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Who is the Messiah’s Bride?
Is “the Bride of Christ” “the Church” or Israel?
Chapter 208, Part 2 Preview: Few people know who the “bride of Christ” (Messiah’s bride) really is. The vast majority believes her to be “the church”, or their church, with only a tiny minority understanding that she is composed of Israelites who “happen” to survive the Great Tribulation; drawn entirely from the last generation of this age! (While Messiah’s Body is drawn from 6,000 years!) The bride will be from all 12 tribes, and she will frequently be as ignorant of her Creator as her ancestors were during the exodus from Egypt! Chances are good that you are among the vast majority who have been taught that the marriage supper is between “Christ” and His “Church”—no questions ever asked. But could it be that the collective “body of Christ” (body of Messiah) marries the collective bride? Might you be part of the bridegroom? Would Messiah wake up with “Leah” instead of “Rachel”? This chapter explains the exact terms of the new marriage covenant that was only summarized in the book of Hebrews! At the right time, Yehovah (God) will “still choose” to marry “Israel”. The New Covenant chapter (Jeremiah 31) is no place to skimp on reading if you really want to know who the bride is!
I want to begin with the two primary “proof texts” allegedly revealing that the Assembly itself is the “Bride of Christ”:
Romans 7:3-4 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. 4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.—KJV
This comes right out and declares that Paul’s “brethren” will marry “Him who was raised from the dead”! But there is a huge flaw in this translation. Actually calling it a translation is a real stretch. The word “ginomai”, Strong’s 1096, that many versions translate as “married” in this lone context is a word that literally means “to become” or “certainly not”. As an illustration, look at some places where Paul used “ginomai” in the book of Romans before he got to Chapter 7. Of the over 600 times that “ginomai” is used, it is only mistranslated as married here, where it is done three times. If married was meant, it would have said gameo, a completely different word.
Romans 1:3...concerning His Son Yeshua [Jesus], who was ‘born’ [ginomai, 1096] a physical descendant of David’s family.—The Gabriel Bible
Romans 2:25 Circumcision is truly advantageous if you live by the Torah, but if you are a Torah breaker, you are essentially a circumcised heathen.
Romans 3:4 Certainly not! Yehovah will be proven truthful even if everyone else is a liar, as the Scriptures say, “So that You can be deemed righteous in Your words and triumph when they judge You.”
Romans 3:6 Certainly not! Otherwise how will Yehovah judge the world?
Romans 3:19 Yet we know that whatever the Torah says applies to those of us who are under “in the realm (sphere) of” the Torah community, so that every mouth will be silenced and so that the whole world will be liable for punishment from Yehovah.
Romans 4:18 Under hopeless circumstances he expected to become the founding father of a commonwealth of nations, as the Scriptures say, “You will have many descendants.
Romans 6:5 If we have been 'planted' in a way resembling His death, then we will also be resurrected as He was.
Translating “ginomai” as “married” was people trying to “help” Elohim (God) make a point that He never made! Also check “ginomai” here. It never means married.
(The following numbers tell you how many times that the Authorized Version translated “ginomai” as “be” or “come to pass” etc.)
AV-be 255, come to pass 82, be made 69, be done 63, come 52, become 47, God forbid + 3361 15, arise 13, have 5, be fulfilled 3, be married to 3, be preferred 3, not tr 14, misc 4, vr done 2; 678
Here is how the passage in question would more accurately be translated. Keep in mind that women were treated differently in those days:
Romans 7:3-4 If while her husband is alive, she appears in public clinging to another man, she would be considered an adulteress, but if her husband dies she is freed from the Torah, relevant to marriage, and would not be an adulteress, tho she is with [1] another man. 4 Now friends, you have also died in regard to the Torah via the body of Messiah, so that you can belong to another [“all one body”] via a resurrection from the dead and yield fruit for Yehovah.
[1] “marriage”, used repeatedly in this context in other Bible versions, isn’t exactly the topic, fidelity is. The actual Greek word for marriage is “gameo.”
“Proof Text” #2
Ephestians 5:22-33 Wives, be submissive to your husbands, as you are to Yehovah. 23 Because the husband is the head of the wife, just as the Messiah is the head of the assembly, [1] He Himself being the Life Giver of His body. 24 And as the assembly is subject to the Messiah, so wives must be submissive to their husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as the Messiah loved His assembly and delivered Himself to death for it, 26 so that He could dedicate it, and cleanse it by washing it in water, and by the written Word. 27 Then He could present it [Aramaic and Greek] to Himself as a radiant assembly, not stained or wrinkled, or anything like that—pure and unblemished. 28 Similarly, husbands should love their wives as they do their own bodies. A man who loves his wife loves himself. 29 No one ever hated their own body. Instead, they nourish and cherish it, as the Messiah does for the assembly. 30 We are parts of His body [2]—His very flesh and bones. 31 That is why a man should leave his father and mother and be “glued” to his wife, and the two will become one body. 32 This is still a great secret. I’m talking about the Messiah and His assembly. 33 Every husband must love his wife as he loves himself, and wives should respect their husbands.
[1] If we learn to be submissive to Yeshua in this life, then we will teach His ways in the Kingdom and people will be submissive to us, as Isaiah 30:20 says: “Yehovah may give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction. But your teachers [yes, it’s plural] won’t be hidden any longer. You’ll see your teachers with your own eyes.” [2] E.W Bullinger clearly understood all of this. It’s far better to be a part of the Bridegroom than the Bride!
(Your version above will likely say “her” rather than “it” to help “make a case for the Bride”. Also compare Green’s Interlinear)
Simply mentioning in this passage that Yeshua’s love for His cherished ones [saints] can be compared to a husband’s love for his wife: Husbands, love your wives, just as the Messiah loved His Assembly, and delivered Himself to death for it” in no way implies that “the Church” will marry Yeshua! To the contrary, this particular analogy explains the “great mystery” that the Assembly of Elohim is to be the supernatural “Body of Messiah”—a part of the Husband! The Assembly is the “One new man”, composed of both Israelites and proselytes, as explained in Ephestians 2:11-16)! This is a proper use of simile: “a figure of speech comparing two unlike things that is often introduced by like or as, (as in cheeks like roses).”
The newly married Israel, “the Lamb’s wife” is the Bride of this “One new man”, as well as Yeshua’s Bride. Being set apart to be married to Yeshua as a wife is with her husband will certainly be cause for celebration. However, to be “sons of Aloha [God]” or “children of Aloha”—“heirs” not brides—sharing “His splendor” with Him in a John 17 way is magnificent beyond human comprehension! Again read what Paul said:
Romans 8:10-17 But if the Messiah is in you, your bodies are as good as dead because of sin, yet your spirits are alive because of righteous thinking and behavior. 11 If the spirit of the One who raised our Sovereign Yeshua Messiah from the dead lives in you, then the One who raised our Sovereign Yeshua Messiah from the dead will also revitalize your mortal bodies by His spirit that lives in you. 12 Friends, we are indebted, but not to human nature. We don’t need to live by that nature. 13 If you live by your sinful nature, you’ll die. But if you put to death mortal practices by the spirit, you’ll live. 14 Those who are led by Yehovah’s spirit are Yehovah’s children. 15 You haven’t received the spirit of bondage to fear again, but you have received the spirit of adoption to sonship [2], so that we now cry “O Elohim, our Elohim.” 16 The spirit herself [3] bears witness to our spirit that we’re Yehovah’s children. 17 If we are children, then we are heirs, Yehovah’s heirs and companion heirs of the inheritance with Yeshua Messiah, so that if we suffer with Him we’ll also share His splendor.
[2] “Huiothesia” is a compound Greek word usually translated as “adoption.” But it is literally “huios” + “tithemi”,—“son making” or “children making.” He’s our Father, not our stepfather! [3] “Likewise in Hebrew thought, Ruach Ha Kodesh was considered a voice sent from on high to speak to the Prophet. Thus, in the Old Testament language of the prophets, She is the ['cherished'] spirit of indwelling [purification] and creativity and is considered as having a feminine power. “He” as a reference to Spirit has been used in theology to match the pronoun for [Yah], yet the Hebrew word ruach is a noun of feminine gender [just as “she” is in Aramaic]. Thus, referring to the ['cherished'] spirit as “she” has some linguistic justification. Denoting Spirit as a feminine principle, the creative principle of life, makes sense ...”—J. J. Hurtak, PhD
Romans 12:4-5 Just as there are many parts in a body, and none of the parts do the same thing. 5 So collectively we’re one body in the Messiah, and all the parts are connected to each other.
1 Corinthians 10:16-17 The cup of thanksgiving that we bless, isn’t it the fellowship of the blood of the Messiah? And the loaf of bread [1] that we break, isn’t it the fellowship of the body of the Messiah? 17 Since there is one loaf of bread, we are all one body, and we are all 'nourished' by the same loaf.
[1] This was not unleavened bread because it was Yeshua’s Supper-Preparation Day for the Passover the next day. That’s why the Greek specifies it was a loaf of risen bread [as in Matthew 4:3 & 14:17]: “from airo; bread (as raised) or a loaf—(shew-)bread, loaf.” It was as thick as a man’s thumb, easily broken not cut, as opposed to the unleavened bread (azumos) that is used the following night at Passover.
Yeshua, and the Chosen form One Body!
Once again in context:
1 Corinthians 12:12-27 Just as a body has many parts, and all of the many parts of the body still form a single body, so it is with the Messiah. 13 Similarly, all of us have been immersed into one body by one spirit, whether Jews or Arameans, whether slaves or free, and we were all allowed a drink into one spirit.
14 The body isn’t one part, but many. 15 If the foot says, “Because I’m not the hand, I’m not part of the body”, would that make it any less a part of the body 16 If the ear says, “Because I’m not the eye, I’m not part of the body, is it because of that not part of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, how would it hear? If it were all ears, how could it smell? 18 But as it is, Yehovah has placed every part of the body where He wants it. 19 If we were all one part, how could we have a body? 20 But now we’re many parts, but still one body.
21 The eye can’t say to the hand, “You aren’t needed”, and the head can’t say to the feet, “You aren’t needed” [2]. 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable. 23 The members of the body that we regard as less honorable are given more honor, and the unpresentable members are indispensable. 24 Our shapely members have no need of honor, because Yehovah has created a structure, a body, and given more honor to the part that is “inferior”, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, and every part should have equal concern for the other parts. 26 This way, when one part is in pain, every member sympathizes, and if another part is praised, every part is praised. 27 Now you are the body of the Messiah, each member is one of the constituent parts of a whole.
The body of the Cherished Ones Can be Composed of Anyone of Any Race.
Ephestians 3:6 so that the nations should be fellow heirs in His inheritance, partakers of His body[2] and the promise revealed thru Him by the Good News,
[2] Both the Etheridge and Murdock translations say “His body” while the Greek translations always say “the body” or “one body”. My speculation is that this was to supply a “proof text” to the idea that the body is “Messiah’s Bride?” the Bride of Christ” rather than the Bridegroom! Especially note chapter 5, verse 30! Interestingly, the Greek ends this verse with “Christ Jesus” rather than “Him”.Messiah is the head of the body; we are the hands and feet and every other part!
Ephestians 4:11-16 He surely gave us envoys, prophets, 'assembly planters', shepherds [1] and teachers,
12 to equip the 'chosen ones' [saints] for the work of serving others—for building up the body of the Messiah
13 UNTIL [2] we all become unified in the faith and in the knowledge of Aloha’s Son—one complete man, measuring up to the full standard of maturity, completely filled with the Messiah.
14 This is so that we won’t be immature—tossed and turned as if by waves and blown away by the strong winds of treacherous doctrines, playing dice against skilled people who “cheat” in order to lead you astray!
15 We should be established in our love, so that everything in us will progress in the Messiah, who is the head.
16 He is precisely fitting all of the body parts together so that every connection is assisted by supernatural energy [Gr. energeia], each member being precisely measured so that the growing body itself is built up thru love. [1] Pastor is a purely Latin word used once in the KJV. I’m not sure why non Catholics would use it. Poimen is translated as “shepherd” 17 times in the KJV, and this one place as “pastors.” “The tasks of a Near Eastern shepherd were:—to watch for enemies trying to attack the sheep—to defend the sheep from attackers—to heal the wounded and sick sheep—to find and rescue lost or trapped sheep—to love them, sharing their lives and so earning their trust.”
Philipptians 1:20 I eagerly hope and expect that I will never have anything to be ashamed of, but with resolute boldness will continue, now as always, to exalt the Messiah in my body, either by my life or by my death.
Colossians 1:21-27 You used to be alienated and have hostile attitudes, because of your evil behavior. 22 But now He has reconciled you by His human body and thru His death, so that He could bring you into His presence, 'pure', faultless and above reproach, 23 as long as you continue to firmly hold onto your convictions, and you don’t abandon the assurance of the Good News that has been heard thruout the whole creation under Heaven, that I, Paul, became a 'deacon' of.
24 I find joy in the suffering that I endure for you. In my body I am filling in whatever is lacking in the Messiah’s afflictions, on behalf of His body, that is, the assembly. 25 I am a 'deacon' commissioned to overseeing the household of Yehovah, entrusted for your benefit to make the Word of Aloha fully known, 26 specifically, the mystery that was hidden for ages and generations, but is now revealed to His 'chosen ones'. 27 Yehovah wanted to reveal the vast wealth and splendor of this mystery thruout the nations, namely, that the Messiah who is in you is the anticipation of our splendor.
Yeshua’s wedding proposal in the wilderness is one that the bride-to-be is not remotely expecting at present. The Two Witnesses (of Revelation 11) will likely be the first to alert the public about the prophesied shotgun wedding of a different sort, where Yeshua’s Bride can abide by the New (Marriage) Covenant, or go wandering off into the wilderness, as clearly explained in Hosea chapters 2 & 3 and Ezekiel 20:30-42, and anyone opposed to the wedding gets well, the ‘shotgun’.
What Was Paul Telling the Corinthians?
The envoys had lived for years as Jewish Israelites, content with the hope of being the National Bride of Yehovah. Their entire focus was summed up in this question: “Master, are You about to restore the Kingdom of Israel to its former state”? It is little wonder that a few of the envoy’s questions would allude to the bond between The Husband and Israel, His bride. Paul said that he wanted to officiate at a “wedding” between the people in Corinth and the Messiah. Is that a good thing? Have a closer look:
2 Corinthians 11:2-4 You see, I have a burning zeal for you—a pure zeal. I have promised you in marriage to a Husband as a chaste virgin. I want to give you away to the Messiah myself [1], 3 because I’m afraid that just as the serpent deceived Eve with his chicanery, in a similar way your minds might be corrupted from the simplicity of the Messiah. 4 Because if someone comes to you proclaiming another Yeshua—one we hadn’t proclaimed, or should you receive a different spirit than the one you received, or a different Good News than the one you accepted, you could easily be persuaded!
[1] This is NOT a commendation for “the Bride of Christ”! With Paul’s confidence that the end was near, an interpretation of v.3-4 and 18-20 etc. is: “You nitwits will fall for any crazy message presented with charisma! I hope to at least help you make ‘second string’, so that you can survive the Tribulation in the flesh (Zechariah 10:9-10), bury the dead (Ezekiel 39:11-16), be married to the land of Israel (Isaiah 62:4-5) and rebuild its cities (Isaiah 61:4)—since your ineptness appears to disqualify you from being immortal Kings and Priests in the Kingdom!”
This is NOT a commendation for “the Bride of Christ”! Paul had serious reservations about the conversion of these Corinthian “gentiles”, as he was expressing all the way thru 2 Corinthians chapters 11,12 and 13! Being confident that the end was near, as they were thinking at the time, he could easily see them being deceived into accepting another “Good News” (Gospel), and accepting “another [a lying] spirit”. I think he was wishing on them bride status, so that when the Kingdom was set up they could at least be grafted in—in the flesh—occupying the land of Israel and living there with their families, much like what my Messianic friends want to do right now! Paul was saying in essence: “You simpletons will fall for any crazy message presented with charisma! I hope that you will at least survive the Great Tribulation in the flesh (Zechariah 10:9-10), bury the dead (Ezekiel 39:11-16), be married to the land of Israel (Isaiah 62:4-5) and rebuild its cities (Isaiah 61:4)—since your incompetence will likely disqualify you from being immortal Kings and Priests in the Kingdom!”
Non Israelites can be grafted into Israel now spiritually and then literally be “born again” into the kingdom, into the spirit realm to rule with the Messiah for a thousand years. Alternatively, Israelites can be grafted into the nation of Israel immediately after the Second Exodus (Jeremiah 16:14-16) and live into the kingdom as flesh and blood humans, learning His ways once they arrive (Ezekiel 20, especially v.33-44).
Acts 7:38 He is the one who was in the assembly [1] in the wilderness with the Messenger who spoke to him and to our ancestors on Mount Sinai, and he is the one who received the words of life to give to us.
[1] The ekklesia (assembly) isn’t a “church”!
Israel broke its first or “Old” marriage Covenant with Elohim, but Elohim promised to make a “new” and “better” marriage covenant with the church—oops, I mean “with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah”.
Hebrews 8:6-8 But now, Yeshua (Jesus) Messiah has been given a superior ministry since He is also the Mediator of a better covenant, one that was founded on better promises than the former.
A Second Covenant
7 If the first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no need for a second one. 8 Finding fault with THEM He said, “The time is coming, says Yehovah, when I’ll enact a New marriage Covenant with the House of Israel and with the House of Judah.
Jeremiah 3:18-22 In those days the House of Judah will live with the House of Israel. You’ll return together from the Land of the North, to the land that I gave to your ancestors as an inheritance.” [This is a rarely noted critical prerequisite factor!]
19 “I said how much I wanted to treat you like My children and give you a desirable land, the most beautiful 'property' of any nation. And I said, ‘You’ll call Me ‘Father’, and never turn away from Me.’ 20 Surely like when a treacherous wife leaves her 'husband', that’s how you’ve been unfaithful with Me, House of Israel,” says Yehovah. 21 A voice is heard on the barren heights, the crying and the pleading of the Israelites, because they have perverted their ways, they’ve forgotten Yehovah their Elohim. 22 “Return you apostate children, and I’ll heal your apostasy.”
Jeremiah 31:1-40 “When That Day Comes*,” declares Yehovah, “I’ll be the Elohim of all the families of Israel, and they’ll be My people.” 2 This is what Yehovah says: “The people who survive the 'war' will find favor in the wilderness. I’ll give rest to the people of Israel.”
3 Yehovah appeared to us long ago and said: “I’ve loved you with an everlasting love, so with faithful love. I’ve drawn you out. 4 I’ll rebuild you, and you’ll be rebuilt, virgin Israel. Again you’ll take up your tambourines and go out dancing joyfully. 5 Once again you’ll plant vineyards on the mountains of Samaria. Those who plant them will enjoy the fruit. 6 There will be a day when the watchmen on the hills of Ephraim will cry, ‘Get up, let’s go up to Zion, to Yehovah our Elohim.’” 7 This is what Yehovah says:
“Sing with joy for Jacob, and shout among the major nations, shout praises and say, ‘Yehovah, save Your people, the survivors of Israel.’ 8 I’ll bring them from the North Country, and gather them from the remotest parts of the earth. Blind and lame people will return as well as expectant mothers and women in labor. A huge crowd will return here. 9 They’ll come with tears of joy, praying as I bring them back. I’ll lead them beside streams of water in a straight path, so they won’t stumble, because I’m a Father to Israel, and Ephraim is My firstborn. 10 “You nations, hear the Word of Yehovah, and announce it in the distant lands beyond the oceans! [Commentary]. Proclaim: The One who scattered Israel will regather him, and protect him like a shepherd does his flock. 11 Yehovah has paid the ransom for Jacob, and reclaimed him from those too strong for him. 12 They’ll come and shout for joy in the elevated place [or height] of Zion. They’ll be beaming over the goodness of Yehovah, over the grain, the new wine, the oil, and over the young of the flock and the herd. Their lives will be like well watered gardens, and they won’t ever be sorrowful again. 13 Then the virgins will celebrate and dance along with young men and the old. I’ll turn their mourning into rejoicing, and comfort them and exchange their sorrow with happiness. 14 I’ll satisfy the priests with abundance, and My people will be satisfied with My goodness,” says Yehovah.
15 This is what Yehovah says: “A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter crying, Rachel crying for her children. She refuses to be comforted for her children, because they no longer exist.” 16 This is what Yehovah says: “Stop crying out, and 'shedding' tears because your work will be rewarded,” says Yehovah. “They’ll return from the land of the enemy. 17 There is hope in your future,” Yehovah says. “Your children will return to their own territory.
18 I’ve surely heard Ephraim moaning to himself, ‘You’ve disciplined me! I was disciplined like a calf unaccustomed to a yoke. Bring me back and restore me, because you are Yehovah my Elohim. 19 After I strayed, I changed the way I thought and acted [repented], and after I was instructed, I 'slapped' my 'butt'. I was ashamed and humiliated because I carried the shame of my youth.’ 20 “Is Ephraim [representative of the ten non-Jewish tribes] My dear son? Is he a pleasant child? As often as I speak against him, I still remember him and passionately yearn for him. I’ll surely have mercy on him,” says Yehovah.
21 Set up road signs, make guideposts. Start thinking about the highway, the same direction that you left from. Return, virgin Israel, return to your cities. 22 How long will you wander from here and there, you apostate daughter? Yehovah has created a new thing in the land, a weak woman will 'overpower' [Clarke’s] a strong man.” 23 This is what Commander Yehovah, the Elohim of Israel, says: “After I return them from captivity they’ll once again repeat these words in the land of Judah and in its cities, ‘Yehovah bless you, home of righteousness, 'special' mountain.’ 24 Judah and all its cities will live there together, along with homesteaders and those who follow their flocks. 25 I satisfy those who are weary, and I refresh everyone who is faint.”
26 At this I awoke and looked around. My sleep had been pleasing. 27 “In days to come,” Yehovah says, “I’ll repopulate [sow] the House of Israel [the “Lost” 10 Tribes] AND the House of Judah with people and animals. 28 Once I oversaw their uprooting and tearing down, their overthrow, destruction and disaster. Now I’ll oversee their building and planting,” says Yehovah. 29 “In those days they’ll no longer say, ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and their children’s teeth are set on edge.’ 30 Instead, everyone will die for their own sins, everyone who eats the sour grapes will have their own teeth set on edge.” 31 Yehovah says: “The time is coming [1], when I’ll make a New [marriage] Covenant with the House of Israel and the House of Judah. 32 It won’t be like the [marriage] Covenant that I made with their ancestors during the time when I took them by the hand led them out of the land of Egypt, since they broke My Covenant, tho I was their Husband,” says Yehovah. 33 “In this [marriage] Covenant that I’ll make with the House of Israel after those days,” Yehovah says, “I’ll put My Torah in the very hearts. I’ll be their Elohim, and they’ll be My people. 34 People will no longer teach their neighbors or their relatives, or ask, ‘Do you know Yehovah’ [the Lord], because they’ll all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them,” says Yehovah. [No more evangelism!] “I’ll forgive their wickedness, and I’ll never again remember their sins.”
35 Yehovah says that He provides the sun to light the day and the 'orderly succession' of the moon and stars to light the night, and He instantaneously calms [U] the raging waves of the sea—Commander Yehovah is His name: 36 “If these fixed conditions ever fail in My presence,” Yehovah says, “then the Israelites will cease to be a nation in My presence forever.” 37 This is what Yehovah says: “If the heavens above can ever be measured, and if the foundation of the earth beneath is ever found, then I would reject all the Israelites for what they’ve done,” says Yehovah.
38 “The time is coming,” Yehovah says, “when the city will be rebuilt for Yehovah from the Hananel Tower to the Corner Gate. 39 The measuring line will stretch from there straight to Gareb Hill, and then turn toward Goah. 40 The whole valley that was covered with dead bodies and ashes, and all of the fields as far as the Kidron Valley, as far as the corner of Horse Gate toward the east, will be 'special' to Yehovah, it will never be uprooted or overthrown again.”
[1] Jeremiah 30 and 31 are one long prophetic monologue about the events to occur at the time of the Second Exodus (Jeremiah 23:7-8), when all 12 tribes of Israel return to the land (not just the Jews!) AND The Time of Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30:7)—better known as the Great Tribulation (Matthew 24:1-22). Not one verse of this 2 chapter prophecy has been fulfilled, including the Torah being written on anyone’s hearts. Why single verse 33 out of all this futuristic context?
When Jerusalem is surveyed and rebuilt, and when Elohim Himself is teaching the neighbors, then the New Covenant is in effect!
Paul explained that the “Old” and “New” covenants were “symbolic” marriage covenants, the first like a “bondwoman” and the other like a “freewoman”. The New Jerusalem is associated with the New Covenant. On the next Jubilee we will have both the New Jerusalem and a New Marriage Covenant.
Galatians 4:22-26 The Scriptures say that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by the free woman. 23 The one by the slave woman was conceived in the normal physical way, but the son by the free woman was in fulfillment of a promise. 24 This is allegorical. It represents the two covenants, Hagar is the one from Mount Sinai who produced bondage. 25 Now Hagar represents Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to present day Jerusalem, and is serving in bondage, she and her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above, in the sky [1] represents the free woman. She is our motherland.
[1] A careful reading of vss. 22-27 shows that the slave woman “corresponds to present-day [first century] Jerusalem” and the original “old” covenant that was still operating within the Temple, while the free woman represents the coming New Jerusalem “above” and the coming New Covenant!
Isaiah 61:7-11 Your shame will be replaced with a double inheritance, and instead of humiliation you’ll shout for joy over your territory. So in your land you’ll own twice as much as the other nations. You’ll have everlasting joy. 8 “Because I, Yehovah, love justice. I hate robbery and injustice. I’ll certainly give you your compensation, and I’ll make an EVERLASTING COVENANT [i.e. The New Covenant] with you. 9 Your descendants will be revealed [2] among the nations, and their descendants among all ethnicities. Everyone who sees them will acknowledge that they are the descendants of the people who Yehovah has blessed.” [Today His people are scorned by the nations].”
10 I will greatly rejoice in Yehovah, I’ll be joyful in my Elohim, because He has clothed me with the clothing of deliverance, He has covered me with a robe of righteousness like a bridegroom [3] serving as a priest wearing a crown, and like a bride [“your descendants”] adorns herself with her jewels. 11 Like the soil pushing up sprouts, and like a garden enabling things that are sown in it to spring up, so the Sovereign Yehovah [“Yeshua”] will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.
[2] Today most of even Judah needs the “lost” tribes of Israel to be revealed to them! [3] At the end of the age, His people will either be figuratively part of Yeshua’s bride or part of the Bridegroom Himself—part of the “one new man”, part of the figurative male “body of Messiah.” There is no word “a” in Hebrew, they are all added in English contextually.Cat vs Dog
Our cat Leila reminds me of Israel returning to their homeland. OK, I’ve had years to come up with this comparison. We had two cats for many years but one recently died. Prior to that, seeing that we were soon to have one lonesome pet we also adopted a very lively little shelter dog named Cooper. Cooper makes a full time job of trying to befriend the old cat Leila, romping around her and playing tag; he’s like the Energizer Bunny—he never quits. The old cat is at her wits end, she just wants to sit there and look pretty. All day long she is in Tribulation, chasing away the dog and pummeling his face with her clawless paws. But he loves it! When I try to cheer her up with kitty treats, Cooper stands directly in front of her leering at the treats, as I stand guard with a rolled up tabloid. Very quickly Leila tires of that and just walks away. Immediately Cooper moves in for the treats. So eventually I came up with a plan to rescue the cat. I simply grabbed her, forced her into a safe land (a separate room) and shoved her face into the treats and held her there until her nose kicked in. Suddenly she quit protesting and realized that there was no dog to bother her, there was tranquility and safety and lots of treats. That’s how it will be with the bride Israel. She won’t know anything about the safe place until she is thrust into it, all other options having been shut off. She will have been chased around for three and a half years in Great Tribulation, and most of her friends will have died. She has no stuff to be preoccupied with, no smart phone, and not much in the any clothes to wear:
Ezekiel 16:38-39 I’ll sentence you like women who commit adultery or shed blood are sentenced. I’ll bring about your bloodshed in wrath and jealousy. 39 I’ll hand you over to your lovers, and they’ll tear down your 'fornication shrines' [JFB], demolish your high places, strip off your clothes, take your beautiful jewels and leave you stark naked.Like a cat being taken by surprise, Israel is also stunned. She doesn’t even remember that she had been married, tho Yehovah remembers it:
Ezekiel 16:58-63 You bear the penalty of your lewdness and your highly detestable things,” declares Yehovah. 59 “This is what the Sovereign YEHOVAH says: I’ll cause what you’ve 'effected'. You 'trashed' your oath in breaking your marriage vows [covenant]. 60 But I’ll remember the marriage vow I made with you in the days of your youth, [the “Old Covenant”] and I’ll
establish an everlasting [New] Covenant with you. 61 Then you’ll remember the way you lived and be ashamed when I return your older and younger sisters to you, and I’ll give them to you as daughters, but not due to My covenant with you. 62 Then I’ll affirm My [marriage] covenant with you, and you’ll realize that I am Yehovah. 63 Then you’ll understand be ashamed, and never 'talk back' again due to your shame, when I’ve forgiven you for everything you’ve done,” declares the Sovereign YEHOVAH. [3] [3] More on this universe changing Messianic marriage is best found in Ezekiel 20 and Jeremiah 31.SPECIAL WEDDING GUESTS: The Wise and Foolish Virgins
The religious “anointed” try to force the identity of the sleeping virgins of Yeshua’s (Jesus’) parable onto the Assembly. I find that conclusion inconceivable! To think that the cherished ones who have the very spirit of Elohim dwelling within them could sleep thru the Tribulation and much of the Day of Yehovah (the “Lord”), right up until the “Bridegroom” comes is simply beyond belief. On the other hand, it is not difficult to imagine that half of Israel, following all of these signs and wonders will have their bodies strewn across the landscape, just as their ancestors bodies were strewn across the wilderness prior to the time when they should have been entering the Promised Land! I believe that just as the bride is all 12 tribes of Israel, these sleeping virgins are nations on good terms with Israel.
Matthew 25:1-13 1 The Kingdom of the Heavens can be compared to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom and the bride [1]. 2 Five of them were wise and five were foolish [2]. 3 The foolish ones brought their lamps, but didn’t bring any (olive) oil with them. 4 But the wise ones brought jars of oil along with their lamps. 5 But since the bridegroom was delayed [3] they were all nodding off to sleep. 6 At midnight someone shouted: ‘The bridegroom is coming, go out to meet him.’ 7 Then all the virgins woke up and prepared their lamps. 8 The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil because our lamps have gone out.’ 9 But the wise replied, ‘We must refuse because there isn’t enough for all of us. Go to the merchants and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 While they were out buying oil, the bridegroom came. Those who were prepared went with him into the wedding hall and the door was shut. 11 Later the other virgins arrived and said, ‘Sovereign, master, open the door for us.’ 12 But he replied, ‘I am certain that I don’t know you.’ 13 So be watching because you don’t know the precise day or hour [4].
[1] A few Greek texts, such as the Diatessaron also mention the bride, as does the Latin Vulgate. This rules out the fantasy that Yeshua will marry all ten virgins (“The church”). No, they are ten bridesmaids! The lamps represent the light of truth. Buying oil represents buying the source of knowledge (Proverbs 23:23—'Yehovah’s' spirit isn’t for sale.) The bride includes the people of Israel (Jeremiah 3:14), the land of Israel (Isaiah 62:4-5) and New Jerusalem, the capital city of Israel (Revelation 21:9-10), but never a church or resurrected believers (Luke 20:35)!
[2] The root word for foolish has to do with: “a. generally mysteries, religious secrets, confided only to the initiated and not to ordinary mortals.” [3] for 2,000 years [4] Even tho “You know that He is near the door!” (24:33)It could be that the ten virgins represent the same people as the ten men of Zechariah. Tho the circumstances are a little different, the timing is exactly the same, and the bride is heading for the New Israel:
Zechariah 8:22-23 Many people and strong nations will come seeking [searching for, to consult] Commander Yehovah in Jerusalem, and pray to Yehovah!’” 23 “Commander Yehovah says that at that time, ten men from every language and nation will take hold of the 'tzitzits' [“tassels”] of a Jew, and say, ‘Let us go with you, because we’ve heard that Elohim is with you.’
If Yeshua’s bride is the nation of Israel, then couldn’t the ten virgins represent people who were not of Israelite descent, but who might be permitted to be grafted into the literal homeland of Israel? Or perhaps they are Israelites who didn’t quite make the cut to be the bride?
Guests at the Wedding
While this final group of people do not have an active role to play in the wedding, they certainly are special friends! While not blood relatives, Ezekiel said they would be like family to Israel—the “black sheep”:
Ezekiel 16:45-63 You are your mother’s daughter who despised her husband her children. You are your sister’s sister, who despised their husbands and children. Your mother was [like] a Hittite, and your father was [like] an Amorite. 46 “Your older sister is Samaria who lives 'north' of you with her daughters; and your younger sister who lives 'south' of you is Sodom with her daughters. 47 You not only 'lived' out their 'lifestyle' and copied their highly detestable things, but as if that were not enough, you became more corrupt than they were! 48 As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign YEHOVAH, your sister Sodom and her daughters have never done what you and your daughters have. 49 This was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and apathetic! She also didn’t 'help' the poor and needy. 50 In their arrogance, they committed highly detestable things before Me, so I removed them when I saw it. 51 “But Samaria didn’t commit half the sins you did! You amplified your highly detestable things more than they did. You’ve made your sisters seem righteous by all the highly detestable things you’ve done. 52 You must bear your own shame, since you’ve been an advocate for your sisters. Your sins are more highly detestable than theirs. They are more righteous that you. So be ashamed, and bear your humiliation, because you’ve made your sisters look righteous by comparison. 53 “I’ll bring them back and restore them from their captivity by bringing back Sodom and her daughters and by bringing back Samaria and her daughters along with your own captives [2], 54 so that you can bear your humiliation and be ashamed of everything that you’ve done as you comfort them! 55 Your sisters, Sodom and her daughters will be restored to their former state, as will Samaria and her daughters to their former states, and you and your daughters will also be returned to your ancient state Israel. 56 You didn’t even mention your sister Sodom’s name in your day of pride, 57 before your wickedness was uncovered. Now you’ve been scorned by the daughters of Edom and all her neighbors, including the daughters of the Philistines—all those surrounding you who despise you. 58 You bear the penalty of your lewdness and your highly detestable things,” declares Yehovah. 59 “This is what the Sovereign YEHOVAH says: I’ll cause what you’ve 'effected'. You 'trashed' your oath in breaking your marriage vows [covenant]. 60 But I’ll remember the marriage vow I made with you in the days of your youth [the “Old Covenant”], and I’ll
establish a [New] Everlasting Covenant with you. 61 Then you’ll remember the way you lived and be ashamed when I return your older and younger sisters to you, and I’ll give them to you as daughters, but not due to My covenant with you. 62 Then I’ll affirm My [marriage] covenant with you, and you’ll realize that I am Yehovah. 63 Then you’ll understand be ashamed, and never 'talk back' again due to your shame, when I’ve forgiven you for everything you’ve done,” declares the Sovereign YEHOVAH. [3] [2] When I checked verses 53-55 in the Douay-Rheims (Catholic) Bible I was skeptical about what it said, until I read the very detailed Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on Ezekiel 16. These, and a close look at the puzzling translation of the Hebrew word shebuth lead to my rendering. The commentary writers acknowledged that they couldn’t explain this. Even some of the people who lived in ancient Sodom may have a bright future, as explained in Are the ‘Unsaved’ Lost? [3] More on this universe changing Messianic marriage is best found in Ezekiel 20 and Jeremiah 31.So here is that Middle East peace accord we’ve been waiting for! The whole neighborhood will be like family! This all starts as explained in Zechariah 14:16-19.
Of course if one of the neighbors comes to the wedding, right out of a barn, figuratively wearing cutoffs and ‘muddy’ boots, typifying their moral behavior, they may need to be eliminated from the gene pool (Matthew 22:12).
Addendum #5
