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

The intriguing Bride is openly spoken about, mysteriously identified and hidden within the passages of the Holy Bible. If this study seems to be long, you might first want to read my brief version called, "Condensed Study of the Bride."

Parables of Jesus

Before beginning to look at various pictures of her and what or who she may be, we first need to understand that when Jesus walked the earth He spoke in parables to get His messages across (Mat 13:10-17, 34-35). Things that had been kept secret from the foundation of the world are revealed within His stories. It may take hours, days and weeks (leading into deep and time consuming studies), and may even take a lifetime to understand all the truths Jesus wants to convey in His parables. Consequently a deep and long study can have its benefits-reaching further into His Word gives us a better understanding, and more of Him (John 15:1-8) to grow by and bear more fruit.

Come unto the Marriage (Mat 22:1-14)

The first parable on beginning to understanding the Bride I would like to consider is found in Matthew 22:1-14 (Luke 14:15-24). The marriage for a king's son has been prepared, and will be furnished with his chosen and with guests. The characters take on assorted roles in various parables.

(Mat 22:1-14 KJV) "And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, {2} The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, {3} And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden ¹ to the wedding: and they would not come. {4} Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. {5} But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: {6} And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. {7} But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. {8} Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. {9} Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. {10} So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. {11} And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: {12} And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. {13} Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. {14} For many are called, but few are chosen."

The parable seems to be about times during the proclamation of the Gospel until the time Jerusalem was destroyed until He comes again to gather together believers and to bring judgment; unlike the times of the parable in Matthew 21:33-41 (Mark 12:1-12), which seems to be during the old covenant until the crucifixion of Christ until He comes again to bring judgment.

Invited

The parable was directed toward the chief priest and Pharisees according to Matthew 21:45-22:1, and began about certain ones who were invited to an already prepared wedding a king had made for his son, who would not come, who made light of it, who went their ways to their daily businesses and who slew the kings other servants. When the king heard, he was angry and sent his armies to destroy those murderers and burned up their city, which could be in reference to when Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 AD (Mat 24:1-2 ²).

The king afterwards sent his servants into the highways and invited to the wedding as many as they find. So they went and gathered together as many as they found, both good and bad, and the wedding was furnished with guests. One man was cast into outer darkness because he did not have on a wedding garment.

Blessed are those invited (bidden, called). Before being accepted, must first be called (Rev 19:9) and accept the invitation, and then to be able to stay must have on the proper wedding garment (Mat 22:12 ³), which seems to be supplied by the king (Rev 3:5).

The information in this study has been removed and re-edited, and will be included in the "Last Trump Gathering Bible Studies Volume Two." Thank you for viewing these studies.

With love in Christ!
Al