I decided to write this blog after reading my written notes of revelation, provided to me by the Holy Spirit. I have heard of preachers teaching on the church being the bride of Christ, but I have not heard to my knowledge any preacher approach this from the point of view I received, from the Holy Spirit. Adam the first son of God was given Eve as his wife and helpmate, because God saw that it was not good for man to be alone. Eve unfortunately was deceived by the serpent and led Adam to sin. I always wondered if the serpent existed in the garden before Eve? Why wasn’t the serpent successful in deceiving Adam? I am sure he tried. God communed with both Adam and Eve in the garden face to face, the only difference was the length of time Adam’s relationship with God. Christ the only begotten Son of God, the second Adam, entered earth but was not married, nor was he given a helpmate as Adam. His bride was being reserved for a time after his ministry on earth, to which God decides when the chosen bride(the church) is ready.

Revelation 19:7-9

⁷ Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

⁸ And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.

⁹ And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

God who created Adam’s bride, is creating Christ’s bride, not from dirt, but from the souls of Christians. Eve was deceived by the serpent for her lack of faith and knowledge in the Word of God. This time God is creating a deceptive resistant church, by sending His Spirit to live in us. Daily providing us with discernment and wisdom in the Word of God, to navigate right from wrong. We are the body of Christ here on earth doing His good works as he instructs us through His Spirit.

Ephesians 5:14-33

¹⁴ Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

¹⁵ See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

¹⁶ Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

¹⁷ Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

¹⁸ And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

¹⁹ Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

²⁰ Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

²¹ Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

²² Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

²³ For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

²⁴ Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

²⁶ That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

²⁷ That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

²⁸ So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

²⁹ For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

³⁰ For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

³¹ For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

³² This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

³³ Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

Here again in the word of God the relationship between the church and Christ is likened to the marriage of a man to a woman. There are many verses in the bible that make this reference, which tells me there is emphasis on this sacred relationship that Christ wants to call to our attention. Therefore we will look into the characteristics of the marriage relationship and union, the bible makes a clear comparison to the relationship the church has with Christ. The list of topics we will address are as follows;

• The Grooms Contract. (An agreement with the brides father, prior to the actual marriage.)
• The Bride’s Acceptance. (This bride must accept the groom as her husband, sealing the contract, making the marriage official.)
• The Period of Waiting. (The time the groom is living with his Father and given time to attain the promised payment agreed upon in the contract to be paid to the brides father.)
• Consummation. (After the price is paid the groom goes into the bride and consummates the marriage. Providing the blood stained rag as evidence that the bride was a virgin consummating the marriage and sealing the contract physically.)
• The Procession/Wedding Banquet. (The procession or party is in the night time to the house of the of the groom where the bride will be living with her husband.)

These topics seem different from our evolved marriage process, but it is the traditional Jewish marriage process that is most likely referenced in the bible. At the end of this blog you will have a deeper appreciation for your salvation and relationship with Christ. This blog will also give you a peak at the depths, of the love Christ had for us when he sacrificed his life for ours. Also a better understanding of God’s Fatherly yearning to return us to commune with Him.

THE GROOMS CONTRACT:

In the beginning when man was created by God, he walked with God in the garden of Eden face to face. Communing with God, sharing with each other in relationship. A Father teaching his Son all he needed to know to prosper, be successful and live in abundance. Then came Eve who was given to Adam out of love by God as a helpmate. The deception of the serpent followed, and subsequently the fall of man from grace, leading to a separation from God because of sin. At the time, God knew the price to pay for sin was death, by his own words and decree as King. “Anyone one who eats of the tree of good and evil will surely die.”  Therefore out of love God sacrificed an animal in place of mankind and covered them with the innocent blood of the animal to temporarily appease the judgement for sin. Man being immature and spiritually flawed were incapable of navigating the knowledge of good and evil. Therefore animal sacrifices became the norm to atone for the repeated sins of men. God being perfect could not be around sin and was unable to commune directly with man as he did with Adam and Eve in the garden. Out of love, He created us in his own image to have fellowship, not to live separate and away from each other. God already knew what it would require to save men and restore his spiritual connection, sacrifice through blood shed.

God hinted at his plan to redeem men, when he asked Jacob to sacrifice Issac, his son on the alter. To see that men, after the flood, still had the capacity to be obedient and faithful to God’s will at any cost. It proved righteousness by faith was possible and the only issue was sin.  If God had decided on a course of action for redeeming men before Jacob and Issac, why wait so long to send his Son?

Eating the fruit from the tree of good and evil, caused men to became somebody that needed to be reasoned with. They acquired knowledge of good and evil with no understanding or self control.

Isaiah 1:16-20

¹⁶ Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes;
cease to do evil,

¹⁷ learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.

¹⁸ “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.

¹⁹ If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land;

²⁰ but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be eaten by the sword; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken

God took time to establish himself as the only True and Living God over all the idols and pagan beliefs. It also took Him time to teach men what was sinful and what was holy, what was good and what was bad. Convincing them it was in their own best interest to follow His commands and to be obedient to His Will. Think on your own experiences trying to teach a toddler what they can and cannot do. They become upset and have tantrums because they are not being allowed to do something that can hurt them as a consequence. God was also establishing to men, that they could not live a Holy and Righteous life on their own, and escape the consequence of sin. ” The wages of sin is death.” They were in need of a savior. Someone that could quench the sin nature adopted at the fall of humanity and fulfill the law of God in the process. All to provide an escape from the judgement of eternal death for sin as decreed by God. It was God’s word that determined the judgement of death for sin.

Genesis 2:17

“But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”

All the time God knew he would have to fix the problem of sin man created. Therefore God sent his word in flesh (Jesus Christ), to be sacrificed for men, fulfilling His decree in Genesis 2:17. The innocent and sinless blood of Christ has the power to wash away all sins forever, breaking the cycle of sin and eternal death, held over men since the fall of Adam.  I am not blaming God for the separation, He is Holy and sovereign. I am pointing out that it requires God to save us from His own decree, which can only be rectified by a King. No matter how good we may try to be it is worthless we need Jesus Christ.

John 3:16

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

This is the contract made between God and his Living Word, Jesus Christ. In order to effect change in the domain God decreed belonged to man (earth), His word had to become flesh, fully man and fully God. We already know a sacrifice was needed to save men from the consequences of sin, so the contract made between Jesus Christ and God was to fulfill God’s will. God’s Will was to sacrifice his Living Word Jesus Christ to redeem man from eternal death. It was the price Christ offered in obedience, as payment for the church( His bride). Just as the groom offers a price he will pay to the bride’s father in the marriage contract. How can I be so sure there was an agreement or contract between Christ and God. Look at the following verses;

Matthew 26:38-45

³⁸ Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

³⁹ And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

⁴⁰ And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

⁴¹ Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

⁴² He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

⁴³ And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.

⁴⁴ And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.

⁴⁵ Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

Christ’s soul became exceedingly sorrowful before he began praying to God, insinuating he was aware of what was about to happen and what he needed to do. That is because Jesus already knew his purpose and the prearranged out come of his life and ministry. He knew the agreement he made with God to save mankind was to surrender his life in obedience as the second Adam. His sacrifice meant the deliverance of his bride from eternal death, making it possible for his bride to live with Him and His Father forever.

THE BRIDE’S ACCEPTANCE:

Now that an acceptable contract has been made between the bridegroom and the bride’s father. The Bridegroom (Jesus Christ), spent his life on earth preparing through his ministry to make the payment agreed upon in the marriage contract. Now that he has given his life as payment, he has become a living sacrifice for redemption. The bible says the following.

Psalm 110:1

110 The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

Mark 16:19

¹⁹ So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God

The bridegroom has done his job, he agreed to the contract and paid the price required for his bride. Now it is up to the bride (church) to agree. In traditional weddings the bride’s father and the bridegroom negotiate the contract for the arranged marriage and once agreed upon, the bride needs to agree to validate or activate the marriage contract. At that point of agreement the bride and the groom are now officially married, even though they have not consummated the marriage or had a celebration. The groom goes back to his father’s house until the appointed time for him to consummate the marriage.

How does this relate to us as Christians? To become the bride we must choose to accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and savior. Salvation and redemption for Christians is entering into agreement, to surrender to the contract already made by the bridegroom (Jesus) and the bride’s(church) Father, God in Heaven. As Christians we are bound to the contractual agreement already paid for by the life of Jesus Christ. That is why the bible says we are no longer our own, but are bought by the blood of Jesus Christ. So a christian who accepts Christ as their Lord and Savior, becomes part of the church which is the bride of Christ. Since we already established the church is officially married to Christ by contract, the Angels celebrate in heaven. It is representative of the family celebration we have when a woman says yes to an engagement ring. The marriage contract between bridegroom and bride’s father is validated, another soul is saved from eternal damnation. This is why being born again is necessary, because as a christian we are born into Christ as part of his body. God no longer sees us as an individual but as part of the body of Christ, covered by his blood and righteousness. Just like the union between a man and woman in marriage, biblically they are no longer considered two people but one.

Ephesians 5:28-31

²⁸ So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

²⁹ For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

³⁰ For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

³¹ For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

This is a direct relation to the salvation of a christian and becoming the body of Christ. We’ve become new creatures, members of the body of Christ, filled with The Holy Spirit. The life of the Father that flows in us through The Holy Spirit aslo reconnects us to commune with our Father in heaven.

THE PERIOD OF WAITING:

When Christ gave his life on the cross and rose again three days later, he spent some time here on earth in his risen body. Ensuring there were witnesses of his resurrection, along with empowering his disciples to spread the gospel he taught them. Upon his ascension, Christ sat at the Right Hand of God’s throne. His job was done, as he said on the cross, “It was finished”. Now he sits at the Right Hand of God interceding on our behalf as the High Priest of the true Isralites( The church). It has been over 2000 years since the crucifixion of Christ and he still has yet to return. Christ is waiting on God’s instruction that his bride is ready to be collected and returned home with him. As is traditional in Jewish marriage, Christ is also preparing a place for us in his Father’s house. Typically when the bridegroom is married he does not yet have his own house and is living in his Father’s house. In the case of Christ, He and the Father are one so living in the same place is expected.

John 14:1-3

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

² In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

This waiting period is similar to the bridegrooms return to his Father’s House after the marriage contract and its price being paid. A perfect example is Jacob working for Rachel to be his bride. During the waiting period Jacob was working to pay the price of servitude, asked of by Laban. The contract of marriage was made, but the price was not yet paid and therefore the time between their unification was used to pay the agreed time of servitude. In the case of Christ, he prepaid the price for us with his sacrifice on the cross and is now waiting for the bride’s (church) preparation. The Father in heaven, our Creator, determines when the bride (church) is ready to be collected and brought home.

As the church, our preparation for the return of the bridegroom is spiritual growth. This can only be attained by getting to know as much as we can about the family we have been adopted into. The word of God revealed to us by the Holy Spirit, provides us with the knowledge and understanding of the Kingdom of God where our Father and His Son (groom) lives. As the bride , we are obligated to know as much about the groom as possible, to develop a close relationship and become a helpmate here on earth to our Lord and Savior. This should be our purpose during the time of Grace, which should not be taken lightly.

Inheriting the obedience, to the Will of the Father through Jesus Christ, obligates us to fulfill it here on earth as did Christ during his ministry. Traditionally wives were expected to help their husbands accomplish the goals they (as a couple) have set, to benefit the entire family. It is for this reason Eve was created as a helpmate for Adam, to populate the earth and have dominion over everything. First Adam, the son of God was redeemed in full sight of the principalities, powers and rulers of darkness, by the second Adam. The Only Begotten Son of God Jesus Christ. Now God is in the process of redeeming the bride (church). Eve faltered and was deceived leading Adam to sin, causing the fall of man. God is redeeming the bride and helpmate for the second Adam, by grooming the church through His spirit and His word to become obedient and deceptive proof. The Holy Spirit lives in us now and therefore we have discernment, wisdom, understanding and truth, to combat the deception of the serpent who is still seeking whom he may devour. We now know the serpent is not here to help or enlighten us, as evidenced by the condition of the world made possible by those who follow the serpent’s wisdom.

John 10:10

¹⁰ The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

CONSUMMATION:

Everyone is familiar with consummating a marriage. This act finalizes the marriage contract making the man and woman one in flesh and in the eyes of God. In a traditional Jewish wedding it only took place when the Father of the bride says she was ready for the process. The groom would travel to her house and consummate the marriage in private. Then present a blood stained garment as evidence her virginity was taken and the marriage consummated. In some English traditions when royalty were wed and the rule of kingdoms were in the balance, there were witnesses to the consummation. Why is this so important? I believe the marriage contract was designed by God to be sealed with the shedding of blood. This is why I believe marriage was designed to be with one man and woman both virgins becoming one in spirit and flesh.  A woman’s body is designed to shed blood at the time of consummation if she is a virgin and therefore the emphasis on brides being virgins at the time was required. It represented their purity, untainted by another. It also was the act of shedding blood to seal the marital contract. This is why marriage is so sacred and the commitment to its vows are required.

How does this portion of the wedding ceremony measure up to us as Christians. Well because humanity has fallen and we are sinners redeemed by Christ, we are disqualified on our own as being pure. In order for a Holy God to reconnect with his creation in a marriage like relationship, where he becomes one with us. Pure blood needs to be shed to seal the marriage contract. Our blood is tainted with sin and this emphasizes why we cannot save ourselves, no matter how good of a person we are on earth or what we believe. God had to send His only begotten Son to earth as the second Adam pure in heart, mind and soul. Sinless before God to surrender His life, shedding His blood, as evidence of the consummated contract of salvation, for all those who enter into it. The power in the shed blood of Christ is its purity and ability to wash away the sin that disqualifies the bride, forever. In this marriage like relationship, the groom has provided everything. He has paid the price, shed His pure blood as evidence of consummation and provided a place for the bride (church) at His Father’s house. He’s done all this to make it possible for us to live with him and our Father forever as family, heirs to the inheritance of God’s Kingdom. As a christian understanding the sacrifice of Christ in this manner is crucial. Christ has played the part of a groom that is head over heels in love with His bride, that he sacrificed the precious gift we have all been given by God and that is life.

The Fathers in this marriage are the same. God is the Father of both parties, the groom and the bride(church). God shed the blood of His Son and experienced loss for the benefit of redeeming his daughter the bride(church). As far as I know, it is the only time in history a Father’s pride, His only begotten Son’s life, was forfeited as payment for a marriage contract.

The dowry payment of the groom was being made to the same person, God. This is what I believe prompted Christ’s plea in the garden of Gethsemani. If there was any other way, because Christ knew the price He was paying for the bride, was negotiated by His Father. If there was any other way, do you think that God would not have offered grace at that point to His Son. It was God’s only begotten Son offering a plea for mercy, but adamant on fulfilling God’s Will. It breaks my heart the decision God had to make. On one side he had His beloved Son that was innocent of sin, loving and obedient on the verge of suffering immeasurable pain and anguish at no fault of His own. The other end God had his creation that he so loved, lost and doomed to die in sin, separated from Him forever unless he intervened.

NB:Now you can begin to understand as a christian the importance of salvation through Christ. Anything else deserves God’s judgement, trying to have relationship with God by any other means is considered strange worship, strange fire (old testament reference to fire used for sacrifice out side of the altar). God will not accept it, but issue eternal judgement. 

THE PROCESSION / WEDDING BANQUET:

Matthew 22:1-14

 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,

² The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,

³ And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.

⁴ Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.

⁵ But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:

⁶ And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.

⁷ But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.

⁸ Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.

⁹ Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.

¹⁰ So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.

¹¹ And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:

¹² And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.

¹³ Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

¹⁴ For many are called, but few are chosen.

This parable was told to us by Christ as an attempt to explain what the Kingdom of heaven was like. Parables in the bible can either be used to simplify complex matters to make them relatable for understanding or they can hide wisdom for only a select few that have access to understanding from the Holy Spirit. I believe all through out the bible Christ and apostles have been using parables to explain to believers the coming celebration or banquet on Christ’s return for his bride. As a bride the procession/banquet is a time of excitement she prepares for, the groom is coming to take the bride to live with him forever as one. It is the transition from her father’s covering to the covering of her husband in his father’s house. This statement is crucial, because it explains our final transition into eternity as Christians. How? Right now, we are redeemed and renewed spiritually, a new creature in Christ, but trapped in our fallen flesh. As Christians we daily war against our flesh with the help of the Holy Spirit. Our flesh is susceptible to the lusts and vices that come from the covering of the father of rebellion and lies (the devil). This is why Christ shed his blood so it can wash away all our sins, past, present and future. We live in fallen bodies that have not been redeemed. When Christ returns we will be given new bodies sanctified and Holy, transitioning our flesh from being influenced by the father of rebellion, to being just like Christ and under the rule of the Father of light. Our redeemed bodies will no longer hunger or be susceptible to sickness, decay and death. No longer will our spirit war against our flesh, we will truly be one in mind, body and soul as our Father in heaven is as well. Who would not be excited for such a reception, where our very bodies are set free from its fallen nature.

1 Corinthians 15:51-55

⁵¹ Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

⁵² In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

⁵³ For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

⁵⁴ So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

⁵⁵ O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

The procession and banquet is a celebration of Christ’s return to bring judgment on the wicked and to collect his bride the church. It will be as much about Christ’s victory over evil and death, as it is about our entry into eternity with our Father and Savior forever. How do I know? Well there are several biblical references that elude to the banquet’s preparation and its purpose.

Matthew 25:1-13

Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

² And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

³ They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

⁴ But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

⁵ While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

⁶ And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

⁷ Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

⁸ And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

⁹ But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

¹⁰ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

¹¹ Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

¹² But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

¹³ Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Here again you see the Kingdom of God being referenced in a parable where marriage, a banquet, groom and bride are mentioned. The parable makes reference to virgins in preparation for their bridegroom. The emphasis on the virginity of the women, was to emphasize their purity. We can compare the church as Christ’s bride, to these ten virgins. I believe that section is referring to Christians who have accepted Christ and are washed by the blood of Christ.

The parable then speaks of their lamps and vessels which were most likely molded clay,  just as we have been molded by our Father in heaven in the womb. A lamp in those days was used as a source of light only when it was dark. It contained within it a wick soaked in oil (most likely olive oil), that was lit by fire. The wick burned because the oil is being used as fuel and light was provided in exchange. “Psalm 119:105 depicts the word of God to be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto my path.”

The parable also mentioned that the wise took their clay vessels full of oil. The lamp and the vessel in this parable, I believe is a representation of the virgin’s carnal body. The oil in the lamp and vessel is the anointing we receive from God’s word, revealed by the Holy Spirit. The collision of the anointing and life itself ignites our souls and we become on fire for God. This allows us to share light to a world shrouded in the darkness. In order to keep the fire going we need oil flowing, and to do that we need to have a constant supply. The only way is to stay in relationship with the one providing the oil, the Holy Spirit. The wisdom of the Holy Spirit guided the five virgins to purchase extra oil for the time to come. While the bridegroom tarried in the parable, as Christ is today, we are expected to be prepared for his return with oil in our vessels to light the way when he calls. It was a combination of relationship and obedience that allowed the five virgins to enter the banquet. It is not enough to just say you believe and not live a life of surrender or walk in relationship with Christ. You make yourself and your relationship with God, vulnerable to false teachings and false wisdom. Eventually you are victimized by the world’s deception, because you had no oil (anointing) to see spiritually where you needed to go. You no longer have a relationship with Christ and at midnight when he returns you will have enough wisdom to know his voice, but will not be able to see through the dark to go to him. The five foolish virgins lacked preparation, they strayed away from the word that the Holy Spirit uses to guide us. Day in and day out we as Christians need the anointing and guidance of the Holy Spirit, through relationship with Christ and the study of God’s Word. The word will be a lamp onto our feet, leading to the groom when he comes. In the parable it says five of the virgins were wise, five were foolish.

Proverbs  9:10

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

Wisdom comes from God, all we need to do is ask and it shall be given to us. Foolishness is when you allow your carnal nature and emotions to direct your path. The wisdom of carnal man is fools gold. It was foolishness for the five virgins to wait without preparation, knowing the wait could be long. Just as it is foolish for us as Christians to fail to prepare as we await the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Unlike the virgins in this parable we have a purpose given to us by God to fulfill. As we pray daily to God for his Wisdom, Mercy and Grace, I believe his purpose is revealed. Gradually and in his timing he guides us on what to do, through the Holy Spirit. Who then provides us the anointing needed to complete each task. Our goal should be to fulfill our purpose for God before Christ returns.

Isaiah 40:31

³¹ But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Lamentations 3:22-23

²² It is of the Lord‘s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

²³ They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

We are all guilty of forfeiting our prayer life in exchange for the busyness and distractions of life. Actually as I write this blog I am convicted in my soul of this very thing. My job has become increasingly stressful taking up the majority of my mental focus, causing me to set aside my study of the word. I cannot allow my source (anointing) to dry up, because then I am truly susceptible.

This falls inline with the last point I would like to make on this blog. The bible says God is a jealous God. God is searching the hearts of men, preparing the hearts of the Christians that have chosen to accept Christ as Lord. To make sure they are worthy of His Son. Remember God gave his only begotten Son to die for those who will choose to accept him. That sacrifice was immense and like any Father he will not let anyone one take advantage of it or be half committed to His Son as His bride. Also like any King, he wants to ensure the people that inherit the Kingdom and are included in the family’s bloodline, will adhere to the family’s creeds. Therefore he will sift the church and refine the love and devotion of those who have been chosen using trials and tribulations to purify intentions and beliefs. He will remove the dross and leave the pure gold. He considers idolatry, ‘adultery‘, in addition to it being a sin. The meaning of the word adultery is as follows;

• voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and someone other than that person’s current spouse or partner.

Let me make it clear, the only way you can commit adultery is if you are in a marital relationship with someone and you decide to have relations with another person. In essence, we as Christians, that have chosen salvation, entered into a marital contract with the Son of God, Jesus Christ. We are held to the standards of that marital contract. Especially when we choose to give our bodies, minds or worship to any worldly figure, institution or system. What am I trying to say? There are thousands of adulterous Christians that have given their time, body and worship to the things of this world. There I said it!!! The Church and its Christians have neglected their true love and true purpose as a bride. Many of us are no longer in waiting for the groom and if we are, our oil is not sufficient to take us all the way. We ought to repent for our neglect and idolatry of this world’s carnality and return to our relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ. This is why salvation is more than just a choice to be a better person and have your sin’s forgiven. It’s about an intimate relationship with a Father and Son that loves you more than life itself. They shed blood, died and endured brutality, just for the opportunity to provide a choice for you to choose life with them forever over eternal death and separation. Name one thing in this world’s system that has exhibited that kind of selfless love to you. I hope this blog has opened your eyes to the type of relationship you are in and how valuable salvation is to a Christian.

To those who have not made the choice to accept Jesus Christ and serve God as your creator, I hope I have encouraged you to say yes! Yes to your will Lord and Yes to your Ways in my life!

To those who have accepted Christ as their Lord and savior, I hope I have inspired you to re-evaluate your relationship with Christ. How can I fulfill the role of being his bride? We are his helpmate, his hands and feet here on earth? Until we as Christians realize the church is not a building but a body and we have a part to play. The world will continue to get darker and darker, more souls will be lost without the light of Christ in us, leading a path to God.

God Bless you my brothers and sisters.