John 3:28-30 Luke 5:35 Revelation 18:23 Revelation 19:7-9	With the clear establishment that the “Church” is the “Body of Christ” (See ‘Body of Christ’), it is somewhat puzzling that so many people think the Church is the “Bride” of Christ. Lest we forget, a ‘bride’ marries a ‘bridegroom’ and they are two distinct entities at that moment. It is also a fact that Christ is referred to being the Bridegroom many times and rightly so since he will marry at the second coming.  But who will He marry?
Revelation 12 Ezekiel 16 Hosea 2 Isaiah 54:1-8 Jeremiah 31:31-40	Let’s go back to the Old Testament for a refresher on Prophesy.  Israel is always spoken of in the female gender in both the Old Testament and New Testament.  In fact, not only is Israel female but numerous accounts in Ezekiel 16, Hosea 2, Jeremiah and Isaiah, God is already described as a husband already married to Israel.  Israel is then described as a wife that gave up her fidelity to God and went a whoring.  Since God is perfectly righteous she then became “not my wife.” There was a forced separation between Israel and God.  That is the exact state Israel is in today.
Revelation 21:9-10 Revelation 19:7-9	However, God stays true to Israel and after the wife is cleansed during tribulation so that only the true remnant is left then Christ will have mercy and restore her (Israel) and she (wife) will become His bride again at the second coming for the re-marriage of Christ to Israel.  Even Revelation says the bride is already the “Lamb’s wife”!
Ephesians 5:21-33	So, how and why would a person that is part of a better inheritance as part of the masculine “Body of Christ” who is the Bridegroom, think that they were part of the “Bride” which is clearly Israel?  It probably stems from an erroneous interpretation of Ephesians 5:21-33.  This passage is not comparing Christ and the Church to a husband and wife relationship.  This passage is comparing the intended oneness of God for marriage (See Oneness in Marriage) in the husband (head) and wife (part of marriage body) to the intended perfect oneness relationship of Christ (head) and the Church (part of His body, part of His flesh and bones). “For this is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the Church.”