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1992-10-31
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BRIDE AND GROOM
"And I will betroth you unto me forever; yea, I will betroth you unto me in
righteousness and in judgment and in lovingkindness and in mercies. I will
even betroth you unto me in faithfulness: and you shall know the Lord". Hosea
2:19-20.
Many times in the scriptures, God uses the example of a marriage relationship
to illustrate the relationship between Christ and the Church. Ephesians
5:21-25; Isaiah 62:5. When Jesus comes again He will come for His Bride - one
who is perfect, without spot or blemish. Those who love the Lord are to be
part of that Bride. We need to grow in our relationship with the Lord for He
is seeking those who will love Him with all their heart, mind, soul, and
strength.
QUALITIES OF THE BRIDE.
In Genesis 24, Abraham sends his servant into a far country to find a bride
for his son, Isaac. In the same way, the Holy Spirit has been sent into the
world to prepare a bride for Christ. Isaac's bride needed to have certain
qualities; God requires those same qualities in His people.
1. The same family - Genesis 24.4
"But now in Christ Jesus ... you are no longer strangers and sojourners
but you are fellow citizens and members of the household of God".
Ephesians 2:13,19. (RSV)
Whoever believes that Jesus is the Son of God is born into God's family.
Jesus as the Great High Priest (Hebrews 6:20), must have a bride of His
own people. Read Leviticus 21:1,14.
2. Fair young virgin. Genesis 24:16.
"Let there be fair young virgins sought for the King". Esther 2:2.
a. Fair - inner beauty. God is concerned primarily with the state of
a man's heart rather than his outward appearance. 1 Samuel 16:7.
The bride in Song of Solomon is "fair as the moon" (Song of
Solomon 6:10) The moon speaks of Christ, the perfect reflection of
the Father and our lives need to radiate the beauty of Christ who
lives within us. Read Isaiah 61:3; Matthew 6:22,23.
b. Young youthful zeal. Titus 2:14; Romans 12:11. God is looking
for those who are young in heart with the eagerness, freshness and
drive of youth. Our youth can be renewed "like the eagle's".
Psalm 103:5.
c. Virgin - purity of heart. 2 Corinthians 11:21 ; Matthew 5:8.
Purity of heart and mind involves a separation from the corrupting
influences of the world: without holiness it is impossible to see
God. Hebrews 12:14.
3. Willingness to forsake the old life and follow the Lord. Genesis 24:58
"He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and
he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me".
Matthew 10:37.
Just as in a natural marriage the bride leaves her mother and father and
commits herself totally to her husband, so in our relationship with the
Lord we need to commit ourselves totally, and put Him above all others.
Philippians 3:4-11.
4. Submissiveness. Genesis 24:61.
"Take my yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly of heart
and you shall find rest for your souls". Matthew 11:29.
Jesus linked love and obedience together. John 14:23. He expects His
people to live in daily obedience to His will for this reflects their
desire to please Him.
PREPARATION OF THE BRIDE .
In Esther 2, much preparation was needed before a bride was chosen for the
King's wedding, the bride purified herself with oil of myrrh and sweet odours
which speak of the dealings of God and the fragrance of His presence. Right
now the Holy Spirit is moving throughout the Church preparing a people for
Jesus' coming. As we submit to the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives
through the ministries He has placed in the Church, through other people, and
through His Word . . . "we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the
glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even
as by the Spirit of the Lord". 2 Corinthians 3:1 8. Read Proverbs 4:18;
Ephesians 4:11-16.
1.1. Her garments and ornaments.
Beautiful garments and ornaments are part of a bride's wardrobe. We
need to ensure that we have our garments prepared. Matthew 22:11.12.
"The king's daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of
wrought gold . . . " Psalm 45:13. Gold in scripture speaks of
faith that through testing has come forth strong and pure.
a. Garments of salvation.
"I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my
God; for He hath
clothed me with the garments of salvation Isaiah 61:10; Ephesians
4:24.
b. Robe of righteousness.
" ... he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness".
Isaiah 61:10; Revelation 19:8.
c. Garment of praise. "... he hath sent me to give the garment of
praise for the spirit of heaviness". Isaiah 61:1,3; Psalm 33:1.
d. Cloak of zeal.
"he ... was clad with zeal as a cloak". Isaiah 59:17; Titus 2:14.
2. Her attitudes.
" ... with gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought: they
shall enter into the king's palace". Psalm 45:15. Her attitude
is one of anticipation and joy.
a. Separated unto Him.
"Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and
touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you". 2 Corinthians
6:17. Read 2 Corinthians 11:2; Psalm 45:10,11.
b. Seeking to be in His presence.
"Seek the Lord, and His strength: seek His face evermore". Psalm
105:4. Read Song of Solomon 1:7.
c. Seeking to know Him.
"I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge
of Christ Jesus my Lord ... that I may know Him and the power of
His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made
conformable unto His death. Philippians 3:8,10. Read Psalm 27:4;
John 17:3.
d. Adjusting to His ways.
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My
ways, says the Lord". Isaiah 55:8. Read Ephesians 5:22.
e. Living to please Him.
"And He died for all, that those who live might live no longer for
themselves but for Him who for their sake died and was raised". 2
Corinthians 5:15 (RSV).
"Let us be glad and rejoice and give honour to Him, for the marriage of the
Lamb is come, and His wife has made herself ready". Revelation 19:7.
God's desire for a perfect church - one without spot or wrinkle, is yet to be
fulfilled, but God is moving throughout the world to bring this to pass.
Ephesians 5:31,32; Joel 2:23-29. These are the last days when everything will
come to a climax. For the Church, there is to be the marriage of the Lamb.
We need to take hold of all that God is revealing today in His work of
restoration and preparation if we want to be present at the marriage supper.
We must be careful not to treat His coming lightly nor be unprepared or
spiritually asleep at His return. Matt. 22:2-14; 25:1-13.
THE END