Begin—End, 6of12

~ The Bridegroom ~

There are a number of fascinating parallels between the first three chapters of the Bible (Genesis 1-3) and the last three chapters of the Bible (Revelation 20-22).  In between we find 1,183 chapters which record mankind’s struggles as well as instructions for the struggle.  In this series each post looks at one of the parallels—it is not an exhaustive coverage of all the parallels. 

The Beginning  ~  The original bridegroom—the First Adam.  “And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place.  Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.  And Adam said: ‘This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.’  Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh” (Genesis 2:21-24).

The Middle  ~  Jesus Christ, the believer’s Bridegroom is preparing for His Bride.  He told His followers, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.  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.  And where I go you know, and the way you know” (John 14:1-4).

The End  ~  The ultimate and final Bridegroom—The Second Adam.  “Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.  Also there was no more sea.  Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people.  God Himself will be with them and be their God’” (Revelation 21:1-3).  “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’” (Revelation 21:9-10).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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7 Symbols of God’s Care

~ God Cares for YOU ~

We serve a caring God who meets all our needs.

Like a hen He gathers and protects ~ Our Lord stated in reference to His chosen people, “How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” (Matthew 23:37).

Like an eagle He protects and leads ~ “As an eagle stirs up its nest, hovers over its young, spreading out its wings, taking them up, carrying them on its wings, so the LORD alone led him” (Deuteronomy 32:11-12).

Like a shepherd He watches and delivers ~ “As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep, so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and dark day” (Ezekiel 34:12).

Like a father He pities and shows compassion ~ “Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him” (Psalm 103:13).

Like a mother He consoles and comforts ~ “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you” (Isaiah 66:13).

Like a nursing mother He is gentle and provides ~ As His disciples we are also to love others as He loved us (John 13:34). We are to gently care for and provide for the needs of the Christian community. “But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children” (1 Thessalonians 2:7).

Like a bridegroom He delights and rejoices ~ “As the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you” (Isaiah 62:5). One day Jesus Christ will return to gather His bride, the Church, to be with Him forever!

SUMMARY: “So be content with who you are, and don't put on airs. God's strong hand is on you; He'll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; He is most careful with you. Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You're not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It's the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won't last forever. It won't be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ — eternal and glorious plans they are! — will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, He does” (1 Peter 5:6-11, The Message).

QUOTE: Being in church does not make you a Christian any more than being in a garage makes you a car! (Original source is unknown.)