THE BRIDE OF CHRIST

According to Scripture, the 'church' represents those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation. As members of that body, it is important we study the Lord's design for marriage. For it is a picture of our relationship to God's Son ...  

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. Ephesians 5:31-32 

Jesus, the Bridegroom, has sacrificially and lovingly chosen the church to be His bride ... 

Husbands love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it; That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:25-27

In biblical times there was a period in which the bride and groom were separated until the wedding ceremony. This current age of grace is that 'betrothal period' for those who anxiously await Christ's return. We are being sanctified, ready to be united with the One to whom we are pledged. 

At the 'rapture' of the church, all of heaven will celebrate ... 

Let’s rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, because the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has prepared herself. Revelation 19:7

We have an enemy who realizes the spiritual significance of the Lord's blueprint for marriage. Satan has sought to undermine it at every turn because of its importance as a 'type' (Christ's relationship to the church). 

He knows that if a sinner catches even a glimpse of Jesus' love for His own ... the battle for that soul is lost.