Marriage was instituted in the Garden of Eden, and it vividly displays the nearness of relationship into which believers are to be brought, as the church and bride of Christ, to Himself. Moreover, the familiarity of our minds with this relationship makes us understand better the place to which we are brought in the gracious affections of Christ. Everything around the Christian, in this world, serves to illustrate what this blessed relationship is between Christ and the church.
Eve was to Adam the companion of his home and the object of his affections. So “Christ loved the church, and gave Himself for it,” and the fact that she becomes the object and witness of His affections is a thought more deeply touching than all the glory which will be her endowment as the bride of Christ. The purpose of Christ’s ministry toward His church is “that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,” and the end of that ministry is “that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing.” Just as Eve was for Adam himself, so is the church to be for Christ Himself.
Like Eve, Sarah and Rebekah are beautiful examples to us. Sarah was a woman of faith and of submission. Rebekah illustrates for us God the Father providing a heavenly bride for His Son when He, the Son of God, became a man.
Present Testimony, Vol. 7 (adapted)