Introduction
We have begun a journey exploring scriptures together that we may be equipped to know more of God and His Eternal Purpose. One key to understand unfolding events still to come is Israel, but another is the Bride. Through this Bridal lens we are able to gaze from a higher perspective and catch a glimpse of what Heaven sees—just as the apostle John did:
“(9) Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, “Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.” (10) And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,” Revelation 21:9-10 NKJV
In the previous chapter, we explored the vital importance of knowing God—not just knowing about Him but truly encountering Him in an intimate and personal way. We reflected how, through a relationship with His Son Jesus Christ, God has made Himself known and knowable. Our God is not distant or detached from His Creation. Even the heavens and starry host declare His glory:
“Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge” Psalm 19:1-2 NIV.
God calls us to draw near, to know His heart, and to walk in the fullness of His revelation and Eternal Purpose. Building on this foundation of knowing the Lord, we now turn our attention to the very beginning, to the Garden of Eden, where He first revealed His prophetic intentions for humanity. What was declared in that inaugural place? How do His words in the garden provide insight into what would unfold throughout history and in the days still to come? As we explore these foundational revelations, we will see whilst Eden was the place sin entered the world, it also became where God revealed His redemptive plan. But more than foreshadowed salvation it indicated the deepest desire of His heart—the provision of a Bride for His Son.
God’s Response to Sin (His Redemptive Purpose)
In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve lived in perfect fellowship with their Creator, enjoying unbroken communion and the abundance of His provision in the home He had made for them. But when the serpent, Satan, twisted God’s words and seduced Eve with the false promise of enlightenment, she ate from the forbidden tree and gave some to Adam[1]. In that moment, innocence was lost. Their eyes were opened—not to wisdom as they had hoped, but to their own nakedness and shame. And so it was, the entrance of sin fractured humanity’s relationship with God.
Stricken with guilt, Adam and Eve hid among the trees, attempting to cover themselves with fig leaves[2]. But their coverings were inadequate. They could neither undo what had been done, nor escape the gaze of the all-knowing God. When the Lord called out to Adam, it was never from a lack of knowledge—He knew where they were. Instead, He was giving them an opportunity to confess and return to Him[3]. Yet rather than taking responsibility, Adam blamed Eve, and Eve, in turn, blamed the serpent[4]. Already, sin had begun its corrupting work, bringing fear, shame, and division.
Then came God’s judgment. The serpent was cursed to crawl on its belly, and enmity was placed between it and the woman[5]. Eve would suffer pain in childbirth and struggle in the relationship with her husband[6]. Adam, who had been given dominion over creation, would now toil in hardship, as even the ground was cursed[7]. Yet their greatest loss was expulsion from Eden, cut off from the tree of life[8] and their fellowship with the Father broken. The consequence of sin was death—physical and spiritual separation from God.
Yet, in the very moment of judgment, the heart of the Father was revealed. Before Adam and Eve could even comprehend the weight of their fall, God spoke a prophetic word—one that would forge the course of history. In Genesis 3:15, He declared:
“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
This was the first direct messianic prophecy, often referred to as the Protoevangelium—the first gospel. Here, God addressed the immediate consequences of sin whilst revealing His redemptive plan. A future descendant of the woman—a promised seed—would one day crush the serpent’s head, delivering a fatal blow to the power of sin and Satan. Though the serpent would strike His heel the ultimate victory would belong to God.
This moment is profound because it shows how God responds prophetically in times of crisis.
He does not react—He declares His purpose from the beginning. Even in the face of judgment, He speaks hope. Before Adam and Eve ever left the garden, before the curse had fully taken effect, God had prophesied His remedy. This is the nature of divine prophecy: it reveals the way forward, anchoring humanity in the certainty of God’s redemptive plan.
What was lost in Eden would one day be restored in Christ. Where Adam failed, Jesus, the second Adam, would succeed.
“(17) For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. (18) Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. (19) For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. (20) Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, (21) so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 5:17-21 NKJV
As God provided garments of skin to cover Adam and Eve—requiring the shedding of innocent blood—so too Jesus would shed His blood to provide a covering for all who would believe in Him.
“Also for Adam and his wife the LORD God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.” Genesis 3:21 NKJV
“(26) He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. (27) And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, (28) so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.” Hebrews 9:26-28 NKJV
From the very beginning, God’s response to sin was redemption not despair. His immediate reply to our sin, was to prophesy the coming of a Saviour. The plan of redemption was never an afterthought—it was known and provided for from the beginning through His Son, Jesus Christ.
“(18) knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, (19) but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. (20) He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you” 1 Peter 1:18-20 NKJV
The Eternal Bride (His Creative Purpose)
The messianic prophecy of Genesis 3:15 was God’s immediate response to the crisis of sin. It was the prophetic revelation of His redemptive purpose—His plan to restore what had been lost through the Fall. But this raises a crucial question: If redemption was necessary because of sin, what was God’s purpose before sin entered the world? What was humanity originally created for?
God did not create us to be redeemed. Redemption is His response to sin. Before the Fall, there was no need for salvation because there was no separation between God and man. This means whilst God’s redemptive plan was foreknown[9], it was never the reason for creation itself. Redemption restores us to something—but what?
The answer lies in God’s creative purpose, which is revealed in an earlier prophecy—one that came before sin and the need for redemption. This prophecy is found in Genesis 2:24:
“For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”
At first glance, this may seem like a simple statement about marriage, but as the apostle Paul later reveals, this was always more than about Adam and Eve. It was a mystery—a prophetic declaration of something much greater:
“This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.” Ephesians 5:32 NIV
Before sin entered the world, God had prophesied about the union of a man and a woman. But this was not about Adam and Eve—it was a declaration of Christ and His Bride. God’s original intention, His Eternal Purpose, was always a bridal one. He created mankind to enjoy Him through the glory of being one with Him.
We will explore these insightful truths in more detail later, but for now, the point being made is that:
There are two fundamental purposes contained in Scripture, both of which were prophetically declared. One is God’s redemptive purpose for man, the other His creative purpose.
Redemption became necessary because sin separated humanity from God. But before the need of redemption arose, God had already chosen us to know Him intimately and be united with Him in the covenant of marriage. In other words:
Salvation is not the ultimate goal but the means to restore God’s creative purpose—the union of the Bride with Christ.
This is why the story of the Bible goes beyond redemption and ends with a wedding. In the final chapters of Scripture, after sin and death are fully conquered, we see the fulfilment of God’s original purpose:
“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.” Revelation 19:7 NIV
What began in Genesis 2:24 between Adam and Eve was always pointing forward to the eternal purpose of God—the Bride of Christ being joined to her Bridegroom. This was the intention from the beginning, before sin ever entered the world. The purpose of all creation was that Jesus would have a Bride, and through their union, the glory of God would be revealed forever.
The Bride was in Christ upon the Cross
In the beginning, when God created man, He created them male and female[10]. Yet, when we read Genesis 2, we see Adam was alone:
“But for Adam no suitable helper was found.” Genesis 2:20 NIV
This raises an intriguing question—if God had already created humanity as male and female, why was Adam alone? The answer is found in the mystery of Eve’s origin. She was not created separately from Adam but was already within him, waiting to be revealed.
To bring forth his bride, Adam was put into a deep sleep, and from his side, God took a rib and fashioned the woman[11]. She was not a new creation apart from Adam—she was taken out of him, to be joined back to him. This moment brought out what had been hidden within. Adam, recognising this divine work, declared:
“This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh.” Genesis 2:23 NIV
This prophetic act points directly to Jesus. Just as Eve was within Adam before being revealed, the Church—the Bride of Christ—was within Jesus. She was chosen in Him before the foundation of the world, but it was through His death that she was brought forth.
“just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love” Ephesians 1:4 NKJV
The first messianic prophecy in Genesis 3:15 was fulfilled when Jesus, the second Adam[12], declared, “It is finished.” Redemption was complete, the price was paid, and the power of the serpent was crushed. But then came something extraordinary—the Roman spear.
Jesus was already dead when the soldier pierced His side. This was not an act contributing to His death, for His work of redemption was already accomplished. So why did it happen?
“Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water.” John 19:34 NIV
This moment mirrors Adam’s deep sleep. Out of Adam’s side came Eve. Out of Jesus’ side flowed blood and water—the very elements that bring forth the Church. The blood speaks of atonement and redemption:
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” Ephesians 1:7 NKJV
Whilst water speaks of cleansing and new birth:
“(25) Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, (26) that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, (27) that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:25-27 NKJV
Just as Eve was taken from Adam, you could say the Bride of Christ was birthed through the work of the Cross.
Adam was alone without Eve—she was the helper that made him whole. Likewise, Jesus said of Himself:
“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.” John 12:24 NKJV
Christ does not stand alone in the eternal plan of God, for He has a Bride destined to reign with Him[13]. This mystery is profound. The Bride was always in Him, just as Eve was always in Adam. But the time came for her to be revealed, brought forth through His sacrifice, and one day to be joined to Him as one, just like a Bride and Bridegroom.
What does this mean for us? It means we were never an afterthought in God’s plan. Before the foundation of the world, we were chosen in Christ. He did not go to the Cross just to save us from sin—He went to the Cross to claim us as His own, to pay the ransom (the dowry) for us and enable His Bride to come forth. Before we were born and became a living soul, we existed in the heart and foreknowledge of God.
In this way, the Bride was in Christ when He was crucified, and the only way she could be born was for Jesus to die upon the Cross. In this one sacrificial act of love, God’s redemptive plan was fulfilled and His creative purpose restored.
And now, you are being made ready. You are being washed by the water of the Word[14]. You are being refined, adorned, and prepared for the wedding feast of the Lamb. More than theology—it is the heartbeat of your identity in Christ. Can you hear His call? Can you feel the longing in His heart for His Bride to be revealed in glory? The great wedding is coming. The time of preparation is now. He is calling you to draw near, to be set apart, to live in the fullness of your destiny as part of His radiant Bride.
Thus, redemption was never an end in itself—it was the means by which God would fulfil His eternal purpose. Whilst Christ came to save individuals; He also came to prepare a Bride, one who would be bone of His bones and flesh of His flesh—a Bride taken from Him, cleansed by His blood, washed by His word, and destined for union with Him forever.
Selah
Principles
- God responds prophetically in times of crisis.
- Before the need for redemption, God had already declared His eternal purpose: the union of Christ and His Bride. Redemption was the means to restore what was always His original intent.
- Before we were born and became a living soul, we existed in the heart and foreknowledge of God. In this way, the Bride was in Christ when He was crucified, and the only way she could be born was for Jesus to die upon the Cross. In this one sacrificial act of love, God’s redemptive plan was fulfilled and His creative purpose restored.
Scriptures
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” Genesis 2:24 NKJV
“just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love” Ephesians 1:4 NKJV
Quotes
“Christ loved the church, and gave Himself for it. This is the church of God, which he has purchased with His own blood.”
—Charles Spurgeon, The Lord’s Own View of His Church and People, Sermons, Vol. 33
“Set yourself entirely to God, and He will fill your heart with Himself; and in proportion as you empty yourself of all things, He will take possession of you.”
—Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ
“The Church, beloved of God, is the spouse of Christ; He willed to sanctify her and present her to Himself in splendour, without spot or wrinkle.”
—Augustine of Hippo, On the Spirit and the Letter
Pause for Reflection
- If God’s eternal purpose was always to have a Bride for His Son, what does that mean for my own relationship with Him?
- How does this truth shape my understanding of my identity and destiny in Christ?
- Are there areas in my life where He is calling me to deeper consecration? If I close my eyes and listen for His call, can I sense the longing of Jesus for His Bride?
A Closing Prayer of Devotion
Dearest Lord Jesus,
Thank You for calling me as part of Your Bride. Before I was born, I was in Your heart, chosen and set apart for union with You. Help me to walk in the fulness of my destiny, to be purified by Your Word, and to be ready for the day when I will stand before You as part of Your radiant Bride. Let my life be a reflection of Your love and holiness. I long for You, my Bridegroom, and I say, ‘Come, Lord Jesus.’ Amen.”
[1] Genesis 3:1-6
[2] Genesis 3:7-8
[3] Genesis 3:9
[4] Genesis 3:12-13
[5] Genesis 3:14-15
[6] Genesis 3:16
[7] Genesis 3:17-19
[8] Genesis 3:22-24
[9] Revelation 13:8
[10] “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:27 NIV
[11] “(21) So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. (22) Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.” Genesis 2:21-22 NIV
[12] “So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit.” 1 Corinthians 15:45 NIV
[13] “(7) 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. (8) Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.)” Revelation 19:7-8 NIV
[14] “(25) Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her (26) to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, (27) and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.” Ephesians 5:25-27 NIV
