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{{bl| ELTBefore Zayin ז }}
{{bl| ELTBefore Zayin ז }}
''...as the bride''


The *ז* (Zayin) represents the bride of Christ, symbolizing the church, which was chosen before the foundation of the world but only revealed in later times. The concept of God's eternal plan for the church, His bride, is revealed progressively throughout Scripture. These verses reflect the truth that the church was predestined, chosen by God, and revealed in due time.
=== The ''ז'' (Zayin) and the Bride of Christ ===
The Hebrew letter ''ז'' (Zayin) symbolizes the bride of Christ, representing the church. This idea reflects God's eternal plan for His bride, chosen before the foundation of the world and revealed after the cross. The concept of the church unfolds throughout Scripture, showing how God's plan was in motion from the beginning but revealed at the perfect time.


== **Verses Supporting the Idea of the Bride Chosen Before the Foundation of the World** ==
[[ Creed ז ]]


1. {{bgw|Ephesians 1:4}} 
Verses About the Bride Chosen Before the Foundation of the World:
  *"For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love..."* 
  - This verse clearly states that believers (the bride) were chosen before the foundation of the world, a part of God's eternal plan to make them holy and blameless in Christ.


2. {{bgw|Ephesians 5:25-27}}  
# '''Ephesians 1:4'''  ''"For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love..."''
  *"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless."*
#* God chose His bride (the church) before the world was created to be holy and blameless. [[ Appendix 14.1 Chosen Before the Foundation of the World ]]
  - Christ's love for the church (His bride) is evident in His sacrificial act. The church, though known in God's plan from the beginning, is progressively being sanctified and prepared for presentation as His holy and blameless bride.
# '''Ephesians 5:25-27''' ''"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her..."''
 
#* This shows Christ's love for the church, which is being prepared to be holy and perfect as His bride. [[ Appendix 14.2 Christ's Sacrificial Love for His Bride ]]
3. {{bgw|1 Peter 1:20}}  
# '''1 Peter 1:20''' ''"He was chosen before the creation of the world but was revealed in these last times for your sake."''
  *"He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake."*
#* Christ's role in God’s eternal plan was established before the world began but revealed later. [[ Appendix 14.3 Christ Chosen Before the Creation of the World ]]
  - This verse refers to Christ being chosen before the foundation of the world, aligning with the concept that God's eternal plan, including the establishment of His bride (the church), was revealed in later times.
# '''Titus 1:2''' ''"In the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time..."''
 
#* God’s promise of eternal life includes His plan for the church, established before time. [[ Appendix 14.4 God's Promise Made Before Time Began ]]
4. {{bgw|Titus 1:2}}  
# '''Revelation 13:8''' ''"...the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world."''
  *"In the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time..."*
#* This shows God’s foreknowledge in planning the church, with names written in the Lamb’s book of life from the beginning. [[ Appendix 14.5 The Lamb Slain from the Creation of the World ]]
  - God's promise of eternal life, including the calling of the bride, was made before the beginning of time, indicating that His plan for the church was established from eternity past.
# '''Colossians 1:26-27''' ''"The mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people..."''
 
#* The church as Christ's bride was a mystery hidden for ages and only revealed in Christ. [[ Appendix 14.6 The Mystery Revealed ]]
5. {{bgw|Revelation 13:8}}  
# '''Matthew 25:1-13''' ''"The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom."''
  *"All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast—all whose names have not been written in the Lamb's book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world."*
#* The parable emphasizes anticipation and the revelation of the bride at the bridegroom's return. [[ Appendix 14.7 The Bride Revealed at the Return of Christ ]]
  - This verse speaks to the foreknowledge and eternal plan of God in choosing the bride of Christ, represented by those whose names were written in the Lamb’s book of life before the foundation of the world.
 
6. {{bgw|Colossians 1:26-27}}  
  *"The mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord's people. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."*
  - The mystery of Christ and His bride, hidden for ages, has been revealed in the New Testament era. The church, the bride, was always part of God's plan, but its revelation came later in God's timing.
 
7. {{bgw|Matthew 25:1-13}}  
  *"At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom."*
  - In the parable of the ten virgins, the bridegroom (representing Christ) is a figure of anticipation, and the bride is revealed at the time of His return. This reflects the church's eventual revelation as the bride of Christ.
 
== **Conclusion** ==
 
The *ז* (Zayin) represents the bride of Christ, the church, which was chosen by God before the foundation of the world but was revealed in later times. These verses emphasize that God's eternal plan for the church, as His bride, was set in motion from the beginning but was progressively revealed in the fullness of time.


----
----


There are many verses in Scripture that align with the idea that the bride of Christ (the church) was chosen before the foundation of the world but was only revealed in later times. Here's a collection of such verses:
=== Discussion Questions ===
Chosen Before the Foundation of the World
 
    Ephesians 1:4-5
    "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will."
        This verse indicates that God chose His bride (believers) in Christ before the world was created.
 
    2 Timothy 1:9
    "He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time."
        God’s purpose for His bride was established before time began.
 
The Bride Hidden and Revealed Later
 
    Colossians 1:26-27
    "The mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."
        The bride was a mystery, hidden for generations, but revealed through Christ.
 
    Romans 16:25-26
    "Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God."
        Paul speaks of the bride’s calling as part of a mystery revealed in Christ.
 
Symbolism of the Bride
 
    Revelation 19:7-8
    "Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear."
        This prophetic vision shows the bride revealed and united with Christ at the culmination of time.
 
    Revelation 21:2
    "I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband."
        The bride, symbolized by the New Jerusalem, is revealed in glory at the end of the age.
 
    Revelation 22:17
    "The Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!' And let the one who hears say, 'Come!' Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life."
        The bride is revealed as the church in partnership with the Spirit, inviting others into God’s eternal plan.
 
Foreshadowing of the Bride in the Old Testament
 
    Genesis 2:22-24
    "Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, 'This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called “woman,” for she was taken out of man.' That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh."
        Eve is a shadow of the bride of Christ, created for Adam, as the church was chosen and created for Christ.


    Isaiah 54:5
# '''Zayin as the Symbol of the Bride'''
    "For your Maker is your husband—the Lord Almighty is his name—the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth."
#* What does it mean that the church, represented by ''ז'' (Zayin), was chosen before the foundation of the world?
        Israel, as a type of the bride, foreshadows the church’s relationship with God as her husband.
#* How does this idea show that the church was always part of God’s eternal plan?
# '''Progressive Revelation of God’s Plan'''
#* Why do you think God’s plan for the church was revealed after the cross rather than earlier?
#* Can you think of other examples in the Bible where God’s plans were revealed over time?
# '''The Mystery of the Church'''
#* Why is the church described as a mystery in the Bible?
#* How does the resurrection of Christ reveal the church's role as His bride?
# '''Scriptural Connections'''
#* How do the verses above show that the church was both chosen and revealed at specific times in history?
#* What can these verses teach us about God’s timing and purpose in His plans?


    Hosea 2:19-20
----The letter ''ז'' (Zayin) reminds us that the church, as Christ's bride, was not an afterthought but an essential part of God’s perfect plan. These questions can help us explore what it means to be chosen by God and how His plans unfold in His perfect timing.
    "I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will acknowledge the Lord."


    God promises a future, eternal betrothal, revealing His redemptive plan for His bride.
[[ Discussion hints: ELTBefore Zayin ז ]]


These verses reflect the eternal nature of God’s choice of the bride, the church, and her progressive revelation through history. L
[[ AI disclosure: ELTBefore Zayin ז ]]

Latest revision as of 11:57, 13 February 2025

ELTBefore Zayin ז [∞]

...as the bride

The ז (Zayin) and the Bride of Christ

The Hebrew letter ז (Zayin) symbolizes the bride of Christ, representing the church. This idea reflects God's eternal plan for His bride, chosen before the foundation of the world and revealed after the cross. The concept of the church unfolds throughout Scripture, showing how God's plan was in motion from the beginning but revealed at the perfect time.

Creed ז

Verses About the Bride Chosen Before the Foundation of the World:

  1. Ephesians 1:4 "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love..."
  2. Ephesians 5:25-27 "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her..."
  3. 1 Peter 1:20 "He was chosen before the creation of the world but was revealed in these last times for your sake."
  4. Titus 1:2 "In the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time..."
  5. Revelation 13:8 "...the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world."
  6. Colossians 1:26-27 "The mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people..."
  7. Matthew 25:1-13 "The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom."

Discussion Questions

  1. Zayin as the Symbol of the Bride
    • What does it mean that the church, represented by ז (Zayin), was chosen before the foundation of the world?
    • How does this idea show that the church was always part of God’s eternal plan?
  2. Progressive Revelation of God’s Plan
    • Why do you think God’s plan for the church was revealed after the cross rather than earlier?
    • Can you think of other examples in the Bible where God’s plans were revealed over time?
  3. The Mystery of the Church
    • Why is the church described as a mystery in the Bible?
    • How does the resurrection of Christ reveal the church's role as His bride?
  4. Scriptural Connections
    • How do the verses above show that the church was both chosen and revealed at specific times in history?
    • What can these verses teach us about God’s timing and purpose in His plans?

The letter ז (Zayin) reminds us that the church, as Christ's bride, was not an afterthought but an essential part of God’s perfect plan. These questions can help us explore what it means to be chosen by God and how His plans unfold in His perfect timing.

Discussion hints: ELTBefore Zayin ז

AI disclosure: ELTBefore Zayin ז

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