Christ The Bridegroom Daniel 9:2-4, Mark 2:18-22

What I Hope to Cover Overview Traditional Jewish Betrothal Without a bride, there is no bridegroom. Wedding A challenge to the Bride

Metaphor/Type God speaks in pictures. familiar picture. Imagine an engagement ceremony a period of engagement a wedding This is the type of relationship that God wants to have with His people. The Nuptial theme begins with Adam and Eve Genesis (Christ the second Adam) The Old Testament was ”only a shadow of the good things that are coming” in the New Testament. (Hebrews 10:1) It ends with the wedding of the lamb in Revelation

Gold Thread Throughout the Bible

Great Mystery/ Musterion Mega Ephesians 5:31-32 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.” Church: Bride Friends of the Bridegroom Guests of the Bridegroom (The Parable of the Ten Virgins- Matthew 25)

Old Testament "Then I passed by you and saw you, and behold, you were at the time for love; so I spread My skirt over you and covered your nakedness; I also swore to you and entered into a covenant with you so that you became Mine," declares the Lord GOD.(Ezekiel16:6) Exodus 24 Book of the Covenant the blood of the covenant a banquet with God.(A wedding feast)

Israel Commits Adultery/The Golden Calf (Exodus 31) God is angry and hurt God is angry about and hurt by 1000 years of unfaithfulness. God’s Love for Jerusalem Jerusalem’s Harlotry Jerusalem’s Adultery Jerusalem’s Lovers Will Abuse Her Jerusalem More Wicked than Samaria and Sodom But in His great love, He will offer a new covenant. Ezekiel 16 An Everlasting Covenant: “when I provide you an atonement for all you have done,” says the Lord God.” God tells Hosea: marry a prostitute, you can feel what I feel.

New Testament Christ has mediated a new covenant A New exodus. New Mohar The Wedding is : living with Christ in the New Jerusalem

New Testament The Marriage Supper of the Lamb (revelation 19:6-9) for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; Echoes of the five wise virgins: (Matthew 25) They were ready and waiting.

Shiddukhin - Genesis 24:1-2 Preliminary arrangements. Father of the groom selects a bride for his son. “ just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love” (Ephesians 1:4)

Ketubah: marriage contract Genesis 24:52–53 groom makes promises. The bride stipulates dowry Daniel 9:2-4 TheLord, signs a covenant with those who love him and keep his commandments,. “I also swore to you and entered into a covenant with you so that you became Mine," (Ezekiel 16) A contract of ownership. My beloved is mine and I am his; (Song of Solomon 2)

The Church is Bound by A Covenant with Jesus. The Church becomes the property of Jesus. God’s blessings are for those who give themselves over to Christ. They submit to His will is love His Word is the only word that matters. He leads, the Church follows.

Mohar = The Bridal Payment The Bridal Price a gift paid by the groom. a symbol that she belongs to the bridegroom. Betrothal is period of transition.

Bought with a Price “For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body” (1 Corinthians 6:20) Christ has paid a price: The cross. The bride must reciprocate, by showing She no longer belongs to her old family. The old things have passed away. All things are new. You can no longer live by the old standards (see chapter 6, sexual immorality, homosexuality, bickering and fighting) New Lifestyle. She reflects the attributes of her bridegroom. The Glory of Christ I will build my church, (Matthew 16:18) “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Matthew 16:24

Mikveh = The Ritual Immersion “the bride and groom take a ritual immersion, separately, in preparation for betrothal” (Mat. 3: 13-17) 26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless” (Ephesians 5:26–27) Christ’s aspiration for His bride.

Huppah = canopy Both bride and groom come out of their chambers and appear under a canopy This symbolises that they will share one home. “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:3)

Betrothal: qualities forever in righteousness in justice, In lovingkindness in compassion, faithfulness. Then you will know the Lord (Hosea 2:19–20)

The wedding Revelation 21 The New Jerusalem, the Bride of the Lamb “I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people,” We began in a sorry state of loveless nakedness. By the grace of God, as the Bride of the Nuptial Christ, we are transformed into a picture of beauty.

Prenuptial vs Nuptial Bride We began in a sorry state of loveless nakedness. By the grace of God, as the Bride of the Nuptial Christ, we are transformed into a picture of beauty. Ephesians 2:1-10. Before Betrothal After Betrothal Nakedness Clothed in Christ's righteousness were dead in transgression x2 made alive in Christ gratifying the cravings of our flesh   following its desires and thoughts deserving of wrath God's great love and Mercy raised us up with Christ seated us with him in the heavenly realms

Blameless Ready In love Devoted Eternal

Main Lesson Christianity Jesus A Muslim Background Believer posted this on Facebook Christianity Is not a religion of rules, rituals and laws. It is a daily loving relationship with Jesus