Much Preparation

In Ancient Israel a cup was set in front of the woman of his choosing. Now it was up to her. Would she pick up the cup and drink of it? Slowly the woman extends her hand to the cup and then lifts it to her mouth to drink. From that moment on, her life is changed forever, and she is now betrothed to a man who dearly loves her. Now it was time for the man to go home to his parents and have a room prepared in their house, for the woman he was going to marry.

The woman eagerly asks when the wedding will take place. The bridegroom tells her that he is uncertain- as the decision is completely up to his father. Once the house is ready for her to come and live he will come for her. Excitingly he exclaims….it will be soon. Once everything is ready, the bridegroom and the groomsmen will go throughout the town blowing a ram’s horn alerting the bride that the time has come for the wedding.

The bride, in the meantime has her heart’s affection on the man of her dreams. He is the love of her life and she can’t keep her mind off of him. Out of her mouth is the endless chatter of “love” to anyone who will listen. She is a beaming ray of light and her face glows with the gesture that says, “Chosen”. She quickly becomes focused daily with making herself beautiful and purifying her heart for the big day. She also keeps her lamp full of oil and burning brightly by her bed in case he comes for her in the night. The time he will appear is uncertain, but one thing is for sure, she will be ready.

Much like an engagement in early Israel, the moment we drink of the cup (in faith) that Jesus sets before us we ourselves become betrothed to our Bridegroom.(Mark 14:23-24) The Father is preparing for us a room in His house and Jesus will return and receive us to Himself. (John 14:1-3)The hour is unknown as to when He will come for us and there is much to do to prepare. (Mat 24:36) Our hearts should be eagerly expecting His arrival at all times and not a moment should be wasted. After all, can you imagine Him showing up for us only to discover that we did not make ourselves ready for Him? (Jer 2:32)

As the Bride of Christ, our affections should be set on our true love. (Matt 22:37) Our mouth should be constantly proclaiming His love and of His coming to us. (Mark 16:15) We should be preoccupied with making ourselves beautiful for our coming King. This is the beauty of the heart, the desire to please our King. (1 Sam 16:7) As we sit at His feet in intimate relationship we become more like Him and He changes us from the inside out. (Phil 3:10) Our face should be aglow with a gesture that says, “Chosen” (1 Peter 2:9) and a light that draws others to ask the reason for our joy. (2 Cor 3:18) We need to keep a fully oiled lamp at all times incase our King came for us in the night. (Luke 12:35-36)And all of our plans will center on that unknown day that we know for certain will come soon. As we gaze upon His face, our hearts will long for hearing the words, “The king desires your beauty.” (Psalm 45:11) So, how are the plans coming so far?

Rev 19:7-8 Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure"--for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.