some interpretations are: Israel is, or Jerusalem is the Bride of Christ ~ we do read Jesus is the Bridegroom ~ ~ I've read, too, that since we (the church) are already in Christ, that Jerusalem is the wife soon to be remarried to Jehovah . . your thoughts .. ? . . Here's a data point, Donna: Ephesians 5:29-32 -- For no one has ever hated his own body but he feeds it and takes care of it, just as Christ also does the church, for we are members of his body. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This mystery is great—but I am actually speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Based on my studies of the traditional Jewish wedding, and how the relationship between the Church and Yeshua mirrors every step along the way, I believe the scripture reflects the Church as being the Bride of Christ. If you have never done a study on the Jewish wedding, it is truly fascinating and amazing. It is not like trying to fit square pegs from the scripture into round holes tied to the traditions of men. It fits like a glove. From the Ketubah (bridal contract/covenant), to the Kiddushin (betrothal) to the Mohar (Bride price, His Blood), to the Mattan (Groom's gifts to the bride), to the Shiluhim (Father's gifts to the Bride), to the preparing a place at the father's house, to the unannounced return with a shofar and a shout, to the Nissuin (consummation of the marriage) in the Chupah (bridal chamber) at the groom's father's house for a shabua (period of seven), with the wedding feast in there somewhere. That's us and Jesus. We are currently in the betrothal period. Our Bridegroom has returned to His Father's house to prepare a place for us, precisely as described in John 14:1-3. In ancient days, a betrothed Bride was considered married, even though the marriage was still to be physically consummated. My understanding is that when she went out of her own father's house in the community, while she was waiting for her Bridegroom to return at an unknown time, she would wear a veil to indicate to the whole world that she was unavailable and spoken for. What a beautiful picture and challenge to each of us as the Bride. Do we conduct ourselves in such a way that when the world looks upon us, they can tell our hearts are already spoken for? Awesome stuff.
