The Bride of Yeshuwa

Who is the Bride of Yeshuwa?

There is reference to The Bride of Yeshuwa in the Holy Bible, Let us explore a few of the verses:

Verse from The Holy Bible
Revelation 21: 9

Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, “Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.”
2 Corinthians 11:2

For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
Ephesians 5: 23 - 28

For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Ephesians 1: 20 - 23 

which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Explanation:
The Father worked in Yeshuwa by raising Yeshuwa from the dead and seated Yeshuwa at the right hand side of The Father. Then The Father put all under Yeshuwa's feet, including death, and gave Yeshuwa, a Bride. Yeshuwa is made as the head of this Bride by The Father. The Church, who is the bride, is the completeness of Yeshuwa, who in turn is the one who completes everything.

From these verses, we can understand that just like Adam was incomplete without Eve, Abraham to Sarah, Issac to Rephkah, Jacob to Rahel, Yeshuwa is incomplete without His bride, The Holy Church.


 

 

 
 


Understanding a 
Traditional Jewish Wedding

Yeshuwa is born as a Jew and followed Jewish traditions. Hence the wedding of Yeshuwa Messiah will also be according to these traditions. Hence, it is critical that we understand the details of a traditional Jewish wedding to understand the relation between Yeshuwa and His bride, 'The Church'.

Traditions in Jewish wedding
There are two parts for a traditional Jewish Marriage.
1. Functions related to process of choosing a Bride to her Engagement or Betrothal.
2. The wedding process itself and other traditions that follow the wedding


Details of the choosing a bride till Betrothal / Erusin / Kiddushin / The engagement
1. Shiddukhin - The selection of the bride. In olden days, the father chose the bride for his son. We can see this tradition during the marriage of Isaac.

God, The Father chose the people that would accept His Son. They are the Bride of Yeshuwa. 

John 6: 37 - 40
All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
2. Mohar – The bride price. The groom pays a price for his bride. She has great value to him.

Yeshuwa paid the ultimate price for His Bride (The Church). He gave up His Blood (source of life) in return for her!

Acts 20:28
Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
3. Ketubah - Marriage contract. The Ketubah (marriage contract) is presented by the groom to the bride. This contract contains all of the groom’s promises to her. She holds this dear in her heart.

Jesus made a covenant (contract) with His Bride. He sealed the contract with His own blood! and gave her the New Testament.

Mathew 26: 28
Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
4. Consent – The Bride’s Consent is given. The marriage contract is entered into by both groom and bride. She only has to accept Him as Her groom.

The Bride of Yeshuwa Messiah accepts Him as their Lord, Savior and Husband. We happily agree to the marriage contract with our Lord and Saviour, Yeshuwa Messiah.

Ephesians 5: 22 - 24
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.
5. The Cup of the Covenant - A cup of wine is shared to seal the marriage covenant. The next cup of wine will be shared at the Marriage Ceremony. Till then, the groom will not have wine.

Yeshuwa drank a cup of wine with His disciples at the Last Supper. He was sealing His marriage covenant with His Bride. He said He would not drink of the cup again until He was reunited with us. He is seen rejecting the wine offered to him, even if he was thirsty on the cross.

Mathew 26:29
But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom. 
Mathew 27:34
they gave Him sour wine mingled with gall to drink. But when He had tasted it, He would not drink.
6. Matan / Bridal Gift. The groom has to go away to prepare their new home together. He gives his betrothed, a valuable gift, usually with his seal on it, to show her how much he loves her. This gift can remind the bride-to-be of how much her future husband loves her and that he WILL return for her. Refer the parable of a bride who lost her silver coins. The bride has to show this gift to the groom when he comes back, symbolising how responsible she was and how patiently she longed for him, his return.

The Bride of Messiah is given many gifts by Yeshuwa! The gift of eternal salvation, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and many more.

1 Peter 4: 10 - 11
As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
7. Mikveh – Ritual Immersion – Both the groom and the bride went through an immersion in water that signified spiritual cleansing. 

Yeshuwa was baptized by John the Baptist (laying of hand). His bride follows Him in baptism to testify to the world, of her death to sin and that she has been reborn in Yeshuwa. 

Acts 2: 38
Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
8. Departure of the Groom – The groom leaves His Bride-to-Be and goes to prepare a place for her at His father’s house. No one knows when He will return for his bride except the groom’s father.

Yeshuwa left us and went to heaven to prepare a place for us there. He said no one knew the day or hour of His return except the Father.

John 14: 2 - 3
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 to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
Mark 13: 32 / Mathew 24: 36
But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
9. The Bride Waits for the Groom’s Return – The bride prepares her wedding clothes and other things she will need for her marriage. She waits for her true love, pines for him and remains faithful.

The Bride of Yeshuwa waits for Him to come for her in the clouds! She adorns herself with good deeds and faithfulness to Him. She loves Him and waits eagerly for His return.

Titus 2: 12 - 14
teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

 

 

 
 
 

Finding which Church is The Bride?

Let us look at some of the qualities of this Church described in the Holy Bible.

Qualities of the Church which is the Bride of YeshuwaVerse from The Holy Bible
The Church was purchased with the Blood of Yeshuwva, existed before 100 A.D.Acts 20: 28
“Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood."

Explanation:
Purchased in past tense means The Church existed at the time of Crucifixion. If it was to be purchased later, then the passage would have been 'He would purchase with His own blood' which is not the case. This letter was written prior to 100 A. D. So The Church already existed by that time.
The church must be established by Yeshuwa.Mathew 16: 18

“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
The authority of this church is established to St Peter, just like Levites were given the authority of the Temple functions.

Or in a simpler way: 

St. Peter is made the Head of this Church, just as Yeshuwa is the Head of this Church and The Father is the Head of Yeshuwa. 
This is the structure.
Mathew 16:19 
“And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."


John 21: 15 - 17
So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My lambs.” He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.”
He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep."
The Church is the pillar and foundation of truth.1 Timothy 3:15

but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
The Church is the body of Yeshuwa.Ephesians 1: 22 - 23
And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Colossians 1: 24
I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church,
The Church is the bride of Yeshuwa.Revelation 21: 9

Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, “Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.”
Yeshuwa gave spiritual authority to the Church.John 20: 21 - 23

So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
Yeshuwa gave The Holy Spirit to the Church as the gift.Acts 2: 38 - 39

Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. “For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
Yeshuwa purchased* His Bride, the Church with His own blood.

(*see- purchased as past tense. This church existed before 100 A.D.)
Acts 20: 28

“Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood."
The Church is increased by Yeshuwa.1 Corinthians 3:6

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.
The Church receives the seal from The Holy Spirit.Ephesians 1: 13 - 14

In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.
The Holy Spirit appoints overseerers to guide The Church in the right direction.Acts 20: 28

“Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
The Church is protected by Yeshuwa.Mathew 16: 18

And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
The Father gave wisdom to The Church.Ephessians 3: 10 - 11

to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,
The Church is subject to Yeshuwa.Ephessians 5: 24

Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.
Yeshuwa is the head of the Church.Ephessians 1: 22
And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,

Ephessians 5: 24
For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.
Yeshuwa is the corner stone for the Church1 Corintians 3: 11
For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Ephessians 2: 20
having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,

1 Peter 2: 7
Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient,
“The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone,”

 

 

 

 

Let us hear from St. Paul

Verse from The Holy Bible
Galatians 1: 6 - 8

I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.

In short, St. Paul is surprised to see how the Church in region of Galatia, modern-day central Turkey, wandered off to another teaching. St. Paul is stressing that the Church stick to the original teaching. 

If anyone comes with a new teaching, be it St. Paul himself, or any other apostles (even if WE) or be it an Angel from Heaven, then He will be accursed.

So, one way of finding the Church is by simply finding which Church did St. Paul belonged to.

Let us look at the following verse from the bible to find which Church does St. Paul belonged to:

Which Church did St. Paul belong to?

Verse from The Holy Bible
Acts 13: 1 - 9

Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.

So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. And when they arrived in Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. They also had John as their assistant. Now when they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus, who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.

Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him.

We can observe the following from the above passage:

1. Saul in verse 1 and verse 9 is the same person and is St. Paul.

2. St. Paul and Barnabas were separated by Holy Spirit.

3. St. Paul and Barnabas fasted and prayed before going on their mission.

4. The Apostles laid hands after fasting and prayer. This is the traditional ordination, or giving authority, which is passed down by the Fathers of the Church. It cannot be observed by anyone who gets baptised. This is the authority which Simon wanted to buy from St. Peter. "saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” ( Acts 8:19 ), and almost got punished.

5. It is mandatory that the person gets purified before getting ordained. Here we can see Saul and Barnabas fasting and praying before getting ordained.

6. The authority of ordination rest with the Church of Antioch, just as authority of ordination rested with Levites by birth. Levites ordinated using Anointing Oil. 



We can conclude that St. Paul was a Prophet and Teacher of The Church Of Antioch. 

 

 

  

About The Church Of Antioch

Verse from The Holy Bible
ACTS 11:19-30

Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
ACTS 14:26 - 28

From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had completed. Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. So they stayed there a long time with the disciples.
ACTS 15: 30

So when they were sent off, they came to Antioch; and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter.

Stone inscription from the Church of St. Mark where Yeshuwa celebrated the Last Supper.

English translation of the inscription in Syriac, one of the the native languages used at the time of Yeshuwa.

From the above verses and inscriptions, we can conclude that:

1. The Church of Antioch was established by St. Peter.

2. St. Peter became the first Patriach of the Church of Antioch in 37 A.D.

3. The Disciples belonged to the Church of Antioch which was established by St. Peter.

4. The Disciples would regularly gather at the Church of Antioch.

5. The Disciples would commonly use 'Pseetho Syriac' as their dialect and in sermons.

6. The Holy Spirit was with the Church of Antioch.

7. The Holy Spirit instructs the Church to separate men for His tasks.

8. The word 'Christians' was first given to the people who came to Church of Antioch.

9. The Church of Antioch is the extension of the incarnation of Yeshuwa Messiah(being His Body)

10. Seeing miracles in Church of Antioch, Barnabas was sent to Antioch from church in Jerusalem. Barnabas was glad about Church of Antioch and encouraged them to be with the Lord.

Following is a list of Patriachs that came in succession to St. Peter after he was crucified upside down in 67 A.D. in Rome. ( Click on the image to refer the names in English)

Original Patriachal list written in leather located
at Dayro d-mor Hanayo(Deir az-Za faran)

What about other Churches?

There are references to Brides in the Holy Bible, Let us explore a few of the verses:

Verse from The Holy Bible
Psalms 45: 9
Kings’ daughters are among Your honorable women; At Your right hand stands the queen in gold from Ophir.
Mathew 25: 1 
Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 
Revelation 1: 20 
The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.
John 14: 2 - 3
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 to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.

There are many mansions in the Kingdom of our Lord. Yeshuwa distinctly talks about mansions that are already built in His Father's house and Yeshuwa also specifies a place He is going to prepare for His Bride ( as per Jewish custom).

In short, it is for Yeshuwa to decide. We are nothing in front of His Judgement and might. He, who has taken the thief on His right side to Paradise even without baptism, may decide. Let us follow His new covenant, do what He asked us to do and stay away what He asked us not to do. 

Let us see how He transformed His Temple?

There are references to Yeshuwa removing the Jerusalem Temple, rebuilding the temple in 3 days in the Holy Bible, Let us explore a few of the verses:

Verse from The Holy Bible
John 4: 21-23
Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.
John 2:19
Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."
Mathew 26: 61
This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’

Jewish Temple and Church of Antioch

Jerusalem Temple

Church of Antioch

Solomon's Temple

Modern Church of Antioch

What about the Old Testament?

Let us listen to St. Paul about the Old Testament and the New Testament. The 12 tribes of Israel are transformed with the 12 disciples of Yeshuwa Messiah. The children were born into the old tribes through flesh, whereas the children of New Israel is born by faith in Yeshuwa Messiah.

Verse from The Holy Bible
Galatians 4: 21 - 31

Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law?
For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman.
But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise, which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar—

for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children—

but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all.
For it is written:

“Rejoice, O barren,
You who do not bear!
Break forth and shout,
You who are not in labor!
For the desolate has many more children
Than she who has a husband.

Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise.
But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now.
Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.

So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.