This is the first of a series that looks at the types
of the bride of Christ in the order that they appear in Scripture.
Eve (Genesis 2) was created as Adam’s “help meet” when God took a rib
out of Adam’s body, which is a type of the bride being taken out of the body of
believers. Adam was put to sleep
and his side was opened when the Lord created Eve. Our bridegroom was also put to
sleep at Calvary and his side was opened.
And just as the Lord wanted Adam to have a bride, He has been longing to
find a bride (another suitable help meet) for His son Christ Jesus.
I was initially taught
that all believers are the bride of Christ.
But when you study Scripture deeply, and pay attention to all of the types that
the Lord has lovingly orchestrated for those who have eyes to see, you realize that
this just does not line up with Scripture.
The parable of the ten
virgins is a perfect example
Many
erroneously preach that five of the virgins were unbelievers. If that were true, they would never have
addressed Jesus as “Lord, Lord” (Matthew 25:11). All the
virgins are saved — and will all have eternal life — yet the door (entrance to the
Millennial Kingdom) is shut to the five who were unwise (see my previous post on this). I believe they may only be able to see the
Kingdom from the outer darkness, which explains why there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
The serpent only deceived
Eve
Adam willingly partook of the fruit,
taking on the sin of his bride so that she would not be alone. It was also the
only way that he could bring about Eve’s redemption (Chitwood, "The Bride in Genesis").
It is such a beautiful
type of the terrible sacrifice that Jesus made for us at Calvary. He was pure and innocent when He took
upon the sin of the world. While Adam
likely suffered great emotional pain after being expelled from the Garden of
Eden, I can’t imagine it comes close to the horrendous physical pain that our
Lord experienced on the cross.
A timely warning
2 Corinthians 11:3 tells us:
But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent
beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted
from the simplicity that is in Christ.
This is a
warning for all preparing brides today — not only for themselves, but also so that they can warn other
believers who are at this very moment being deceived by false doctrines and false Christs, new
age mysticism, and contemplative practices that are being ushered into many churches with open arms.
And now, little children, abide in Him: that, when he
shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his
coming.
(1 John 2:28)
