117. l. THAT IN THE WORD, THE LORD IS CALLED BRIDEGROOM AND HUSBAND, AND THE CHURCH BRIDE AND WIFE; AND THAT THE CONJUNCTION OF THE LORD WITH THE CHURCH, AND THE RECIPROCAL CONJUNCTION OF THE CHURCH WITH THE LORD, IS CALLED MARRIAGE. That in the Word, the Lord is called Bridegroom and Husband, and the Church Bride and Wife, may be seen from the following passages:
He that hath the BRIDE is the BRIDEGROOM; but the friend of the BRIDEGROOM, who standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth with joy because of the BRIDEGROOM'S voice. John 3:29.
these words were spoken by John the Baptist concerning the Lord.
Jesus said, So long as the BRIDEGROOM is with them, the SONS OF THE NUPTIALS cannot fast; the days will come when the BRIDEGROOM shall be taken away from them, then will they fast. Matt. 9:15; Mark 2:19, 20; Luke 5:34, 35.
I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, prepared as a BRIDE adorned for her HUSBAND. Rev. 21:2.
That by the New Jerusalem is meant the Lord's New Church may be seen in THE APOCALYPSE REVEALED, nos. 880, 881. The angel said to John:
Come and I will show thee THE BRIDE, THE LAMB'S WIFE. And He showed him the holy city, Jerusalem. Rev. 21:9, 10.
The time for the MARRIAGE OF THE LAMB, is come, and HIS WIFE hath made herself ready. Blessed are they which are called to THE MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB. 19:7, 9.
By the Bridegroom whom the five virgins who were ready went forth to meet, and with whom they entered into the wedding (Matt. 25:6-10), is meant the Lord, as is evident from verse 13 where it is said: Watch therefore, for ye know not the day nor the hour wherein the SON OF MAN cometh. Besides many passages in the Prophets.