Thursday, September 23, 2021

I HAD A DREAM | I SAW EXCITED WOMEN READY FOR A WEDDING | THE BRIDE HAS MADE HERSELF READY

 


What does the Bride of Christ Symbolize?

The earliest Christian tradition identifies texts from the Hebrew Bible as symbolic of the divine love of God and people. The love poems of the Song of Songs and the Latter prophet Hosea have many references to an intimate, spousal relationship between God and his people.

How does the Bride of Christ make her self Ready?

The Bride of Christ must make herself ready.  If you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you are Christ's be-trothed bride.  Nevertheless, Revelation 19:7 states that “The Bride In this parable the virgins represent members of the Church, and the bridegroom represents Christ. The Lord explained to Joseph Smith that the wise virgins are those who “have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived”. 

What does it mean that the Bride has made herself ready?

Immediately following the judgment of all that is against God, we are told the bride has made herself ready. This means that the book of Revelation is not only about the Lamb's victory, but it is about His great passion being fulfilled, the readiness of the bride.

Who does the bridegroom represent?

In this parable the virgins represent members of the Church, and the bridegroom represents Christ. The Lord explained to Joseph Smith that the wise virgins are those who “have received the truth, and have taken the Holy Spirit for their guide, and have not been deceived"

How does the image of Marriage relate to the Relationship of the Church and Jesus Christ? 

They help us relate to God, giving us an image — a metaphor, a picture — to look at and glimpse the divine. Good marriages give us a tangible picture of Jesus and his love for the church. This is why the instructions are rooted and grounded in what Jesus has done for us and our relationship with him.

What is the Hebrew word for Bridegroom?

חָתָן, כּֽלָּה Meaning: bridegroom, bride.

What does the word Bride mean in Hebrew?

Yarchei Kallah (Hebrew: ירחי כלה‎ “months of the bride”) is the name of a teachers’ convention that was held twice a year in Babylonian Academies, by the Jews then in captivity in Babylon, after the beginning of the Amoraic period, in the two months Adar and Elul.

What did Jesus say about the Church?

He then stated, “And I say also unto thee, Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18).

How can we prepare for Jesus coming?

PRAY: If you want to know what God knows, begin by asking Him.

LISTEN: Sometimes, we think we know what God wants for us, but God's knowledge isn't always obvious. 

WATCH: Saint Paul said we need to watch and be ready. Scripture tells us that we must always be ready to tell others the good news. We must be prepared as Paul writes in 2 Timothy 4:2, “Preach the word. Be ready to do it whether it is convenient or inconvenient. Correct, confront, and encourage with patience and instruction”

STORE: Be Prepared - Is it wrong to be prepared? You get to decide. There are many instances in the Bible on the value of being prepared. Joseph prepared for famine in Egypt (Genesis 41), Noah prepared the ark (Genesis 6-7), and other verses like Proverbs 6:6-9, Matthew 25:1-13, and Hebrews 11:7 talk about it. On the other hand, verses like Luke 12:16-20 and Matthew 6:19 help make the other side of the argument.

There’s much controversy over this topic in the Christian community. Here’s what I have to say… always check your heart for why you’re doing what you’re doing and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in doing what’s right. There’s a vast difference between being prepared so that you can help your family and your community vs. hoarding it all for yourself.

Speaking of preparing, don’t forget to prepare your heart for Jesus’ return. These things must come to pass (Matthew 24:4-13), but one day our Lord will come, and no one knows when that day will happen (Matthew 24:36).  Always be prepared for that glorious day! ~Tracie Rollins

IMPROVE:      How do we Prepare for the Day of the Lord? 

Seven Ways to Prepare for Jesus' Return (Mark 13:24-37)

1. Live in the light of His first coming.
2. Be discerning.
3. Accept the uncertainties.
4. Don't lose hope.
5. Encourage one another.
6. Live as if today was the day.
7. Keep on doing the work Jesus left us to do.

What is the Great Day of the LORD?

A day inaugurating the eternal universal rule of God: in the Old Testament : an eschatological day of ultimate judgment bringing final deliverance or doom.

“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philippians 3:20

What does the Second Coming refer to?

Second Coming, also called Second Advent or Parousia, in Christianity, the future return of Christ in glory, when it is understood that he will set up his kingdom, judge his enemies, and reward the faithful, living and dead.

PRAYER:

How grateful I am this day, Father, for the promise of Jesus’ return. Make my heart ready Lord, that I might watch and wait with great faith and eagerness in my heart.

For my church community as well, I ask that You strengthen each and every one of us to say “no” to ungodliness and the passions of this world. May we be self-controlled, upright and godly in all that we do as we wait for Jesus, our blessed hope, in order that we might be confident and unashamed before Him when He comes. 

Forgive us, Father, for the ways that we have allowed ourselves to become entangled with the things of this world. We have allowed our hearts to be weighed down with the anxieties of life, and in so doing, our watchfulness for the coming of Jesus has been diminished! Awaken our hearts, I pray!

Instead of setting our minds on things above, our thoughts have become cluttered with the passing affairs of this world. We have not been clear-minded so that we can pray. Forgive us Father, and heal Your Church. 

We have become inattentive to Your work and weary as we wait. O Lord have mercy on us. Revive our hearts once again and give us a fresh sense of urgency that produces greater love and devotion and a living-out of our faith. May we be patient and stand firm as we wait, for surely Your coming is near Lord Jesus!

I ask, Lord Jesus, that when You return, You will find me, and my brothers and sisters in Christ, dressed and ready for service with our lamps fully fueled and burning brightly. May we truly live as aliens and strangers in this world, ministering the love of Christ in word and deed.

Lord Jesus, may we be always watching for Your return and encouraging each other continually that today could be the day!

Maranatha! O Lord Jesus, come quickly, I pray! Amen and Amen!

Titus 2:12-13; 1 John 2:28; Luke 21:34; Psalm 73:25; Colossians 3:2; 1 Peter 4:7; James 5:8; 1 Peter 2:11; Luke 12:35-40