I’m gonna chew on this: I like the direction it’s taking my thoughts right now.
Blessings…

The writing of the name would seem to imply that we are permitted access to the New Jerusalem. By saying that he writes on us that name, it does not infer that we ARE the New Jerusalem, anymore than having God’s name on us indicates that we ARE God.

Smoodock, I am well aware of the Adam/Eve and Christ/Church connection (see my sermon on the Holy Ghost). I have preached this myself. There is a wonderful picture to be had in the idea of Christ as Husband and Church as Bride. But regardless of how convenient a picture it might make, we must rely on scripture for the truth.

In Rev 22:16 and 17 we see another answer:

Rev 22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
Rev 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

So the book is written to the church. John says that the Spirit and the Bride say Come and let him that heareth say come. If the church and the Bride were the same, why would he say that?

Lastly of course is the word pictures we have for the rapture of the church and the tribulation period.
10 Virgins, 5 wise and 5 foolish. They accompany the Bridegroom to the wedding feast but they are not getting married themselves.

For those not “in the know”, the Jewish wedding feast lasted 7 days (7 years of tribulation). The bridegroom (who already had a bride, hence the moniker,) goes at midnight and collects the friends/children of the bridechamber. He takes them and they go to the wedding feast. After 7 days, the marriage is consummated.

Prophetically, we can see that 5 were not ready, 5 were. The 5 get taken to be with Christ for the 7 year tribulation period which culminates in the New Jerusalem coming to earth, decked out in the righteousness of the saints.

This also flows with Christ coming back for a church without spot, wrinkle or blemish (Eph 5:27).

Revelation 21:2 would further define it as the city/bride coming out of heave ‘from’ God.

In your blog you referred to Ephesians 5 where Paul speaks about the husband and wife, but he seems to be saying he is speaking of Christ and the church in allegory (Ephesians 5:25, 27, 32.

Furthermore, there seems to be a parallel with Adam and Eve and Christ and the Church. Adam was put to sleep and Eve was taken out of him, and they were ‘one’ flesh. This was done as God created his image–the only physical image we have of him.

In the NT Hebrews 1:3 says Jesus is/was the express image of God. We find that Jesus was put to sleep (crucified) and later he awoke (resurrected). The church is pictures as being created in him and brought into existence out of him. God then presents us to the Lamb as shown in Revelation 21:2, 9.

Anyway, that is my two cents!

Eph 2:19-22 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone]; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
and…
1Pe 2:4-8 To whom coming, [as unto] a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, [and] precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe [he is] precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, [even to them] which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
and…
1Cr 3:9-17 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, [ye are] God’s building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and [that] the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which [temple] ye are.

Also, just to throw this into the works…..here’s an interesting thought….

Rev 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, [which is] new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and [I will write upon him] my new name.

Thanks for replying to me.

What are you trying to say then—that the Bride of Christ is the new Jerusalem, meaning its streets and buildings etc. but not the people who make up the city?

Revelation 11:8 says Jesus was crucified in ‘the great city’ and later we see ‘the great city’ depicted as a woman in Revelation 14:8; 16:19; 17:18. The ‘great city’ was judged by God because of what the ‘occupants’ had done, not because its buildings displeased him.

Perhaps I am missing your point. What is a city in your opinion?