The invitation of the Spirit and the bride of Rev. 22

[throwback]

12 ‘Look, I’m coming soon! And the reward that I bring is the repayment to each one for what he has done. 13 I’m the Alpha and the Omega; the first and the last; the beginning and the end. 14 Blest are those who wash their robes, for they’ll be allowed access to the trees of life, and they can enter the city gates. 15 But the dogs, those who cast spells, those who are immoral, the murderers, the idol worshipers, and everyone who enjoys lying, has to stay outside.’
16 ‘I (Jesus) sent my messenger to [provide] you testimony about these things that are [coming] to the congregations. I am the root and the descendant of David… the bright morning star.’
17 ‘[God’s] Breath and the bride keep saying, Come! And let everyone who hears this say, Come! Let anyone who’s thirsty come! Let anyone who wishes partake of life’s water free!

I have posted a portion of the context of Revelation 22 in order to discuss an issue that I have noticed in other threads about who has access to the Kingdom post 70 ce.
My understanding of the NT texts has led me to believe like most that the 'church' and the bride, along with the New Jerusalem are in most ways synonomous. I differentiate from most in that I believe the texts also illustrate that the number who make up the above group (the Bride) is a limited number that NO ONE living today or since the time of Jesus return is a part of.

[Richard Amiel McGough]

I have posted a portion of the context of Revelation 22 in order to discuss an issue that I have noticed in other threads about who has access to the Kingdom post 70 ce.
My understanding of the NT texts has led me to believe like most that the 'church' and the bride, along with the New Jerusalem are in most ways synonomous. I differentiate from most in that I believe the texts also illustrate that the number who make up the above group (the Bride) is a limited number that NO ONE living today or since the time of Jesus return is a part of.
OK - I'll bite. Who is the Bride? How is she distinct from the Church which is symbolized by the New Jerusalem?

[throwback]

Let me start by saying who I believe the Bride is NOT. I believe the Bride is not represented by the the institutions we recognize today as the church. I believe that the NT tells us that the authentic 'church' (I prefer ekklesia because the term church muddies the water, but being that is it so commonly accepted I'll use it), was to be redeemed from the Earth (land) at or around Jesus' parousia which of course was to occur within the lifeimes of his 1st century audience.

I believe that the Bride was made up of the saints. THe saints were individuals that were sealed with God's Holy Spirit that were looking for the "day" that was approaching (Heb 10:25). We are told that some of this number had died and that those individuals would be raised (1 Thess 4) to meet the saints that were alive and that that collective group would ever be with the Lord Jesus from that point on.
Another thing to point out is that within the NT there are analogies pertaining to the wedding of the Lamb and within those analogies we see multiple parties. There is of course the Bridegroom, there's the bride, and in addition, there are invited guests. My contention is that it is far more likely that we are represented by the invited guests (who show up of course) as opposed to the Bride.

[Richard Amiel McGough]

Let me start by saying who I believe the Bride is NOT. I believe the Bride is not represented by the the institutions we recognize today as the church. I believe that the NT tells us that the authentic 'church' (I prefer ekklesia because the term church muddies the water, but being that is it so commonly accepted I'll use it), was to be redeemed from the Earth (land) at or around Jesus' parousia which of course was to occur within the lifeimes of his 1st century audience.

I believe that the Bride was made up of the saints. THe saints were individuals that were sealed with God's Holy Spirit that were looking for the "day" that was approaching (Heb 10:25). We are told that some of this number had died and that those individuals would be raised (1 Thess 4) to meet the saints that were alive and that that collective group would ever be with the Lord Jesus from that point on.
Another thing to point out is that within the NT there are analogies pertaining to the wedding of the Lamb and within those analogies we see multiple parties. There is of course the Bridegroom, there's the bride, and in addition, there are invited guests. My contention is that it is far more likely that we are represented by the invited guests (who show up of course) as opposed to the Bride.
I think you might be creating a problem by assuming that there is a single uniform meaning to the metaphor of the "bride" in various passages. The "bride" (or rather "wife") in Ephesians 5 is explicitly the church (Eph 5:32). But the "bride" in Matthew 22 (where Christ is the Bridegroom and we are the guests) is not defined in the story at all. She's not even mentioned. How odd is that? There is a kings' son, many servants (angels?), guests that didn't want to come (the unbelieving Jews?) and guests dragged in from the street (believing Gentiles? that seems anachronistic because nobody at that time believed the Gentiles were included in the Gospel), but no bride.

Then in Revelation, the New Jerusalem is arrayed "like a bride" and she seems to be the faithful "Great City" (Heavenly Jerusalem, Bride) contrasted with the apostate "Great City" of earthly Jerusalem (Harlot) that parallels Paul's analogy of Hagar/Bondage and Sarah/Freedom in Galatians.

So you'll need to fill in a few more details for me before I will be able to understand what you are getting at.