Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:22-27

An interesting analogy was ministered a few years ago by Paul Washer concerning the bride of Christ. He told the pastors and leaders in attendance about a king who went away on a long journey and left a steward in charge of his bride. Before he left, he instructed the steward to follow his list concerning his bride without deviation or personal addition. The bride of the king was simple, adorned in her white gown or garment that he had given her without makeup or embellishment. While the king was gone on his journey, the steward recognized that the people were no longer interested in the king or in his bride; he had been gone longer than anticipated, and the bride was too simple and plain in her appearance. So, the steward decided to change the appearance of the bride. He redressed her, and he painted her face with the intention that those changes would draw men back to the king.

Washer tells the men in attendance that this is what is going on in the church, in America, and on the mission field. I share this analogy because it reminds me of what has happened in areas of the charismatic church, particularly within the movement known as the New Apostolic Reformation. For years, many of us familiar with the beliefs within this movement remember hearing of the warring bride, prophetic images of a bride in a white spotless gown, accessorized with combat boots and a fierce sword. The call is for those in attendance to embrace the call to war and to conquer the land in the name of Jesus. The call is to consecrate yourself and to keep your garments spotless. Though there is partial truth to what is being said about consecration and purity, the focus seems to be more on one’s personal ability to maintain purity rather than understanding sanctification in light of Scripture.

There’s another facet of the bride being presented within this movement, and it is even more disturbing. This facet focuses on the bed chamber and intimacy with Christ. Numerous leaders will fixate on passages within Song of Solomon, allegorizing it with a hyperfocus on the bride and Jesus Christ. But this goes into realms of “Jesus is my boyfriend” mentality, bordering on a romance novel. Language is used that is erotic and sensual in nature. Some will speak of Jesus personally teaching them about the power of a kiss and our consummation with Christ, and this teaching is predominantly coming from male leaders. Additionally, the message becomes centered upon self rather than on Christ. One leader has stated that the Trinity is making room for us and that if we had any more power, we would be a threat to the Trinity.

Whether it is the warring bride or the bride romantically pining away for the Bridegroom, the message centers on us rather than on the majesty, splendor, and holiness of Jesus Christ and His glorious gospel, cleansing us from all unrighteousness. This message appeals to our carnal desire for power and pleasure in an unbiblical way, and I see Washer’s analogy vividly in this bridal presentation. The simplicity of the gospel and God’s instruction to His people to submit to His ways as a wife submits to her husband is lost within this movement. The bride is sensualized and also made to be an aggressor in the world, and this appeals to our personal desires.

Sadly, I once held to both of these beliefs, and it warped my understanding of the Bible while elevating myself and diminishing Jesus Christ. Though the Bible does speak of the church as His bride and His love for us, we must be careful to not read into the text things which are not there. God does love His people, but that love has been displayed in sending His Son to die for us on the cross for our sins. Jesus has cleansed us, and He is presenting a spotless church to Himself without blemish. He is the one who makes us holy. Without Him, we are adorned in filthy rags of self-righteousness. He is not depending upon us to present ourselves spotless to Him; He does that Himself. We are likened to the bride because of Him. He is the center of our existence, and the love we have for Him is to be demonstrated with holy reverence and awe.

I encourage anyone who has come out of this type of belief system to evaluate personal understanding of the bride according to Scripture and to ask the tough questions. Is the bride of Christ adorned in combat boots or likened to a character featured on the front of a romance novel? Or has she been redressed and accessorized to appeal to the masses? Is the bride the central focus of the Word of God, or is Scripture centered upon the King of kings and Lord of lords? Jesus Christ, our holy King, is most certainly returning. We are simply to be ready, and while we wait, we obey His commands to proclaim the good news of His gospel. The Holy Spirit empowers us do this work and to be sanctified daily, as He is the guarantee of our inheritance in Christ Jesus as we await eternity where we will enjoy God and worship Him forever. Thank the good Lord that combat boots are not required or instructed.

Listen to this discussion with Paulette Kozar regarding the bride of Christ according to NAR teaching versus the context of Scripture: The Lovesick Scribe Podcast: Here Comes the Warrior Bride of the NAR on Apple Podcasts