Brides of Christ (to Nansings)
Thank you for your response to my letter, especially your comments on the story of Isaac and Rebekah. We are on the threshold of the end times and some Biblical brides may help to unveil the impending events, including the Rapture. Below I share some brief points on: Rebekah (Rebecca in NT), Leah, Rachel, Ruth and Orpah.
I know that these thoughts may not concur with the more general Rapture/7 year Tribulation view. However, I do believe strongly in the pre-tribulation Rapture of the Church and the seven years for God perfecting of Israel. The point of difference is the purposes of God in the lead up to the Rapture of the Church, including revival.
One thing you mentioned was that the Blood of Christ is the main agent for purifying the Church. True, but 1 John 3:3 says that he who has the hope of His appearing purifies himself, even as He is pure. Very true of the community of Doves!
Rebecca - the Bride of Christ and the Imminent Rapture
In the story of Rebekah (Genesis 24) - Abraham sends his servant (a type of the Holy Spirit ) to find a bride for Isaac (type of Christ). The bride is taken to Isaac secretly (while the Church is sleeping?) The remnant Church is ready, but arguably most of the broader body of Christ is not. This Rapture of the Bride is imminent!
Leah - the first bride of Jacob (Israel )
This may speak of the left-behind Church - given an opportunity to repent and choose to be married to (support) Israel. Sadly, at present replacement theology (that the church has replaced Israel) is widespread in many parts of the Church.
Rachel - the second bride of Jacob (Israel )
Rachel is a type of the Jews. Leah and Rachel are sisters who are joined through marriage to Christ! Joined together and leaving together in the Rapture of the Church. Leah and Rachel's sons are the origins of the 144 000 witnesses in Revelation.
Ruth - a type of the Gentile Church (bride)
A truly great love story. Ruth left her own country, and followed Naomi - and found her destiny (in the lineage of David and Jesus) by loving Israel. The end-time Church needs to find its true destiny through love for Israel. Ruth works in the barley and wheat harvests.
Orpah - leaving Naomi, Israel and Goliath
Ruth went with Naomi. Orpah left Naomi and returned to her own country (Moab). This may come as a surprise - if you Google who was the mother of Goliath? Rabbinical teachings indicate that Orpah was. I cannot verify this, but see the Wikipedia link below.
Goliath speaks of the one world religion in the end time - mocking Israel and the church that stands with Israel. The good news is that David killed the historical Goliath, and Daniel's Stone will (eventually) conquer the False Prophet and Antichrist!
I know this is a lot to take in, but I have one more thing to share: an amazing golf game and personal confirmation of the Brides of Christ. One thing we may perhaps all agree with: the New Jerusalem comes as a Bride, bringing all those who have gone before.
Personal confirmation - Brides of Christ!
On 3 January 2008 I had an amazing game of golf. I played 12 holes with three birdies on the first nine holes going out (holes 2,3 and 8) and one on the way home (hole 11)! I am a social golfer (a hacker really) and usually I might get one birdie every few years. Four birdies in 12 holes is 'divine' in origin!!!
So what do these birdies have to do with Brides (of Christ)? The clue is the letters. In marriage two become one. The two letter i’s in birdie become one I (Identity), and rearranging the letters gives you Brides!
Personal confirmations are unusual and are not a foundation for our beliefs (this is for the Bible!). Nevertheless this served to illustrate who the Bride is, or who the Brides of Christ are.
Bride one: Rebecca (for Isaac) – taken in the imminent Rapture of the remnant Bride - taken out of the body of Christ (as Eve was taken out of the body of Adam).
Bride two: Leah (for Israel) - left behind church.
Bride three: Rachel (also for Israel) – type of Jews.
Jews and Gentiles joined together and raptured as the Body of Christ (the Church)
Bride four (coming back!!) The New Jerusalem coming to Earth!!
Maranatha! Denis in Canberra