Revelation 21:9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of plagues, and talked with me, saying, “Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.”
Alone
Life has taken on a strange new “normal.” I am no longer someone’s bride. I have lost the covering of a faithful husband’s protection, the comfort of his arms in times of grief, and love lavished like I was the queen of some empire. I lost all this because he succumbed to cancer. My daughters lost this through divorce. Some of my friends have lost it through neglect and abuse. Others have never known anything of being a bride.
Not Alone
The Bible speaks of the church as the Bride of Christ. It says I am a member of her body. I am likely a single cell of skin but part of her nonetheless. Thank you Lord! Just who is this Bride? Yes, I know she is the church of Jesus Christ. But, really, who is she? What are her characteristics? Who does Jesus desire above all others and why did He choose her? What makes her beautiful? Cherished? Strong? Adored? What about her makes Jesus willing to die the cruelest of deaths so she does not have too?
I believe this Bride can be found. I believe if I search I can find the answer to my question of what makes her special and how do I become this Bride both individually and corporately with her entire body. How does my one cell of dust contribute to her being pure, unblemished, holy, and consecrated to her Groom.
Inquiring Mind
Growing up in a Christian home, in an evangelical denomination, and being a student of scripture since I was a young teenager has failed to adequately answer this question for me. In the last couple of years, Jewish language and culture has opened up much of scripture to my understanding and over time, it has slowly dawned on me, this question is answered in scripture but will need to be searched out: like a “pearl of great price.” https://www.treadingwatertiljesuscomes.com/2021/02/03/stringing-pearls/
We ask, “will Jesus really take a girl in rags from the wrong side of the tracks and dress her in pure white, put a crown on her head, and give her a new name? Will He take someone like me who can offer Him nothing but my shattered heart and not only mend it but restore it to its original created condition? How can I know He will walk with me westward back out of the desert and through the long guarded entrance into Paradise and when I get there let nothing ever again draw me away? Will He let me sit at His right hand and rule and reign with Him (care about my input???)
Panning for Gold
From Adam and Eve in the Garden walking in harmony with the Lord to the Revelation and John’s vision of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, this Bride is spoken of in nuggets. Like gold, I must pan for it. I must stoop low and wash the dust and sand away to reveal the treasure. I must smelt it down to see it’s untarnished value. All my questions will be answered in His time.
Jesus is coming for His Bride soon! Time is short to get myself prepared. He has gone to get our home ready. His Father will soon say, go get Your Bride! When He does, the celebration will be spectacular. Weddings here will pale in comparison to all He has planned for in His Kingdom, NOTHING is left to chance.
What does Jesus’ story, all Scripture, have to do with this Bride? Is this Bride a vital part of His story or is she just a bit of “arm candy?” According to Revelation, the Bride is the favorite target of the enemy!
I know much has been written and I want to pull all the nuggets of gold together into the crown that will be set on the bride’s head. This “ inquiring mind wants to know.”
So, Bible in hand, marker in the other I will begin my pan for gold. I believe the picture of this creature, Jesus adores, will come into view and as she does He will reach out His nail scarred hand to her in welcome at the altar of covenant and the wedding will begin!
The Bridegroom Returns by Jennifer “Jenni” Oakley-Delaplante used by written permission of the artist
Come with me! The Spirit and His Bride say “Come!”
Song of the Beautiful Bride by Paul Wilbur
Additional reading:
