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Context, context, context




Titus 2:11-15 (KJV):  “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,  teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;  looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;  who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.”

As Paul reminds Titus, by his (Paul’s) words we are reminded of the same.  Christ will return to gather those who are in Christ:  “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?” 1 Thessalonians 2:19.  Those who have believed the gospel and are in Christ are referenced as the body, the church, joint heirs, brothers, and sons.  But nowhere that I could find are we called the “bride” or the “bride of Christ”.  In Revelation, a verse is given:  “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 God.” Revelation 19:9.  The word “bride” is given 25x’s and bridegroom given 20x’s; those two words are never given by Paul nor are they used as in a marriage of Christ to the church.  I had always been led to believe that the seven years of tribulation was when there would be the marriage supper in heaven for the bride of Christ, while the Israelites were waiting for the second advent:  but what saith the scriptures?  The context is pertaining to law and not marriage.  

I think there is an amalgamation of scriptures that make these two groups i.e. the Jew and the church the same but when studied out are not portrayed that way in scripture.  Ephesians chapter 5 gives the believer an allegory but not an exact example of how the church is compared; note compared not as is a relationship of husband/wife; man/woman but as a relationship of Christ with the church as man/husband is to woman/wife.  

To know:  “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” John 4:24.  To do that we must learn to:  “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”  2 Timothy 2:15.  I feel that the church’s biggest problem is ignorance and apathy when that is prevalent one will not grow in grace and the knowledge thereof.  The church is content to take what is taught and refuses to search the scriptures with prayer, too exercise faith, being attentive to the Holy Spirit and believing God.  

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