Nay, further, and this is a reflection that the Christian alone can appreciate, Eph. 5:31, quoting from Gen. 2:24, sets forth the beautiful marriage relationship as according to God, but takes occasion to point out that marriage is not accidentally an apt illustration of Christ and the Church, but that it is designedly so. We read:- " This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the Church " (Verse 32).
In the light of this we can go back and read Gen. 2 with a wondrous beauty thrown upon it. Adam fell into a deep sleep—typical of the death of Christ. Eve was of Adam, the product in the hand of God of the rib taken from his side; the Church is of Christ, the product of His death. Eve was presented to Adam to be his helpmeet; the Church will be presented to Christ. So in Eph. 6 where the relationship and love between Christ and His Church are set forth as the model for marital happiness, we read:- " Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the Church, and gave Himself for it: that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious church " (Verses 25-27).
Moreover, Paul in his epistle to the Romans writes "Adam ... is the figure of Him [Christ] that was to come " (Chapter 5:14).