Preparing the Bride of Christ for Jesus
Read my amazing true life story about how the forces of good and evil battle for my life and the vision that God has given me. My book, “Possess the Vision,” communicates my supernatural experiences and as a result, provides insight into the realm of the spiritual warfare that is raging for our souls and our purpose. This is a must read for all Christians. Learn more by following this link: Possess-the-Vision-at-Amazon
Preparing the Bride of Christ for Jesus
We introduced the Bride of Christ in a previous post (The-Bride-of-Christ-Revealed) and now attempt to expand on this subject a bit. Our understanding of the bride is critical because Jesus is coming back for His bride and therefore, we should do all that we can to prepare for this event. To this end an understanding who the bride is and knowledge of how to prepare for the second coming of Jesus is of primary importance to those of us who are truly seeking Jesus.
The Bride of Christ
We as Christians must all seek to be a part of the bride of Christ. Doing so means that we all become a part of something much bigger that ourselves. We become a part of the collective body of all the saints who followed and worshiped Jesus. By becoming a part of this body we become eligible to also become one in marriage to Jesus and to live forever in His care. This is the ultimate goal of regaining the garden and dwelling there with God in the cool of the day.
The Garden Of Eden
But are we ready? Are we even members of the bride? If so, are we ready for the marriage feast? Has the pathway for our Lords return been made straight? Is the bride of whom we are a member matured and ready for this most scared union with God?
John Baptizes Jesus - Making Straight The Way Of The Lord
On an individual basis we must examine our lives to determine if we have done the things that Jesus did when He walked the earth? Did we say the things that He did? Have we emulated His life in everything that we do? Have we achieved the individual purity and holiness required to being a part of the bride?
In doing these things the body of Christ (which is the bride in waiting) grows and matures. Jesus has sent us to prepare a way for His return. He has put us in charge of His ministry and He wants us to finish the work that He started. It is in the completion of this work that the bride is matured. Only when the bride has sufficiently matured will the bridegroom come for His bride.
Now let’s take a look at a scripture that foresees the coming of the bride and the bridegroom:
Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” (Revelation 21:2-5)
The New Jerusalem is the bride of Christ in this passage. Firstly, she is adorned as a bride and is seen coming down from heaven. She therefore is the body of all the saints of Jesus. As Jerusalem is a city comprised of many people, so the New Jerusalem (the bride) is comprised of God’s saints.
The scripture above also communicates that the Bride is adorned for her husband and therefore she has prepared herself for the wedding feast. On an individual basis this adornment is initiated as we are cleansed in the Blood of our Lamb Jesus on the cross (Jesus-is-the-Way). It is completed by the washing in the water of His word (Jesus-the-Brazen-Laver), which matures us as we seek to become like our Lord (Becoming-like-Jesus-the-Way). Finally, our adornment comes by being victorious in the spiritual warfare of Jesus (Jesus-is-the-Golden-Altar-of-Incense). In achieving this we enter a closer relationship with God where as we are empowered to know our mission and pathway, as we develop a familial relationship with the Father and as we bring down the evil strongholds of the devil with our prayers (The-Victory-of-Jesus-Empowers-Us). Once we have entered into this relationship of empowerment we can stand before the Lord adorned with the good works done in the name of Jesus His Son. It is at this time that we become ready to move on to the next level of relationship with God, a relationship of covenant (Jesus-is-the-Ark-of-the-New-Covenant). It is in the covenant relationship that the bride and the bridegroom can become one.
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Index of Postings
The Morning Star Rising on the First Day
The Morning Star Rising on the First Day
Read about my my book, “Possess the Vision,” by following this link: Possess-the-Vision-at-Amazon
Click on any of the hyperlinks below to view the postings of you choice:
The-Tabernacle-is-Prophetic-of-Jesus
Jesus, Moses and the Tabernacle
The-Tabernacle-Courtyard-and-Jesus
The-Tabernacle-Holy-Place-is-Prophetic-of-Jesus
The-Tabernacle-Most-Holy-Place-is-Prophetic-of-Jesus
Jesus-is-the-Way-the-Truth-and-the-Life
The-Tabernacle-Courtyard-is-Prophetic-of-Jesus-a-Review
The Tabernacle Courtyard
The-Activities-at-the-Altar-of-Burnt-Offerings
Jesus-is-the-Altar-of-Burnt-Offerings
The Holy Spirit at the Baptism of Jesus
The-Baptism-of-Jesus-and-the-Brazen-Laver
Being-Born-of-the-Spirit-and-the-Brazen-Laver
Jesus-gives-the-Living-Water-of-the-Laver
True-Baptism-Reveled-in-the-Reflections-of-the-Laver
Lessons-from-Jesus-our-Brazen-Laver
Jesus-the-Laver-Washes-His-Disciples-Feet
Jesus-the-Brazen-Laver-Reveals-our-Destiny
Reflections-of-Jesus-Regarding-Service
Jesus-the-Laver-Teaches-do-what-ever-it-takes
Jesus-the-Laver-Teaches-Disregard-Status
Jesus-the-Laver-Teaches-Lead-by-Example
Jesus-the-Laver-Teaches-Personally-Touch-People
Jesus-our-Laver-Teaches-that-we-will-be-Tested
The-Tabernacle-Courtyard-is-Prophetic-of-Jesus-a-Review
The-Holy-Place-of-the-Tabernacle
Inside the Tabernacle Holy Place
Jesus-is-the-Bread-that-came-down-from-Heaven
Applying-the-Attributes-of-Jesus-our-Table-of-Showbread
Applying-the-Principles-of-Jesus-the-Bread-of-Life
Jesus-is-the-Light-of-the-World
Applying-Jesus-the-Golden-Lampstand-to-our-Lives
Jesus-and-the-Golden-Altar-of-Incense
Jesus-is-the-Golden-Altar-if-Incense
Jesus-Resists-the-Devils-Temptation
Jesus-Heals-the-Sick-and-the-Lame
Jesus-is-Victorious-over-an-Evil-Establishment
Jesus-is-Victorious-on-the-Cross
The-Victory-of-Jesus-Empowers-us
Victory-in-Spiritual-Warfare-Through-Jesus-our-Golden-Altar
Spiritual-Warfare-Requires-Prayer-and-Fasting
Your-Prayers-at-the-Golden-Altar-have-Great-Power
Put-on-the-full-Armor-of-Jesus
Jesus-Leads-us-to-the-Spiritual-Promised-Land
Jesus-our-Tabernacle-Leads-us-to-the-Promised-Land
Jesus-Leads-us-to-the-Promised-Land
The-Purpose-of-Spiritual-Warfare
The-Spiritual-Warfare-of-Jesus-Requires-Unity
Why-we-Should-enter-into-the-Spiritual-Warfare-of-Jesus
Perfect-Faith-brings-down-the-Giants-before-us
Jesus-is-the-Holy-Place-of-Empowerment-and-Truth
The Priest in the Holy of Holies
The-Ark-of-the-Covenant-Overview
Finding-Jesus-in-the-Holy-of-Holies
Inside-the-Ark-of-the-Covenant
More-on-the-Ark-of-the-Covenant
Jesus-is-the-Ark-of-the-New-Covenant
Jesus-is-the-Fulfillment-of-the-Law
The-Cross-of-Jesus-is-the-Rod-of-Aaron
Jesus-our-Priest-Forever-According-to-the-Order-of-Melchizedek
The-Road-to-the-Promised-Land-Requires-Jesus-our-Covenant-Provision
Jesus-is-the-Way-to-the-Promised-Land
Jesus-is-the-Spiritual-Journey-of-the-New-Covenant
Jesus-Prepares-us-to-Enter-into-His-Spirit
The-Spiritual-Duty-of-the-Warrior-Nation
Jesus-is-the-Reward-of-the-Spirit-Filled-Warrior-Nation
Jesus is the Light of the World
Jesus-is-the-Mercy-Seat-where-God-Dwells
Jesus-is-the-Resurrection-and-the-Life
Jesus-Appears-to-His-Disciples-after-His-Resurrection
Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega
Jesus-is-the-Alpha-and-the-Omega
Jesus-is-the-Miracle-Worker-in-us
The Tabernacle Is Prophetic Of Jesus
The Tabernacle was built to be the earthly abode of God: the place where God would dwell among His people. By looking at the following diagram you will be able to see how the Tabernacle was organized.
There will also be pictures associated with the folowing text that may help in visualizing what the tabernacle may have looked like.
The Tabernacle
The Tabernacle
Moses built the Tabernacle in strict conformance to the specifications given by God. For example, in the following scripture God gives Moses a detailed list of items that are required to build the Tabernacle:
Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: “Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering. From everyone who gives it willingly with his heart you shall take My offering. And this is the offering which you shall take from them: gold, silver, and bronze; blue, purple, and scarlet thread, fine linen, and goats’ hair; ram skins dyed red, badger skins, and acacia wood; oil for the light, and spices for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense; onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod and in the breastplate. And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings, just so you shall make it.” (Exodus 25:1-9)
Statements like this one are frequently found in the scriptures written by Moses. Many of these references emphasize building of the Tabernacle precisely to God’s instructions. This fact suggests that the form and content of the Tabernacle is extremely important to God; that perhaps it is designed on a heavenly model, one that will enable Him to dwell among His people. If this is the case, then the Tabernacle must be prophetic of the Christ who would also come to dwell with God’s people. Over the centuries the intention of God to dwell with His people did not change as even today, He continues to strive to restore the relationship man lost with Him at the fall. Therefore, the scriptures that define the specifications, processes and objects found in the Tabernacle reflect the will of God to abide with us, and as a result, must also be applicable to the attributes, words and life of Christ who was sent to accomplish God’s intention.
Jesus, Moses and the Tabernacle
Jesus is the Fulfillment of the Tabernacle
We are going to look at the Tabernacle scriptures as they are prophetic of Christ. If Jesus is the Christ then the attributes and characteristics of the Tabernacle must be clearly demonstrated in His words and deeds. What we are about to reveal is that there is a precise correlation between the Tabernacle and Jesus. It is for this reason that we will use the scriptural specifications for each component of the Tabernacle to prove that Jesus is the Christ. In the process we will also uncover many hidden attributes of Jesus that will serve to help us better understand His nature.
The Ascension of Jesus
Remember that Jesus claimed to be “the Way, the Truth and the Life.” By referencing the diagram above we can see that these names (the Way, the Truth and the Life) are also used to identify the entryways into the major compartments of the Tabernacle. The Way leads us into the Courtyard,
The Tabernacle Courtyard
the Truth leads us into the Holy Place,
Priest in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle
and the Life leads us into the Most Holy Place.
It should also be noted that the Tabernacle is constructed in such a way that these passageways must be entered in this prescribed sequence. Therefore, the Way must be entered prior to entering the Truth, and in turn, the Truth must be entered prior to entering the Life.
What we have discovered here is that the words of Jesus that proclaim His identity lead us directly to the Tabernacle. Therefore His claim is that He is the portal into the places that God designed as the place to dwell with His people here on earth. Therefore, our plan is to investigate each of these three chambers in an effort to identify what it is that Jesus is leading us toward. What we will find is that Jesus is drawing us into a closer relationship with God the Father. Jesus uses the Tabernacle as a road map for us to understand what it is that we will find when we enter into a personal relationship with Him. We can proceed into Jesus with confidence because the actions and words of His life demonstrate that He is a far superior substitution for each and every component of the Tabernacle. This proof is a major focus of this blog and the teachings that accompany it will lead us into a much better understanding of who Jesus is. This in turn will lead us to grow and strengthen our relationship with Him.
From a bigger picture point of view, we are about to discover that the structure of the Tabernacle will communicate that there are three separate and distinct levels of relationship that a person can have with God. That these relationships can only be obtained in a prescribed sequence that corresponds to chambers of the Tabernacle. In fact, we will develop a progressively deeper relationship with God as we enter each successive chamber and find the gifts that God has waiting for those who seek Him with all their heart.
While all of this is quite mysterious at a high level, we plan to present the details in subsequent postings. For now we will present a high level overview of our journey through the Tabernacle and its correlation with the life of Jesus. With that said let us start with the Tabernacle Courtyard. Readers of this site can use the following sections as a index to the content of this blog.
The Tabernacle Courtyard
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The Tabernacle Courtyard
Our presentation of the Tabernacle Courtyard is found in the following posts:
The-Tabernacle-Courtyard-And-Jesus
The-Tabernacle-Courtyard-is-Prophetic-of-Jesus-a-Review
The-Baptism-of-Jesus-and-the-Brazen-Laver
Being-Born-of-the-Spirit-and-the-Brazen-Laver
Jesus-gives-the-Living-Water-of-the-Laver
True-Baptism-Reveled-in-the-Reflections-of-the-Laver
Lessons-from-Jesus-our-Brazen-Laver
Jesus-the-Laver-Washes-His-Disciples-Feet
Jesus-the-Brazen-Laver-Reveals-our-Destiny
Reflections-of-Jesus-Regarding-Service
Jesus-the-Laver-Teaches-do-what-ever-it-takes
Jesus-the-Laver-Teaches-Disregard-Status
Jesus-the-Laver-Teaches-Lead-by-Example
Jesus-the-Laver-Teaches-Personally-Touch-People
Jesus-our-Laver-Teaches-that-we-will-be-Tested
The Tabernacle Holy Place
- The Golden Altar is directly in front of the Most Holy Place
Our presentation of the Tabernacle Holy Place is found in the following post:
The-Tabernacle-Holy-Place-Is-Prophetic-Of-Jesus
The-Ark-of-the-Covenant-Overview
Finding-Jesus-in-the-Holy-of-Holies
Inside-the-Ark-of-the-Covenant
More-on-the-Ark-of-the-Covenant
Jesus-is-the-Ark-of-the-New-Covenant
The-Cross-of-Jesus-is-the-Rod-of-Aaron
Jesus-our-Priest-Forever-According-to-the-Order-of-Melchizedek
The-Road-to-the-Promised-Land-Requires-Jesus-our-Covenant-Provision
The Priest in the Most Holy Place of the Tabernacle
Our presentation of the Tabernacles Most Holy Place is found in the following post:
The-Tabernacle-Most-Holy-Place-Is-Prophetic-Of-Jesus
All of these links will also lead the reader toward a better understanding of the objects found inside each of the major chambers of the Tabernacle. They will also lead toward a better understanding how each object is prophetic of the coming of Jesus.
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aNAHlMDvAtFty
The church is not the bride. The Holy city of Jerusalem is. See Rev 22
If we have to do something to get ready for His return then you have made a mockery of the whole of the Pauline revelation.
That is we are saved by grace and we are ALREADY made righteous. That makes us ready already.
Thanks for you comments.
First of all you are right that the church is not the bride. However I did not say that it was. In addition, the posting actually quotes the scripture that you reference, so I am not sure where your comment is coming from here.
Regarding the comment on the Pauline revelation, let me state clearly that in no way do I disagree with Paul. Faith in Jesus results in righteousness being bestowed in the form of the forgiveness of our sins. But as James clearly said: Faith without works is dead. When we look at the life of Paul do we see a man who demonstrated his righteousness with a single declaration of faith or do we see a man who in every way sought to nurture and edify the body of Christ? Paul exercised his faith by entering into the spiritual warfare of his savior Jesus. He fought the good fight until his last breath.
What this post is doing is stating that more than a simple declaration of faith is needed. Real, impacting, effectual faith will bring results. It will be lived out. Faith is received alone but it does not stand alone, it is to be shown. Faith must be backed up by proof that it is present in a person.
So if you believe that nothing needs to be done please think again. We can not replace what Jesus did for us on the cross with works alone, but we can demonstrate our faith through the fruits of the Holy Spirit that we enacted through our faith.
I meant Rev 21 not Rev. 22. in my previuos coment.
It is clear what the lamb’s wife is. In fact there is no term anywhere in the bible that says “The bride of Christ”.
“The Lamb’s Wife” is as close as it gets and then it describes what the lamb’s wife is. If the holy city of Jerusalm is the Lamb’s wife as it clearly says it is in Rev 21. then the holy city of Jerusalem is the bride of Christ.
Please see my blog on the bride of Christ.
I would say that the bride of Christ is the New Jerusalem, not the earthly city Jerusalem. It is a spiritual Jerusalem. Let’s be clear about that.
Revelations also offers a number of interesting points about the New Jerusalem that may be surprising to many people. Anyone know what they are?
my purpose is to be That i’m very Sad for life & don’t like for me any Person,
My life is ending,I coudot any job so Treated my family.How can strugal this life.
Let me bless You, even as You have blessed my life.
[...] let’s take another look at a scripture (that we introduced previously in: Preparing-the-Bride-of-Christ-for-Jesus) that foresees the coming of the bride and the [...]
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