Waiting for the Bride, II

 

Waiting for the Bride, II

 

The time of Christ’s return is up to the Father

Many look at the day or the hour as a time written on a calendar

But maybe the Father is not looking at a date, but a time of completion

In the context of Jesus’ words in Matthew 24:26 is the story of Noah

The time of the flood had more to do with Noah completing the ark

Then it did a day on a calendar

Times and dates are important, but the completion of God’s purpose

Is always more important than the date it takes place

Revelation 19:7 may help us see this picture of timing   

Let us rejoice and be glad

and give him glory!

For the wedding of the Lamb has come,

and his bride has made herself ready.

  Maybe the reason Jesus says He does not know the day of His return is because

 His Father has chosen the Bride and He is waiting for Her to become ready

 

 

Waiting for the Bride, II

 

Revelation 19:7…

 

For the Wedding of the Lamb has come,

and His Bride has made Herself ready.

 

Jesus tells us…

 

"Watch therefore, for you know neither the day

nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

Matthew 25:13 NKJV

 

As Christians, we eagerly wait

for the coming of our Savior.

 

We have much to look forward to…

 

New bodies, a new heaven, and earth,

a Kingdom of Righteousness.

 

Jesus said…

 

 I go to prepare a place for you,

but we do not know how long it

will take to prepare that place.

 

Waiting can be difficult…

 

 Because we don’t know the time of His coming.

 

In our waiting for Christ’s return

 we should ask the question…

 

 What is Christ waiting for?

 

The relationship between the

Heavenly Father and the Son is beautiful.

 

Jesus tells us He will return…

 

 But He does not know the time of His return.

 

"No one knows about that day or hour,

not even the angels in heaven,

nor the Son, but only the Father.

Matthew 24:36

 

The time of Christ’s return is up to the Father.

 

Many look at the day or the hour

as a time written on a calendar.

 

But maybe the Father is not looking at a date

 but a time of completion.

 

In the context of Jesus’ words in Matthew 24:26

is the story of Noah.

 

The time of the flood had more to do

with Noah completing the ark

then it did a day on a calendar.

 

Times and dates are important…

 

 But the completion of God’s purpose

is always more important than the date it takes place.

 

Revelation 19:7 may help us see this picture of timing…

   

Let us rejoice and be glad

and give him glory!

For the wedding of the Lamb has come,

and his bride has made herself ready.

  

 Maybe the reason Jesus says

He does not know the day of His return

is because His Father has chosen the Bride

and He is waiting for Her to become ready.

 

The readiness of the Bride starts long before

the putting on of the wedding dress.

 

 The Father loves His only begotten Son,

who He sent into the world to court.

 

God from the beginning

created mankind in His image.

 

Mankind has had a problem with the image

and looked for their own identity.

 

Pictures of mankind as an unfaithful woman

are found throughout Scripture.

 

The prophet Hosea linked this message

closely with his personal life…

 

By marrying a woman he knew

would eventually betray his trust.

 

God sent His Son into the world

to save the world.

 

 

He demonstrated His love to the fullest extent.

 

He gave His life for Her.

 

 

So, if God the Father is waiting for

the readiness of the Bride for His Son…

 

 What is He looking for?

 

The Father is not going to give His Son

a wife with commitment issues.

 

Marriage cannot be a second thought.

 

Living together with no binding covenant

has become more and more accepted.

 

When a couple seeks a marriage license…

 

 We find divorce is considered an option

if things don’t work out

or something else looks better.

 

Scripture is clear about commitment to Christ.

 

Ephesians 5:23-24…

 

For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church,

 his body, of which he is the Savior.

Now as the church submits to Christ,

 so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

 

Matthew 10:37-39…

 

"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

 

To become the Bride of Christ…

 

 You must be willing to leave

everything for the love of Christ.

 

Your passion and trust for Him will consume

all your desires because you desire to fulfill His will.

 

Those who understand God’s love

and made this commitment sometimes struggle…

 

 But it is not with God’s will,

 but their own will.

 

They also find Christ lovingly forgiving

because He wants the very best for us.

  

This is why the Father is looking for

a woman who is not pushing for Jesus

to change for her desires.

 

Not a selfish woman.

 

Not a controlling woman.

 

Not a party animal,

 who is more about her fun

than the goal of the Kingdom.

 

She cannot be a woman who has trust issues.

 

The bride cannot take the stand

she is always right.

 

A woman who cuts Jesus off

from meeting the needs of others

because she is insecure.

 

The Father wants to give His Son the best, a Bride…

 

Who is holy (set apart),

 

Godly (complements by having the same image),

 

Radiant (Glorious,

Live as children of light,

for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness,

righteousness and truth and find out what pleases the Lord.)

Ephesians 5:8-11

 

Since the beginning…

 

 The Father is looking for a Bride for His Son\.

 

 This picture is more a picture of maturity.

 

 There have always been people

who are a part of the Bride.

 

The Bride is making Herself ready.

Revelation 19:7

 

God the Father is waiting for a little girl to grow up

and she is growing, she is maturing.

 

 The Bride is more beautiful than ever before.

 

But there must be more she is

to do to reach the marriage altar.

 

Jesus said…

 

"My Father is always at his work to this very day,

and I, too, am working." 

John 5:17

 

"I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself;

he can do only what he sees his Father doing,

because whatever the Father does the Son also does.

John 5:19

 

Jesus set the example and the Bride

must also “do the works of the Father…

 

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,'

 will enter the kingdom of heaven,

but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 7:21

 

The Bride of Christ is marrying the ruling King…

 

To him who overcomes and does my will to the end,

I will give authority over the nations—

Revelation 2:26

 

What is the Father waiting for? …

 

The Bride to make Herself ready,

 

Doing the work of the Kingdom of God.

 

Accepting the authority for Her future Husband.

 

Ruling in love and righteousness.

 

Teaching the nations everything She has learned

from the one She is betrothed to.

 

2 Corinthians 11:2-3…

 

I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ

 

Let’s join together as the Church,

the Bride of Christ.

 

Let us become His help mate.

 

Let’s get to work by doing

the good deeds of the Kingdom.

 

Let’s accept the authority of the Word of God

and teach it to all who will hear.

 

Being saved is not your ticket

to heaven…

 

 It is your betrothal.

 

Out of 10 virgins, 5 were foolish and 5 were wise.

 

 Make sure you have enough oil

of the Holy Spirit to light the way.

 

Heaven is not a retirement party…

 

 It is ruling in a new Heaven and New Earth

in the fullness of Righteousness.

 

 Scripture Reading

 

Revelation 19:6-8 NIV

 

6 Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:

 

"Hallelujah!

For our Lord God Almighty reigns.

7 Let us rejoice and be glad

and give him glory!

For the wedding of the Lamb has come,

and his bride has made herself ready.

8 Fine linen, bright and clean,

was given her to wear."

 

 (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)

 

 

2 Corinthians 11:2-4 NIV

 

 I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. 3 But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 4

 

 

Matthew 25:1-13 NIV

 

"At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

 

6 "At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!'

 

7 "Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.'

 

9 "'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.'

 

10 "But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

 

11 "Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!'

 

12 "But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.'

 

13 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.