Correspondence: The Wife of Christ; Isa. 9:6; Zech. 13:6 - Christ or Antichrist?

From: Young Christian: Volume 1, 1911

Isaiah 9:6; Revelation 19:7; Zechariah 13:6 • 3 min. read • grade level: 8

Question 21. Is it proper to speak of the Church as being the wife of Christ? W. H.

Ans. it is only when the Church is displayed in glory that the scripture speaks of it as the wife, when the marriage time has come (Rev. 19:7⁷Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. (Revelation 19:7)), and when she is the display of His glory during the reign of Christ on the earth (Rev. 21:9⁹And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. (Revelation 21:9)).

It is scriptural to speak of the Church as the Body and the Bride of Christ now (1 Cor. 12:12-13¹²For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. ¹³For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:12‑13); Eph. 5:25-33²⁵Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; ²⁶That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, ²⁷That 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. ²⁸So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. ²⁹For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: ³⁰For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. ³¹For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. ³²This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. ³³Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. (Ephesians 5:25‑33); Rev. 22:17¹⁷And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (Revelation 22:17)).

We are united to Christ by the Holy Spirit given to us, and are one Spirit with the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17; 12:12-13¹⁷But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. (1 Corinthians 6:17)
¹²For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. ¹³For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:12‑13)).

In 2 Corinthians 11:2²For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:2), the apostle says, “I have espoused you unto one Man, to present you a chaste virgin to Christ.” God looks upon such an espousal, and so should we as if already one, (Compare Matt. 1:20²⁰But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. (Matthew 1:20)) one in purpose.

For all eternity the Church will never cease to be the Body and the Bride of Christ, and also the dwelling place of God (Eph. 3:21²¹Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. (Ephesians 3:21)).

May this teach us how dear we are to Him now, and lead us into paths consistent with such a calling.

Question 22. Please explain Isaiah 9:6⁶For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6). H. R.

Ans. This is a prophecy of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ into the world, but it is His coming as the Messiah or King of Israel. It is the Virgin’s child (Isa. 7:14¹⁴Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14) and Matt. 1:20-23²⁰But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. ²¹And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. ²²Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, ²³Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. (Matthew 1:20‑23)) coming to be King. “The government shall be upon His shoulder.” His name unfolds that He is God Himself.

Isaiah 9:7⁷Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9:7), His Kingdom shall he without fail, it shall be established with judgment and justice. The zeal of Jehovah of Hosts shall accomplish this.

He came, was rejected and is now seated on Jehovah’s throne (Psa. 110), till the time when He will come in power and glory and possess the Kingdom.

Mean time during His exaltation the Holy Spirit is gathering out the church – His body and His Bride. We know Him as our Savior, our Lord, our Head, our Bridegroom, our great High Priest, our Advocate. He will come for us when all His members are complete, so that when He comes to judge and reign, we will come with Him and reign with Him.

Question 23. Does Zechariah 13:6⁶And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends. (Zechariah 13:6) refer to Christ or to Antichrist? W. H. W.