If all of the Church is the Bride of Christ who are the guests?

[Heart2Soul]

For myself, I would see a strong distinction between Israel and the church, 1 Corinthians 10.32.

Okay Israel is the bride and the gentiles are the guest.

 

[amadeus]

For myself, I would see a strong distinction between Israel and the church, 1 Corinthians 10.32.

I believe the original Israel, the 144,000 thousand are the Bride of Christ. The multitude shown in Revelation are the guests. They are said to be of all nations while the 144,000 of Israel. No?

Revelation 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

You can make that 288,000 if divided into male and female. The "virgins" are said to be "male" -- an odd expression since nowhere else in the New Testament does the word "virgin" mean a man; so I think it signifies 144,000 souls that are neither male nor female but both -- or 288,000 if counted as males and females.

The number 288 is found in Genesis 1:2 by the way in the word "moved."

Genesis 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved <288> upon the face of the waters.

These are the original elect ones, with Jesus from the beginning. Many had been added by the time of Moses, becoming elect, with the number of males given as 600,000. Those were Gentiles who had been added on. The original elect however remain special. This is the Israel that Paul says must all be saved, not one can be lost. Amos says so too.

Amos 9:9 For, lo, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among all nations, like as corn is sifted in a sieve, yet shall not the least grain fall upon the earth.

Who knows where they are, who they are? God knows. I can judge myself however. I'm pretty sure I'm not one of the 144,000. I'm a guest.

We see the same lesson laid forth in the Sermon on the Mount when Jesus was talking to his disciples. Speaking to Jews, he said:

Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

The same day he talked about "many." When he came down from the mountain, he saw a Gentile and said:

Matthew 8:11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.

No?

Better to a guest at the wedding or a doorkeeper in the house of the Lord than to be left in or cast out into outer darkness:

"For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness." Psalm 84:10

 

[Philip James]

Okay Israel is the bride and the gentiles are the guest

Hello Heart,

The true glory and mercy of God is this: even we gentiles have been welcomed into that union!

You too! Are welcome to come to the wedding feast of the Lamb of God!

Peace be with you!

Christ is risen!
Alleluia!

 

[Heart2Soul]

Hello Heart,

The true glory and mercy of God is this: even we gentiles have been welcomed into that union!

You too! Are welcome to come to the wedding feast of the Lamb of God!

Peace be with you!

Christ is risen!
Alleluia!

Thank you my brother in Christ. I needed to hear an encouraging word and I got it. Praise His Holy Name.

 

[Giuliano]

Better to a guest at the wedding or a doorkeeper in the house of the Lord than to be left in or cast out into outer darkness:

"For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness." Psalm 84:10

Amen, and I am grateful to God for Israel. Where would I be without Abraham and the rest?

Genesis 12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

 

[GTW27]

There are many called but not all respond. "Behold I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and eat with him, and he with me." Not all seed(The Word of God) falls unto fertile soil. For self(darkness) rules the heart of man. It is my calling to gather, and many that will be gathered will be guest.

I remember years ago I was running late to a church service and as I was on the back stairs, I was thinking to myself, I hope there is still a seat left so that I may sit down. As I reached the top of the stairs I heard, "Fear not my son, for I have reserved a seat for you." There was a pause and then I heard, "At my table at The Wedding Feast." So Lord willing, when I sit down at table, there will be many Guest clothed with proper attire.

 

[farouk]

Thank you my brother in Christ. I needed to hear an encouraging word and I got it. Praise His Holy Name.

1 Samuel 30.6: "David encouraged himself in the LORD His God".

 

[farouk]

Okay Israel is the bride and the gentiles are the guest.

A reading of Ephesians shows that the church is the bride of Christ. :)

 

[Heart2Soul]

A reading of Ephesians shows that the church is the bride of Christ. :)

Yes it does. But who are the guest....?

 

[farouk]

Yes it does. But who are the guest....?

Does Ephesians really go into the matter of guests?

Being 'in Christ' seems to be Paul's preoccupation in the Epistle.

 

[VictoryinJesus]

"Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.
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." Matt 22:9-10

Thought about your thread today. Haven’t read through all the thread so maybe it has already been brought up. Never noticed “guest” for “strangers” until another member quoted it this morning: 12 that you were, in that era, apart from Christ, being alienated from the citizenship of Israel, and guests of the promise covenants, having no expectation, and without God in the world."

Ephesians 2:12 Lexicon: remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

3581:foreign, a foreigner, guest

 

[bbyrd009]

Thought about your thread today. Haven’t read through all the thread so maybe it has already been brought up. Never noticed “guest” for “strangers” until another member quoted it this morning: 12 that you were, in that era, apart from Christ, being alienated from the citizenship of Israel, and guests of the promise covenants, having no expectation, and without God in the world."

Ephesians 2:12 Lexicon: remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

3581:foreign, a foreigner, guest

Strong's Greek: 345. ἀνακεῖμαι (anakeimai) -- to be laid up, to recline is the root for "guests" at the wedding feast though,
"From ana and keimai; to recline (as a corpse or at a meal) -- guest, lean, lie, sit (down, at meat), at the table."

 

[bbyrd009]

so, no "guests" in this passage at all, interesting,
Mark 2:19
Jesus said to them, "The wedding guests cannot fast while the groom is with them, can they? As long as they have the groom with them, they cannot fast."
Mark 2:19 Lexicon: And Jesus said to them, "While the bridegroom is with them, the attendants of the bridegroom cannot fast, can they? So long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.

and i guess "guests" is assumed here, not sure what to make of that,
Acts of the Apostles 10:23
So Peter invited them in as his guests. And the next day he got ready and went with them, accompanied by some of the brothers from Joppa.
Acts 10:23 Lexicon: So he invited them in and gave them lodging. And on the next day he got up and went away with them, and some of the brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

also assumed here, getting weirder by the minute lol,
Luke 7:49
Some other guests started saying to one another, "Who is this who dares to forgive sins?"
Luke 7:49 Lexicon: Those who were reclining at the table with Him began to say to themselves, "Who is this man who even forgives sins?"

which i am cherry-picking versions here, "guests" is not in all xlations

 

[VictoryinJesus]

Strong's Greek: 345. ἀνακεῖμαι (anakeimai) -- to be laid up, to recline is the root for "guests" at the wedding feast though,
"From ana and keimai; to recline (as a corpse or at a meal) -- guest, lean, lie, sit (down, at meat), at the table."

Struggle with concordances and Strong’s Greek.
Luke 13:29 Lexicon: "And they will come from east and west and from north and south, and will recline at the table in the kingdom of God.
What is the significance in numbers change “345” and “347”
and will recline

ἀνακλιθήσονται

(anaklithēsontai)

347:to lay upon, lay down, to lie back

from anaand klin

 

[VictoryinJesus]

so, no "guests" in this passage at all, interesting,
Mark 2:19
Jesus said to them, "The wedding guests cannot fast while the groom is with them, can they? As long as they have the groom with them, they cannot fast."
Mark 2:19 Lexicon: And Jesus said to them, "While the bridegroom is with them, the attendants of the bridegroom cannot fast, can they? So long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.

Also when Jesus asked which was greater ...then he said I among you as he who serves ...is this also as he who reclines. Was he saying: I am among you as a guest?

 

[bbyrd009]

Struggle with concordances and Strong’s Greek.
Luke 13:29 Lexicon: "And they will come from east and west and from north and south, and will recline at the table in the kingdom of God.
What is the significance in numbers change “345” and “347”
and will recline

ἀνακλιθήσονται

(anaklithēsontai)

347:to lay upon, lay down, to lie back

from anaand klin

boy, or 3581 too, for that matter, huh?
dunno, have to marinate on it for a day or so i guess :)

 

[VictoryinJesus]

boy, or 3581 too, for that matter, huh?
dunno, have to marinate on it for a day or so i guess :)

Here also. Only noticed the “guest to the covenants of promise,” on the other thread and didn’t know what to think of it. Considering Be not forgetful to entertain guest: for in doing so some have entertained messengers of God unaware. Only considering as the word says strangers and angels.

 

[CadyandZoe]

"Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.
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." Matt 22:9-10

In my opinion, this is a good question. And I suspect that the conversation has moved beyond the original post, but I wanted to take the time, anyway, to say something. I have always wondered this myself and I don't think I have a good answer yet. Thanks for asking this question.

 

[VictoryinJesus]

so, no "guests" in this passage at all, interesting,
Mark 2:19
Jesus said to them, "The wedding guests cannot fast while the groom is with them, can they? As long as they have the groom with them, they cannot fast."
Mark 2:19 Lexicon: And Jesus said to them, "While the bridegroom is with them, the attendants of the bridegroom cannot fast, can they? So long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.

and i guess "guests" is assumed here, not sure what to make of that,
Acts of the Apostles 10:23
So Peter invited them in as his guests. And the next day he got ready and went with them, accompanied by some of the brothers from Joppa.
Acts 10:23 Lexicon: So he invited them in and gave them lodging. And on the next day he got up and went away with them, and some of the brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

also assumed here, getting weirder by the minute lol,
Luke 7:49
Some other guests started saying to one another, "Who is this who dares to forgive sins?"
Luke 7:49 Lexicon: Those who were reclining at the table with Him began to say to themselves, "Who is this man who even forgives sins?"

which i am cherry-picking versions here, "guests" is not in all xlations

I’m probably cherry-picking also.

Ephesians 2:12 remember that you were at the time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants o promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
foreign, a foreigner, guest...to the covenants of promise

1 Corinthians 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

Galatians 4:1-7 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; [2] But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. [3] Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: [4] But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, [5] To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. [6] And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. [7] Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Maybe: That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant,
“guest” until the time appointed of the father.

 

[VictoryinJesus]

Considering Be not forgetful to entertain guest: for in doing so some have entertained messengers of God unaware. Only considering as the word says strangers and angels.

Random yes, but still considering “guest” Hebrews: 13:1-2 Let brotherly love continue. [2] Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Luke 21:34-36 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. [35] For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. [36] Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. (1 Thessalonians 5:4), (Psalms 35:8), (Luke 21:34-35), (Luke 11:20-22)

Galatians 2:4-5 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: [5] To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

Hebrews 11:31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.