The Bride: From Walking to Racing

Saints, anyone who compares Song of Solomon, Esther, Psalm 45 and the Philadelphia Church carefully would know that the Bride is not the Church but the high calling in the Church (read Hidden Manna for the End Times). Would you like to sit next to Jesus in the Kingdom, as the Bride will her King? {Mar.10:35} And there come near unto him James and John, the sons of Zebedee, saying unto him, Teacher, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall ask of thee. {36} And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? {37} And they said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and one on [thy] left hand, in thy glory. {38} But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink the cup that I drink? (crucifixion) or to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? {39} And they said unto him, We are able. And Jesus said unto them, The cup that I drink ye shall drink; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: {40} but to sit on my right hand or on [my] left hand is not mine to give; but [it is for them] for whom it hath been prepared. It appears God already knows the Bride and it would behoove us to know what she looks like and how she grows to maturity so we can go there.

Why would we want to look upon the Bride or Shulammite, meaning "perfect or complete one"? Could it be so that we will know how to be like her; to know what is beautiful to the Lord, in order to be close to Him? {Son.6:8} There are threescore queens, and fourscore concubines, And virgins without number. {9} My dove, my undefiled, is [but] one; She is the only one of her mother; She is the choice one of her that bare her. The daughters saw her, and called her blessed; [Yea], the queens and the concubines, and they praised her. {10} Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, Fair as the moon, Clear as the sun, Terrible as an army with banners? {11} I went down into the garden of nuts, To see the green plants of the valley, To see whether the vine budded, [And] the pomegranates were in flower. {12} Before I was aware, my soul set me [Among] the chariots of my princely people. {13} Return, return, O Shulammite; Return, return, that we may look upon thee. Why will ye look upon the Shulammite, As upon the dance of Mahanaim? What if we could take a look at the Bride's baby book and memorable moments? Belinda's dream is just that -- snapshots of the Bride's journey to maturity.)

I dreamed that I was looking down upon a woman (the Bride) as she was reaching to pick up a book that was lying on a table. I watched as she opened up the book and it appeared to be her "baby book" that held all the precious memories of her life growing up. (The way of maturity for the Bride.) {Luk.10:20} Nevertheless in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. {Isa.4:3} And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem (who is the Bride); {4} when the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood (the guilt of sin) of Jerusalem from the midst thereof, by the spirit of justice, and by the spirit of burning. {Rev.3:5} He that overcometh shall thus be arrayed in white garments (overcoming is obedience to the Word); and I will in no wise blot his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. {21:27} and there shall in no wise enter into it (the Holy City, Jerusalem, the Bride -- Revelation 21:9,10) anything unclean, or he that maketh an abomination and a lie: but only they that are written in the Lamb's book of life. {Jer.17:13} O Jehovah, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be put to shame. They that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken Jehovah, the fountain of living waters.

I watched as she ran her hand over her newborn (born-again Spirit of Jesus) baby picture (first step of coming into the image of Jesus) that had been placed on the first page (Jesus was the "firstborn from the dead" -- Colossians 1:18). Under the photo, it read, "It's a girl!" announcing the new arrival. (In order to grow up, we need the foundation of the Gospel and confession of faith.) {Gal.2:20} I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me. (And then we need the crucified life.) {Rom.6:5} For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection; {6} knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away, that so we should no longer be in bondage to sin; {7} for he that hath died is justified from sin.

She was dressed in a beautiful white dress (and we need innocence). {Isa.61:10} I will greatly rejoice in Jehovah, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with a garland, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. {11} For as the earth bringeth forth its bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord Jehovah will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations. She had little white baby booties to protect her little baby feet (her first pair of shoes before beginning her spiritual walk). {1Pe.2:2} as newborn babes, long for the spiritual milk (of the Word) which is without guile (no deception), that ye may grow thereby unto salvation; {3} if ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious....

As time went on (as we grow in faith and learn to trust in the Lord), one day her parents (the Father in Jesus and the mother Church) noticed that it was time for her to stand up and begin to walk. {Psa.32:8} I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will counsel thee with mine eye upon thee. {119:105} Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And light unto my path. {Joh.4:34} Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to accomplish his work. Her parents sat her down and presented her with her first pair of "walkers" that came up over the ankle for support. {Isa.41:13} For I, Jehovah thy God, will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. I watched as the young toddler (as a baby Christian) stood up and wobbled a little bit, then took a couple of steps and fell forward onto a runner on the floor (representing the path -- "the Way" we should go). {Pro.4:26} Make level the path of thy feet, And let all thy ways be established. {3:6} In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he will direct thy paths.

She was able to get back up into a sitting position on the floor. (Waiting and trusting in the Lord: {Psa.16:8} I have set Jehovah always before me: Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. ) She looked over at her parents with confusion. (When we first come to the Lord, we are confused and ignorant of many things. We must come to the understanding that we cannot do anything in and of ourselves. We must be patient and let the Lord do His work in us.) {86:11} Teach me thy way, O Jehovah; I will walk in thy truth: Unite my heart to fear thy name. {Php.2:13} for it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure. Her parents said to her, "It's okay, little one; everyone falls a little bit when they first start to walk. You just need to get back up and try again". {Pro.24:16} For a righteous man falleth seven times (until the rest of faith), and riseth up again; But the wicked are overthrown by calamity. {Isa.41:10} Fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. So the little toddler did. She stood back up and took a few more steps than she took the time before, but she fell again. She quickly got back up and began walking again, and this time she took many more steps before she fell. Then one day, she stood up and began to walk and she wasn't falling anymore, and she really began to enjoy her walking shoes. {Psa.128:1} Blessed is every one that feareth Jehovah, That walketh in his ways. {2} For thou shalt eat the labor of thy hands: Happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. (Sadly, some never see the need to walk in the light to bear fruit.)

Then one day her parents came to her and told her she was now ready for her "big girl" shoes. (As we grow in the Lord and attain to more understanding of the Word, we become more responsible to what the Word says.) {Jas.4:6} But he giveth more grace. Wherefore the scripture saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. (When people play God and judge, they stop growing and start regressing but the Bride avoids this waste and grows quickly.) She was so excited! She sat down while her daddy lovingly put her big girl shoes on her feet. She happily looked down at her beautiful shiny "big girl" shoes. (Shiny means "give light to, to shine on", -- epiphausko.) {Joh.8:12} Again therefore Jesus spake unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life. {1:4} In him was life; and the life was the light of men. {12:46} I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me may not abide in the darkness. {Mat.5:14} Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid.

The shoes were white (for purity) with a strap that crossed over the top of the foot and buckled on the right. (To be able to continue to walk in peace and sanctification - {Eph.6:15} and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace. {Heb.12:14} Follow after peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no man shall see the Lord.) {4:17} This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye no longer walk as the Gentiles also walk, in the vanity of their mind, {18} being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their heart; {19} who being past feeling gave themselves up to lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. {20} But ye did not so learn Christ; {21} if so be that ye heard him, and were taught in him, even as truth is in Jesus: {22} that ye put away, as concerning your former manner of life, the old man, that waxeth corrupt after the lusts of deceit; {23} and that ye be renewed in the spirit of your mind, {24} and put on the new man, that after God hath been created in righteousness and holiness of truth. She stood up to get the feel of her new shoes and they felt so good, so comfortable. {2Co.1:3} Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; {4} who comforteth us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort them that are in any affliction, through the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

One day, as she was walking in her big girl shoes, someone came running past her in running shoes. She thought to herself, "That looks like so much fun. I want to run, too!" So she took off running in her big girl shoes and, suddenly, she tripped and fell and skinned up both her elbows and her knees. (We cannot run before we learn to walk; we must first lay a foundation.) {Luk.14:28} For which of you, desiring to build a tower, doth not first sit down and count the cost, whether he have wherewith to complete it? {29} Lest haply, when he hath laid a foundation, and is not able to finish, all that behold begin to mock him, {30} saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. {1Co.3:11} For other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (The Word. When we think we are bigger than we are, we are in pride, which "cometh before the fall". Some falls are not necessary and keep us from finishing the race. Many think they have outgrown their teacher very fast when they have not yet walked in their shoes. {Rom.12:3} For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think as to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to each man a measure of faith. We must be patient with God and ourselves and not get ahead of our faith. It is His work; we cannot get ahead of Him. {Luk.21:19} In your patience ye shall win your souls. {Jas.1:4} And let patience have [its] perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing.

Her father saw what happened and he came over to comfort her as she was crying. When he approached her, he told her everything was going to be alright and for her not to worry. {Mat.6:27} And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit unto the measure of his life? (Anxiety is not of faith, which is the victory that overcometh the world.) {Php.4:6} In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. But she said to her father, "Daddy, look! My big girl shoes got all scuffed up when I fell! They're ruined, Daddy!" (Lying spirit that loves to deceive us into believing that when we fall, we have failed and cannot go on with Christ.) {Jas.4:7} Be subject therefore unto God; but resist the devil, and he will flee from you. REMEMBER! {Php.4:13} I can do all things in him that strengtheneth me.

Her father reached down and wiped all the scuff marks (failures) off of her shoes and they looked as good as new. {Isa.40:30} Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall.... Her father lovingly picked her up and put her back on her feet. He told her, "My daughter, these shoes are not made for running, only for walking, and you must be patient". (31) but they that wait for Jehovah shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint. {Psa.27:5} For in the day of trouble he will keep me secretly in his pavilion: In the covert of his tabernacle will he hide me; He will lift me up upon a rock. She thanked her father for repairing her shoes (through forgiveness and grace) and for explaining things to her, and she began to walk once more. {2Co.9:8} And God is able to make all grace abound unto you; that ye, having always all sufficiency in everything, may abound unto every good work.... {Php.4:19} And my God shall supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

As she was walking along one day in her big girl shoes, her parents came to her again with a big surprise. They told her to sit down, as they had a gift for her. They handed her a box and told her to open it, and as she did, there was a beautiful pair of running shoes inside (spiritual shoes for running and finishing our spiritual race [toward death to self and manifesting Christ before our time is up]). {1Co.9:23} And I do all things for the gospel's sake, that I may be a joint partaker thereof. {24} Know ye not that they that run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? Even so run; that ye may attain. {25} And every man that striveth in the games exerciseth self-control in all things. Now they [do it] to receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. {26} I therefore so run, as not uncertainly; so fight I, as not beating the air: {27} but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected. (The clock is ticking! Are we running our race according to the Scriptures? Are we allowing fleshly distractions to slow us down?) {Php.3:12} Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect: but I press on, if so be that I may lay hold on that for which also I was laid hold on by Christ Jesus. She looked up at her parents and thanked them as she had been wanting a pair of running shoes more than anything. (Desiring to run after the Lord, like the Shulammite.) {Son.1:4} Draw me; we will run after thee: The king hath brought me into his chambers; We will be glad and rejoice in thee; We will make mention of thy love more than of wine: Rightly do they love thee.

She put the shoes on her feet and was admiring them when her father sat down beside her and said, "My daughter, you must be very careful with these shoes. You must not start out running too fast too soon. {Deu.31:8} And Jehovah, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed. You need to start out slowly with patience and then one day you will be able to pick up speed". She said, "Okay, Daddy. I will". {Eph.3:20} Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, {21} unto him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus unto all generations for ever and ever. Amen. (Children love to try on and walk in their parents' shoes but quickly learn that they must grow into them. "Pride cometh before the fall".)

So she stood up and ever so slowly began a steady jog. She was amazed at how comfortable these running shoes were and that she never seemed to get tired. {Isa.40:29} He giveth power to the faint; and to him that hath no might he increaseth strength. {30} Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: {31} but they that wait for Jehovah shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint. One day, as she was running along, she noticed that she was picking up speed. (As more flesh falls away and more spirit man is left.) This was just like her father said she would. {2Pe.1:4} whereby he hath granted unto us his precious and exceeding great promises; that through these ye may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in that world by lust. {5} Yea, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply virtue; and in your virtue knowledge; {6} and in your knowledge self-control; and in your self-control patience; and in your patience godliness; {7} and in your godliness brotherly kindness; and in your brotherly kindness love. {8} For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to be not idle nor unfruitful unto the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. And she noticed that as she was picking up speed, her feet were growing and so were her shoes (maturity to walk and run in her father's faith). She was so excited by this discovery that she began to run faster and faster. {Php.3:14} I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

One day, her father was watching her run. He watched as she ran like a deer. {Psa.18:33} He maketh my feet like hinds' feet: And setteth me upon my high places. She saw her father watching her and she said, "Father, I seem to be running so fast; where am I running to?" Her father said, "All the way to the finish line". All the way to Jesus! {1Jn.3:2} Beloved, now are we children of God, and it is not yet made manifest what we shall be. We know that, if he shall be manifested, we shall be like him; for we shall see him even as he is. {Mat.5:8} Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. {2Co.3:18} But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord the Spirit. ... {4:6} Seeing it is God, that said, Light shall shine out of darkness, who shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. {7} But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves; {8} [we are] pressed on every side, yet not straitened; perplexed, yet not unto despair; {9} pursued, yet not forsaken; smitten down, yet not destroyed; {10} always bearing about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our body. {11} For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

Printer-friendly version