is represented as a woman --a figure which is used in the Bible as the symbol of a church , a virtuous woman representing a pure church , a vile woman an apostate church .
In the Bible the sacred and enduring character of the relation that exists between Christ and His church is represented by the union of marriage . The Lord has joined His people to Himself by a solemn covenant , He promising to be their God , and they pledging themselves to be His and His alone . He declares : " I will betroth thee unto Me forever ; yea , I will betroth thee unto Me in righteousness , and in judgment , and in loving-kindness , and in mercies ." Hosea 2:19 . And , again : " I am married unto you ." Jeremiah 3:14 . And Paul employs the same figure in the New Testament when he says : " I have espoused you to one husband , that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ ." 2 Corinthians 11:2 .
The unfaithfulness of the church to Christ in permitting her confidence and affection to be turned from Him , and allowing the love of worldly things to occupy the soul , is likened to the violation of the marriage vow . The sin of Israel in departing from the Lord is presented under this figure ; and the wonderful love of God which they thus despised is touchingly portrayed : " I sware unto thee , and entered into a covenant with thee , saith the Lord God , and thou becamest Mine ." " And thou wast exceeding beautiful and thou didst prosper into a kingdom . And thy renown went forth among the heathen for thy beauty : for it was perfect through My comeliness , which I had put upon thee . . . . But thou didst trust in thine own beauty , and playedst the harlot because of thy renown ." " As a wife treacherously departeth from her husband , so have ye dealt treacherously with Me , O house of Israel , saith the Lord ;" " as a wife that committeth adultery , which taketh strangers instead of her husband !" Ezekiel 16:8 , 13-15 , 32 ; Jeremiah 3:20 .
In the New Testament , language very similar is addressed to professed Christians who seek the friendship of the world above the favor of God . Says the apostle James : " Ye adulterers and adulteresses , know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God ? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God ." The woman ( Babylon ) of Revelation 17 is described as " arrayed in purple and scarlet color , and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls , having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness :... and upon her forehead was a name written , Mystery , Babylon the Great , the mother of harlots ."
Says the prophet : " I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the saints , and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus ." Babylon is further declared to be " that great city , which reigneth over the kings of the earth ." Revelation 17:4-6 , 18 . The power that for so many centuries
261