Part Six Of - The Bride And BODY OF CHRIST "Revised".

Do You: Believe CHRIST Could Become A Bigamist?

Will CHRIST Have Two Brides In The Future ?

0r, Will CHRIST Have Just One Bride After His Second Coming?

This Message Contains Knowledge Concerning:

No. 1: The 19Th- Ch. Of Revelation.

No. 2: The Bride Of CHRIST. No. 3: The BODY OF CHRIST.

No. 4: The Betrothed Wife Of GOD ... And Much More.

1. Commentary . . . The reader will notice that we have put words in parenthesis in the various Bible verses, this is done to help the student have a better understanding of the old King James language which is often a little bewildering to some folks who are not use to that kind of speech. Therefore, please bear with us as we teach the message. A good idea would be to read your Bible along with each verse we have quoted. It is also very important for the student to look up all the added Bible texts that we have referred to in the Message. This will give the reader much added information! There are many questions one could ask concerning this subject and it seems, many answers. Many different denominations have many different preachers, and many different teachers with many different interpretations, which of course is interpreted according to their own millennial beliefs whether it may be Pre, Post, or Ah-millennial which has a great deal to do with their own Denominational BRAIN-WASHINGS.

2. We are aware that brain washing may be a harsh terminology but nevertheless we must also believe that if the shoe fits then we must wear it. There are literally hundreds if not thousands of different interpretations associated with all the congregational groups in the United States alone, much less the rest of the world. There is said to be at least 400 or more orders in the Roman Catholic Church, that many or more Pentecostal or charismatic groups, over 300 types of Baptists plus many others which we have never heard of. Thus it stands to reason that there is, without any question, a great deal of "BRAIN - WASHING" taught to each denominatioon which pertains to the particular assembly belief, that doesn't quite stand up according to what the Word of GOD teaches. The answer, of course, to all of the above can be found only in our Bible, and to study our Bible we know without any doubt that those great truths inside its covers can never be understood without the help of the HOLY SPIRIT, without the indwelling of the HOLY SPIRIT in the Child of GOD and without a great deal of prayer. Just to read the Bible is not enough, one must study it . . .

3. No. 1: "Systematically, No. 2: Categorically, No. 3: Dispensationally, and No. 4: Chronologically." Without studying in this manner and according to these rules, never can a student progress very far. All the Bible is for us, but not all the Bible is about us. This is one of the first lessons we should comprehend. Another lesson to understand is that when a person such as the Apostle Paul or perhaps the Apostle John is teaching, then we must first ask . . .

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12. While it is great to note the distinctions between the various dispensations and there are many, the word "Church" is an out- standing example of connection that exists between Believers in every age. Abraham, Moses, David and Daniel are to be distinguished from Christians of this BODY OF CHRIST Dispensation. But, there also is a most great and blessed relationship between all of us. They were GOD's Saved Saints and likewise, so are we. They were members of that Congregation in their day; we belong to the present "Congregation [ BODY" ] of this present day the "BODY OF CHRIST."

13. Most denominations believe the present "BODY OF CHRIST" shall become the Bride of CHRIST in the future. The question whether or not the BODY of this present Dispensation is to become the Bride of our LORD, should not represent a serious controversy between Christian groups, or of the many different denominations. It rather represents a difference in the opinions within the different groups. Some believe that the BODY OF CHRIST today will become the Bride of CHRIST and some believe that redeemed Israel, or some segment of redeemed Israel will become His Bride at His Second Coming. This is not strange, since CHRIST and His Saints seem to be so clearly represented as Bridegroom and Bride in both cases. No one can deny that our LORD is presented as a Bridegroom by John the Baptist in his Ministry to Israel;

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16. Commentary . . . And JEHOVAH there, at Sinai, made a Covenant with Israel in which they, in obedience to Him, were to become His "peculiar - [ protected ] treasure:&quuot;

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21. Scripture: "Then said GOD, call his name Lo-am'mi: for you are not My people and I will not be your GOD, { Hosea 1:9 }." =========================

22. { V. 2 } Scripture: "Plead with 'your mother [ Israel,' ] plead: for she is not My wife, neither am I her husband: let her therefore put away her whoredoms out of sight, and her adulteries from between her breasts;

23. { V. 3 }: Lest I strip her naked, and set her as in the day that she was born, and make her as a wilderness, and set her like a dry land, and slay her with thirst.

24. { V. 4 }: And I will not have mercy upon her children; for they be the children of whore-doms, { Hosea 2:2-4 },"

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25. Commentary . . . Read on through { V. 13 }. See { Hosea Ch. 4:12-19; - & - 11:2-7 }. It should be remembered that Scripture teaches that . . . "They are not all Israel which are of Israel " { Romans 9:6 }. For JEHOVAH could not and never would destroy the Israelites who were the remnant - that believed and followed after the LORD. There always was and always will be a true remnant of Hebrew Believers. The divorced nation Israel will be reunited to JEHOVAH and will be completely restored in a much better way than it ever was in times past.

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26. { V. 1 } Scripture: "They say, if a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and 'become another man's [ wife' ] 'shall he [ her husband' ] return unto her again? Shall not that land be greatly polluted? But you have played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to Me, says the LORD."

27. { V. 4 }: "Will you not from this time cry unto Me, My FATHER, you are the guide of my youth?

28. { V. 5 }: Will He 'reserve [ retain' ] His anger for ever? Will He keep it to the end? Behold, you have spoken and done evil things as you could."

29. { V. 20 }: "Surely as a wife treacherously departs from her husband, so have you dealt treacherously with Me, O house of Israel, says the LORD.

30. { V. 21 }: A voice was heard upon the high places, weeping and supplications of the children of Israel: for they have perverted their way, and they have forgotten the LORD their GOD.

31. { V. 22 }: Return, you backsliding children, and I will heal your back-slidings. Behold, we [ redeemed of the nation of Israel from the Tribulation Period ] come unto you, for You are the LORD our GOD, { Jeremiah 3:1,4,5, 20-22 }."

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32. Commentary . . . of the above verses { V. 1, 4-5 }: "If a man put away his wife . . . shall he return unto her again?" Apostate Israel was compared to the divorced wife as represented in the Law { Deuteronomy 24:1-4 }. The Mosaic Law forbade a man to take back his wife if she had married another, even if her second husband had died or divorced her. Adultery pollutes the land, see { Leviticus 18:25,27 }; and Israel had committed spiritual adultery, "played the harlot" with many false gods. She glibly thought she could simply return to the LORD. But not so. "Yet return again to Me." Rather, "Thinkest thou to return? [ Do you think you can return ]?" Third is not an invitation for Israel to return, as seems to be suggested by the Bible text, but a strong rebuke of the idolatrous nation. Could the nation simply return to the LORD after their adulterous harlotry, when the Deuteronomy law forbids it in the physical relationship? Earlier, her idolatry was portrayed with the imagery of an animal; now she is called a harlot. The above { Vs. 4- 5 } . . . "Will you not . . . cry . . . ?" Israel had called upon the LORD, but only with lip service. Even the revival under Josiah was not a heart revival among the people. "You have spoken and done evil." . . . Over and over they promised to repent and return to the LORD; yet they continued in their sins.

33. It's very understandable why JEHOVAH divorced the Hebrews. In Israel's past, she became a nation of bigamists when she went after other husbands. This refers of course to the gods of heathen nations, even King Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, set up idols in the high places of the land so that his idol worshipping wives could bow down to their graven images in their adulterous worship.

34. How easy it became for people to turn aside from the true GOD and become professional back sliders. But JEHOVAH will NEVER change His Mind or annul a given promise. He, as Scripture states, never changes His mind or forgets anything, "He is the same yesterday, today and forever." The everlasting Covenants given to the Hebrew people from the mouth of JEHOVAH will be in the last day fulfilled just as He has promised. The LORD promises that He will restore the nation to Himself once again as a future Bride. { Jeremiah 3:14-19 } says . . .

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35. { V. 14 } Scripture " Turn, O backsliding children [ of the whole 12 tribes ], says the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:

36. { V. 15 }: And I will give you pastors according to My 'heart [ mind' ], which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

37. { V. 16 }: And it shall come to pass, when you are multiplied and increased in the land, in those [ last ] days, says the LORD, 'they [ redeemed Israel' ] shall say no more, the ark of the covenant of the LORD: neither shall it come to mind: neither shall they remember it; neither shall they visit it; neither shall that be done any more.

38. { V. 17 } At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil 'heart [ minds' ].

39. { V. 18 }: In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given for an inheritance unto your fathers.

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40. The above { V. 18 } paraphrased in commentary form . . . "In those days [ during the Millennial reign of MESSIAH ] the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel [ all of the original tribes of the Hebrews will consist of one nation ], and they shall come together out of the land of the "north [ Russia" and out of all other nations from the, north east, north and northwest of Israel proper ] to the land that I have given for an inheritance unto your fathers."

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41. { V. 19 }: But I said, how shall I put you among the children, and give you a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of the nations? And I said, you shall call Me, my FATHER; and 'shall NOT [ ever again' ] turn away from Me, { Jeremiah 3:14-19 }." =========================

42. Commentary . . . The promise of re-gathering is not only to the saved remnant of the people but to the land as well. When JEHOVAH stated that He was married to Israel, in { V. 14 }, He meant that He was literally a husband to the called out nation accomplished according to the tradition of the Hebrew engagement ceremony. This will be explained much better later in this message. { V. 14 } Teaches that there may be only one or two Hebrews in some cities all over the earth, but MESSIAH the future Bridegroom will retrieve all the Israelites wherever they may be at that time and return them back to their future homeland. The remnant that are regathered will be small but they will have leaders among them that are Believers, and who fear and love the LORD. Most of the nation will have refused to follow JESUS at that time and will have accepted the mark of the beast. In { V. 15 } above, MESSIAH will provide pastors or a better translation, "He will provide local civil rulers, literally, shepherds, such as perhaps one of the twelve Apostles who will be obedient to GOD," these will teach them what they need to know concerning the Kingdom reign of CHRIST. See { Matthew 19:27-28 }, which concerns the Apostles during MESSIAH's Millennial reign }.

43. { V. 16 }: The Old Testament prophets refused to accept Israel's divided kingdom as final. And, here in these verses Jeremiah saw the reunification of both Israel { V. 14 } and Judah { V. 18 } This will be a literal return of the Jews to Zion. The words of this passage are too plain and explicit to spiritualize, see { Chs. 30-31 }. "The Ark of the Covenant," in which the Law of GOD was kept, because GOD's Law was written on man's hearts, see { Chs. 31-34 }. Therefore, { V. 16 } above teaches us that the ark of the Covenant we read so much about will be important to the Hebrew no longer, because during the Millennial Reign of the King, MESSIAH Himself will be in the forefront in person. Why covet the Ark when the real LORD is present? In the Millennial Kingdom the Ark will never again be used as GOD's throne, see { Exodus 25:22 }, but it will be from Jerusalem which MESSIAH rules the world { Revelation 21:22 }. This is the last mention of the Ark. After it was brought into the Temple, { 1- Kings 8:6 }, it is not mentioned again in the historical books. It is possible that what was only the testimony of GOD's presence became an obstacle to knowing Him.

44. { V. 17 }: The words "the imagination of their evil heart [ stubbornness" ] will finally be taken away. Apart from Deuteronomy 29:19 - & - Psalms 81:12 }, "Imagination" is found exclusively in { Jeremiah 3:17; - 7:24; - 9:14; - 11:8; - 13:10; - 16:12; - 18:12; - & - 23:17 }. Again we repeat, according to { V. 16 }, and see that Jerusalem, itself, becomes the throne of the LORD and the Word of GOD will go out from that city. During the Millennium, it will be the center of the Hebrew theocracy, and will become the main point of interest of all the nations of this earth. { V. 18 }: Points out that the divided Hebrew nation, consisting of Judah, the southern Kingdom and Israel the northern Kingdom, will be restored for the last time as an eternal nation in fulfillment of the New Covenant. See . . .

45. { Jeremiah 31:31-34 }. { V. 19 }: GOD had expected His people when talking about Him, to say "My FATHER," but they had lived in contempt of their spiritual heritage. Yet JEHOVAH graciously invited them to return. In { V. 18 } you notice that Judah is referred to as a woman. In Hebrew law, daughters did not have the same inheritance as their brothers. But here, the LORD promises a good inheritance if they will only repent. All the above makes very clear that the Hebrews by the spirit of acceptance, by GOD, will become the Bride of JEHOVAH, and will from that day on call JEHOVAH their FATHER and they shall be true to Him forever. Isaiah makes the statement in { Isaiah 54:4-17 } outlined below . . .

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46. { V. 4 }: Scripture "Fear not : for you shall not be ashamed: neither be you confounded; for you shall not be put to shame: for you shall forget the shame of your youth, and shall not remember the reproach of your widowhood any more.

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47. The above { V. 4 } paraphrased in commentary form . . . "Fear not [ divorced nation ]: 'for [ during the Kingdom reign of MESSIAH' ] you shall not be ashamed: neither be you confounded [ and depressed ]; for you shall not be put to shame: for you shall forget the shame of your youth [ when Israel was a young nation, they often refused to obey the LORD ], and shall 'not [ seriously' ] remember the reproach of your widowhood any more.

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48. Commentary . . . CHRIST, who was called JEHOVAH in the O. T. was dead to the nation for several hundred years, and since His birth shone clearly in Matthew, He as Israel's MESSIAH, has continued to be dead to them for the last two millenniums.

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49. { V. 5 }: For your Maker is your husband; the LORD of Hosts is His Name; and your Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; the GOD of the whole earth shall He be called.

50. { V. 6 }: For the LORD has called you as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit and a wife of youth, when you was refused saith your GOD.

51. { V. 7 }: For a "small moment [ two thousand years" ] have I forsaken you; but with great mercies will I gather you.

52. { V. 8 } In a little wrath I hid My face from you for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on you, says the LORD your Redeemer, [ After His second coming ].

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53. The above { Vs. 5-8 } paraphrased in commentary form " . . .

{ 5 }: For your 'Maker [ Christ' who created you ] is your husband; the LORD of Hosts is His Name; and your [ future ] Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; the GOD of the whole earth shall He be called. [ Satan is called the god of this world at the present time ] See { 2- Corinthians 4:4 }.

{ 6 }: For the LORD has called 'you [ Israel' ] as a 'woman [ wife' ] forsaken and grieved in spirit and 'a wife [ wooed and won' ] of youth, when you was refused [ that is, when you were divorced for a period of time, the truth is, the engagement was postponed for a certain period of time until the out-calling of the BODY OF CHRIST was to be completed ] says your GOD.

{ 7 }: For a small moment have I forsaken you [ time is meaningless to GOD ]; but with great mercies will I gather you.

{ 8 } In a little wrath I hid My face from you for a moment [ the small moment is from the beginning of the BODY OF CHRIST to its Rapture ]; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on you, says the LORD your Redeemer, [ After His second coming ].

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54. { V. 9 }: For this is as the waters of Noah unto Me: for as I have sworn [ upon His own self ] that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth, so have I sworn that I would not be 'wroth [ angry' ] with you, nor rebuke you.

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55. Commentary . . . There was nothing higher to swear by than Himself. The ultimate fulfillment awaits the Millennium, since only at that time could GOD say He would never be angry with Israel again. See { Psalm 89:35 }.

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56. { V. 10 }: For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed, But My kindness shall not depart from you, neither shall the Covenant of My peace be removed, says the LORD that has mercy on you.

57. { V. 11 }: O you afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold I will lay your stones with fair colors, and lay your foundations with sapphires.

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58. The above { Vs. 10-11 } paraphrased in commentary form " . . .

{ 10 }: For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed [ we believe by earth- quakes during the Tribulation Period ], See { Revelation 16:17-20 }, But My kindness shall not depart from you, neither shall the Covenant of My peace [ ever ] be removed, says the LORD that has mercy on you.

{ 11 }: O you afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted [ the people persecuted since the nation first began ], behold I will lay your stones with fair colors, and lay your foundations with sapphires. [ During His Kingdom reign ]."

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59. { V. 12 }: And I will make your windows of agates, and your gates of carbuncles, and all your borders of pleasant stones.

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60. Commentary . . . None of us can visualize the beauties of heaven, but the earth, the Hebrews eternal inheritance will also become an actual garden of Eden with a beauty indescribable . . .

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61. { V. 13 }: And all your children, shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of your children.

62. { V. 14 }: In righteousness shall you be established: you shall be far from oppression; for you shall not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near you.

63. { V. 15 }: Behold, they shall surely gather together, but not by Me: whosoever shall gather together against you shall fall for your sake.

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64. The above { Vs. 13-15 } paraphrased in commentary form " . . .

{ 13 }: And all 'your children [ that are born during the Millennium' ], see { Isaiah 65:20 } shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of your children. [ During that thousand year period; Satan will be confined in the pit of hell ] See { Revelation 20:3}.

{ 14 }: In righteousness shall you be established: you shall be far from oppression; for you shall not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near you. [ There will be no demons around to influence people and cause them to be terrified by the wiles of Satan. ]:

{ 15 }: Behold, they [ we believe "they" refers to those at the end of the thousand year Kingdom reign who will be deceived by Satan when he is released from the pit of hell for a short season ] see { Revelation 20:7-10 }, shall surely gather together, but not by Me: whosoever shall gather together against you [ Israel ] shall fall for your sake. [ Satan's last war, but he will fail ].

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65. { V. 16 }: Behold, I have created the smith that blows the coals in the fire [ forge ], and that brings forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy.

66. Commentary . . . GOD gives all people a talent of one type or another. He allows them to create instruments of death and war during the last part of the Kingdom reign when Satan deceives the nations once again. Notice that GOD also has evidently created someone to waste or rather to destroy the arms after they have been created, likely an angel will become the waster.

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67. { V. 17 }: No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of Me, says the LORD, { Isaiah 54:4-17}." =========================

68. The above { 17 } paraphrased in commentary form . . .

"No weapon that is formed against 'you [ Israel,' past, present and future tense ] shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against you in judgment you 'shall condemn [ show to be in the wrong' ]. This [ peace, righteousness, security, triumph over opposition ] is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, [ those in whom the ideal servant of the LORD is reproduced ] and their righteousness is of Me, says the LORD, { Isaiah 54:4-17 }."

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69. Commentary . . . Again we repeat: The full accomplishment of what is described here for Israel awaits the millennial age. Notice also what the Millennium will mean with respect to Jerusalem { Vs. 11-12 }, children { V. 13 }, and security { Vs. 14-17 }. Concerning the above { V. 6-7 }, the Scofield reference Bible says that "A forgiven and restored wife could not be called either a virgin { 2- Corinthians 11:2,3 } or bride." But, this is an erroneous reflection that takes the view that the BODY OF CHRIST of this Dispensation is going to be the future Bride of CHRIST. The view taken here limits the infinite Grace of our LORD, because the prophetic Word of GOD teaches us that, forgetting all of Israel's past, the LORD is going to completely restore the saved Hebrew remnant of the nation as a virgin and as the Bride of MESSIAH.

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70. Scripture: "For as a young man marries a virgin [ 0 Jerusalem ], so shall your sons marry you: and as the Bridegroom rejoices over the Bride, so shall your GOD rejoice over you, { Isaiah 62:5 }."

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71. Commentary . . . [ this is a difficult passage for many to understand. In the Hebrew, "your sons," meaning "your Builder" or "Restorer," i.e. GOD JEHOVAH Himself as MESSIAH will take saved Israel as His Bride at His Second Coming. This entire chapter refers to the Millennial Kingdom with CHRIST as the Bridegroom MESSIAH ]. The Student's Commentary puts it like this . . . "Thy sons" { V. 5 }. By changing the vowel points [ which are not inspired ] in the Hebrew text this word would read "Thy builders," i.e. the plural of majesty for "The Restorer," and thus the correspondence with the name GOD in the last line would be preserved the first and the third lines picturing the Bridegroom, and the second and fourth, the MESSIAH ]." When Israel, as the Betrothed of JEHOVAH spoken of as the wife of JEHOVAH in { Revelation Ch. 19 }, readies herself for the Bridegroom, she is told to . . .

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72. { V. 15 }: Scripture: "Blow the trumpet in Zion, 'sanctify [ set apart' ] a fast [ a day of restraint and humility ], call a solemn assembly.

73. { V. 16 }: Gather the people, 'sanctify [ set apart' ] the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the 'Bridegroom [ Messiah' ] go forth of 'His chamber [ in Heaven' ], and the Bride out of her closet, [ Petra ] { Joel 2:15-16 }."

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74. Commentary . . . Israel's closet," is to be Israel's hiding place in Petra, she has been hiding there from the Antichrist, the One World Government Leader during the last half of the Tribulation Period. Be sure and read all nine parts of our message concerning "The Bride of CHRIST," which will explain the hiding place. During the last three and a half years of the Tribulation Period, a Remnant of Israel will be hiding from the Antichrist in a place we believe is called "PETRA," located south of the Dead Sea in southwestern Jordan. Israel, the Betrothed of God, will come out of her closet or hiding place to meet her Bridegroom Who has just left from setting at the right hand of GOD the Father in Heaven, and now as MESSIAH returns to accept His Bride who as the saved remnant of Israel and have just come out of the great Tribulation Period!

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75. { V. 27 }: Scripture: "And you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your GOD, and none else: and My people shall never be ashamed.

76. { V. 32 }: And it shall come to pass, that whoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be 'delivered [ saved' ]: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance [ for those who escape ], as the LORD has said, and [ among ] the Remnant [ of survivors shall be those ] whom the LORD shall call, { Joel 2:27, - & - 32 }." . . . See { Acts 2:17-21; - & - Romans 10:13 }.

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77. Commentary . . . Israel's blessed hope will be complete in that day. Therefore, restored Israel and MESSIAH the KING of glory are represented as the Bridegroom and His Bride. John the Baptist, doubtless, hoped that these prophecies would be fulfilled in his day, for he sought to get Israel to repent and fall in love with CHRIST their MESSIAH. There are those who argue, technically, from { John 3:29 }, that John himself could not be a member of the Bride of CHRIST, and they miss the whole point of his message. It was in response to the questions of those who thought that John might be the MESSIAH that he replied:

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78. { V. 28 }: Scripture: "You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am 'NOT' the CHRIST, but that I am sent before Him.

79. { V. 29 }: He that has the Bride is the Bridegroom: but the friend of the Bridegroom, which stands and hears Him, rejoices greatly because of the Bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled, { John 3:28-29}."

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80. The above two verses paraphrased in commentary form . . . "

{ 28 }: You yourselves are my witnesses . . . you personally bear me out . . . that I state, I am not the CHRIST, the anointed One, the MESSIAH; but I have [ only ] been sent before Him . . . in advance of Him, as His appointed forerunner, His messenger, His announcer, see { Malachi 3:1. }

{ 29 }: He who has the bride is the Bridegroom; but the groomsman, who stands by and listens to him, rejoices greatly and heartily on account of the Bridegrooms voice. This then is my pleasure and joy, and it is now complete. See { Song of Solomon 5:1 }.

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81. Commentary . . . And then John described himself as "The friend of the Bridegroom," standing by and rejoicing as the multitude of Hebrews went rushing after CHRIST. We must remember this was during the 69th week of Daniel's prophecy, almost two thousand years before CHRIST as MESSIAH the KING would finally take Israel as His Bride. See { Daniel 9:25-27 }, of course John the Baptist will be included with those other prophets of old, and they all being Believers, will be included into the Bride. Our LORD presented Himself to the Hebrew nation as their Bridegroom in His statement that "The Bridegroom with them":

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82. Scripture: "JESUS said unto them, can the children of the Bride chamber mourn, as long as the Bridegroom is with them? But, the days will come when the Bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast { Matthew 9:15 }."

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83. Commentary . . . CHRIST the promised Bridegroom was taken up and away from Israel at Pentecost. What better proof does one need, other than this Scripture, that the Saved Hebrews will be the Bride? The Hebrews are fasting for Him at this very time, unaware that they had the Bridegroom, rejected and crucified Him because of their own unbelief and of course He was taken from them to be absent for a two thousand year period before He will return for His redeemed Bride. Doesn't this remind us of the time that Israel refused to believe Moses and GOD caused them to dwell in the wilderness for another 40 years because of their unbelief? But, because of their unbelief in the above verse in A.D. 30 it was yet another 40 years A.D. 70 when their Temple was destroyed and they were cast out of the land until 1948 when they again received their nation as a homeland. [ The number 40 is the number for testing for the Israelis ]. The Parable of the Marriage feast . . .

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84. { V. 1 }: Scripture: "And JESUS answered and spoke to them again by 'parables [ comparisons, stories used to illustrate and explain' ], and said,

85. { V. 2 }: The 'Kingdom of Heaven [ I.e., the future Millennial reign of MESSIAH on this earth' ] is like unto a certain King, which made 'a marriage [ feast, a banquet" ] for his son,

86. { V. 3 }: And sent forth, his servants to call them that were 'bidden [ invited' ] to the wedding: and they would not come.

87. { V. 4 }: Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, tell them which are bidden, behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and 'my fatlings [ such as fat calves' ] are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the 'marriage. [ feast' ].

88. { V. 5 }: But they made light of it [ and were not interested and treating the summons with contempt ], and went their ways, one to his farm, another to 'his merchandise. [ business' ]:

89. { V. 6 }: And the remnant [ referring to a large percentage of the Israelis ] took 'His [ referring to CHRIST as MESSIAH' ] 'servants [ Ministers, Disciples and Prophets' ], and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.

90. { V. 7 }: But when the King heard thereof 'he was wroth [ with righteous anger' ] and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned their city.

91. { V. 8 }: "Then says He to his servants, the 'wedding [ feast' ] is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.

92. { V. 9 }: Go you therefore into the highways, and as many as you shall find, bid to the marriage.

93. { V. 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.

95. { V. 12 }: And he said to him, friend, how camest you in here not having a wedding garment? And he [ The man ] was speechless.

96. { V. 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.

97. { V. 14 }: For many are called, but few are chosen, { Matthew 22:1-14 }."

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98. Commentary . . . This is the third of the series of parables of warning which JESUS spoke about during the passion week . As you can see, this parable is like most parables. It has to be interpreted by someone to receive the true meaning. The parable in { Luke Ch- 14 } is very similar to this one, but it was given on a different occasion and is in several respects different. In Matthew, it is a wedding feast; in Luke a great supper. In Matthew the rejecters are destroyed and their city is burned; in Luke there is no mention of punishment. In Matthew there are two invitations sent; in Luke only one. In Luke the excuses are enumerated; in Matthew they are not. However, both parables have the same general interpretation. At the first invitation the message is simply, "come to the wedding feast" but at the second invitation the message is, "all things are ready." Both of these invitations went out to the rulers of Israel. The first invitation, doubtless refers to the ministry of John the Baptist and the earthly ministry of JESUS, when the Millennial Kingdom was near at hand.

99. But it was impossible that all things could have been ready at that time for the establishment of the Millennial Kingdom, for CHRIST made it plain, as did the O.T. Prophecies, that CHRIST must suffer and rise from the dead before the 7th Millennium could be "ready " for the rule of MESSIAH as King, see { Luke Ch. 24:26 - & - 1- Peter 1:10-11 }. Therefore, there could have been no legitimate offer of the Kingdom until after CHRIST had suffered. All things would then be ready, and this is, doubtless, what the second invitation refers to. This invitation was extended even at Pentecost and during the early Acts period. In keeping with this parable, this second invitation was rejected by Israel and CHRIST's servants were persecuted and slain. A good picture of this could be, that before Pentecost the Apostles along with John the Baptist were only rejected but after Pentecost all of them were killed except the Apostle John. The next thing in the parable was the destruction of these murderers and the burning of their city, and we know that the Roman general Titus fulfilled this part of the prophecy in A.D. 70 when he destroyed Jerusalem.

100. Most commentators believe that the fulfillment of this parable concerns the BODY OF CHRIST in this present Dispensation while Gentiles are being saved, but I personally haven't found a single parable that JESUS uttered that doesn't apply exclusively to the nation of Israel. The real fulfillment belongs to the future as we shall see in this message. Our LORD presented Himself to the Hebrew nation in the parable of the ten virgins { Matthew Ch. 25:1-13 }. We will discuss that later on in this message. This whole message concerns the Bride of CHRIST, however, let us be careful and not become so technical that we miss the true meaning of the text. We should ask ourselves very simply what the Scriptural figure of the Bride and Groom signifies. Clearly it means just this: that He loved her, desired her for Himself, and would die for her and would someday exalt and glorify her as the leading nation of this world. But, the Hebrew nation turned her back on the King as we saw in the above parable, and { Romans 7:1-6 } explains how one can become an adulteress.

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101 Scripture: "Therefore, my brethren, you also are become dead to the Law . . . that you should be married to another . . . { Romans 7:4 }." Read { V. 3 } And Paul says . . .

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102. Scripture: "For I am jealous over you with Godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to CHRIST, { 2- Corinthians 11:2 }."

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103. { V. 25 }: Scripture: "Husbands, love your wives, even as CHRIST also loved 'the Church [ i.e., the Called out Assembly the Ekklesia,' meaning 'here in this instance the BODY OF CHRIST ], and gave Himself for it;

104. { V. 26 }: That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of 'water [ of the HOLY SPIRIT ] by the Word,

105. { V. 27 }: That He might present it to Himself a glorious 'Church [ Ekklesia: Called out BODY ], not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be Holy and without blemish, { Ephesians 5:25-27 }."

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106. Commentary . . . The above illustration clearly involves the love of husbands to their wives { V. 25 }. Any one who does not see the lesson that husbands should love their wives as CHRIST loves the "BODY OF CHRIST, and gave Himself for it," has not read this passage carefully or with an unbiased mind. And as to { 2- Corinthians 11-2 } above, who can miss the analogy with { John 3:29 }? Just as John the Baptist sought to get Israel to fall in love with CHRIST, their MESSIAH here on earth, so Paul sought to get the Corinthians to fall in love with the exalted CHRIST Who was in Heaven. [ As the BODY OF CHRIST is subject to CHRIST]:

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107. Scripture: "For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they shall be one flesh { Ephesians 5:24 }."

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108. Commentary . . . This is speaking of that which concerns a married couple in any age. But, the called out BODY OF CHRIST while here on earth is a part of GOD's inheritance. And when we are called up into Heaven we become "Adopted Sons" in our completeness as the "ONE NEW MAN" { Ephesians 2:15; - Colossians 1:18, - & - 3:10-11 }." We find that in the book of Genesis we have Satan's appearance in Eden, then in the book of Revelation Satan's doom in the Lake of Fire. In Genesis we are told about the entrance of sin, and in Revelation about GOD's final judgment upon sin. In Genesis the curse pronounced; in Revelation it is removed. In Genesis the tree of life is denied to the fallen pair, while in Revelation it is restored for the healing of the nations. In Genesis we have the marriage of the first Adam; and in Revelation the marriage of the last Adam. Thus we have the picture of two marriages taking place and then we also have another mention of the Bride of CHRIST. Isn't it true that in { Revelation 21:2, 9, 10 } the Bride is called "New Jerusalem" and that great city, the Holy Jerusalem. Doesn't this remind us that this is much different from the present earthly City of Jerusalem?

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109. Scripture: " . . . Jerusalem which is above us is free, which is the mother of us all, { Galatians 4:26 }."

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110. Commentary . . . Many believe that only Hebrews will dwell in New Jerusalem because of the fact that in { Revelation 21:12-14 } it states that the names of the "twelve tribes of Israel" and of the "twelve Apostles" are found on the "twelve gates and foundations of the city." We do believe that this city is associated primarily with Israel as the "Bride of CHRIST," but we must also believe that according to the above verse, that all people, either of the BODY or those of the Bride will have access at will to this great city. We know from { Revelation 21:23 }, that CHRIST will be there, for He will be the Light of the New Jerusalem and of this earth and we as the members of His BODY, eternally and inseparably united with CHRIST will always be present with Him. Be sure and read part 7 of the Bride of CHRIST. Let us not think beyond what our Bible teaches, or come to rash conclusions from incomplete evidence hastily gathered. Also let us not become brain-washed by any type of denominational doctrine when it is taught out of context to mean something it doesn't. Considering that the Bride is comprised of all those Saved Hebrews whom CHRIST loved and died for, how natural it is to find in this last book of our Bible in closing this last chapter, the following invitation . . .

111. Scripture: "And 'the [ HOLY ] SPIRIT 'and [ the saved remnant of Israel' as ] the Bride say, come. And let him that hears say, come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely, { Revelation 22:17 }."

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112. Commentary . . . Reformed and Presbyterian Theologians have long held that the term "The BODY OF CHRIST, like the Church" and "The Bride," refer to GOD's people in every age. Some use { Romans 16:7 } to prove this. This verse sends greetings to certain Believers who, he states, "were in CHRIST before me." This of course referred to all those O.T. Saints plus those who become Believers before the BODY OF CHRIST Dispensation begin. Many of these were Kingdom Believers. Please pay close attention now to what I am going to say . . . to be "in CHRIST" is not necessarily to belong to the BODY OF CHRIST. There is a judicial sense in which even those of Old Testament times stood before GOD either in themselves, in their own merits, or in CHRIST who was to die for them. Paul, GOD's great herald of justification in CHRIST makes much of this, but this is not the same as being in CHRIST in the sense of belonging to His BODY. There are numerous proofs that the BODY OF CHRIST is a dispensational term, referring only to what most call the Church of this present Dispensation. Now this I believe, will take us to the subject mentioned at the beginning of this message, which concerns what the Holy Scriptures teach us concerning the Bride of CHRIST. To study this chronologically and comprehensively, let us began in the book of { Revelation Ch. 19 } . . .

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113. { V. 1 } Scripture: "And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in Heaven, saying Alleluia; salvation, and glory [ splendor and majesty ], and honour, and power [ dominion and authority which belongs], unto the LORD our GOD:

114. { V. 2 }: For true and righteous are His judgments: for He has judged the 'great [ idolatrous' ] whore, which did corrupt the earth with 'her fornication [ and idolatry' ], and has avenged the blood of His servants at her hand, see { Deuteronomy 32:43 }.

115. { V. 3 }: And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke [ of her burning ] rose up fore ever and ever.

116. { V. 4 }: And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down 'and worshipped [ paying Divine honors to] GOD' that sat on the throne, saying Amen; Alleluia.

117. { V. 5 }: And a voice came out of the throne, saying, praise our GOD, all you His servants, and you that fear Him, both small and great.

118. { V. 6 }: And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the LORD GOD Omnipotent reigns. { The voice of GOD is depicted as thunder: { Job 26:14; - 37:4; - 40:9; - Psalm 18:13; - 77:18; - & - 104:7 }.

119. { V. 7 }: Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to Him: for 'the marriage of the LAMB [ at last' ] is come, and His wife has made herself ready.

120. { V. 8 } And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in 'fine [ radiant ] linen,' 'clean [ dazzling ] and white': for the fine linen 'is [ i,e., signifies, represents' ] the righteousness of Saints.

121. { V. 9 }: And he said to me, write, blessed are they which are called into the marriage supper of the LAMB. And he said to me, these are the true sayings of GOD.

122. { V. 10 }: And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said to me, see you do it not: I am your fellow servant, and your brethren that has the testimony of JESUS: worship GOD: for the testimony of JESUS is the SPIRIT of prophecy, { Revelation 19:1-10 }."

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123. The above { Vs. 9-10 } paraphrased in commentary form . . .

{ 9 }: And 'he [ the angel' ] said to me, write, blessed are they which 'are [ summoned, invited' and ] called into the marriage supper of the LAMB. And he said to me [ further ], these are the 'true sayings [ the genuine and exact declarations' ] of GOD.

{ 10 }: And I fell at his feet 'to worship [ to pay Divine honors to' ] him. And he [ restrained me and ] said to me, see you do it not: I am [ only another of ] your fellow servant [ with you ], and your brethren that has [ accepted and hold to ] the testimony of JESUS: worship GOD: 'for the [ substance, essence of the truth revealed by the LORD is the ] testimony of JESUS' [ and ] is the SPIRIT of prophecy, { Revelation 19:1-10 }."

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124. Commentary . . . Here, as we continue our study, we arrive at a very dramatic change in the tone of understanding. The destruction of commercial Babylon will bring the Tribulation Period to an end. Therefore, as one might say, we began to proceed from the troublesome times to the times of blessing and rest, from the persecutions and starvation into the light that CHRIST brings upon the earth at His Second Coming. The Apostle John went into much detail in the previous chapter as he also did throughout all of { Revelation In Ch. 17-18 }, he brings to attention the seat of the Antichrist and his kingdom and how this man would reign from his own throne. Also we find in these chapters how GOD will destroy the Antichrist kingdom.

125. To come up to date, we as the BODY OF CHRIST are living in a Dispensation which is different from that time period which will be present when CHRIST returns at His Second Coming. We call our present time "the age or Dispensation of Grace," the Apostle Paul also called it the "Dispensation of the Mystery { Ephesians 3-9 }." In this present time period of the LORD's Grace, we are enjoying the riches of GOD's Grace and JESUS is being long suffering to our generation. He also is giving all the people upon this earth the opportunity to trust in Himself for Salvation and to be saved into everlasting life.

126. The truth of the matter is, though the present dispensation is about to run out, which proves that the time of the end for those who wish to become members of the BODY OF CHRIST is approaching very rapidly. We are living in what Scriptures teach as the last days of the BODY OF CHRIST Period! There are two types of last days mentioned in the Bible, Paul's last days which refers to the last part of the Church Period; and Peter's last days which refer to the last part of Israel's time period. This will take in the seven year Tribulation Period which concerns every person that is left on earth after the translation of the BODY OF CHRIST into Heaven takes place.

127. The key to the end of the present Dispensation and the Dispensation that will follow is the middle eastern nations in prophecy. The majority of prophecy concerns the Hebrew nation which will be in the hot bed of troubles right up to the second return of CHRIST. When the present Grace period ends, all members of the BODY OF CHRIST will be 'Raptured [ Resurrected' ] from this earth. This will include all of those who have believed by pure faith that JESUS CHRIST has died and shed His blood for them on the Cross to pay the penalty for their sins, and that He arose from the grave after three days and three nights in the tomb and have accepted Him as their Saviour, see { John 3:16; - I - Thessalonians 4:16-18; - & - 1- Corinthians 15:51-55 }.

128. At that point in time, GOD will begin His prophetic program once again, where He left off with the Hebrews two thousand years ago. Therefore, we find that the prophetic clock begins to tick and GOD will administer His program with the nation of Israel and then [ the seven year Tribulation Period will run its course ]. Anyone who has studied the book of Revelation has read about the "seal and trumpet judgments" and then finally the "bowl judgments." Babylon is to be judged prior to the second coming of our LORD. Thus, we see in this 19th chapter that those in heaven are singing the Alleluia chorus because now the dreaded Tribulation Period, the time of GOD's wrath has ended with CHRIST's Return. As for Israel and the World's nations that are left on earth after CHRIST's Second Coming, read { Jeremiah Ch. 31 }. In continuing with our study, we find without any doubt that there is quite a contrast between { Ch, 17-18- & 19 }. In the book of { Revelation Ch. 17-18 }, we read how the merchants and others mourn as they saw Babylon fall in disgrace and in judgment.

129. But suddenly we now behold the rejoicing in heaven because CHRIST has judged the wickedness of the Antichrist and his followers and has ended the Battle of Armageddon. Finally the blood of all those Saints, who have suffered martyrdom during the Tribulation Period, have been avenged exactly as GOD foretold it. Notice also in { V. 1 } that there is a great multitude in heaven who are rejoicing because of our LORD's victory. Sometimes Bible students read into Scripture things that are really not present. In the book of Revelation it is very dangerous to do this, see { Revelation 22:19 }. Here as we look at this great multitude of people in Heaven, they are rejoicing about all those great prophetic judgments that have transpired right in front of their very eyes during that seven year period of tribulation. Remember also that 144,000 of these Hebrews who will still be on earth and who were called at the very beginning of that seven years, that they preached all the way through that period, these men will not be killed by the Antichrist. But, there are two prophets in this multitude in Heaven who taught, preached and died because of the wickedness of Antichrist.

130. Also we see all the Old Testament Saints in the Heavenly body who will return with CHRIST are present in this Assembly of Saints. See { Revelation 7:4; - 14:1; - & - 11:3-12 }. Therefore, we must believe that all these Saints, that include all of JEHOVAH's Old Testament prophets, who also are waiting for their eternal hope in those promises which were made to them in the everlasting covenants from GOD to the Hebrew nation are rejoicing with great joy. All are rejoicing along with the Saints that are still on the earth who are likewise rejoicing because the Antichrist kingdom has been conquered by JESUS. It is little wonder that there is a tremendous amount of anticipation as they rejoice at those things that they have not only beheld with their own eyes but have actually taken a great part in this themselves. Also we must realize that until the Second Coming, all those Saints, who are NOT of the BODY OF CHRIST, still have not received their glorified bodies as yet and cannot until the Resurrection of the Old Testament and the Tribulation Saints, see { Daniel 12:1-2 }. Daniel states . . .

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131. Scripture: "And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake some to everlasting life . . . { Daniel 12:2 }: "

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132. Commentary . . . The Remnant of Israel living in the great Tribulation Period will be preserved, and that great company of Gentiles who are to be saved during that time will also be preserved. Those Saved Hebrews of the Old Testament who died belonging to the Remnant, and the Gentiles Saved during the Old Testament Period will be raised to everlasting life at the end of the great Tribulation. The Old Testament Saints are not raised at the "Rapture [ translation, Resurrection" ] of the BODY OF CHRIST. Scripture clearly states that at the "Rapture [ Resurrection" ] of those "which sleep in JESUS will GOD bring with Him { I- Thessalonians 4:14 }." Only "The dead in CHRIST [ who are Christians ] shall rise first [ be resurrected out from the literal graves on this earth ] { 1- Thessalonians 4:16 }." We are spiritually Baptized by the HOLY SPIRIT into the BODY OF CHRIST when we are saved, since the BODY OF CHRIST first begin, and no one will be added to the BODY OF CHRIST after we are Raptured!

133. { V. 12 } Scripture: "For as the BODY is one, and has many members, and all the members of that one BODY, being many, are one BODY: so also is CHRIST.

134. { V. 13 }: For by one SPIRIT are we all baptized into one BODY, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free: and have been all made to drink into one SPIRIT,

135. { V.14 }: For the BODY is not one member, but many, { 1- Corinthians 12:12-14 }."

136. The above { Vs. 12-13 } paraphrased in commentary form . . .

{ 12 } Scripture: "For as the BODY is 'one [ a unity' ], and has many members, and all the members of that one BODY, being many, are [ formed into the ] one BODY: so also is 'CHRIST [ the MESSIAH, the ANOINTED ONE' ].

{ 13 }: For by [ means of the personal agency of ] one SPIRIT are we all baptized [ and by this SPIRIT baptism united together ] into one BODY, whether we be 'Jews [ Hebrews' ] or Gentiles, whether we be 'bond [ slaves' ] or free: and have been all made to drink into 'one [ HOLY ] SPIRIT,"

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137. Commentary . . . CHRIST told His Disciples, who were members of the nation Israel that they would be Baptized "WITH" the HOLY SPIRIT.

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138. Scripture: "For John truly Baptized with water; 'but you shall be Baptized [ with great power by CHRIST Himself ] "WITH" the HOLY SPIRIT not many days hence, { Acts 1:5 }."

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139. Commentary . . . When the BODY OF CHRIST is Resurrected from off this earth, the Old Testament Saints will not be Resurrected. Why? Because the time to enter the Kingdom is at the end of the great Tribulation when CHRIST comes to establish His Kingdom on the earth. Then the Old Testament Saints will be Resurrected. If they were to be Resurrected at the Resurrection with us, they would have to wait another seven years so that they could enter the Kingdom. Scripture makes it very clear that they will be Resurrected at the end of the Tribulation Period.

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140. { V. 1 } Scripture: "And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which stands for the children of your people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone that shall be found written in the Book.

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141. The above { V. 1 } paraphrased in commentary form . . . "And at 'that time [ tribulation period' ] shall 'Michael stand up, the great [ ark Angel' who is the angelic prince who defends and has charge as the ] prince which stands for the children of 'your [ Israel's ] people': and there shall be a time 'of trouble [ for seven years and the nation will be in distress' ], such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone that shall be found written in 'the Book [ of everlasting life' ].

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142. { V. 2 }: And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, 'and { a thousand years later,' { Revelation 20:5 }, some to shame and everlasting contempt, { Daniel 12:1-2 }."

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143. Commentary . . . "The Saints of GOD are raised and their old flesh bodies are changed into glorified bodies. But the lost who have followed the doctrine of the blind teachers of this world will be resurrected a thousand years later, judged and cast into the Lake of fire. Scripture says it, I believe it and that is the way it is going to be. Those Christians, who are dead, killed during the Tribulation Period and are not of the BODY OF CHRIST, receive their glorified bodies at the time of their resurrection at the Second Coming of CHRIST. This includes Old Testament Saints. We, of the BODY OF CHRIST, will receive our glorified bodies at the Rapture. It is likely that the wicked dead at the White Throne Judgment will be given some type of spiritual body that will be with them forever in Hell. Old Testament and the Tribulation Saints are looking forward to the great marriage of the LAMB OF GOD. . . .

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144. Scripture: "Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the LAMB is come and His Wife has made Herself ready, { Revelation 19:7 }."

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145. The above { V. 7 } paraphrased in commentary form . . . "Let us be glad and rejoice [ and shout for joy, exulting and triumphant, let us celebrate ], and give honour [ and glory ] to Him: for the marriage of the LAMB [ at last ] is come and 'His Wife [ Israel His betrothed Bride' ] 'has [ prepared and ] made Herself ready [ for MESSIAH her Bridegroom' ].

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146. Commentary . . . There are many, as we have already stated, that do not rightly divide the Word of Truth and will come to these verses before us and teach that this is a reference to the Bride of CHRIST and to the Marriage of the LAMB. Therefore, the inference is this, that you and I as the BODY OF CHRIST will be the future Bride of CHRIST. Thus, at His return we will be united with Him in marriage. Many Theologians themselves have been taught this doctrine in some seminary. But, there are others who refute this type of interpretation. We Bible students who wish to study directly from the Scriptures instead of going by some denominational doctrine must be very careful when taking some ones word as far as any interpretation is concerned. Personally I do make a distinction between the BODY OF CHRIST and Israel. I also do not believe that { Revelation Ch. 19:1-10 }, is in any way connected with the BODY OF CHRIST as far as it becoming MESSIAH's Bride.

147. As we develop this study we should understand that prophecy teaches that Israel is the woman, the divorced wife of JEHOVAH as foretold in the Old Testament. No well studied student of prophecy would ever dispute this. One may study the prophecies of Isaiah, Hosea, Jeremiah, and other Old Testament prophetic books of the Bible and time after time JEHOVAH is spoken of as the Husband of the Hebrew nation. Therefore, this Nation is referred to as the Wife of JEHOVAH GOD and there is a definite relationship along with the promised Covenant between JEHOVAH of old and the Nation of the Hebrew people. When we study what the Apostle Paul teaches concerning the Mystery Dispensation that was given to him personally by JESUS CHRIST, all those who are Saved in this Christian Age are referred to as the BODY OF CHRIST. There are, it seems, a love relationship strongly suggested by Paul between the BODY OF CHRIST and JESUS that might cause some to take for granted that we will become the Bride of CHRIST at His Second Coming.

148. On the other hand, lets say that we are going to become His future Bride, this will mean that JESUS is going to be married to TWO WIVES, - so we end up in the area of polygamy and adultery. All of course, are also aware that Scripture teaches, and this from the voice of GOD }." that one woman is all any man should ever have as a living wife. How can we see the LORD being inconsistent with His own Word concerning His programs for the world's redeemed people? Never has Paul used the phrase "The LAMB's Wife" when referring to the Bride of CHRIST, in any thing he has written. On the other hand, in { Revelation Ch. 19 } we find the mention of the marriage of the LAMB and of His Wife in { Revelation 21:9 }. John is told to, "Come here, I will show you the Bride the LAMB's Wife;" which is a description of the City of New Jerusalem and its inhabitants that will properly consist also of the saved of the Nation Israel. Every thing in the text points to this. In our study of { Chs. 19 - thru 21 }, we must establish who the Bride of CHRIST really is.

149. Some even believe that the BODY OF CHRIST and the Bride of CHRIST are one and the same. We believe this can only be taught by taking Scripture out of its rightful context. There is a great deal of "covenant theology " taught in practically every Christian Assembly building throughout this world. What we mean by covenant theology is that the greatest percentage of Ministers whether they be Pastors, Teachers or Theologians often take Scriptures that apply to Israel only and apply them to the BODY OF CHRIST of this age. Any one who understands the dispensational program written in the Scriptures can catch this when listening to teachings of the various denominational preachers and teachers. We must point out that Scripture must be kept, taught and studied, in and from its right context. The student must always keep an open mind. When we are closed minded, new knowledge is almost impossible to come by. We should never become BRAIN-WASHED by any local Assembly doctrine and we should question anything that seems to be unscriptural.

150. We must always study the Bible for ourselves in order to rightly divide the "Word of Truth," otherwise only confusion will remain and NO real permanent knowledge will come to the student. What we are studying is a very complex and at the same time a very interesting subject. It is always interesting and we believe a must for true Children of GOD to study and comprehend the revelations concerning GOD's two programs about the BODY OF CHRIST and the Hebrew nation of Israel. Many teach that the BODY OF CHRIST is the true spiritual Israel. This is the Devils lie, and only the devil would put this false doctrine in the minds of men. The question is, what actually is the program of the Book of Revelation? Is it in prophecy or is it in mystery? All should truly admit that it is prophecy. And immediately this will put us on the right track of study.

151. Knowing GOD's purpose and plan teaches us that CHRIST will reign over this earth and over His great future Kingdom. The Hebrew Nation is going to be that great nation foretold in prophecy that will become the leading nation of the world during the seventh Millennium of man. This is all included in MESSIAH's great prophetic program. We must always remember that Israel is the one which GOD made the everlasting covenants with. See { Jeremiah 31:31 }; and Israel's blessings during the "millennium [ i.e., the future thousand year reign of MESSIAH." And then, you will see and comprehend some of the promises from JEHOVAH to His Wife, the Hebrew nation. Everything that we study from { Revelation 19 - through - Ch. 21 }, must remain consistent with prophecy and what GOD has revealed to us from the foundation of the earth. In { Revelation 19:10 }, this is confirmed even more as John is told that "The testimony of JESUS is the SPIRIT of prophecy." Please notice, not of the Mystery BODY OF CHRIST of today, but of the end time prophecy to come! Therefore, we are studying prophetic programs and things that have been revealed since the beginning, and we must remain consistent. Now another thought as we read on below . . .

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152. Scripture: "Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to Him: for the marriage of the LAMB is come, [ and notice the last of this verse ], And 'His [ Hebrew ] Wife' has made 'herself ready,' { Revelation 19:7 }."

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153. Commentary . . . The betrothed lady has made herself ready in preparation to enter into the marriage with her betrothed MESSIAH which will culminate into that glorious Millennial day of CHRIST.

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154. Scripture: "This is the day which the LORD has made we [ Israel and the nations of saved people ] will rejoice and be glad in it, { Psalm 118:24 }."

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155. Commentary . . . When folks use { V. 24 } above in prayer, very few of them realize that this text is not referring to a 24 hour day. It represents a one thousand year day, in other words it is speaking of that glorious Millennial Day when CHRIST reigns supreme on this earth as the glorified King of Kings. It is typical of the day the LORD rested after His six days of creation had come to fruition. All of this alone should prove that the BODY OF CHRIST will not become the Bride of CHRIST! The Bride during the seven year Tribulation Period must work and ready herself for the Marriage with the Groom. Then she has until this time been in an incomplete state, and of course Israel has been guilty of not being ready and will be guilty of this all through the Tribulation Period. On the other hand, when we turn to the Mystery program of today that was instituted through the Apostle Paul . . .

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156. We find that Paul writes to the Assembly of Colos'ee, he says:

157. Scripture: "Giving thanks to the FATHER, which has made us 'meet [ Literally, qualified' ] to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in 'light [ understanding' ], { Colossians 1:12 }."

158. Commentary . . . "In { Revelation 19 } The woman was making herself ready to be united with CHRIST in marriage. But in Colossians, JESUS has already made those of the BODY OF CHRIST fit. We today who are Christians are complete in CHRIST.

159. Scripture "And you are complete in Him, which is the Head of all Principality and power, { Colossians 2:10 }."

160. The above { V. 10 } paraphrased in commentary form . . . "And you are in Him, made full and have come to fullness of life . . . in CHRIST JESUS you too are filled with the GOD-HEAD: FATHER, SON and HOLY SPIRIT, and have reached the point of full spiritual stature of Saint-hood. And, CHRIST is the Head of all rule and authority . . . of every angelic principality and power.

161. Commentary . . . JESUS in { Vs. 9-10 } is pictured as dwelling in Heaven "in the fullness of the GOD-head bodily," and in the Christian of today, we are "filled full." Out of this fullness we receive Grace upon Grace, that we also might be filled with all the fullness of GOD. See { Ephesians 3:19 }. In CHRIST, GOD's Children are filled full. In Him we possess perfection and completeness in our new nature before the triune GOD and are not wanting anything whatever as to our position before GOD. CHRISTIANS of the BODY OF CHRIST are in Him before GOD, not in what they do according to their service, or anything else, but in perfection of what He is. We have CHRIST and are in CHRIST. There is absolutely nothing for the BODY OF CHRIST to ready itself for in the eyes of GOD because GOD has made us perfect and complete in JESUS.

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162. Scripture: "And, He is the Head of the BODY, the assembly, Who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence,' { Colossians 1:18 }."

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163. The above { V. 18 } paraphrased in commentary form . . . "And, He is the Head 'of [ His ] the BODY, the [ Ecclesia, The called BODY OF CHRIST' ], Who is the beginning, the Firstborn from the dead; that in all things 'He [ alone in everything and in every respect' ] 'might [ occupy the chief place and ] have the preeminence."

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164. Commentary . . . CHRIST is our Head. If we are to make ourselves ready then doesn't it stand to reason that CHRIST as our Head must also make Himself, Who has not and can not sin, ready also? For He is the life and the heart of the BODY! If we as a part of the BODY are imperfect, doesn't it stand to reason that our Heart is also imperfect? GOD forbid. Even the thought of Him being imperfect is satanic. And, isn't it also satanic to suggest that the BODY OF CHRIST who are in CHRIST and He being in them are imperfect, spiritually speaking? What do we actually think about when we consider a husband and a wife relationship? Do we not consider two individuals who are united together in marriage, but yet two individuals? As we study the Apostle Paul's Epistles, we find that Paul speaks of something entirely different in relation to you and me. Are we not actually joined and have become a part of CHRIST? Are we as Paul teaches, members one of another, a part of that mystical BODY OF CHRIST with Him as our Head?

165. In Paul's writings which was inspired by the HOLY SPIRIT, we really don't see Christians here and JESUS CHRIST our- Head there as two individual parts or on two individual bases. But, this is what we see: we see all the BODY OF CHRIST including the Head, as consisting of but one person. It seems that some of GOD's Children are the hands and fingers and some are the arms and legs, some are eyes and feet and so on. Doesn't this give us a picture of some who are pastors, song leaders, teachers, musicians, and also, of course, the bench warmers? But all are a part of that living organism. Thus, GOD pictures us as being all together in an organized BODY, with our-Heart and our-Head as one. We must agree that Paul teaches how the husband and his wife are to love one another, and how the wife is to be submissive to her husband. Paul is actually teaching us an illustration as to how CHRIST has loved us and has given Himself for us and in return we should love Him and be submissive to Him { Ephesians Ch. 5 }.

166. This teaches our relationship as Christians to CHRIST as our-Head and our SAVIOUR. In Corinthians, Paul speaks of the fact that "He has espoused us as a virgin to the husband." But Paul is simply drawing a similarity in the sense that we are to be pure before CHRIST, and the over all and primary truth concerning the BODY OF CHRIST in His Mystery Dispensation is that we are actually a part of CHRIST Himself as Head. We have our life in CHRIST. We are "NOT" the Bride even though Paul speaks of our love relationship and how we should keep ourselves pure, and etc. Then who is the future Bride? Again we are drawn back to the Marriage of the LAMB in { Revelation 19:7 } where it states that the "Wife has made herself ready." Therefore, we have another question, How does a wife make herself ready? If she is already His Wife, then why must she be readying herself once again for a marriage ceremony? Do we not think of a wife as a woman who already has a husband? I can see why this question could be asked. I can also understand how an erroneous interpretation could be given and accepted from these verses. In studying the traditions of the Hebrews, it is found that there was a custom called "The Betrothal."

167. In the betrothal there was a time when the woman and the man would come together in the presence of a Priest, with their family and friends as witnesses. The engaged couple would then make certain vows that were a part of the customs and traditions of the Hebrew nation. The one who performed the ceremony would effectuate and the couple would become legally joined together as man and wife in the betrothal. After the ceremony was completed, rather than the man taking the lady and consummating the marriage as married people do, instead as according to their custom, the lady returned to her own home and the engaged man returned back to his own home, and they stayed separated for approximately one year. There were obviously different reasons for this separation. One reason was for the lady to ready herself for the life of a housewife. She possibly, like some girls today, would prepare her hope-chest and also prepare herself for every wifely chore ahead of her.

168. Also the lady would be observed during the betrothal period to make sure that she was true to her future husband and had not been unfaithful as to the vows she had taken when they had-had the engagement ceremony. The man would in turn, prepare a home for his reception of the future wife and prepare to make sure he could provide for her adequately after they became man and wife. It was during that separation and testing period that they both were to make sure that they would be faithful to each other. That was a practice that was in force throughout Hebrew history and recorded in the Word of GOD. Mary and Joseph were a perfect example of this custom concerning their relationship and betrothal. Mary was found with child which troubled Joseph almost to despair. They had- had no sexual relationship and here Mary was pregnant . Naturally, we today have no such customs but every country has their own customs to live by.

169. Joseph and Mary's marriage had not been consummated because they were only married in an engagement ceremony and the final marriage ceremony had not yet taken place. Joseph felt that Mary had betrayed him during the year of betrothal. During the betrothal period they had been called husband and wife even though they had- had no sexual relationship. Therefore, Joseph desired to annul the engagement and let Mary go her own way. But GOD saw otherwise and naturally we know from Scripture the rest of the story. The Hebrew betrothal was very unique. The two would be called husband and wife even though they were only engaged. In { Ch. 19 of Revelation } the woman Israel is called "The Wife," she has been preparing herself throughout the Tribulation Period and is now awaiting the Bridegroom so that the long awaited marriage would take place and "she [ Israel" ], and Messiah her Messiah Bridegroom, would now be eternally united together.

170. Israel, from the very inception of the nation, has been betrothed to JEHOVAH GOD. During the four thousand year testing time, from the calling of Abraham 2,000 B .C. until 2,000 A.D., was Israel faithful or unfaithful to JEHOVAH? The truth of the matter is, that she was very unfaithful to Him in her betrothal. During that long period of testing, she had disobeyed GOD many times. She had worshipped many strange idols of all kinds, and she followed many of the heathen practices of idolatry even taking their small children and passing them through the "Fires Of Molech," which was a great and terrible abomination in the sight of GOD. See { Jeremiah 32:32-35, - & - Leviticus 18:21 }. Therefore, JEHOVAH in the Old Testament said, "You are not My people" and He gave her a writing of divorcement." And He had a perfect right to do so. JEHOVAH said concerning Israel in { Jeremiah 3:8-20 }:

171. { V. 8 } Scripture: "And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.

172. { V. 9 }: And it came to pass through the lightness of her whoredom, that she defiled the land, and committed adultery with stones and with stocks.

173. { V. 10 }: And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah has not turned unto Me with her whole heart, but feignedly, says the LORD.

174. { V. 11 }: And the LORD said unto me, The backsliding Israel has justified herself more, than treacherous Judah.

175. { V. 12 }: Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, return, you backsliding Israel, Says the LORD; and I will not cause My anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, says the LORD, and I will "NOT" keep anger for ever.

176. { V. 13 }: Only acknowledge your iniquity, that you have transgressed against the LORD your GOD, and have scattered your ways to the strangers under every green tree, and you have not obeyed My voice, saith the LORD.

177. { V. 14 }: Turn, O backsliding children, says the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:

178. { V. 15 }: And I will give you pastors, according to My heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

179. { V. 16 }: And it shall come to pass, when you are multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, says the LORD, they shall say no more, the Ark of the covenant of the LORD: neither shall it come to mind: neither shall they remember it; neither shall they visit it; neither shall that be done any more."

180. { V. 17 }: At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all of the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart.

181. { V. 18 }: In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given for an inheritance to your fathers.

182. { V. 19 }: But I said, How shall I put you among the children, and give you a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of nations? and I said, you shall call Me, My FATHER; and shall not turn away from Me.

183. { V. 20 } Surely as a wife treacherously departs from her husband, so have you dealt treacherously with Me, O house of Israel, says the LORD, { Jeremiah 3:8-20 }."

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184. All the above verses paraphrased in Commentary form . . . "

{ 8 } Scripture: "And I saw, even though Judah knew that for this very cause of committing 'adultery [ idolatry' ] I the LORD, had put faithless Israel away and given her a bill of divorcement; yet her faithless and treacherous sister Judah was not afraid, but she also went and played the harlot [ following after idols ].

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{ 9 }: And it came to pass through the lightness of her whoredom, that she defiled the land, and committed 'adultery [ idolatry' ] with stones and 'with stocks, [ trees, many folks at that time worshipped trees.' ] See { Jeremiah 10:1-10 }.

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{ 10 }: And yet inspite of all this her treacherous - and faithless sister Judah has not returned to Me in sincerity with her whole 'heart [ mind' ], 'but in [ sheer hypocrisy she feigned obedience to King Josiah's reforms,' she ]: 'feignedly [ make believe; only pretended,' ] says the LORD. See { 2- Chronicles 34:33 with Hosea 7:13, 14. } ========

{ 11 }: And the LORD said unto me, 'Backsliding and faithless' ] Israel has 'shown herself less guilty' i.e., 'she showed herself more righteous,' than false and treacherous Judah.

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{ 12 }: Go and proclaim these words 'toward the north, and say, return, you 'backsliding [ faithless ] Israel,' says the LORD, and I will not cause 'My countenance to fall and look in anger' upon you: for I am merciful, Says the LORD; and I will "NOT" keep anger for ever.

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{ 13 }: 'Only know, understand' and ] acknowledge your 'iniquity and guilt,' that you have [ rebelled and ] transgressed against the LORD your GOD, and have scattered 'your ways [ favors' ] among the strangers under every green tree, and you have not obeyed My voice, says the LORD.

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{ 14 }: Turn, O 'backsliding children [ of all of the 12 tribes of the Hebrews' ], says the LORD, for 'I am [ your LORD and Master and future Bridegroom, I am betrothed, engaged to be ] married unto you': and 'will take you [ not as a nation, but individually' ] one of a city, and two of a[ tribal ] family, [ those who are believers ] and I will bring you to [ 'mount ] Zion [ at Jerusalem.' ] See { Luke 15:20-22. }

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{ 15 }: And I will give you "pastors [ spiritual shepherds during the Millennial reign of CHRIST" ], according to 'My heart [ mind' ], [ in that final end time ] which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding [ and righteous judgment ].

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{ 16 }: And it shall come to pass, when you 'are multiplied and increased [ in population' ] in the land, in those days, says the LORD, they shall no more say, The Ark of the covenant of the LORD, neither shall it come into their mind: 'neither shall they [ seriously ] remember it;' 'neither shall they [ miss or ] visit;' neither shall [ it be kept in repair or made again for instead of the ark which represented GOD's presence, MESSIAH Israel's Bridegroom will show Himself present throughout the Kingdom. See { Isaiah 65:17; - & - Revelation 21:3, 22, 23. } As far as Worshipping before the ark, "never shall ] that be done any more."

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{ 17 }: At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all of the nations shall be gathered unto it [ probably ambassadors from each nation ], 'to the [ renown' and ] name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination [ and stubbornness ] of their [ own ] evil 'heart [ minds' ].

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{ 18 }: In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of 'the north [ Russia' ] to the land that I have given for an inheritance to 'your [ Israel's fore - ] fathers.' See { Jeremiah 31:31-32 }. ========

{ 19 }: But I said, how [ gloriously and honorably ] shall I put you among the children, and give you a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the [ most beautiful and best among all the ] hosts of nations? and I said, you shall call Me, My FATHER; and shall not turn away from [ following ] Me.

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{ 20 } Surely as a wife 'treacherously [ and faithlessly' ] departs from her husband, 'so have you dealt treacherously [ and faithlessly ] with Me,' O house of Israel, says the LORD, { Jeremiah 3:8-20 }." [ We are aware that we have repeated part of this text, but only for a better understanding ].

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185. Commentary . . . During the Millennium, the Nation Israel will no longer need the ark of the covenant because the one who gave the covenant Himself will be present. He will be the King over the whole Hebrew nation and over all the other nations of the world, reigning in His Temple right there in the city of Jerusalem. The whole point is that JEHOVAH had the right to divorce 'His Wife Israel,' in other words to break His engagement to the Hebrew nation. In the book of Hosea, the LORD states:

186. { V. 8 } Scripture: "Now when 'she [ Gomer, the prophet Hosea's wife' ] had weaned 'Lo-ruha'mah [ Not pitied' ] she conceived, and bare a son. [ The prophets Hosea's wife Gomer in typology refers to the woman Israel ]:

187 { V. 9 }: Then said GOD, call 'his [ a type of Jacob' or Israel ] name 'Lo-am/mi [ not-My-people' ]: for you are not My people, and I will not be your GOD { Hosea 1:8-9 }.

188. Commentary . . . Lo-am/mi means "not My people." This child symbolized the rejection of Israel, who at Sinai, had made a Covenant to be GOD's people.

189. Scripture: "And all the people answered together, and said all that the LORD has spoken we will do, and Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD { Exodus 19:8 }." [ Even though GOD turned from His Betrothed people with a divorce, He again makes them another promise ]:

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190. { V. 10 } Scripture: "Yet the 'number of the children of Israel [ during the Millennium' ] shall be as the sand of the sea, which CANNOT be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, you are not My people, there it shall be said to them, you are the sons of the living GOD.

191. { V. 11 } Then shall the children of Judah and the children of Israel be gathered together and appoint themselves one Head, and they shall come up out of the land: for great shall be the day of Jezreel. [ For the spiritually rebirth of Israel during the one thousand year day of the LORD { Hosea 1:10-11}." See { Hebrews 12:22-23}."

192. Commentary . . . "The foot note in my Bible says: "Having predicted judgment Hosea assured the people of their ultimate restoration, numerically and spiritually. Jezreel, a place of judgment in { V. 4 }, is viewed in { V. 11 } as a place where GOD will bless Israel during the Kingdom age." Again JEHOVAH implies that He is divorcing the Hebrew nation,

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193. { V. 1 } Scripture: "Say you to your brethren, 'ammi [ You are my people' ]; and to your sister , ruhamah:

194. { V. 2 }: [ who has been pitied and obtained mercy ]. Plead with 'your mother [ your nation' ], plead: for she is 'NOT' My wife, neither am I her Husband: let her 'therefore put away her whoredoms [ idol worship' ] out of her sight, and her adulteries from between her breasts { Hosea 2:1-2 }." See { Isaiah 50: 1 }." [ Read also { 2:18; - & - V. 1 }.

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195. Commentary . . . The words "Brethren and Sisters" refer to individual Israelites, and the mother refers to the nation. Gomer, the harlot wife of Hosea the Prophet whose infidelity is used as an illustration of Israel's unfaithfulness ]. The words in { V. 2 } are similar to those used in the Hebrew formula for divorce. Therefore, we find that the nation of Israel was separated from her engaged Husband JEHOVAH, which was a result of her disobedience and her unfaithfulness. Returning now to { Isaiah 54 }:

196. { V. 4 } Scripture: "Fear not; for you shall not be ashamed: neither shall you be 'confounded [ or depressed' ]; for you shall not be put to shame: for you shall forget the shame of your youth, and 'shall not [ seriously' ] remember the reproach of your widowhood any more.

197. { V. 5 }: For your Maker is your Husband; the LORD of Hosts is His Name; and your Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; the GOD of the whole earth shall He be called.

198. { V. 6 }: For the LORD has called you as a 'woman [ Wife' ] forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when you was [ later ] refused [ Divorced: set aside until the LORD's Kingdom Reign ], says your GOD.

199. { V. 7 }: For a small moment have I forsaken you; but with great mercies will I gather you, { Israel again at MESSIAH's Second Coming. ]

200. { V. 8 }: In 'a little [ burst of ] wrath' I hid My face from you for a moment; but with everlasting [ age enduring love and ] kindness will I have [ compassion and ] mercy on you, says your LORD your Redeemer.

201. { V. 9 }: For this is as 'the waters [ days' ] of Noah unto Me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be 'wroth [ angry any more' ] with you 'nor rebuke you [ Ever again' ].

202. { V. 10 }: For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but My kindness shall never depart from you, neither shall the Covenant of My peace be removed, Says the LORD that has mercy on you { Isaiah 54:4-10 }."

203. The above { V. 10 } paraphrased in commentary form . . . "For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be [ shaken and, or ] removed; but My kindness shall never depart from you, neither shall the covenant [ I have bestowed upon you or ] of My peace be removed [ or be annulled ], says the LORD that has mercy [ and compassion ] on you."

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204. Commentary . . . "We notice in { V. 4 } above that the Hebrew nation during the Millennial reign of CHRIST, will forget that she has worshipped idols in the past when the nation was yet a young nation, and will even forget that JEHOVAH has divorced her. In { V. 5 } the Maker is called the "Husband and Redeemer, the Holy One," and naturally this is in reference to JEHOVAH, JESUS, Israel's MESSIAH Himself. JESUS is called here "The GOD of the whole Earth," because this will be during the Millennium. At the present time Satan is called "the god of this world, { 2- Corinthians 4:4 }." He is the prince of this world { John 12:31. } "The world hates the Godly, { John 15:19." }

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205. Scripture "In whom the god of this world [ Satan ] has blinded the minds of them which believe not [ that they should not discern the truth ], lest the [ illuminating ] light of the glorious Gospel [ of the Mystery ] of CHRIST, Who is the Image [ likeness and the Deity ] of GOD, should shine unto them { 2- Corinthians 4:4 }." But, Satan at that time will no longer be the god of this world, he will be cast into the pit of hell!

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206. { V. 1 } Scripture: "And I saw an Angel come down from Heaven, having the key of the bottomless 'pit [ abyss' ] and a great chain in his hand.

207. { V. 2 }: And he 'laid hold [ gripped and overpowered' ] the dragon, that old serpent, which is the devil, and Satan, and [ securely ] bound him [ for ] a thousand years,

208. { V. 3 }: 'And cast him into the bottomless pit [ abyss' ], and shut him up, and set a 'seal upon [ sealed it over ] him,' that [ he ] should [ lead astray and ] deceive [ and seduce ] the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. { Revelation 20:1-3 }."

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209. Commentary . . . Since Satan will have no more power, CHRIST Himself will reign supreme on this restored earth. { Isaiah 54:6 } says Israel is called "a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit." Since JEHOVAH divorced the nation, Israel has been persecuted for at least two and a half Millenniums. The Israelites were held hostage in Babylon, and also were later held hostage by the Roman Empire. She has suffered as a homeless nation, scattered throughout all the other nations of the world. But MESSIAH is going to re-gather them and return all of them back to their own land. They, as { V. 6 }: above states, were refused by JEHOVAH, but this will be remedied. In { V. 7 }: The small moment the nation was forsaken refers to the time of her dispersion when she was in rebellion against her GOD. She had rejected Him and had gone after strange gods. She was forsaken by her Husband because of her whoredoms. In the same verse, GOD is going to re-gather the nation back to Himself.

210. Then again in { Isaiah 54 } above, we read in { V. 8 }: The LORD, because He is just a little angry with His Betrothed, hides His face from her during the Tribulation Period and allows Satan and the Beast to persecute the nation for a seven year period, but after this He will have mercy on her and redeem her once again. { V. 9 }: When GOD swears something He always swears on Himself because there is nothing higher than Himself to swear by { Isaiah 45:23; - & - Psalm 89:30-37 }. Thus, He will fulfill His Covenants with Israel. Notice in { V. 8 }: GOD states that this kindness will be everlasting. { V. 10 }: Makes very clear, the hills shall be removed in the great earthquakes during all the other great catastrophes of the Tribulation Period but JEHOVAH's kindness and His Covenant will never be annulled and will be remembered and fulfilled. So the future marriage of the remnant is in view.

211. In { Revelation 19:7 }, we notice that the Betrothed Woman has made herself ready as we have already stated, and the woman is the nation Israel. At the present time the nation is still in a state of separation because of rebellion and because JEHOVAH's divorcement with her is still in effect. But now in this future day, the beginning of the 7th Millennium of man on this earth since Adam's creation, GOD's promises according to His everlasting covenants makes clear, that He is going to gather all the Hebrews from all the nations of this earth back to their own promised land. MESSIAH is going to receive this great redeemed lady back in the betrothal, and finally join her to Himself in an actual marriage relationship as they enter into the millennial Kingdom reign together. Therefore, we see Israel finally and completely restored, foretold by many prophecies from the past. We have a question now, we must ask: where will this future marriage take place? Will it take place upon this Earth or in Heaven?

212. In { Revelation 19:9 } it looks at first as if this will be a heavenly scene. At first it is, but what we must realize is that all those Old Testament Saints, plus those Saints that were saved before the beginning of the BODY OF CHRIST period, are returning to the earth with their promised MESSIAH { V. 14 }: and are finally going to be united with CHRIST upon this earth along with those who are still here on the earth at His return. All the dead bodies which had belonged to the Saints who are in Heaven will be raised in a first resurrection and will be changed into perfect bodies like that of CHRIST, while the Tribulation Believers who are alive and have never as yet died will retain their present physical bodies throughout the thousand year reign of CHRIST.

213. The marriage of the LAMB will take place, and be performed upon this earth and not in heaven. A person with a flesh and blood body cannot enter into the heavenlies and the Hebrew Tribulation Saints who are still alive will become a part of the Bride of CHRIST the same as the Old Testament Saints. The Saints of the nations who were not Hebrews, who died during the Tribulation Period will have their dead bodies resurrected also. These saved Saints in their new spiritual bodies will be included in and along with the saved of the nations and all of them will be the friends of the Bride and Groom at the marriage of the LAMB of GOD."

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214. In { Matthew Ch. 25 }, we find the marriage of the LAMB of GOD foretold in a parable:

215. { V. 1 } Scripture: "Then shall the [ earthly ] Kingdom of Heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the Bridegroom.

216. { V. 2 }: And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

217. { V. 3 }: They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them.

218. { V. 4 } But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

219. { V. 5 }: While the Bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

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220. The above { Vs. 2-5 } paraphrased in commentary form . . .

{ 2 }: And five of them 'were wise [ sensible, intelligent, prudent and in a saved condition ], and five 'were foolish, [ Thoughtless, not really concerned, without forethought and were unbelievers ].

{ 3 }: They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them. [ oil is a type of the HOLY SPIRIT. This means that they were 'NOT' indwelt with the HOLY SPIRIT and were in an unsaved condition ].

{ 4 } But the wise took [ flasks of ] oil [ along with them also ] in their vessels with their lamps. [ They had 'Oil the HOLY SPIRIT indwelling them' ].

{ 5 }: While the Bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. [ This is a picture of CHRIST tarrying at the right hand of the FATHER in Heaven for the last 2000 years, which slowed Him down for His second advent back to this earth ].

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221. { V. 6 }: And at midnight there was a cry [ a shout ] made, behold, the Bridegroom comes; go you out to meet Him.

222. { V. 7 }: Then all those virgins 'arose [ put in order' ], and trimmed their lamps.

223. { V. 8 }: And the foolish said to the wise, give us [ some ] of your oil; for our lamps are gone [ going ] out.

224. { V. 9 }: But the wise answered, saying, not so; lest there be not enough for us and you, but go you rather [ to the dealers ] to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. [ They were living in spiritual darkness. All people must provide their own oil by faith ].

225. { V. 10 }: And while they went to buy, the Bridegroom came; and they "that were ready" went in with Him to the marriage [ feast ]: and the door was shut.:

226. { V. 11 }: Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, LORD, LORD, open to us.

227. { V. 12 }: But He answered and said, verily I say unto you, I know you not.

228. { V. 13 }: Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour wherein the SON of MAN come, { Matthew 25:1-13 }." ======================

229. The above { Vs. 11-13 } paraphrased in commentary form . . .

{ 11 }: "Afterward came also the 'other [ unsaved slothful' ] virgins, saying, LORD, LORD, open [ the door ] to us. [ This sounds like what must have taken place when GOD closed the door of the Ark, and the people who were left outside were drowned in the great Flood in Noah's day, they were not allowed to enter into a future life! . . . Too late, too late! ]

{ 12 }: But He answered and said, 'verily I [ solemnly I declare' and ] say unto you, I [ am not acquainted with you and ] know you not.

{ 13 }: 'Watch therefore [ give strict attention and be cautious and active' ], for you know neither the day nor the hour wherein the SON of MAN [ will ] come."

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230. Commentary . . . In type, even though verse 13 applied to Israel, it can also in a secondary way be a warning to folks in this present age of Grace. In { V. 13 }, the words "SON of MAN," is never mentioned in connection with the BODY OF CHRIST of today. It is CHRIST's special title in relation to the Hebrew nation. As we look at the above parable we find that five are foolish. And, as we approach the end of the Tribulation Period, it is just hours before the return of the coming MESSIAH. Israel has been instructed by the 1,44,000 Hebrew Ministers of { Revelation Ch. 7:2-8 } and also of the two prophets of { Revelation Ch. 11 } to be watching for her Bridegroom to return that He might preserve and protect her, but many of these folks failed drastically to heed the advice and we find that five of these virgins are of this group.

231. Then we find that there are another five virgins which are very wise. They have the HOLY SPIRIT, that is, they have oil which is a type of the HOLY SPIRIT, in their lamps, and they have made themselves ready, but these other five virgins have not really believed in the MESSIAH. More than likely they had received the mark of the beast? We should remember that this parable is on Jewish ground and has nothing in common to the BODY OF CHRIST except in type or shadow form because it was taught in and applied to a different Dispensation as is explained below . . .

232. We find that this parable is pictured here to be fulfilled at the end of the great Tribulation Period yet future, and the saved remnant of the Jews are prepared, but many others are unsaved i.e., are without the indwelling of the HOLY SPIRIT in their hearts. Therefore, they do not belong to the MESSIAH. When MESSIAH breaks into view and the cry is called forth, then He has been seen returning in the clouds of heaven. See { Acts 1:9-11; - & - Zechariah 14:4 }. Those of the Israelites who are Saints will be united to their King, the promised Bridegroom. Five of the virgins have made themselves ready as MESSIAH's Bride and the marriage will then take place. Israel as the Bride will enjoy the blessings so long promised to her. The foolish and all the Gentiles who have accepted the mark of the beast at that time, which actually will consist of by far the greatest percentage of earth's population, will be taken out and cast into outer darkness of hell, because they refused to believe. Many may have "Professed CHRIST" but they "DID NOT POSSES HIM," and we can say the same thing about people today!

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233. Scripture: ". . . Blessed [ happy to be envied ] are they which are 'called [ summoned, invited' ] unto the marriage supper of the LAMB, { Revelation 19:9 }."

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234. Commentary. . . First the marriage and then the supper followed in Biblical times, and the same thing takes place today as well. But it is possible that this great supper and the rejoicing of the Bride and Groom will last throughout the entire Millennial reign of CHRIST. As Israel, the Bride is rejoicing, there are a huge group of friends of the Bride and Groom who are summoned to the marriage supper of MESSIAH. But, just before this marriage supper takes place something else takes place. Referring back to the parable in { Matthew Ch. 22 }, various people were invited to a marriage dinner for a certain king's son. But, one man came to the dinner without a wedding garment and because he had failed to wear a wedding garment he was cast out into outer darkness, in other words - into Hell.

235. Before the marriage of the Bride and MESSIAH we also have another parable in view, there will be a great judgment of the nations, { Matthew 25:31-46 }. And, this judgment concerns the parable of the Sheep and the Goats. The sheep representing those whom will enter into the Millennial reign of MESSIAH and the goats into Hell. These for parables which includes the parable that mentions the "Days of Noah" in { Matthew 24:36-44 } all go together as end time premillennial prophetic events and are fulfilled just before the marriage of the LAMB. Foolish virgins and all those others of the nations whom have taken the mark of the beast, the man without a wedding garment, the goats, and those who will be taken in death as those who were drowned in the days of Noah, will obviously be cast into Hell before the great wedding of the "Bride and GROOM."

236. As to the friends of the Bridegroom, at MESSIAH's return the guest at the wedding feast will be those who came to rejoice with the married couple in the fullness of their happiness. The majority of Bible students today will tell you otherwise, but actually these friends of the married couple will be all those who had been "Gentiles [ heathen" ] but are now saved Believers, they will come forth out of all the nations of the world, they were saved and not killed by the Antichrist during the seven year Tribulation Period and have refused the mark of the beast. They too will enter into the Kingdom reign of our LORD. Also, many who had been saved out of the world's nations during the Tribulation Period and will have suffered beheading for refusing the mark of the beast, and their souls will abide in Heaven until the Second Coming. These folks will also be friends of the Bride and Groom at the wedding ceremony of MESSIAH and His Bride! See { Revelation 20:4 } The Apostle John states . . .

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237. Scripture: "After this I beheld and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and peoples, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the LAMB, clothed with white robes and palms in their hands, { Revelation 7:9 }."

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238. The above { V. 9 } paraphrased in commentary form . . . "After 'this [ the tribulation period' ] I beheld and, 'lo [ pay attention now ' ], a great 'multitude [ a vast host appeared' ], which no man could number [ gathered out ], of all nations, and kindreds, and peoples, and tongues [ these ], stood before 'the throne [ in Jerusalem' after CHRIST's second coming ], and [ were ] before the LAMB, clothed with 'white robes [ wedding garments ] and palms in their hands."

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239. { V. 13 }: Scripture: "And [ then, addressing me ] one of the elders answered, saying to me, what are these [ who are these people ] which are arrayed in white robes? And whence came they?

240. { V. 14 }: And I said to him, sir, you know. and he said to me, these are they which came out of [ the ] 'great Tribulation [ Period of persecution' ], and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the LAMB.

241. { V. 15 }: Therefore are they before the throne of GOD, and serve Him day and night in His Temple: and He that sits on the throne shall dwell among Them, { Revelation 7:13-15 }."

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242. The above { V. 15 } paraphrased in commentary form . . . "Therefore [ during the Millennial rein of MESSIAH' ] are they [ now ] before the [ very ] throne of GOD, and serve Him day and night in His Temple: and He that sits on the throne shall dwell among [ i.e., spread His tabernacle over ] Them [ that is, MESSIAH will shelter them with His presence in Jerusalem." ]

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243. Commentary . . . There will be no day and night in heaven, therefore this is to take place on the earth. We must also remember that there will be thousands upon thousands of people who will be murdered because of the fact that they will reject the mark of the beast. These also will live upon the earth in spiritual bodies during the Millennium. Those of them who are not Hebrews are to be called as friends to the marriage supper of the LAMB, in { Revelation 19:9 } and they will be the saved of all nations and will dwell upon the earth during the thousand year reign. Only Saved Believers will enter into the Millennium. Not one lost person will enter therein. The people of the nations who are saved to MESSIAH will all be blessed during the Kingdom reign right along with the Holy nation Israel. See { Matthew 25:31-40 }. We notice that Apostle John was very amazed by all those things he had been shown by the Angel, he bowed down at the Angel's feet to worship him . . .

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244. Scripture: "And I fell [ prostrate ] at his feet to worship him. And he [ the angel ] said to me, see you do it not: I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren that have the testimony of JESUS: worship GOD: for the testimony of JESUS is the SPIRIT of prophecy, { Revelation 19:10 }."

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245. Commentary . . . Everything, as you see, falls beautifully into place. Scripture, most of the time, will interpret itself, but the dispensational division is one of the most important parts of teaching. When we take Scripture out of its rightful context, then the harmony of its meaning becomes distressing and causes only confusion. To substitute the BODY OF CHRIST as the Bride instead of Israel who is receiving her everlasting promises according to the ancient covenants given to her from JEHOVAH, just doesn't fit the prophetic program, see { 2- Samuel 7:22-29; - & - Genesis 8:20-20}. We also notice that John records the vision concerning CHRIST's Return.

In regards to our readers, we would deeply express our thanks to those who will recopy this message and pass it on to other Christians that they too might find a blessing from this messages contents.

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See Part Seven Of The Bride Of CHRIST - "[ The Battle Of Armageddon ]."

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