The idea that there are two Brides of Christ seem obsurd, but please allow me to explain. In the Bible, we can find rulers having two Brides. All the ones mentioned in the Bible include; Abraham married his half sister Sarah ( they had the same Father, but different Mother’s ) found in Genesis 20:12, Esau, Jacob, Moses, Amram, Elkanah, Ashur ( I Chronicles 4:5), Mered (1 Chronicles 4), Joash ( 2 Chronicles 24:1-3, Caleb married Azubah and Jerioth, Lamech and Terah. This pattern was seen among rulers and ruler-priests.
Paul describes this “mystery” in Ephesians 3:6, “This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.” There are two heirs in Christ’s Kingdom, first to the Jews that accept Jesus as Messiah and second, to the Gentiles that come to Christ (the church).
In Israel, it was the custom that amongst rulers, there were two Brides among rulers. We see this with Abraham and his wives. Sarah was Abraham’s half-sister Bride and she resided in Hebron, which was in the North. Keturah was Abraham’s cousin-Bride and she lived in Beersheba, which was in the south of Israel. The pattern of having a North and South boundary to the ruler’s territory ensured that if one of them were ever taken or destroyed, he would still remain ruler and have his other Bride, which would be alive.
Another interesting thing to note is that in Israel, the coronation of the royal heir to the throne was initiated only when the heir was married the second time. The second Bride would be more genetically distant than the first Bride. As noted before with Abraham, Sarah was his half-sister (Genesis 20:12) whereas Keturah was his cousin. Israel is the wife of God and it is mentioned throughout scripture. Here is a list: Ezekiel 16:18-2, Jeremiah 3:6-8, Amos 3:1-2, Exodus 24:7-8, Jeremiah 2:2, Deuteronomy 7:6-9, Jeremiah 3:1 Jeremiah 3:10-11, Jeremiah 3:14, Ezekiel 16:27-30, Ezekiel 16:47-48, Hosea 1:2, Hosea 2:2-7 and Romans 7:2-3. The church is the cousin-Bride, whereas Israel is the sister-Bride. After the rapture of the church, the Marriage Supper of the Lamb will take place, which will mark the authority of Jesus taking back His throne and Kingdom. He will reign from Jerusalem for the millennial reign, when we return with Him at His second coming. The cost of both Brides is His blood which was shed for the ransom of many. In John 10:16, Jesus is talking to His disciples and tells them that although Israel is the first heir and wife of God, there will be a second in the future. It reads, “I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them in as well, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock and one shepherd.” Once we are in the millennial kingdom, Jesus will reign as King and both Jews (who accept Jesus as Messiah and Gentiles, the Christians that came after the resurrection) will be as one, one flock with one King, King Jesus.
So yes, there are two households, but in the future, they will both stand as one in Christ Jesus.
Giving God The Glory 