@geralduk,
@Grant Melville,
@Major and all other contributors.
Hello there,
I must differ with you, it seems.
Each title given, is given for a purpose, to differentiate, to separate, to give clarity of thought and understanding. '
The wife', '
The Bride', '
The Body'. The Holy Spirit intends that we look at each one separately, and not combine them, for that destroys their purpose.
'The wife' - Ezekiel 16, Jeremiah 2:2; - the nation of Israel is depicted as an unfaithful wife (Jer.3:20), to whom the Lord Himself remains faithful (Ezek.16:60; Jer.31:31,32; Isa. 54:4-6; 62:4,5. ) ; and whom He will restore (Hosea 3:3-5). The old covenant being the marriage contract.
'The bride' - In the day of Israel's blessing one Jewel brighter than the rest will be seen - the remnant of faithful ones who endured throughout the days of Israel's apostasy. See the parable of the One Pearl (Matt.13:46, separate from the 'treasure' of Matt.13:44, which is the nation of Israel) These are God's 'hidden ones' (Psa. 83:3,4).
Right down the ages since the time of Abraham there has been a faithful remnant, spoken of as, '
holy brethren, partakers of the Heavenly Calling', '
who died in faith, not having received the promise' (Isaiah 1:9; Isaiah 11:11,16, Ezek. 9:4-6; 14:22; Joel 2:32; Micah 2:12; Romans 9:27 and 11:5).
The overcomers of the Apocalypse, the 144,000 sealed of the tribes of Israel; and the various companies mentioned in Revelation (12:17; 14:1-5; 15:1-3 and 20:4), all seem to comprise '
the pearl of great price'. These have been through the refining process of trial, like the oyster in the production of a pearl.
In Revelation 21:2, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband, is inhabited by the partakers of the heavenly calling, who like Abraham, desired a better country, that is an heavenly, and for them God has prepared a city (Heb. 11 & 12). An elect remnant: including believing Gentiles during the Acts period; these, along with those previously mentioned comprise - the Bride.
* Many of the Lord's people are accustomed to the doctrine that the 'Bride' and the 'Body' are the same, and it is taken for granted as truth. However, the child of God must be willing to try all things, and bring it to the Word of God for verification.
The Bride and the Body are not one company, each are defined by what is written concerning them, and should be allowed to remain distinct, for truth to be clearly defined.
In Christ Jesus
Chris