View source for As the bride - ז


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One of the big surprises of the cross was the church. It was hidden in the Old Testament scriptures. Israel never expected nor desired Gentiles (en masse) to be included in the group of God's chosen.  It is only after the cross that we can look back and see the promises and prophecies.  For this reason the church is called "The fellowship of the Mystery". <ref>[[Eph 3:9]] And to make all [men] see what [is] the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:</ref>

=Paul teaches how to see the church in prophecy=
''[[Eph 5:32]] This '''is''' a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.''

Paul is not saying that Christ and the church continues to be a mystery. In Greek, some things which are a historical past tense, are rendered in the present tense. This is the case with ''is'' ἐστί esti here even though most translators render it in the present. We know it SHOULD be rendered in the past tense because Paul speaks frequently of the mystery having been made known. <ref>[[Eph 1:9]] Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:</ref> <ref>[[Eph 3:3]] How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,</ref> <ref>Eph 6:19]] ¶ And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,</ref> <ref>[[Col 1:27]] To whom God would make known what [is] the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:</ref>

When Paul is speaking of marriage, he is speaking of Christ and the church because every man and his wife in the OT is a prophetic riddle of Christ and the church. Paul did not impose this meaning upon the OT scriptures. He obtained it by properly reading the mystery contained therein; the mystery revealed in Christ Jesus.

With this little piece of knowledge; this key to the mystery teaching, you are now more qualified than most seminary graduates to properly interpret scripture. Shall we try?

=Women learn in silence=
:''[[1Ti 2:11]] Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.''
You are now the theologian. Does this speak of gender roles? Remember the key: I speak concerning Christ and the church.

How did you do? Women represent the church, the husband represents Christ. The church should learn in silence subjecting themselves to Christ. This is important: we can fill our heads with information, but learning happens when we listen to the Holy Ghost in silence as he reminds us of what we have learned and correlates it to make it sensible.

=Eve came from the side of Adam=
''[[Ge 2:21]] ¶ And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;''
You are the theologian. Does Christ get his bride at the cross, or in the resurrection? Remember also: [[Mt 22:30]] For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.

How did you do? The marriage of the Lamb took place at the cross. The church became the bride of Christ in his resurrection through his death. You are NOW the bride of Christ, not at some future hypothetical time. You are NOW fruitful <ref>[[Ge 1:22]] And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.</ref> by the fruit of the spirit <ref>[[Ga 5:22]] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,</ref> and you and Christ multiply by teaching <ref>[[Mt 28:19]] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:</ref>

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=References=
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