouse because the Bridegroom is absent (Matt. 9:15). But shortly she shall put off her mourning. Christ will wipe the tears of blood off the cheeks of his spouse: "He will swallow up death forever, and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces" (Isa. 25:8). Christ will comfort his spouse for as much time as she has been afflicted. He will solace her with his love; he will take away the cup of trembling and give her the cup of consolation. And now she shall forget all her sorrows, being called into the banqueting house of heaven and having the banner of Christ's love displayed over her.

Application 5: Let me press several duties upon those who have this marriage union with Christ:
1. Make use of this relationship in two cases:
(a) When the law brings in its indictments against you. The law says, "Here there are so many debts to be paid," and it demands satisfaction. Acknowledge the debt, but turn it all over to your Husband, Christ. It is a maxim in law that the suit must not go against the wife, as long as the husband is living. Tell Satan when he accuses you, "It is true that the debt is mine, but go to my Husband, Christ; he will discharge it." If we took this course, we might relieve ourselves of much trouble. By faith we turn over the debt to our Husband. Believers are not in a state of widowhood but of marriage. Satan will never go to Christ - he knows that justice is satisfied and the debt book cancelled - but he comes to us for the debt so that he may perplex us. We should send him to Christ and then all lawsuits would cease. This is a believer's triumph. When he is guilty in himself, he is worthy in Christ. When he is spotted in himself, he is pure in his Head.

(b) In the case of desertion. Christ may (for reasons best known to himself) step aside for a time: "my beloved had withdrawn himself" (Song 5:6). Do not say, therefore, that Christ has gone for good. It is a fruit of jealousy in a wife, when her husband has left her a while, to think that he has gone from her for good. Every time Christ removes himself out of sight, it is wrong for us to say, "The Lord has forsaken me" (Isa. 49:14). This is jealousy, and it is a wrong done to the love of Christ and the sweetness of this marriage relationship. Christ may forsake his spouse in regards to comfort, but he will not forsake her in regard of union. A husband may be a thousand miles distant from his wife, but he is still a husband. Christ may leave his spouse, but the marriage knot still holds.

2. Rejoice in your Husband, Christ. Has Christ honored you by taking you into the marriage relationship and making you one with himself? This calls for joy. By virtue of the union, believers are sharers with Christ in his riches. It was a custom among the Romans, when the wife was brought home, for her to receive the keys of her husband's house, intimating that the treasure and custody of the house was now committed to her. When Christ brings his bride home to those glorious mansions which he has gone ahead to prepare for her (John 14:2), he will hand over the keys of his treasure to her, and she shall be as rich as heaven can make her! And shall not the spouse rejoice and sing aloud upon her bed (Psalm. 149:5)? Christians, let the times be ever so sad, you may rejoice in your spiritual espousals (Hab. 3:17,18). Let me tell you, it is a sin not to rejoice. You disparage your Husband, Christ.

When a wife is always sighing and weeping, what will others say? "This woman has a bad husband." Is this the fruit of Christ's love to you, to reflect dishonor upon him? A melancholy spouse saddens Christ's heart. I do not deny that Christians should grieve for sins of daily occurrence, but to be always weeping (as if they mourned without hope) is dishonorable to the marriage relationship. "Rejoice in the Lord always" (Phil. 4:4). Rejoicing brings credit to your husband. Christ loves a cheerful bride, and indeed the very purpose of God's making us sad is to make us rejoice. We sow in tears, so that we may reap in joy. The excessive sadness and contrition of the godly will make others afraid to embrace Christ. They will begin to question whether there is that satisfactory joy in religion which is claimed. Oh, you saints of God, do not forget consolation; let others see that you do not regret your choice. It is joy that puts liveliness and activity into a Christian: "the joy of the Lord is your strength" (Neh. 8:10). The soul is swiftest in duty when it is carried on the wings of joy.

3. Adorn this marriage relationship, so that you may be a crown to your husband.
(a) Wear a veil. We read of the spouse's veil (Song 5:7). This veil is humility.
(b) Put on your jewels. These are the graces which for their luster are compared to rows of pearl and chains of gold (Song 1:1O). These precious jewels distinguish Christ's bride from strangers.
(c) Behave as becomes Christ's spouse:
In chastity. Be chaste in your judgments; do not defile yourselves with error. Error adulterates the mind (1 Tim. 6:5). It is one of Satan's artifices first to defile the judgment, then the conscience.
In sanctity. It is not for Christ's spouse to behave like harlots. A naked breast and a wanton tongue do not become a saint. Christ's bride must shine forth in gospel purity, so that she may make her husband fall in love with her. A woman was asked what dowry she brought her husband. She answered that she had no dowry, but she promised to keep herself chaste. So though we can bring Christ no dowry, yet he expects us to keep ourselves pure, not spotting the breasts of our virginity by contagious and scandalous sins.

4. Love your Husband, Christ (Song 2:5). Love him though he is reproached and persecuted. A wife loves her husband when in prison. To inflame your love towards Christ, consider:
(a) Nothing else is fit for you to love. If Christ is your Husband, it is not fit to have other lovers who would make Christ grow jealous.
(b) He is worthy of your love. He is of unparalleled beauty: "altogether lovely" (Song 5:16).
(c) How fervent is Christ's love towards you! He loves you in your worst condition, he loves you in affliction. The goldsmith loves his gold in the furnace. He loves you notwithstanding your fears and blemishes. The saints' infirmities cannot wholly remove Christ's love from them (Jer. 3:1). Oh then, how the spouse should be endeared in her love to Christ! This will be the excellence of heaven. Our love will then be like the sun in its full strength.


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Paul Frederick West

 2007/2/15 19:26Profile
BenWilliams
Member



Joined: 2006/12/11
Posts: 351
El Paso, Texas

 Re: The Mystical Union between Christ and the Saints

Um hello?

Anyone, Why if this is false doctrine is it called "The Marriage Supper of the Lamb" or the "Wedding Feast" or the "Bride of Christ".

[b]Romans 7:4

Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; [u]that ye should be married to another,[/u] even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.[/b]

The Bible does teach that we will be married to Christ, and it doesn't only come from SOS.

As others have said though, it is not marriage like between a man and a woman, it is spiritual marriage.


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Benjamin Williams

 2007/2/16 13:04Profile





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