DIVORCING GOD: THE ROLE OF THE SPIRITUAL BRIDEGROOM!

                                              

THE ROLE OF THE GROOM

“... In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also...” (John 14:2-3 KJV). “…Christ … GAVE himself for it; That he might SANCTIFY and CLEANSE it, with the washing of water by the word….” (Ephesians 5:25-25 KJV). “… The God of peace Himself SANCTIFY you ENTIRELY…” (1 Thessalonians 5:23 NASB). “...the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole…” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 MSG).

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God, the Holy Spirit, is considered the GROOM or BRIDEGROOM in the covenant relationship with the REDEEMED.

A GROOM or BRIDEGROOM is understood as a male person who is about to be MARRIED.

A anthropomorphism is when human characteristics are attributed to God, when God is actually NOT human at all. “…God is not human “…God is Spirit …Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill…” (Numbers 23:19 NIV & John 4:24 KJV).

Nonetheless, God, the Holy Spirit, is attributed the characteristics of a GROOM or BRIDEGROOM, which is only a anthropomorphism. ‘...Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’...” (Matthew 25:1-3 NLT). “...I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself..” (John 14:2-3 KJV).

The BRIDEGROOM anthropomorphism is used to reveal how the church is LIKE a BRIDE, specifically, MADE READY, for God, the Holy Spirit, through Jesus Christ. “....The bride belongs to the bridegroom...” (John 3:29 NIV).

God, the Holy Spirit, through Jesus, and the Church symbolize a GROOM AND BRIDE, which is only a metaphor to describe the covenant relationship between HIM and the REDEEMED. “… [There is] … one … who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus …” (1 Timothy 2:5 NLT). “…He (she) that is joined unto the Lord is ONE SPIRIT…[with God, the Holy Spirit] …”  (1 Corinthian 6:17 KJV).

The GROOM expects his BRIDE to be faithful to HIM by following his teachings and proving their love for him. “…If you love me, “you” will keep my commandments …” (John 14:15).  

Jesus was God’s PLAN of SALVATION that was SENT to WIN mankind BACK to LOVE (himself) and the covenant relationship. “...Christ …. died for sins ONCE for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us...[BACK]... to God…” (1 Peter 3:18 NASB). “…God is love…” (1 John 4:8 KJV).

When the covenant relationship is established, God, the Holy Spirit, through Jesus, becomes the BRIDEGROOM and the church or REDEEMED becomes the BRIDE. “....The bride (now)...belongs to the bridegroom...” (John 3:29 NIV).

“…If any man(woman) be in Christ, he(she) is a NEW creature (a BRIDE) …” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “...This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person (NEW CREATION or A BRIDE of Christ)...” (2 Corinthians 5:14-18 NLT).

 “…Because YOU BELONG to him … ” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT). “...We are his; we are HIS PEOPLE...” (Psalms 100:3 KJV). “...[Everyone]… who believe the Good News...[and are REDEEMED]... BELONG TO CHRIST JESUS…” (Ephesians 3:6 NLT).  

The entire CHURCH, the REDEEMED, the body of Christ is likened unto a BRIDE. The GROOM, in the Jewish tradition, goes away to prepare a place for his BRIDE.

Jesus says he GOES to prepare a PLACE too. “...I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also...” (John 14:2-3 KJV).

And yet, Jesus says he NEVER leaves his BRIDE. “…God has said “NEVER WILL I LEAVE YOU; NEVER WILL I FORSAKE YOU…” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV).

Jesus goes and prepares a place for his BRIDE and yet the BRIDE is NEVER away from his PRESENCE. “...Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me .Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee...” (Psalms 139:7-12 KJV).

The REDEEMED will be PREPARED and beautifully READY when the GROOM returns. “...And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband...” (Revelation 21:2 KJV).

God, the Holy Spirit, the GROOM, and the BRIDEGROOM, through Jesus Christ is omnipresence. “...Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?...” (Psalms 139:7-12 KJV).

“…Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account…” (Hebrews 4:13 NIV). “…For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings…” (Job 34:21 KJV).

God, the Holy Spirit, and GROOM will NEVER leave the REDEEMED. “…God has said “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you…” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV). “…I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, to the very end…"(Matthew 28:20 NIV).  “…Behold, I AM WITH… [YOU] and  …I WILL NOT LEAVE [YOU]…." (Genesis 28:15 ASV). “…Behold, I am with… [you] and will keep… [you] whithersoever [you]… goest…I will not leave [you]..." (Genesis 28:15 ASV).

Thus, during the ENGAGEMENT (betrothal), God, the Holy Spirit, HELPS his BRIDE PREPARE and GET READY for the WEDDING DAY. “… The God of peace Himself SANCTIFY ...[the REDEEMED]... ENTIRELY…” (1 Thessalonians 5:23 NASB). “... God [the Holy Spirit, the GROOM, etc.]... who makes everything holy and whole, make ...[the redeemed]... holy and whole…” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 MSG). “…Christ … GAVE himself for [the CHURCH, the BRIDE]...That he might SANCTIFY and CLEANSE ...[the BRIDE], with the washing of water by the word….” (Ephesians 5:25-27 KJV).

God, the Holy Spirit, LOVES, his BRIDE through Jesus Christ. “…Jesus Christ is in [the REDEEMED]…” (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV). “…I will not leave [my BRIDE]..." (Genesis 28:15 ASV).“…The Spirit of God dwell in [the REDEEMED]…” (Romans 8:9 KJV).  

Jesus Christ is God’s WORD. Jesus had another name. “… His name is called The Word of God…” (Revelation 19:12-13 NASB). “…THE WORDS  ... they ARE SPIRIT…” (John 6:63 KJV). “…the Word [is]... God … (John 1:1-4 NASB). “…God [sends]... forth the Spirit of His Son (THE WORD) “INTO” OUR HEARTS (the hearts of the REDEEMED; the BRIDE, etc.)…” (Galatians 4:6 NASB).

It is HIS WORD that sanctifies and cleanses his BRIDE. “...That he might SANCTIFY and CLEANSE ...[the BRIDE], with the washing of water by the word….” (Ephesians 5:25-27 KJV).

 The sanctifying and cleansing, through God’s Word, is what PREPARES and gets his BRIDE READY for the WEDDING. “...That he might present [his BRIDE]... to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish...” (Ephesians 5:25-27 KJV).

The ROLE of God, the Holy Spirit, the GROOM is to PREPARE a place (a home) for his BRIDE and to PREPARE his BRIDE to go to the PLACE (her heavenly home).

The covenant relationship with God, the Holy Spirit, started with a PLAN of SALVATION before the foundation of the world. Next, God put his PLAN into action when he sent Jesus and began “seeking” or pursuing and saving the lost.

Then he CHOOSE “everybody” to be REDEEMED and DREW those who RESPONDED by LOVE.

He COURTED the REDEEMED in order to give them revelation knowledge about himself. The COURTSHIP grew into an ENGAGEMENT where God, the Holy Spirit, takes upon himself, the role of a GROOM.

WHO IS THIS SPIRITUAL GROOM TO “THE REDEEMED;” HIS BRIDE? “…[God, the GROOM, is]…Your rock and Your fortress, your deliverer, Your GOD, Your rock, in whom [you can] … take refuge; Your shield and the horn of Your salvation, YOUR stronghold.…" (Psalms 18:3 NASB).

“…God is...[you covenant]... LOVE…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “… [Nothing]…will be able to separate ...[the REDEEMED]... from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord…” (Romans 8:31-39 NASB). “… “I AM WHO I AM …” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB).  “…I am  the Lord, the God of all flesh…” (Jeremiah 32:27 KJV). "… I am the Alpha and the Omega…" (Revelation 1:8 NASB). “… I..[AM]… the first, and with the last...'" (Isaiah 41:4 NASB).  “...[I AM]... GOOD…there is none good but one, that is, God[, THE HOLY SPIRIT]...” (Nahum 1:7 & Mark 10:18 KJV). “…God is love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “...[GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT]...careth for you...” (1 Peter 5:7 KJV). “...God is faithful...” (1 Corinthians 1:9 KJV). “… he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is…” (2 Timothy 2:13 NLT). “…  I ...am your healer…” (Exodus 15:26). GOD HELPS THE REDEEMED. “…He helps me …” (Psalms 28:7 NLT). GOD IS A COMFORTER to the REDEEMED. “…they shall be comforted. ….” (Matthew 5:3-11 KJV).

“… I AM HOLY…” (1 Peter 1:14-16 KJV).  And, “...There is none holy as the Lord…” (1 Samuel 2:2 KJV). “…God is the one who provides (for the REDEEMED)…” (2 Corinthians 9:10-13 KJV). “… God will supply all [the needs of the REDEEMED]…” (Philippians 4:19 NASB). “… [God] … will keep in perfect peace all who trust in … [him] … all whose thoughts are fixed on … [him!]” (Isaiah 26:3 NLT). “….The Lord is “my” shepherd  (the shepherd of the redeemed)….” (PSALM 23:1-3 NLT). “… “Never will I leave you (the redeemed, his bride); never will I forsake you…” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV).

“… “I AM WHO I AM …” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB).  “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).  ^“Jesus Christ (the word) is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8 NIV).

God, the Holy Spirit, the GROOM INDWELLS his church or his BRIDE by putting his SPIRIT into their HEARTS. “…God [sends]... forth the Spirit of His Son (THE WORD) “INTO” OUR HEARTS (the hearts of the BRIDE, etc.)…” (Galatians 4:6 NASB).

 Becoming so uniquely intimate with his BRIDE is God’s WAY of REVEALING himself to his BRIDE, CONFIRMING his Word to his BRIDE, and ESTABLISHING himself as the Lord, THEIR GOD! “…so ...[the redeemed]... will know that [HE “IS”] the Lord…” (Exodus 10:1-2 NLT). “…Then ... [the redeemed] ...will know that [he is] the Lord ...[their]...God…’” (Exodus 16:12 NLT). “…I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).

The ROLE of the LOVING, DEPENDABLE, IMMUTABLE, and TRUSTFUL GROOM of the BRIDE is to SANCTIFY them and CLEANSE them to make them READY for the WEDDING!

“...That he might present [his BRIDE]... to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish...” (Ephesians 5:25-27 KJV).

They didn’t KNOW it when God made a PLAN of SALVATION, but those who have trusted in that PLAN are SAVED or REDEEMED.“…Christ (God’s PLAN of SALVATION) ... hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us [back] to God …” (1 Peter 3:18 KJV). “…He did this, not because we DESERVED it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time…” (2 Timothy 1:9 NLT).

They also don’t KNOW or understand what God's plan entails right NOW, but nonetheless, God has a PLAN for HIS BRIDE’s future and those who trust in that PLAN to the end are SAVED or REDEEMED. “…The plans [God has]…for you (the REDEEMED)….[are]… plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV). “…Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him...” (1 Corinthians 2:9 KJV).“...I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope...” (Jeremiah 29:11 NLT). “... I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end...” (Jeremiah 29:11 KJV). “...HE (SHE) THAT “SHALL” ENDURE UNTO THE END SHALL BE SAVED...” (Matthew 24:13 KJV).

The WEDDING is coming and heaven is the future home Thus ENDURING WITH the GROOM, as he helps, the BRIDE, PREPARE and GET READY IS THE ONLY “PATH” TO THE “BLESSED EVENT!”

Thus, the GROOM assists the BRIDE in GETTING ready through SANCTIFICATION, whatever it takes, whatever they must go through, whatever they must endure, and whatever the cost! “...Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! ...the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready....” (Revelation 19:7-8 KJV).

To SANCTIFY means to “make HOLY” Holy means to be separated and set apart from SIN. The REDEEMED or the BRIDE is FREED from sin through Jesus Christ, but has not yet LEARNED to WALK or LIVE in that FREEDOM. “... [the redeemed has been] made free from sin….” (Romans 6:18 KJV). “If the Son therefore shall make you free, you SHALL be free indeed” (John 8:36 KJV). “…where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (freedom)...” (2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV). Where is the Spirit of the Lord? “…The Spirit of God dwell in [the REDEEMED]…” (Romans 8:9 KJV).  

Choosing and becoming empowered to LIVE in FREEDOM from the SIN is the SANCTIFYING process. “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV).  “... It was for freedom that Christ set us free;...” (Galatians 5:1 NASB). “... Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free,e..” (Galatians 5:1 KJV). “… I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore [“YOU”]...choose life (the life “you” want)…” (Deuteronomy 30:19).

The GROOM sanctifies the BRIDE in order for them to function properly, while upon earth, and while they WAIT for the WEDDING.

When the BRIDE begins to live according to God’s PLAN, his WILL, and PURPOSE it is a WITNESS of the GROOM’s (God, the Holy Spirit’s) SANCTIFYING POWER!!!

The GROOM’s ROLE is to SANCTIFY and the BRIDE’s ROLE is to entrust themselves to his sanctifying CARE. “...Christ... made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin...” (1 Corinthians 1:30 NLT). “... ye are washed... ye are sanctified....ye are justified... by the...[indwelling Holy]... Spirit of our God...” (1 Corinthians 6:11 KJV). “... [Redeemed]... according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit...” (1 Peter 1:2 KJV).

“…[The REDEEMED, the BRIDE is to]...trust in (depend upon) [the groom] ... with all thine heart…” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV).  “…[God, the Holy Spirit; the GROOM],  “WILL” accomplish (take care of)…that which concerns [you]…” (John 14:31 NASB). “...Casting all your care upon him (God, the Holy Spirit; the GROOM); for he careth for you.” (1 Peter 5:7 KJV).   “…All [the GROOM]... does (for his BRIDE)...is just and good, and all his [WORDS] are TRUSTWORTHY….” (PSALMS 111:7 NLT).

Sanctification is a PROCESS for the BRIDE and this process will be life changing is many ways.

Being MADE HOLY is a ACTIVE process which works to SEPARATE and SET APART, the BRIDE for God’s PLAN, his WILL, and his PURPOSE.

When the BRIDE is truly dedicated to the GROOM, the process of sanctification will come through events, situations, circumstances, trials, tribulations, unforeseen experiences, and longsuffering assignments. “...[THE BRIDE]... THAT “SHALL” ENDURE UNTO THE END...[WITH THE GROOM]... SHALL BE SAVED...” (Matthew 24:13 KJV).

The GROOM’s ROLE is to empower the commitment of the BRIDE to HOLY living, through the indwelling Holy Spirit as well as to GET and KEEP them READY for the WEDDING.“...Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! ...the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready....” (Revelation 19:7-8 KJV).