BRIDAL BAPTISM

THE BRIDAL GENERATION

Lecture III

Developing the Bridal Character while awaiting Christ’s return

Review:

In Part II of this lecture series, we learned about the UNIQUE and DISCTINCTIVE characteristics, qualities, or traits of the Bridal Christian/Church:

1. Accepted in the Beloved

2. Desire for the Groom

3. Passion

4. Fascination

5. Intimacy

6. Filled with Oil (Holy Spirit)

These were in addition to all the other BASIC qualities that a mature Christian is supposed to have:

1. Grounded on the Word

2. Prayerful and interceding

3. Sanctified

4. Pure

5. Spotless

6. Aiming for Perfection and Maturity

7. Fitted with the Armor of God, etc.

The objective and desired total effect of this growth is the formation of Christ’s character upon us:

In order for us to know the “HOWS” of the formation of the bridal character in us, it is most helpful to know the Jewish custom on courtship and marriage, and see the application of the principles in our Christian life…

THE JEWISH MARRIAGE CUSTOM:

1. The selection of the bride.

Usually, the Father chooses the bride (Gen. 24)

We have also been chosen by the Father even before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1, John 17, John 15:16)  Rebekah consented to marry Isaac even before she ever met him. Today, the believers in the Messiah consent to become the bride of Christ even though we have never seen Him. (1Pet 1:8)

  

2. A bride price was established.

A price would have to be paid for the bride. Jesus, being our bridegroom paid a very high price for His bride, the body of believers. The price He paid was His life. (1Cor 6:20)

  

3. The bride and groom are betrothed to each other.

Betrothal (formal, legal, ENGAGEMENT) is the first of two steps in the marriage process.

Betrothal legally binds the bride and the groom together in a marriage contract, except they do not physically live together. Whenever you accept the Lord into your heart and life, you become betrothed to Him while still living on earth.

  

4. A written document is drawn up.

This contract states the bride price, the promises of the groom, and the rights of the bride. The groom promises to work for her, to honor, support, and maintain her in truth, to provide food, clothing, and necessities, and to live together with her as husband and wife. This contract was the unalienable right of the bride. It must be executed and signed prior to the wedding ceremony. The Bible is the believers contract. All the promises that God provided for the believers in Christ are legally ours. (2 Corinthians 1:20)

  

This is very important: the BIBLE is the marriage contract that the Bride holds

that secures her for the Groom:

5. The bride must give her consent.

The personal application to those who desire the Lord to come into their hearts and lives is to accept his invitation to do so by faith. As His bride, we must say “I do". ROM. 10:9-10

“If you CONFESS WITH YOUR MOUTH THAT JESUS IS LORD (equivalent to saying that He is your husband, master), you will be saved. For with the heart you believe and are justified, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

6. GIFTS were given to the bride and a cup called the CUP OF THE COVENANT was shared between the bride and the groom.

The rite of the betrothal is completed when the groom gives something of value to the bride and she accepts it. (NOTE: gifts given by Eliezer to Rebekah).

Today, the gift that is given is usually a ring. When the groom places the ring on the bride's finger, the rite of betrothal is completed. This completed rite is known in Hebrew as kiddushin, which means "sanctification“, THAT IS, SEPARATED OR SET APART. We are now set apart for Christ.

The gifts to the bride are symbols of love, commitment, and loyalty 

The gift God gives to those who accept Jesus is the Holy Spirit. When Jesus ascended to Heaven, He gave us gifts, including righteousness, eternal life, grace, faith, and other spiritual gifts.

In this giving, the cup of the covenant was shared and sealed between the bride and the

  

The couple drinks from a COMMON CUP.

IN THIS SENSE, THE HOLY COMMUNION IS NOT ONLY A COMMEMORATION. IT IS A BETHROTHAL DRINK. EVERYTIME WE DRINK THE CUP, WE MUST REMEMBER WE ARE BETHROTHED. TO CHRIST.

The cup is first given to the groom to sip, and then to the bride. This cup, known as the cup of the covenant, is spoken of in Jer 31:31-33, and in Luke 20, 22

THEN A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF THE PROCESS TAKES PLACE:

In its parallel or equivalent to the Christian life, this is the part that develops the BRIDAL CHARACTER…

The BRIDAL IMMERSION

The bride had a WATER IMMERSION, which is a ritual of cleansing.

This indicates a separation from a former way to a new way of life. In the case of marriage, it indicates leaving an old life for a new life with your spouse. Jesus said, in John 3:1-7, that we must be born anew to enter into the Kingdom of God. Believers are to be immersed in the name of Jesus. The Holy Spirit is the immerser of God. (Luke3: 16, Acts 1:5, 11:15-16)

  

THIS “WASHING” IS NOT LIMITED TO WATER BAPTISM ALONE…

IN THE BIBLE THERE ARE MANY BAPTISMS:

There is a “one baptism”:

“There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism…” (EPH. 4:5)

BUT THERE IS ALSO “INSTRUCTIONS ABOUT BAPTISMS”:

“Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and GO ON TO MATURITY, not laying again the foundation of repentance… faith in God, INSTRUCTIONS ABOUT BAPTISMS, laying on of hands…” (HEB. 6:1-2)

The baptisms in the Bible:

1. Baptism of repentance – Mark 1:4, related to Believer’s baptism (Mark 16:16) – THIS IS WATER BAPTISM BY IMMERSION

2. Baptism of the Holy Spirit – Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16, Acts 1:5

3. Baptism of fire – Luke 3:16

4. The “baptism of Moses” – “they were all baptised into Moses in the cloud and in the sea”

(I COR. 10:2-3) (this referred to the special favor of COVERING of the Lord for the Israelites… and YET THEY WERE DESTROYED… v. 6) EVEN IF THEY DRANK FROM CHRIST (v. 4)

But there is an IMMERSION that is not related or not limited to the water

baptism of repentance and believing alone:

And that is the BEAUTIFICATION IMMERSION (“baptism”) of the BRIDE that she may be PREPARED TO WED the Groom.

This is what is called today as:

It does not only look like this:

Rather, it looks like this:

THE BIBLICAL BASIS FOR THE BEAUTIFICATION BATH OR IMMERSION

EPHESIANS 5:25-27

“25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for her;

26 That he might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, (TAKE NOTE THE WORD USED IS NOT BAPTISM, but WASHING)

27 That he might present her to himself a GLORIOUS church (BRIDE), not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that she should be holy and without blemish. “ 28

Please TAKE NOTE:

This “WASH” is by IMMERSION.

This immersion is NOT CALLED A BAPTISM, but a WASH.

TITUS 3:5-6

5 “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the WASHING of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (NEW BIRTH, NEW LIFE!)

6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. “

So this is not only a BELIEVER’S BAPTISM, this is a BRIDAL BAPTISM:

This is related to the “RUTH PRINCIPLE”

Remember the instruction of Naomi to Ruth, in order to invite Boaz to exercise his rights as kinsman’s redeemer and marry Ruth:

“WASH (immerse) AND PERFUME (ANNOINT) YOURSELF AND PUT ON YOUR BEST CLOTHES, then go down to the threshing floor… when he lies down… uncover his feet and lie down (at his feet). He will tell you what to do.” -- Ruth 3:3-4

So the principle of BRIDAL IMMERSION or washing is so crucial to a girlfriend who is about to be married!

THIS GENERATION OF CHRISTIANS is the generation that is going to meet Jesus Christ without tasting death!

WE BETTER DECIDE NOW TO GET INTO THE BRIDAL IMMERSION to prepare us for the wedding feast!

NOW WHAT IS THIS BRIDAL IMMERSION?

For this we turn to the BEAUTY QUEEN.

QUEEN ESTHER!

“Before a young woman's turn came to go in to King Xerxes, she had to complete twelve months of beauty treatments prescribed for the women, six months with oil of myrrh and six with perfumes and cosmetics.”

ESTHER 2:12

Look at the King James Version rendition of the same passage:

“Now when every maid's turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women;)” (Esther 2:12)

THE WORD PURIFICATION is translated BEAUTIFICATION in modern English.

FIRST PHASE: 6 MONTHS MYRRH TREATMENT!

1.MYRRH – from marah – meaning bitter

2. It is very expensive

3. It is a detoxifying agent

4. It is used to embalm the dead

5. It is used as a base for perfumes

6. It is a cleansing agent

7. It is a healing agent

THE CONFIRMED ANCIENT USES OF THE MYRRH:

1. It cures stretch marks (that is why it beautifies even the dead)

2. It prevents rotting (heals wounds)

3. It cures athlete’s foots (body parasites)

4. Heals impaired digestion (source of bad breath)

5. Repairs damaged immune system (disease, sickness, ailment destroys the glow, beauty

and health of a person)

Uses of Myrrh:

6. Heals mouth ulcers

7. Heals sore throats (improves the voice)

8. Heals chapped, cracked, damaged skin

9. Eliminates body odor

NO ONE WHO WANTS TO BE BEAUTIFUL CAN ESCAPE THE MYRRH TREATMENT.

WHAT ARE MYRRH’S SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPORTANCE?

Myrrh’s spiritual significance:

1. We must put to death (embalm) the old nature

2. Bitter, painful experiences (myrrh is bitter) of life ARE PART of God’s BEAUTY TREATMENT of us

3. It is not 1 or 2 or 3 months of the 12-month beauty treatment, it is SIX MONTHS, meaning HALF, or PART OF OUR BEAUTIFICATION process

We must…

4. Allow God to detoxify us of all bitterness, anger, OFFENSES, hurt feelings, traumas, painful memories (abuse, molestation, trauma…)

5. WE MUST SOAK IN GOD’S HEALING, FORGIVENESS, COMFORT, teaching, restoration, AFFIRMATION…

There is a very interesting passage in the Song of Songs 5:4-5

“My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, and my heart pounded for him.

I rose up to open to my beloved; and my hands dropped with myrrh, and my fingers with sweet smelling myrrh, upon the handles of the lock. “

WHAT IS THE HAND THAT OPENS THE DOOR TO THE GROOM? The hands washed in myrrh!

THEN WE ARE READY FOR THE SECOND PART.

  

THE SECOND PART OF THE ESTHER BEAUTY TREAMENT: 6 MONTHS OF

PERFUMES AND OINTMENTS, WITH COSMETICS

This beauty treatment is not just for mature Christians; even “child Christians” can and should go through this bath…

So as we read in Esther 2:12

”Before a girl's turn came to go in to King Xerxes, she had to complete twelve months of beauty treatments prescribed for the women, six months with oil of myrrh and six with perfumes and cosmetics.”

The word perfume is translated SWEET ODOURS in the King James Bible.

WHAT ARE THE THINGS MENTIONED AS “SWEET ODOURS” in the Bible?

THE “SWEET ODOURS” (PERFUMES) MENTIONED IN THE BIBLE WHERE WE NEED TO SOAK:

1. THE LOVE OF GOD!

“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.” EPH. 5:1-2

This is a VERY SERIOUS MATTER:

WHY ARE SOME (MANY?) CHRISTIANS:

1. unhappy?

2. Unpleasant?

3. Negative?

4. Carriers of gloom and heaviness of spirit?

5. Unable to worship?

6. Uninspired to serve?

7. Unforgiving?

BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT TAKEN THE BRIDAL BATH!

THEY HAVE NOT BATHED AND IMMERSED IN THE LOVE OF GOD FOR THEM!

When you bathe (immerse, soak) in the love of God…

1. You begin to be pleasant

2. You bring lightness of spirit

3. You exude radiance and smile and not heaviness and gloom

4. You are FREE TO WORSHIP!

5. You SERVE WITH JOY!

6. You are forgiving

7. You love to spend time with the Word and to pray

YOU BECOME BEAUTIFUL!! HOW? WHY?

BECAUSE…

1. A bath brings REST and PEACE!

2. A bath brings JOY

3. A bath CLEANSES and NOURISHES you, and thus makes you BEAUTIFUL

This is what happens when we soak in the love of God:

1. Rest and peace

2. Joy

3. Beauty, COMING FROM CLEANSING AND NOURISHMENT

WE BECOME BEAUTIFUL BRIDE.

All these bridal bath talk… DOES THIS APPLY ONLY TO WOMEN?...

THESE PRINCIPLES APPLY TO MEN AS WELL!...

OTHER THINGS MENTIONED AS SWEET PERFUME OR ODOUR IN THE BIBLE:

2. THANKSGIVING!

Genesis 2:19-21

“Every beast, every creeping thing, and every fowl, and whatsoever creepeth upon the earth, after their kinds, went forth out of the ark.

20 And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.

21 And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake;…”

SO SOAKING IN PRAISE, WORSHIP, THANKSGIVING TO GOD PRODUCES A SWEET PERFUME, AND THE MORE WE SOAK IN THAT, THE MORE BEAUTIFUL WE BECOME!

“PRAISE LOOKS GOOD ON YOU! (or praise makes you beautiful)” Psalm 33:1

  

3. a third “sweet perfume”, PRAYER AND INTERCESSION!

REV. 5:8

“And when he had taken the book, the four creatures and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours (incense), which are the prayers of the saints. “

SOAKING IN PRAYER AND INTERCESSION IS SOAKING IN SWEET PERFUME BEFORE GOD!

4. A lifestyle of generosity, giving

PHILIPPIANS 4:18-19

“But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus THE THINGS WHICH WERE SENT FROM YOU, AN ODOUR OF A SWEET SMELL, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

Giving is an offshoot of love…

JOHN 3:16

“For God so loved the world, THAT HE GAVE His only Begotten Son…”

YOU CAN GIVE WITHOUT LOVING, BUT YOU CANNOT LOVE WITHOUT GIVING.

Abundant giving DONE IN THE SPIRIT OF GENEROSITY AND LOVE is a SWEET PERFUME before God.

LOVING HAPPY, PEOPLE ARE GIVERS!

GENEROSITY IS A BRIDAL ATTRIBUTE!

5. KNOWING GOD, or the knowledge of God, is a sweet fragrance to God

    2 COR. 2:14-17

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread THE AROMA OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIM everywhere. 15 For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 16 To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task? 17 Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.”

Soaking in the knowledge of God means:

1. Meditation on His Word

2. “inquire in His temple”

3. Seeking the Lord

4. Being still before the Lord, that we know Him

THIS MEANS WE MUST TAKE BREAKS, RELAX, COMMUNE WITH GOD IN THE SPIRIT –

SOAK IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIM!

6. A sixth “sweet odour” in the Bible is when you BREAK YOUR ALABASTER BOX for Jesus

John 12:3, Mark 14:3, Luke 7:36-50

Breaking an alabaster box is a BRIDAL ACT!

    In the days Jesus was on earth, when a young woman reached the age of availability for marriage, her family would purchase an alabaster box for her and fill it with precious ointment. The size of the box and the value of the ointment would parallel her family’s wealth. This alabaster box would be part of her dowry.

   When a young man came to ask for her in marriage, she would respond by taking the alabaster box and breaking it at his feet. This gesture of anointing his feet showed him honor.

Recall the story:

    One day, when Jesus was eating in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came in and broke an alabaster box and poured the valuable ointment on Jesus’ head (see Mk. 14:3-9).

The passage in Luke 7 that refers to this event harshly describes the woman as “a woman in the city who was a sinner” (Lk. 7:37).

What it meant to Jesus:

    In fact, Jesus memorialized her gesture in Matthew 26:13 (see also Mk. 14:9). This gesture had such meaning, for not only did she anoint Jesus for burial, she also gave her all to a heavenly Bridegroom. Yes, she was a sinner (who isn’t according to Romans 3:23?), but this sinner had dreams and wisely broke her alabaster box in the presence of the only One who can make a woman’s dreams come true.

7. Conscious CONSECRATION produces a sweet perfume

Moreover the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Exo 30:23 Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels,

24 And of cassia five hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of oil olive an hin:

25 And thou shalt make it an oil of HOLY OINTMENT, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary (BLEND OF THE PERFUMER): it shall be an holy anointing oil.

26 And thou shalt anoint the tabernacle of the congregation therewith, and the ark of the testimony,

27 And the table and all his vessels, and the candlestick and his vessels, and the altar of incense,

28 And the altar of burnt offering with all his vessels, and the laver and his foot.

29 AND THOU SHALT SANCTIFY THEM, THAT THEY MAY BE MOST HOLY: WHATSOEVER TOUCHETH THEM SHALL BE HOLY.

  

CONSECRATION IS A BRIDAL BATH!

The more you consciously, deliberately, intentionally give of yourself to Jesus, IN EVERYTHING YOU DO, EVERYDAY,, saying “Lord, I belong to you. Lord, this I do, I do for you”, we are soaking in the holy BRIDAL BATH of consecration.

THE FIVE ESSENTIAL INGREDIENTS OF THE CONSECRATION OIL (Exodus 30:23-24)

1.) Myrrh 2.) Cinnamon 3.) Cane 4.) Cassia 5.) Olive oil

  

  

THE MYRRH INGREDIENT

Myrrh is a necessary ingredient in embalming fluid; it is also used as a purifier. In our walk with the Lord, we must be cleansed and purified from our sins. When God delivers us, WE MUST BECOME DEAD TO SINS. We need to become as dead as a body that has been embalmed, no longer able to respond to sinful impulses.

  

The myrrh ingredient

in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from thedead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God

Romans 6:11-13

  

THE CINNAMON INGREDIENT

 Cinnamon is a spice used to add a sweet smell to the anointing oil. God not only saves us and allows us to become dead to our old way of living; He also fills us to such a degree that our lives can exude the sweetness of our Savior. We can begin to take on His gentle, kind and loving fragrance.

 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. Ephesians 5:2

  

The cane or calamus ingredient

 Cane, or Calamus, is also used to sweeten the anointing oil. IT IS CALLED THE SECOND SWEETENER. The quality of sweetness is so important to the Lord that He requires us to be doubly sweet, and to overflow with the kindness, gentleness and the love of Christ God wants us to have the character trait of ‘sweetness’ beyond normal measure.

The cassia ingredient

 The branches of the cassia herb retain moisture and must be planted in a swampy area near the banks of a river in order to survive. THIS SPEAKS OF IMMERSION IN THE WORD. As Jeremiah 17:7-8 says,

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.”

ALSO PSALM 1.

The olive oil ingredient

 The process required to get olive oil is painful and intense. First, the trunk of the olive tree must be shaken harshly, causing the olives to fall to the ground. Then the olives must be beaten and smashed until the liquid runs out. IT SPEAKS OF THE ABILITY TO OVERLOOK FAULT AND AN OFFENSE.

Again, what are the sweet perfumes of the Bible?

1. The love of God

2. Thanksgiving, praise, worship

3. Intercession

4. Knowing God

5. Breaking one’s alabaster box

6. Conscious consecration

7. There is a seventh, OUR LIVING SACRIFICE (service) which is holy, pleasing, and acceptable to God (Rom. 12:1-3)

AS A RESULT OF THE BRIDAL BATH, THE BRIDE IS BEAUTIFUL, READY TO BE PICKED UP BY THE GROOM

LAST POINTS CONCERNING THE BRIDAL BATH (very quick and important):

A BRIDAL BATH IS:

1. Personal

2. Private

3. Prepared

4. Perpetual or

Persistent

5. Perfecting

6. Pleasurable

7. Patterned (after Christ and the Word)

AFTER THE BRIDAL BATH

THE BRIDEGROOM DEPARTS, GOING BACK TO HIS FATHER'S HOUSE TO PREPARE THE BRIDAL CHAMBER.

[John 14:2] In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

  

 At this point, the bridegroom leaves for his father's house to prepare the bridal chamber for his bride. It was understood to be the man's duty to go away to be with his father, build a house, and prepare for the eventual wedding. Before he goes, though, he will make a statement to the bride, "I go to prepare a place for you; if I go, I will return again unto you."

  

THEN THE BRIDE IS SET APART FOR A PERIOD OF TIME TO TEST HER, WHILE THE GROOM IS AWAY:

In Hebrew culture, the BETHROTHAL period is a period to VALIDATE, TEST, the PURITY, CHASTITY, AND FAITHFULNESS of the bride-to-be.

The TRUE BRIDE, who KNOWS HER OWN FAITHFULNESS, meantime prepares herself to be the BEST and MOST BEAUTIFUL BRIDE that she can ever be to her husband-to-be.

THE GROOM WILL COME FOR THE BRIDE WHEN “THE PLACE” IS PREPARED

The Bride DOES NOT KNOW when the Groom will pick her up.

Even the Groom does not know. IT IS ONLY THE HEAVENLY FATHER WHO KNOWS when the “the place”.

“No one knows the day nor the hour, only the Heavenly Father…” (MATT. 24:36)

MEANWHILE, WHAT IS THE GOOD AND FAITHFUL BRIDE DOING ALL THE TIME THAT SHE IS WAITING…

MAKING SURE THAT SHE IS SO BEAUTIFUL WHILE AWAITING FOR HER GROOM TO PICK HER UP AT ANYTIME…

THE GROOM will COME AT ANYTIME, in a time not expected, or “suddenly”

IN WHAT SHAPE OR CONDITION WILL HE FIND US?

LIKE THIS? Ashamed to meet the Groom?

OR WORSE, LIKE THIS………. (next slide)

IF THIS IS THE PICTURE OF THE CHURCH, DO YOU EXPECT THE GROOM TO MAKE THIS CHURCH HER BRIDE AND BRING HER TO THE WEDDING FEAST ON THE DAY OF RAPTURE?

MAY WE ALL BE 

NOTES:

The bridegroom did not know when his father would declare the bridal chamber fit and send him to go get his bride. Note the parallels:

  

 [Mark 13:32] "But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. [Mark 13:33] Take heed, watch; for you do not know when the time will come. [Mark 13:34] It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. [Mark 13:35] Watch therefore--for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning—

[Mark 13:36] lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. [Mark 13:37] And what I say to

you I say to all: Watch."

  

  

The bridegroom did not know when his father would declare the bridal chamber fit and send him to go get his bride. Note the parallels:

  

[Mark 13:32] "But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. [Mark 13:33] Take heed, watch; for you do not know when the time will come. [Mark 13:34] It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. [Mark 13:35] Watch therefore--for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning—

[Mark 13:36] lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. [Mark 13:37] And what I say to you I say to all: Watch."

  

  

Meanwhile, the bride was to wait eagerly for the return of the bridegroom. In the mind of the bride, the bridegroom could come at any time, even in the middle of the night or at midnight. Therefore, she had to be ready at all times. Jesus referred to this in the same verses in Mark above, and in Mat 25:1-13.

  

11. The bridegroom would return with a shout, "Behold, the bridegroom comes"

and the sound of the ram's horn would be blown.

The time of the return of the bridegroom was usually at midnight. When the bridegroom did come, he came with a shout (Mat 25:6) and with the blowing of a trumpet (1Thess 4:16-17; Rev 4:1). The marriage between the bride and the groom would take place under a wedding canopy. Since Heaven is a type of canopy, we can see that when Jesus gives a shout for His bride, accompanied by the blowing of a trumpet, the marriage between Christ and his bride will take place in Heaven. The marriage ceremony will have a sacred procession. For this reason, the bridegroom (Jesus) will be led to the canopy first. When the bridegroom approaches the canopy, the cantor chants, "Blessed is he who comes."

This expression means "welcome." Jesus said that He would not return for His bride until these words were said. The groom is greeted like a king under the canopy. During this time Jesus, the bridegroom, will be crowned King under the canopy, which is Heaven.

  

The bride and groom will go to the wedding chamber, where the marriage will be consummated. They will stay in that wedding chamber for seven days, or a week. At the end of the seven days, the bride and groom will come out from the wedding chamber. This can be seen in Joel 2:16. The word week in Hebrew is shavuah. It means a "seven". It can mean seven days or seven years. An example of the Hebrew word shavuah for week meaning seven years can be found in Dan 9:24,27. From this we can see that the believers (bride) in the Messiah (bridegroom) will be with the Messiah in Heaven for His wedding while the earth will be experiencing the seven-year tribulation period. Also in the biblical wedding service that God gave, after you are married, you have a honeymoon     The honeymoon lasts a week, having the same meaning as the above.... Seven-days or seven-years. So this also can refer to Heaven where the previously ruptured believers have been enjoying a seven-year honeymoon with the Lord while the earth is experiencing the tribulation.

  

    12. Finally, there would be a marriage supper for all the guests invited by the father of the bride.

  

  

    The bride and the groom would be in the wedding chamber for seven days. When the bride and the groom initially went into the wedding chamber, the friend of the bridegroom stood outside the door. All the assembled guests of the wedding gathered outside, waiting for the friend of the bridegroom to announce the consummation of the marriage, which was relayed to him by the groom. John referred to this in John 3:29. At this signal, great rejoicing broke forth. The marriage was consummated on the first night. The bloodstained linen from this night was preserved. It was proof of the bride's virginity. (Deut 22:13-21)

On the wedding day, the bridegroom is seen as a king and the bride as a queen. During the consummation of the marriage, the bridegroom (Jesus) will be crowned King over all the earth and the bride (believers in Christ) will live with Him and rule with Him forever.

  

    Jesus will be returning with His bride and we will rule and reign with Him physically during the Millennium (Rev 20:4)

  

  

    Rth 3:3 Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: [but] make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking.

  

   Washing, anointing, putting on of raiment, and getting thee ready for the threshing floor!

  

    Ruth 3:3 is a loaded verse, within this little verse holds a frame work for bridal preparation. Ruth is the barley bride, which is a type of bride of Christ. The bride of Christ will be and should be in constant preparation for his return. Many belong to HIM, but few take the time or make the preparation for meeting him face to face. The bride will be the bride because she will be making herself ready.

  

    The preparation process is described above. The first is to wash thyself. THis is a spiritual cleansing and bathing by staying in the word of God, staying repentant, walking in humility and forgiveness. Before God came down on Mt Sinai, he told Moses for Israel to make themselves ready for a period of three days.

    God required this of the people of Israel-

  

  

   WASHING AND MAKING READY a THREE DAY PREPARATION! Exodus 19:9-11

    9And the LORD said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the LORD.10And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes.11And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.

  

   We can see that God DOES expect preparation before he comes down and meets with him, this gives us a glimpse of our own preparation for his return. Ruth 3:3 again confirms the washing and preparation process.

  

    The second step in Ruth's preparation was to anoint herself. This clearly is a type of being filled with the Holy Spirit, and is a type of a wise virgin, having oil in their lamp.

  

    The first time we see anoint mentioned in the Bible is in reference to concentration for a priestly office, this is a process of sanctification, and is required in order to be able to minister to God in the office of a priest.

  

    Exd 28:41 And thou shalt put them upon Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him; and shalt anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office.

  

   We are told that the overcomer will be made Kings and priest

    Rev 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him [be] glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen

    The overcomer would have overcome by the preparation of washing, renewing oneself, and then allowing the Holy Spirit to fill them, to annoit them with HIM! In doing so the Bride will have made herself ready and prepared for the meeting of her groom, in the case of Israel at Mt Sinai to meet God, and for the priest to minister to God in the office of priest, anointing was required. SO must it be with the bride of Christ!

  

  

    Rev 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him [be] glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen

    The overcomer would have overcome by the preparation of washing, renewing oneself, and then allowing the Holy Spirit to fill them, to annoit them with HIM! In doing so the Bride will have made herself ready and prepared for the meeting of her groom, in the case of Israel at Mt Sinai to meet God, and for the priest to minister to God in the office of priest, anointing was required. SO must it be with the bride of Christ!

  

    The third preparation process of Ruth was to "put thy raiment upon thee".

  

    The first time the word raiment is used in the Bible is when the servant ( a type of the Holy Spirit) of Issac brought raiment for Rebekah .

    Gen 24:53 And the servant brought forth jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment, and gave [them] to Rebekah: he gave also to her brother and to her mother precious things.

  

    Here the servant was preparing Rebekah for a marriage, it was his masters, Abrahams, gift to her for agreeing to marry his son. And so it is with the raiment we put on. It was given to us by the Holy Spirit from the father, for the marriage of his son. We are to PUT ON the raiment that our father has given us through the Holy Spirit, in preparation to meet his son! Wow what treasures His word has for us, as his bridal stories unfold before our eyes!

  

    The fourth step in preparations is Ruth putting herself in the place of vulnerability and availability "get thee down to the floor:" Ruth has made herself ready and now she is placing herself in position to become the bride of her kinsmen. This process requires, transparency, vulnerability, and is risky. The bride of Christ will too have had to make herself available to the lord, and in doing so, she has become vulnerable, and transparent, and available to her lord... despite the cost.

  

    The threshing floor that night was where Boaz was, and he was winnowing Barley that night. This is a clue and a type of Ruth the barley bride. Barley is winnowed by throwing up into the air, a type of rapture. The barley hull easily falls away from the barley and the wind ( a type of Holy Spirit) removes the hull from the barley grain. Wheat however is winnowed by a board, that crushes the wheat, this board is called a tribulum board, it is where we get the word Tribulation from.

    Jesus was the firstfruits from the barley harvest, he arose on the Feast of Firstfruits, which represents the firstfruits from the barley harvest. Ruth represents the gentile barley bride, a type of the Church age, bride of Christ. Jesus is coming for a barley bride, He will be winnowing barley on the night he comes for HIS bride. The bride must be washed, anointed, having put on the raiment given to him from his father , and in waiting for the time of the harvest, staying available for her kinsmen redeemer!!