Three Brides of Christ: The Mystery of the Bride Revealed

Based on the Bible Message Three Brides of Christ: Israel, the Church, and New Jerusalem by Scott Mitchell – Unlock the Bible Now!

Three Brides of Christ in Scripture

Scripture reveals a remarkable truth about the bride of Christ. Many believers struggle to reconcile the passages that speak of Israel as a bride, the Church as a bride, and New Jerusalem as the Lamb’s wife. Yet the Word of God is not contradictory. The Lord often teaches through types, shadows, and prophetic pictures, and the subject of the bride is no exception.

The Three Brides of Christ reveal the unfolding plan of God across prophecy, redemption, and eternity. From Israel, to the Church, to New Jerusalem, the Scriptures show how God gathers all things together in Christ according to His eternal purpose. 

Isaiah declared concerning Zion:

“For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.” (Isaiah 62:5, KJV)

The Lord likened Israel unto a bride, yet Israel became unfaithful through spiritual adultery and idolatry. Because of her uncleanness, God gave Israel a bill of divorcement. 

Israel as the First Bride

The first aspect of the Three Brides of Christ is Israel.

Throughout the Old Testament, Israel is portrayed as a wife who departed from the Lord to follow other gods. Hosea’s marriage to Gomer became a living picture of Israel’s unfaithfulness. Israel went after Baal and committed spiritual whoredom against the Lord. 

Jeremiah records that God put away backsliding Israel and gave her a bill of divorce because of adultery:

“I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce.” (Jeremiah 3:8, KJV)

Yet even in judgment, God promised restoration. Hosea prophesied that the Lord would allure Israel into the wilderness and betroth her unto Himself forever in righteousness and faithfulness. 

This restoration points to believing Israel — the remnant that receives Jesus Christ as Messiah during the time of Jacob’s trouble. Revelation 12 describes this woman fleeing into the wilderness while holding the testimony of Jesus Christ. 

This is not the apostate nation that rejected Christ, but the believing remnant that becomes the holy nation foretold by the prophets.

The Little Flock and the Holy Nation

Jesus declared that the kingdom would be taken from unbelieving Israel and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. 

Peter later identified this believing remnant:

“Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation.” (1 Peter 2:9, KJV)

The believing remnant of Israel forms one part of the bride. God did not abandon His promises. He preserved a faithful remnant through Christ.

The Church as the Second Bride

The second aspect of the Three Brides of Christ is the Church, the one new man made up of Jew and Gentile believers.

Paul taught that believers are dead to the law through the body of Christ so they may be married to another — even to Him who was raised from the dead. 

The Church is described as espoused unto Christ as a chaste virgin:

“For I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 11:2, KJV)

The mystery of marriage itself points directly to Christ and His Church. Ephesians 5 reveals that earthly marriage was designed from the beginning as a picture of the relationship between Christ and His bride. 

One New Man in Christ

Paul explained that Gentiles, who were once strangers from the covenants of promise, are brought near by the blood of Christ. The middle wall between Jew and Gentile has been broken down.

“For to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace.” (Ephesians 2:15, KJV)

The Church does not replace Israel. Rather, believing Jews and believing Gentiles are joined together in one body under one Head, the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Jesus hinted at this when He spoke of another fold of sheep:

“And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold.” (John 10:16, KJV)

The believing remnant of Israel and the one new man will ultimately become one flock under one Shepherd. 

New Jerusalem as the Third Bride

The final aspect of the Three Brides of Christ is New Jerusalem.

Revelation 21 reveals the culmination of God’s redemptive plan after the thousand-year reign of Christ:

“And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” (Revelation 21:2, KJV)

Later the angel tells John plainly:

“Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.” (Revelation 21:9, KJV)

Then John is shown the holy city descending from heaven. 

The bride is ultimately gathered together in New Jerusalem during the dispensation of the fullness of times. There the redeemed dwell with Christ forever in the place He prepared for them.

The Marriage Supper of the Lamb

Revelation 19 announces the marriage of the Lamb:

“Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.” (Revelation 19:7, KJV)

Those clothed in Christ’s righteousness will attend the marriage supper of the Lamb. Those without the wedding garment will be cast out. 

Jesus warned through the parables of the wedding feast and the ten virgins that not all who are called will enter in. Only those prepared through faith in Christ will be ready when the Bridegroom comes. 

Preparing for the Bridegroom

The message of the Three Brides of Christ is ultimately a call to readiness.

The Lord Jesus Christ is returning for His bride. Whether viewed through the believing remnant of Israel, the one new man of the Church, or the heavenly city of New Jerusalem, the focus remains the same — redemption through Christ alone.

No man enters the marriage supper without the righteousness of Jesus Christ. No lamp burns without oil. No soul is saved apart from faith in the finished work of the cross.

The Bridegroom is coming.

Now is the time to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved.