The Mystery of the Bride 

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The fish and cross where also used as symbols for the Faithful.

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"No longer do I call you servants, 

for a servant does not know what his master is doing; 

but I have called you friends, 

for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you."
- John 15:15

            A disciple was a general term meaning, a learner, or a pupil of some teacher. The Disciples of Yahshua, were to proclaim the Gospel [the good news] of the Kingdom of YAHWEH, and “to feed MY sheep” (which means teaching the Divine knowledge needed to develop in grace, spiritual knowledge, and GODLY character).

            It has been suggested, that these dozen “called out” disciple's of Yahshua had more impact on world history then any other group of twelve men who have ever lived.  Yahshua did not choose men from “the holier than thou” crowd, and they were not high society types.  They were common working men.  From tentmaker to fisherman, Yahshua “called out” men that generally were not at all refined, cultured or educated.  They were rough men living rough lives, they would use profanity, smelled of fish and were dirty.  Another Disciple was a tax collector, not necessarily the most popular man in town.  They are listed in Matthew 10:1-4; Mark 3:13-19; Luke 6:12-16.  

            A point often missed is that YAHWEH, always as a principal, used plain people to carry out important spiritual missions, and Yahshua did the same.  Today’s social snobbishness would find these ordinary men, who were laborers for a living, and then took up “the work” of preaching a Great Message, unacceptable as ministers.  Not to mention inviting them into your home and listening to their spiritual concepts, and then wanting to join up with them.  Yet they have the highest positions in the church.  The lesson is, YAHWEH judges the heart not outside appearances. 

           When the righteous hearts of the Disciples were empowered by the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, these rough-hewn Galileans, were filled with new boldness and understanding, (Act.ch.2).  Transformed and powered by the Holy Spirit, the Disciples became Apostles, which means sent forth - one chosen and sent with a special commission as an authorized representative of the sender.  They preached with power and boldness, performing healings and miracles.  Their appeal for the faith was irresistible, and their zeal for the Gospel was powerful, inspiring thousands to convert.  

            Ambassadors of the Kingdom is what the true Believers are considered to be (2Cor.5:20).  The prime directive of Ambassadorship: Love your GOD, and love your neighbor.  And, “. . . forgive them for they know not what they do . . .,“ is the motto (Luk.23:34). 

            To be an Ambassador of the Kingdom means you are a Friend of the Kingdom, not a servant to it.  The Believers are considered Friends because of the Divine Knowledge revealed to them, (Jno.15:15).

            The Believers know Satan is the target of this spiritual war not our neighbor, (Eph.6:12).  Satan is the god of this world, and the Believers in our CREATOR are “living in their native lands - but as aliens.” 

            The Believers are “in this world, but not of this world.”  The Believers are citizens of the Heavenly Kingdom of YAHWEH (Phi.3:20), fellow citizens with the Old Testament Saints (Eph.2:19) - under the authority of the Messiah.  They follow local customs in clothing, food, and other aspects of life - but as citizens of the Heavenly Kingdom, they are only passing their days on Earth. 

            Knowin’ is the easy part!  This is not a church of potted plants.  The citizens are Ambassadors of the Kingdom and represent their Government.  This is not a passive role.  It is a pro-active role.  They live by example and share the spiritual truths that they have learned, using clear and simple language - not political style double-talk (Mat.5:37).

            They are “present in the flesh” - but do not live “according to the flesh.”  They obey man's laws - but go beyond that and follow the Heavenly Laws in their own lives.  They are treated with outrageous disrespect - but behave respectfully and bless those in return.  They are dishonored and their names blackened - but they gain glory through dishonor, and their names are cleared in the Heavenly Book of Life.  

The Mystery...

"Behold, I tell you a mystery: 

We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed;"

-1 Corinthians 15:51

             As the scripture says: “Watch . . . and pray to be counted worthy to escape . . .,” Luke 21:36.  “First the dead in Christ, then the living in Christ will be called up to meet Him in the air,” 1Thessalonians 4:16-17.  It may be interesting to note that some humans will never experience death.  This remarkable supernatural event, commonly called the “rapture” by today’s Christians, comes from the Latin word rapere, which means to snatch away or to be caught up.  It is an excellent word describing what the Bible says will happen.

            The first rapture-event described in the Bible is when Enoch was caught up to Heaven before the flood (Gen.5:24).  Another rapture happened with Elijah described in 2Kings 2:17, “Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.”  This belief of a rapture-event is also what numerous documents from the early church leaders (first 300 years) revealed. 

The Rapture is the blessed hope, (Tit.2:13).  

It is the comforting hope, (1The.4:18).  

And it is the purifying hope, (1Jno.3:3).   

            During this Age of Grace, the Messiah is calling out disciples to help Him rule the earth during His Millennium reign.  These called-out ones are known as “the Bride of the Messiah or Christ.”  The true Believers of the Messiah are called three things in the New Testament: The Church, in Acts 2:47.  The Body of Christ, in 1Corinthians 12:13.  And, “the Bride,” in John 3:29.  It refers to a great mystery told as an allegory of a symbolic union of husband and wife in Ephesians 5:25-32.  An allegory, is a story that symbolically represents another meaning other than what is apparently stated.  Yahshua used this teaching technique in His parables, to teach complex Heavenly lessons by comparing them to simple everyday objects.

            (Just for the record, and to avoid confusion, all those humans who did not know the Messiah, or were not chosen by the Him, or chose not commit themselves to the higher Covenants, will sleep until the time of the final Great White Throne Judgment of YAHWEH, after the earthly 1,000 year millennial rule of the Messiah. For more info. click here.)

            The question every Believer ponders is, how many people will be called-out by Yahshua?  Some say tens of millions of people will be called, and the puritans would say the numbers are much smaller. 

            Some say the term Christian has already been ruined by its many pretenders, maybe so, but then every religion has its pretenders and hucksters.  In surveys taken in the United States and Canada almost 80% of the people responded saying they are Christian.  But when asked the following: Do you believe the Bible to be the inspired word of GOD?  Do you study the Bible?  Do you believe in creation?  Do you believe in the virgin birth of Jesus Christ?  Do you believe in His blood atonement for sin?  Then the numbers drop to about 13% of those claiming to be believing Christians. 

            A hint can be found in Yahshuas’ messages to the seven churches in Revelation ch.2-3.  Out of the seven churches only one was commended by Him.  There is one revealing passage in Revelation 3:15-16 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot.  I could wish you were cold or hot.  So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.”  In simpler terms just going through the motions is not enough. (For more info see Ego Religion.)

            Throughout the ages, there are always a lot of debate and doctrine among the Christian churches on how to get to Heaven.  Today, surveys generally show that over 85% of Americans think they will go to Heaven, but only about 40% think their neighbor will get in.  Why does it seem like the standard is always higher for those who live next door? 

            It is a thorny issue, and since I am not compiling the list, we will leave that debate to others . . ..

            YAHWEH knows your heart and HE knows who the Believers are.  When Elijah went out into the desert to escape persecution and said, “I am alone.”  YAHWEH answered, “No, I have 7,000 Believers here” (1Kgs.19:18).  When the Holy Spirit came upon the assembly on Pentecost described in Acts ch.2, HE knew exactly how many Believers there were.  While Paul was teaching at the city of Corinth, he was afraid and thought it was hopeless, but he was told there were Believers there and he should continue his work (Act.18:10).

            The Age of Grace closes when the hinderer (or the "intolerant ones") is removed (2Ths.2:7).  The term hinderer (some Bibles use the word restrainer, Jno.14:8), is a curious word used to describe the Holy Spirit that dwells within the true Believers of Yahshua.  It can be any human being from, any domination, any nation, any ethnic origin, male or female, on the planet Earth.  These are the intolerant ones - fighting for freedom - and they are the only power that is holding back or hindering the dark forces of evil.

            When the hinderer is removed, then the world will propel itself into a period of seven years of tribulation, climaxing when the Conquering Messiah appears to save humanity.  It will be Satan’s last attempt at establishing his New-World-Order.  It will begin under the banner of peace and reform, complete with real convincing spiritual psycho-babble, all leading to a fool’s paradise and certain destruction.  The peace will not last long, and “woe to them that are weak,” this society will turn on itself and many people will die during these years.  This is not the talk of weird conspiracy nuts, shades of this story are in almost every culture.

           Blessed are those who believe with out seeing, (Jon.20:29,1Pet.2:9). People have been seeking His return for many years, but 2Peter 3:9 says the Messiah is not slack concerning his promises.  The Age of Grace remains open so as many Believers as possible may be included in His family.  

"Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come!" 

1 Thessalonians 1:10

            The Rapture: Yahshua’s lesson of the rapture is told in the parable of the fishermen recorded in John 21: 5-12.  As the fishermen pulled in their nets full of fish, so will it be with the called-out ones, caught up out of their earthly world.  They will be in the middle of their daily routines, then all of a sudden caught up in the spiritual net (you have only a moment to stop what you are doing and prepare).  It is called the translation of the body into spirit (1Cor.15:51-53).  Then taken to YAHWEH’S Heaven, and once there no one will drop out of Heaven - “. . . the net was not broken.”

            Bible Believers are accustomed to reading and studying the fantastic supernatural stories which can only be carried out by a higher intelligence.  There is no Biblical reason why this event will not take place.  One can only imagine how the mechanics of such an event would be organized. 

            The records kept by the Angels record humanities history on an individual basis, people must be selected for translation, the location of the chosen humans for translation must be recorded, the temporary collection center above the Earth after translation must be determined, and then transportation with Yahshua to YAHWEH’S Heaven.  It takes more then say, twitching a nose to get these things done.  The ground rules and executive orders are drawn up in the Great White Throne Room, and there will be a lot to do for the community of Angels who carry out these orders, under the supervision of Yahshua.  

            The second question every Believer ponders is, when will the rapture happen?  "The Millennium" is a term meaning "thousand," and it refers to the thousand year reign of the Messiah in connection with His return to Earth.  The belief is that the Messiah will call His believers home before He returns to earth as the Conquering Messiah, but many theologians cannot even decide on the Millennium rule itself.  Revelation ch.20 clearly referrers to the Messiah's thousand year rule six times, and most Jews and Christians agree the Messiah's rule will be an age of blessedness on the Earth.  But because of anti-Semitism, some Christians ignore Scriptures and do not teach the Millennium-rule theory because that is what the Jews believe; they say the Millennium is the present church age - a period of indefinite length.  Still others regard the Millennium as a way of referring to the ages of eternity.  

 Timing of the rapture in relation to the Millennium rule and the Tribulation Period is an item of great debate and contention by Christian theologians, over time it has evolved into three views:

• [1] Pre-tribulation: This is the popular school of thought.  The Believers will be caught up in the air to go with the Messiah suddenly, at any moment, before the Tribulation period begins. 

•  [2] Mid-tribulation: The Believers will remain on the Earth for the first 3 1/2 years of the seven-year Tribulation period, and will be caught up before the last 3 1/2 years (the Great Tribulation) falls upon the human race.

• [3] Post-tribulation: The Believers will continue on the Earth through the Tribulation period.  At the end of the Tribulation, Believers will be caught up to be with the Messiah and immediately return to Earth with Him for the Millennium reign.  They believe the Marriage Supper described in Revelation 19:7-10, will take place after the Messiah’s second coming to Earth. 

"Plan as if the Messiah’s coming is years away,

but live as if He is coming today.”  

The Bride...

            The Bible teaches, the Believers are the children of light . . ., (1Ths.5:3-11), and YAHWEH did not appoint you to wrath (Rev.3:10).  There is no example in the Bible when YAHWEH allowed the righteous to be destroyed by the judgment on the unrighteous.  If one examines the lives of Enoch, Methuselah, Noah, and Lot at Sodom, the pattern of YAHWEH’S judgment throughout human history is unchanging.  First, a Prophet warns of the coming doom.  Next the righteous Believers are removed by YAHWEH from danger.  Finally, the prophesied judgment falls upon those who continue in their sin without repenting. 

            Yahshua told His Disciples that the time of the end would be “as it was in the days of Noah” (Luk.17:26) and that they were to remember the lessons of Lot’s wife (vs.32).  There YAHWEH raptured Enoch to Heaven then protected Noah and his family by sealing them in the Ark before the judgment.  The Angels warned Lot that, despite the terrible sin of Sodom, YAHWEH would not destroy the city until Lot and his family were safely away, and they should not look back. 

            The Wedding Custom: The key to unlocking the mysterious meaning of “the Bride of the Messiah” one must understand the Jewish wedding custom as it was in the time of Yahshua.  This is a remarkable analogy which also helps solve the timing mystery of the rapture.  This is a wonderful Biblical story that is best told by a Jewish Believer because it is their history.  Such a story teller is Zola Levitt and he has a great little book on it called A Christian Love Story - it will be the best few dollars you ever spent.  (See the Links page)

            The Visitation: When a man had chosen the woman he wanted for his bride he left his house and traveled to the house of his perspective bride. 

            By analogy, Yahshua left His FATHER’S House in Heaven and traveled to the home of His perspective bride on Earth. 

            The Covenant Proposal: The man arrives at the woman’s home, with the purpose of establishing a marriage covenant and the purchase price to be paid.  She and her father would take a little time to talk it over and make a decision.

            By analogy, when Yahshua came to Earth he established what is today called The New Testament, which is based on the New Covenant (Jer.31:31-34; Heb.8:8-12).  And this Age of Grace is the time for people to review the Covenant and decide.

            The Cup of the Covenant: After considering his contract, if the terms were suitable, the bride and groom would drink a cup of wine together.  Sometimes called the Cup of Acceptance, this would seal the bargain.

            By analogy, in the New Covenant faith, “the cup” of wine to seal Yahshua’s Covenant was a Rite established at the Passover supper, commonly known as the Communion service at the Last Supper (Mat.26:27-29).

            The Price: After the drink of wine, the groom would make a little speech of his intentions and pay the agreed to price. 

             By analogy, the purchase price He paid for His Bride was the shedding of His own life blood at His death (Act.20:27; 1Cor.6:20).   

"In My Father's house are many mansions; 

if it were not so, I would have told you. 

I go to prepare a place for you. 

And if I go and prepare a place for you,

 I will come again and receive you to Myself; 

that where I am, there you may be also."

- John 14:2,3

            The Separation: After the groom established a covenant and paid the price, they would remain separated for a while.  He would leave her at her home, and return to his father’s house to prepare a beautiful place, a wedding chamber, to receive his bride for the honeymoon and wedding feast.  He did not know how long this would take, usually about a year.  His father would be the one to judge when the project was complete (if it was up to the young man, he would slap something together in a hurry and quickly return for his bride). 

            Meanwhile the bride was now consecrated, set apart and veiled when she went outdoors.  Her manner was discreet.  As a true lady in waiting, she would stay home every night with friends or family.  She would be spending time preparing her trousseau, and making arrangements for her bridesmaids.  She would be watching and waiting.

            By analogy, Yahshua returned to His FATHER’S House and has been away ever since.  He promised His assembly in John 14:1-3, that He had to go and prepare a place to receive His Bride, and He will be back. 

            Meanwhile the Bride of the New Covenant on Earth should also be preparing herself as stated in the parable of the ten virgins (Mat.25:1-13).  The Bride of the Messiah is veiled, “in this world, but not of this world.”  The trousseau of the Bride is learning the way’s of the Messiah’s righteous Kingdom.  The Bride should be watching for the signs and waiting . . .. 

“First the dead in Christ, then the living in Christ 

will be called up to meet Him in the air,”  

-1Thessalonians 4:16-17

            Watching for the Signs: When the father determined his son’s project was completed, the groom would return for his bride on an unannounced night.  That was the thrilling part of romance - the bride never knew exactly what night he would come to steal her away. 

             By analogy, when the FATHER determines the time is fulfilled (Mat.24:36), Yahshua will return for His Bride at an unannounced time.  The rapture is always an imminent event, it could happen at any time.  But Apostle Matthew also says in 25:13, Yahshua gives us signs to watch . . ., to know the seasons . . . (2Tim.3:19).  

"I will come upon you as a thief, 

and you will not know what hour I will come upon you."

- Revelation 3:3

            The Snatching Away: When the groom returned for his bride, he and his male escorts would call out to her from outside her home.  An alert bride would hear the shouting from a distance as they were coming down the street (this would give her a few moments to prepare).  The groom did not go into the house, the bride would quickly ready herself, light her oil lamp, and go outside to meet him. 

             By analogy, Yahshua will not return to Earth for His Bride, but will be just above the Earth in the air.  He, along with the Angels will call to her, “come up hither. . .” (Rev.4:1).  It will be a surprise.  He will come as a thief in the night (Mat.23:43; Luk.12:39; Rev.3:3, 16:15), the Bride will only have a moment to stop her activities and then rise up to meet Him in the air.

            Onto the Father’s House: After the bride, along with her bridesmaids, went outside to meet her groom, the whole wedding party would have a torch light procession to the groom’s house.

            By analogy, Yahshua will greet His Bride above the Earth and they all will return to His FATHER’S House in Heaven.

            The Bridal Chamber: After the bride and groom arrived at the bridal chamber that he prepared at his fathers house, they would go into hiding.  In the privacy of the bridal chamber they would get to know each other, enter into a physical union and consummate the marriage.  They would stay hidden in the bridal chamber for seven days.  

            By analogy, when Yahshua and His Bride arrive at the FATHER’S house they will go into hiding for a period of seven years.  In Yahshuas’ Bridal Chamber is the Judgment Seat where everyone will sit alone with the Messiah (2Cor.5:10).  There they will get to know each other.  Most think their sins will be judged, but their sins are burnt up and forgotten, it will be a review of the righteous deeds one has done in their earthly service (1Cor.3:11-13). 

            We are all as different as snowflakes, and people shape their own destinies.  They will be judged by what they did with the individual gifts given to them, and how they used these gifts as ambassadors in service for the Kingdom (2Cor.5:20).

            For good works and avoiding sin, rewards and crowns are given to the Bride: 

• [1] Ministers and teachers crown, 1Peter 5:1-4; James 3:1.

• [2] Watching for the signs crown, 2Timothy 4:8.

• [3] Running the race faithfully crown, 1Corinthians 9:24-27; James 1:12.

• [4] Winning friends crown, 1Thessalonians 2:19.

• [5] Martyrs crown, Revelation 2:10.

• [6] Special gift to those who overcome false teachings, Revelation 2:17.

            A special gift to those who overcome false teaching proves that not everyone who is called by Yahshua will be called because they keep a perfect theology.  There will not be one human being who will not be surprised when they discover there is more to the theology then they understood from their earthly education.  The Bible says it is important that the Believers should earnestly contend for the true doctrine (Jud.3), because if someone has faith and believes in something, they will want to do the best they can with it.  This reward is given to those that when they discover a new Biblical truth, set their old belief aside and adopt the new found truth. 

            Some are ashamed that they have not done more, they were not given any rewards, yet they are still called to Heaven to serve (1Jno.2:28).

            The unique and special gifts that make up a person’s character, along with the crowns received, will determine a type of rank or position for the individual in the organizational structure of Yahshuas’ government.  

            The Marriage Supper: When the seven days were completed the groom would come out of hiding with his bride, her veil was removed and they would present themselves for all their close friends to see at a joyous wedding feast in the father’s house.

            By analogy, after judgment all the Believers gather together in the Throne Room of YAHWEH and the Bride will lay their crowns at Yahshua’s feet, as a wedding present (Rev.4:10).  They will meet the faithful Believers of Old Testament assembly and wait for the Tribulation martyrs to arrive (Rev.6:9-11).

            The Rapture will trigger the greatest Biblical revival in world history.  As the Biblical revelations are understood, the new converts that will make up this harvest of Believers are called the Tribulation Saints (their numbers will be greater than in the Rapture).  They come to believe in Yahshua after the true assembly has been removed.  These people unfortunately will have to prove their faith with their lives, as it will be these people who will first resist worshiping the Antichrist. 

            They will resist the new satanic global governing system and their ersatz leadership.  They will not accept the future compulsory computer chip implants, and for their rebellious attitude they will be tortured, killed or beheaded (Rev.20:4).  The last Rapture event will be those true Believers of Hebrew blood in Israel (Mat.24:40-41; many mistake this prophecy for the Rapture of Christians, but the Messianic Church was still a hidden mystery when this prophecy was given).  For more info see: Tribulation / Apocalypse prophecies.

            The Bible talks of two churches.  The Local Church was the local earthly believers.  The Universal Church, which is the higher Heavenly church made up of all members of the Heavenly Societies - “angels and strange creatures” - in the Universe, according to the Order of Melchizedek.  Now, with all the human Believers together in the FATHER’S House in Heaven, will begin the first official meeting of the Universal Church, as everyone sits together at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Rev.19:7-8). 

"Come, I will show you the bride--the wife of the Lamb!" 

- Revelation 21:9 

           Leave for their New Home: After the marriage supper the bride and groom would make their first public appearance as they depart his father’s house to live in their own permanent home. 

            By analogy, at the end of the seven years Yahshua will return to Earth as the Conquering Messiah, coming with His Bride and the wedding party for all the world to see.  They will dwell together in a house prepared by Yahshua on Earth for a thousand years, (in the Millennium Temple complex Eze.ch.40-43).  And the Bride will help Yahshua govern the creation during the Millennial reign (Rev.2:26-27, 3:21).

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“And the armies in Heaven,

clothed in fine linen, 

white and clean,

followed Him on white horses.”

- Revelation 19:14  

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From the book  The Mystical Rites of our CREATOR  ISBN 0-9675266-0-4

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