The Bride of Christ as Portrayed

in the Traditional Jewish

Wedding

It was up to the father to arrange the marriage of his child, sometimes

even before birth.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual

blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the

world...Ephesians 1:3-4a

The groom would approach the chosen one with a legally

binding contract/covenant that would include the price the

man was willing to pay for his bride.

Worthy art Thou to take the book, and to break its seals; for Thou wast slain, and didst purchase for God with Thy blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. And Thou hast

made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God, and they will reign upon the earth.

Revelation 5:9-10 NASB

The contract was signed when the couple met (possibly for the first time) and shared a glass of wine.

Some form of blessing would be given symbolizing that the covenant

relationship had been established.

And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you; for this is My

blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. But I say to you, I will not drink of this

fruit of the vine from now on until the day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.

Matthew 26:27-29 NASB

At this time, they were considered married. The

groom would return to his father’s house to prepare a

bridal chamber for his bride.

Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would

have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.John 14:1-2 NASB

The bride would begin to wear a veil to show that she was betrothed.

For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin.

2 Corinthians 11:2

Customarily the bride would have an oil lamp

ready for her departure as the groom was to come for

her at night.

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went out to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps. Now while the bridegroom was delaying, they all go drowsy and began to sleep. But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Behold, the bridegroom!

Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the prudent, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the prudent answered, saying, ‘No, there will not be enough for us and you too; go instead to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ And while they

were going away to make the purchase, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut. And later the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open up for

us.’ But he answered and said,‘Truly I say to you, I do not know you.’

Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour.”Matthew 25:1-13 NASB

The bride would also prepare her wedding gown, sometimes from material provided by the groom.

I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of

salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with a

garland, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.Isaiah 61:10 NASB

When the groom’s father declared the time had come, the groom would walk

through the streets in a loud procession, making his way to his bride. When the

bride heard the sound of the trumpet, she would run out the door and meet her

groom in the streets.

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain

shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

The marriage would consist of the reading of the contract and a blessing. The couple would then “honeymoon” for seven days in the bridal chamber built by the groom after which the

groom would present his bride and the marriage feast would begin.

Seven Year TribulationThe day of the Lord is indeed great and very awesome, who can endure it? “Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “Return to Me with all your heart.”

For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness, and relenting of evil. Let the bridegroom come out of his

room and the bride out of her bridal chamber. Joel 2:11b-12a, 13b, 16b NASB

The bride and groom would set up residence together in their own

dwelling.

Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready...Blessed are those who are

invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.Revelation 19:6b,7,9a NASB

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth; ...and I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem,

coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a

bride adorned for her husband.

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the tabernacle

of God is among men, and He shall dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be

among them.

and He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there

shall no longer by any death; there shall no longer be any

mourning, or crying, or pain...

And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all

things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are

faithful and true.Revelation 21:2-5 NASB