Here Comes the Bride

As we hear the music begin to play the Bridal March, we all stand to welcome the new bride as she walks down the aisle in her white gown looking perfect, not a thing out of place.

Not too long ago, I saw a photo of a bride on her wedding day getting ready to make this once in a life time journey down the aisle. But something wasn't quite right, in one hand she held a cigarette and in the other she was taking a swig out of a bottle of whiskey. It made me think about how we are going to present ourselves to Christ when we become united as His Bride and He as our Bridegroom.

It goes without saying that a bride is always prepared. She puts so much thought and effort into this day, that there should be no room for surprises.

Rev. 21:2 says; "the bride has prepared herself."

What kind of preparations must we be making in our own lives that we should be made worthy of coming to Christ?

For one thing, in order to take on the responsibility of marriage, we must be mature. In our walk of faith, we must first grow up and not stay a child. We should make an extra effort to grow up and be mature in Christ so that we will be ready to receive Him. It's true that we are all children of the King, but it's only the ones who are mature who will get the car keys! Maturity is the key to this kind of anointing in the kingdom.

How do we get to this point? It takes serious preparation on our parts. To receive God's glory and anointing, we first have to die to ourselves. This means we must give up all our carnal desires and sacrifice our wills to conform to His Will. This is the only way through the veil of Christ in which to enter into the Holy of Holies. God cannot look upon sin, that is why He washes us clean as snow in the blood of His Son.

The book of Esther is a beautiful example of how one unsuspecting woman was chosen by God "for such a time as this" to be in the right place at the right time. It's not that she was better than anyone else, she was obedient and sacrifices her self will in order to come to the king.

This book is not just a story, but a representation of being the Bride of Christ, or the church. Esther 2:8-10 represents how we too must learn to allow the government of God to rule over our lives in order to be anointed. Esther was literally anointed with special oils and perfumes to be purified.

God is a God of order, everything signifies something important, especially numbers. Esther spent 12 months getting ready, the number 12 represents the divine government, God's ruling. She submitted herself and allowed God to govern this preparation in His time. Esther had 7 maids which represents perfection and completeness. Rev. 1:4 speaks about 7 Spirits and 7 Manifestations. The 7 Spirits of God are: Life, Truth, Adoption, Holiness, Grace, Supplication, and Glory. These 7 Spirits are the 7 purifications of the Bride of Christ.

We as Christ's disciples must first soak in God's glory, in His presence just as Esther did in the oils and perfumes. She spent 6 months soaking in myrrh. The number 6 represents the flesh, and the myrrh was used in burial ceremonies. Esther had to die to herself. Then she spent another 6 months soaking in the oil, which represents the Spirit of God. This brings healing, completeness.

If we are to be the Bride of Christ, then it only makes sense that we prepare ourselves in the same fashion as Esther. Once we have entered into the gates, it only makes sense to desire to go into the Holy of Holies. This is where we seek God's face, not just His hand. But in order to approach this place, we must be prepared to minister to God and not the other way around. This the place where we no longer ask God to do for us, but what we can do for Him! Unless we become willing to make sacrifices, we will always remain in the outer courts, and not much happens out here.

It was Esther's desire to attend to her king and ask, "What can I do for you?" She was not getting ready to make demands on him. In being a mature Christian, we know that it's not about us, it's ALL about Him and the role we play in this marriage ceremony. Once you have entered into the Holy of Holies, you don't feel the need to ask God for anything, because you know that He already knows all your needs and is prepared to give them to you. It will become an automatic response to give Him all the praise, honor and glory.

In the Old Testament, the aroma of the burnt sacrifices were a sweet smelling aroma to the Lord. This is how He determined who would pass through the veil where He inhabited. No carnal flesh could enter into this sacred place. Today it's still the same, we can not enter in as long as we are carnal, it takes sacrifice, obedience and alot of preparation to come into the presence of God.

Another important number to consider is the number 10. This represents our human responsibility. Esther 2:16-17 says she was taken into the royal house on the tenth month. The king desired her just as God desires us today. She took the responsibility upon herself to be restored and ready for her king.

"Have the boldness to enter into the Holiest by the blood of Jesus. By a new and living way, which He has consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh. Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water." Hebrews 10:19-22 (Amplified)

The veil is the body of Christ and we must pass through Him in order to get to God. Just as a bride ministers to her husband, we too must minister to God. If we submit like a wife should, there is NOTHING that our groom won't do for us.

"Husbands love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it. That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of the water by the Word." Eph.5:25-26 (Amplified)

A glorious church, (you and me) and not just one that is anointed is one without spot, blemish or wrinkle. It must be holy. It is the combination of anointing and glory that removes all spots, blemishes and wrinkles which result in no sin.

Why not make a conscience effort to decide that from this day forward you will strive to live a holy, upright and righteous life before the day of your wedding ceremony with Christ. Make a point to live holy from the heart and seek His face. Be prepared on the day you walk down the aisle and look into the face of your bridegroom, Christ. The wedding banquet prepared afterwards is going to be a one of a kind experience. All are invited but not everyone will be attending. Many are called, but few are chosen. Will your name be on this invitation?

Vivian Gordon is called by the power of the Holy Spirit to write inspirational articles to help open the spirital eyes and ears of those who need to hear and see. She dedicates her life to not only hearing the Word, but doing it as well. It is her desire to be a beacon of light to those who may be in the dark. Also called to be a prayer intercessor and warrior to bring health and healing into lives of others that don't know how to pray for themselves. God has given her many gifts in which to serve Him.