As I am sure you are aware, the Church is also described as the bride of Christ.
Yes. Unfortunately, some people think the Church, or congregation, is an actual building, but yo are correct. The Church is the bride of Christ - the same bride described in Revelation. They are one and the same.
Which makes it even easier for us to see that not all righteous people are members of the body of Christ, since no individual living, and dying prior to Jesus establishing the Church, can be said to be Christ's body. Nor part of it.
Please see Matthew 16:18
At Hebrews 12:22, 23, the scriptures tell us, the body, and bride of Christ, is enrolled in heaven, upon heavenly Mount Zion, as is referenced in Revelation 14:1.
Eph5: 31 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.
Now either Christ has two wives or the Church and The New Jerusalem are metaphors for all of the saved and righteous people of God.
Christ has only one wife. The one described at Revelation 14:1; Revelation 21:9-14
They are all metaphors. From the city, to its 12 gates, to its pillars, right down to the 12 foundation stones, and the cornerstone, Jesus Christ.
Even bride and husband are metaphors.
These scriptures however, do not refer to all the saved.
The 144,000 on Mount Zion, are not the great multitude seen at Revelation 7:9.
Both groups however, are righteous.
Only one group - the 144,000, is the Bride of Christ.
This, of course, does not preclude them from being actual objects in none of themselves such as the new Jerusalem being a city.
Can you rephrase that statement please? I don't understand what you are saying.
If you’re suppositions were to be true, it would mean that there would be righteous and good people outside of Christ.
I'm not sure what you mean by "outside of Christ".
Are you saying Christ is the city?
You are conflating the new Jerusalem with the term tabernacle, which means dwelling place. You’re beginning to confuse your metaphors here because how can it be the bride of Christ and the dwelling place of God also?
If you are saying the
skéné: Tent, Tabernacle, Dwelling, does not refer to New Jerusalem, you need to explain how you arrive at it being something else, since the context is clear. Revelation 21:1 is connected to Revelation 21:2-4.
Regarding the Greek word skéné...
Word Origin: Derived from the Greek verb σκήνω (skēnō), meaning "to pitch a tent" or "to dwell."
Usually said to be a derivative of Proto-Indo-European *(s)ḱeh₃- (“shade, shadow”), originally referring to a light construction of cloth hung between tree branches to provide a shadow which could be used for shelter and other activities, though the vocalism is difficult to explain as full grade *sḱeh₃- gives σκω (skō) and zero grade *sḱh₃- gives σκο (sko).
Strong's Greek: 4633. σκηνή (skéné) -- a tent
σκηνή, σκηνῆς, ἡ (from the root, ska 'to cover' etc.; cf. σκιά, σκότος, etc.; Latincasa, cassis, castrum; English shade, etc.; Curtius, § 112; Vanicek, p. 1054f), from (Aeschylus), Sophocles and Thucydides down; the Sept. chiefly for אֹהֶל, often also for מִשְׁכָּן, also for סֻכָּה; a tent, tabernacle (made of green boughs, or skins, or other materials):
Matthew 17:4;
Mark 9:5;
Luke 9:33;
Hebrews 11:9; αἱ αἰώνιοι σκηναί (see αἰώνιος,
the Greek noun skene, which means "tent". This word appears in the Gospel (Mt 17:1-9) of the Second Sunday of Lent, year A, when, at the Transfiguration of the Lord, Peter suggests building 3 tents:...
The original word usage refers to a tent, of cover - tabernacle, in that sense.
If perrons prefer to picture some building, as if the verse is referring to a literal building, that's really their personal choice, but the verse certainly isn't saying heaven came down to earth, nor any city, for that matter.
The onus is on persons making such claim, to support them, and no scripture says New Jerusalem comes to earth.
As I pointed out earlier The new Jerusalem is the bride of the lamb, and the church is also the bride of the lamb, which would seem to indicate that the new Jerusalem and the church are equivalent metaphors.
If you pointed that out, that's okay.
I already know that the body of Christ is his bride, and the same as New Jerusalem.
The body is referenced on earth, because New Jerusalem does not exist until all the members of the body - the full number 144,000 are in heaven. Revelation 7:1-4; Revelation 14:1-4
However, the term Tabernacle, is never referred to as the bride of Christ. So, as you can see, the text, Revelation 21:3, is not indicating that the new Jerusalem is the Tabernacle but instead, it is saying that God‘s dwelling place or tabernacle is now among men.
Why do you think the tabernacle, or tent, is not New Jerusalem?
Trying to support the assertion that the new Jerusalem is is comprised only of Christ with a wife of literally 144, 000 kings, judges and priests using theses disconnected texts is confused at best.
I am sorry you are confused.
It may have to be that way, as some things have to be.
Can you please explain what's confusing you? Which of the following do you find don't support the fact that the 144, 000 are the Saints that make up the kingdom of God, with Christ as king, high priest and judge, and the heirs of the kingdom ruling with him, and serving as priests and judges?
At Revelation 1:6 we read... [Christ] has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him
be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
At Revelation 5:10 those whom have been redeemed to God by Christ's blood, out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, Christ have made kings and priests to God;
At Revelation 20:4, 6 Those who are raised in the first resurrection, lived and reigned with Christ for the thousand years. They shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years
Luke 22:28-30; 1 Peter 2:5; Matthew 19:23; Revelation 14:1-5; Romans 8:17
What need will there be for kings, judges and priests in a perfect utopia where all have direct access to God face to face?
That's obviously a vision many people have.
Can you point out in the scriptures where you find that?
From my conversations with persons, I have found that many make assumptions because they read certain phrases like "God is with", and "before the throne".
However, those phrases are found throughout the Bible, and never refers to God being on earth, nor people being in heaven.
Far from being face to face, it would have meant certain death.
Is it the phrases that led you to your conclusions?
The use of many words does not make a good argument.
There was no argument.
However, I was hoping the references would have been useful to you.
I would have asked what's an assertion, but I realize certain things will remain the same, so I am learning not to expect anything.
None of this proves that your assertions were correct.
Assertion :
Something declared or stated positively, often with no support or attempt at proof.
I did not make an assertion.
