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| {{bl| ELTBefore Zayin ז }} | | {{bl| ELTBefore Zayin ז }} |
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| 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) represents the bride of Christ, symbolizing the church, which was chosen before the foundation of the world but only revealed after the cross. 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. |
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| == **Verses Supporting the Idea of the Bride Chosen Before the Foundation of the World** == | | == **Verses Supporting the Idea of the Bride Chosen Before the Foundation of the World** == |
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| 6. {{bgw|Colossians 1:26-27}} | | 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 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. | | - The mystery of Christ and His bride, hidden for ages, has been revealed after the cross. The church, the bride, was always part of God's plan, but its revelation came later in God's timing. |
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| 7. {{bgw|Matthew 25:1-13}} | | 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."* | | *"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. | | - 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 revelation as the bride of Christ. |
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| == **Conclusion** == | | == **Conclusion** == |
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| 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. | | 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 suddenly revealed in the resurrection of Christ. |
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| 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:
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| Chosen Before the Foundation of the World
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| Ephesians 1:4-5
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| "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."
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| This verse indicates that God chose His bride (believers) in Christ before the world was created.
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| 2 Timothy 1:9
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| "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."
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| God’s purpose for His bride was established before time began.
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| The Bride Hidden and Revealed Later
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| Colossians 1:26-27
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| "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."
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| The bride was a mystery, hidden for generations, but revealed through Christ.
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| Romans 16:25-26
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| "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."
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| Paul speaks of the bride’s calling as part of a mystery revealed in Christ.
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| Symbolism of the Bride
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| Revelation 19:7-8
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| "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."
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| This prophetic vision shows the bride revealed and united with Christ at the culmination of time.
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| Revelation 21:2
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| "I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband."
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| The bride, symbolized by the New Jerusalem, is revealed in glory at the end of the age.
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| Revelation 22:17
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| "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."
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| The bride is revealed as the church in partnership with the Spirit, inviting others into God’s eternal plan.
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| Foreshadowing of the Bride in the Old Testament
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| Genesis 2:22-24
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| "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."
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| Eve is a shadow of the bride of Christ, created for Adam, as the church was chosen and created for Christ.
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| Isaiah 54:5
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| "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."
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| Israel, as a type of the bride, foreshadows the church’s relationship with God as her husband.
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| Hosea 2:19-20
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| "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."
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| God promises a future, eternal betrothal, revealing His redemptive plan for His bride.
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| These verses reflect the eternal nature of God’s choice of the bride, the church, and her progressive revelation through history. L
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