1. The Lamb and the Bride in Revelation 19

Revelation 19:7-8 introduces the marriage supper of the Lamb and His bride:

"Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people).”

• The Lamb: Represents Yehoshua (Jesus).
• The Bride: Symbolizes the believers who receive the Holy Spirit and follow God's Word.

However, the WMSCOG (World Mission Society Church of God) misinterprets this passage, claiming the Lamb is Ahn Sahng-hong and the bride is Jang Gil-ja. This interpretation directly contradicts the intended meaning of the Scripture.

2. The Meaning of the Fine Linen: The Righteous Acts of the Saints

In Revelation 19, the fine linen symbolizes the purity and righteous deeds of the saints.

• Old Testament Context:

  • Leviticus 6:10-11: The fine linen garments worn by priests represented purity and holiness.
  • Priests as Representatives: These garments signified the role of priests as mediators for God’s people.

• New Testament Understanding:

  • 1 Corinthians 3:16:

    "Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?"

  • Believers, filled with the Holy Spirit, become God’s temple and fulfill the role of priests.
  • Fine Linen’s Fulfillment: Represents the righteous deeds and pure lives of believers.

3. The Bride of the Lamb: Believers Filled with the Holy Spirit

The bride of the Lamb does not refer to a specific person but collectively to all believers who remain faithful to God through the Holy Spirit.

• Firstfruits and the 144,000 Saints:
  • Old Testament Context:
    God chose the Levites as priests in place of Israel’s firstborn.
    • Numbers 3:12:

      "I have taken the Levites from among the Israelites in place of the first male offspring of every Israelite woman."

  • New Testament Fulfillment:
    • Revelation 14:4:

      "These are those who were purchased from among mankind and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb."

    • The 144,000 saints represent the fulfillment of the firstfruits prophecy, signifying the bride of the Lamb.

4. The Role of the Spirit and the Bride

Revelation 22:17 mentions the Spirit and the bride, who extend the invitation to receive the water of life:

• The Spirit and the Bride:

  • The Spirit: Represents God’s Holy Spirit.
  • The Bride: Symbolizes the believers filled with the Holy Spirit, entrusted with spreading God’s Word.

• Sharing the Water of Life:

  • John 7:38-39:

    "Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them. By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive."

  • Believers, filled with the Holy Spirit, share God’s Word (the water of life) to cleanse and renew the world.

5. The Errors of the WMSCOG

The WMSCOG distorts Scripture, claiming Jang Gil-ja is the "bride of the Lamb" and worshiping her as a divine figure.

• Biblical Evidence:
  • The bride of the Lamb refers to the collective body of believers, not an individual.
• The Fine Linen’s True Meaning:
  • Fine linen symbolizes the righteous acts and purity of believers, not a specific person’s attributes.
• Doctrinal Distortion:
  • By claiming Jang Gil-ja is the bride, the WMSCOG contradicts Scripture and promotes idolatry.

6. Conclusion: The Bride of the Lamb is the Body of Believers

• The Lamb: Yehoshua (Jesus).
• The Bride: The collective body of believers, filled with the Holy Spirit.
• The Fine Linen: Represents the righteous deeds and purity of the saints.
• The Spirit and the Bride: Believers who share God’s Word (the water of life).

The WMSCOG’s interpretation misrepresents Scripture, leading to idolatry and theological error.

True Faith:
Authentic faith lies in worshiping God in spirit and truth, living a life of purity and love guided by the Holy Spirit, and giving glory to God through righteous acts and devotion.

"True worship is found in spirit and truth, following God’s Word and reflecting His love through righteous deeds. This is the essence of genuine faith."