As God continues to deal with a people in this last hour, preparing them for His fullness, questions arise regarding the terms the Spirit is emphasising in this season. Two of the most important are Bride and Son. Many confuse these, wondering if the Bride and the Sons are the same people. But if we listen to what the Spirit is saying, and compare spiritual things with spiritual (1 Corinthians 2:13), we will see clearly: there is a difference.
“You cannot become a Son without first becoming the Bride.”
“He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
— Matthew 11:15 (AMP)
There Is a Difference! #
It does not take much thought to recognise that a bride and a son are not the same. If you are a married man with a family, consider: Is your wife the same as your son? Of course not. While one is female and the other male, this is not the essential difference. A female could be your mother, daughter, or sister, not just your wife. Likewise, a male relative may be your brother, father, or uncle, not necessarily your son. The key distinction lies in the relationship.
Relationship is the foundation of identity.
In the same way, through the New Birth, we are born from above into the Family of God. This grants us a new relationship with God—a spiritual kinship. But how we mature in that relationship will determine whether we walk in as a Bride or a Son.
How We Enter God’s Family #
We enter God’s family only through new birth. Jesus said:
“I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless a person is born again—reborn from above—he cannot [ever] see and experience the kingdom of God.”
— John 3:3 (AMP)
“Being a Bride is intimacy with the Son; Sonship is inheritance from the Father.”
John confirms this:
“But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the right—the authority, the privilege—to become children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name… who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God [that is, a divine and supernatural birth].”
— John 1:12–13 (AMP)
The word translated as “sons” here is the Greek “teknon” (τέκνον, Strong’s G5043). This does not mean “son” in the mature or masculine sense, but rather “child” or “offspring”. It is used for both male and female children.
| Greek Word | English Word in KJV | Proper Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Teknon (τέκνον) | “son” (21x), “child” (77x) | A child, born one, an immature believer |
In our infancy, God calls us not His bride or His sons, but His children.
“Beloved, we are [even here and] now children of God; and it is not yet made clear what we will be. We know that when He comes and is revealed, we will [as His children] be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.”
— 1 John 3:2 (AMP)
This is the first relationship we enter with God, as children.
From Childhood to Maturity #
Children are not yet sons in the spiritual sense. A girl, while still a child, is not ready to be a bride. She must grow physically, mentally, and emotionally. Likewise, spiritual maturity prepares us for higher relational roles.
| Spiritual Stage | Term | Relationship Focus |
| Infant Believer | Child | Birth and identity |
| Mature Believer | Bride | Intimacy with Christ |
| Mature Believer | Son | Authority from the Father |
“…speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the Head—Christ.”
— Ephesians 4:15 (AMP)
Bride and Son emerge only in spiritual maturity. These are not overlapping metaphors; they are specific, divine designations.
The Trinity Revealed in Relationship #
The beauty of these distinctions is this: they reveal the Trinity.
| Godhead Person | Mature Role | Nature of Relationship | Scripture Reference |
| Father | Sons | Inheritance, authority | Romans 8:14–17 |
| Son (Jesus) | Bride | Love, union, submission | Ephesians 5:25–32; Rev. 19:7 |
| Holy Spirit | Fellowship | Indwelling, guidance | 2 Corinthians 13:14 |
“The Trinity is revealed through our maturity: indwelt by the Spirit, espoused to the Son, adopted by the Father.”
Each role of maturity in the believer corresponds to a specific Person of the Godhead:
- As children, we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit (John 14:16–17).
- As the Bride, we enter covenantal intimacy with Jesus the Bridegroom (Revelation 19:7).
- As Sons, we inherit from the Father, walking in His likeness and authority (Romans 8:17).
Our Relationship to the Father and the Son #
The bride is always related to Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The saints are never called the Bride of the Father. Consider:
“For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I have betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.”
— 2 Corinthians 11:2 (AMP)
“Let us rejoice and shout for joy [exulting and triumphant]! Let us give Him glory and honor, for the marriage of the Lamb has come [at last] and His bride has prepared herself.”
— Revelation 19:7 (AMP)
Jesus is the Bridegroom. He calls himself such:
“Can the guests of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.”
— Mark 2:19 (AMP)
Sonship, however, is always a relationship with the Father.
“But I say to you, love your enemies… so that you may [show yourselves to] be the children of your Father who is in heaven.”
— Matthew 5:44–45 (AMP)
“I ascend to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.”
— John 20:17 (AMP)
Relational Stages and the Godhead #
| Stage | Role | Godhead Person | Key Scripture |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Birth | Child | Holy Spirit | John 3:5; Romans 8:16 |
| Maturity | Bride | Jesus the Son | Ephesians 5:25–27 |
| Full Maturity | Son | God the Father | Romans 8:14–17; Galatians 4:7 |
Each stage reveals a layer of intimacy and purpose. True maturity in the believer embraces all three.
In Christ,
Shaliach.
