THE MYSTERY OF THE BRIDE - UNVEILED
Imagine being Jesus right now. Seriously. Imagine what He is seeing and experiencing. Let’s try to imagine what He is watching here on earth as He prepares to come to gather His Bride.
See the Bridegroom, standing at the altar, watching as his beloved Bride—distracted, self-absorbed, and utterly devoid of true faith—is swept away not by JESUS, but by whatever represents a fleet of dark, deceptive SUVs. In a flash, the Bride is gone, swept away, leaving Jesus at the church building.
This isn't some parable; it's the stark reality of a hijacked Bride, a heartbreak witnessed not directly, but through the profound sorrow of a Groom searching for genuine devotion. And let's be blunt: her rescue depends on finding that lost faith.
But here's the kicker: His story doesn't end there–NO WAY! HIS STORY IS ONLY GETTING STARTED. WAY BEFORE her deepest deception, HIS marvelous rescue plan was underway, orchestrated by an even more marvelous Rescuer, whose FAITHFUL love is relentless and whose power will reclaim what was lost–HE WON’T LOSE ONE.
The Bride is hijacked, no doubt… and HER rescue is secured in HIS FAITH since before the foundation of the world was.
THE BIBLICAL FOUNDATION: WHO IS THE BRIDE?
The Bridegroom: Jesus Christ
Jesus is consistently identified as the Bridegroom. John the Baptist affirms this in John 3:29, stating, "He who has the bride is the bridegroom."
Jesus' parables, such as the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) and the Parable of the Wedding Feast (Matthew 22:1-14), depict Him as the Bridegroom preparing for a wedding. His love for the Bride is described as sacrificial, as He "gave Himself up for her" (Ephesians 5:25).
Jesus is preparing a place for her (John 14:2-3) and will return to receive her.
The Bride: The Church (and Israel)
The Bride is primarily identified as the Church. Paul declares this a "mystery" in Ephesians 5:31-32, stating, "This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church."
The Church is presented as a "pure virgin" betrothed to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2), whom Jesus is sanctifying and cleansing "that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless" (Ephesians 5:26-27).
The Bible also suggests that Israel is a "first wife" (Jeremiah 3:8, Hosea 2:14-20) who, though unfaithful, will be restored. The Church, composed of both Jews and Gentiles, is "grafted into Israel’s tree" (Romans 11), indicating a unified, ultimate Bride of PEACE.
The Wedding: The Marriage of the Lamb
The entire biblical narrative culminates in a wedding, referred to as "the marriage of the Lamb" (Revelation 19:7-9). This event signifies the ultimate union between Christ and His Church. The Bride is described as having "made herself ready," clothed in "fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints" (Revelation 19:7-8).
The eternal state is depicted as the "wedding consummated" (Revelation 21-22), where the "holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband" (Revelation 21:2).
This signifies God dwelling with humanity forever, with the King and His Queen ruling eternally. This wedding represents the deepest level of intimacy possible with God, a covenant relationship that surpasses all others.
Ephesians 5:31-32 - “FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND SHALL BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH. This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.”
Paul declares this a MYSTERY - hidden for ages, now revealed: THE CHURCH IS THE BRIDE OF CHRIST.
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JESUS ON THE BRIDE
Matthew 25:1-13 - The Parable of the Ten Virgins:
- Five wise virgins (prepared, oil in their lamps)
- Five foolish virgins (unprepared, no oil)
- The bridegroom comes at midnight
- The wise enter the wedding feast
- The foolish are shut out: “I do not know you”
Matthew 22:1-14 - The Parable of the Wedding Feast:
- The king prepares a wedding feast for his son
- Invited guests refuse to come
- The king sends servants to gather anyone who will come
- One man enters without wedding garments—cast into outer darkness
- “For many are called, but few are chosen”
John 3:29 - “He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made full.”
John the Baptist understood: Jesus is the Bridegroom. The Church is His Bride.
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PAUL ON THE BRIDE
2 Corinthians 11:2 - “For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin.”
A PURE VIRGIN BRIDE - betrothed, waiting for the wedding.
Ephesians 5:25-27 - “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.”
Jesus is preparing His Bride:
- He gave Himself up for her (the Cross)
- He sanctifies her (ongoing purification)
- He will present her to Himself in glory—spotless, wrinkle-free, holy, blameless
This is BRIDAL PREPARATION—a Bridegroom obsessed with His Bride’s beauty, purity, and readiness.
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JOHN ON THE BRIDE
Revelation 19:7-9 - “Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready. It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me, ‘Write, “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.”’”
THE MARRIAGE OF THE LAMB HAS COME.
The entire biblical narrative culminates in a WEDDING—the King marrying His Bride.
Revelation 21:2, 9-10 - “And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband…Then one of the seven angels…came and spoke with me, saying, ‘Come here, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.’ And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God”
The New Jerusalem IS the Bride. The city where the King dwells with His people forever. The Bride becomes the eternal dwelling place of God with man.
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PETER ON THE BRIDE
1 Peter 3:3-4 - “Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.”
Peter, speaking to wives, reveals the Bride’s heart: Internal beauty, hidden person of the heart, precious to God.
1 Peter 1:7 - “so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ”
The Bride’s faith, tested by fire, results in glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ—the wedding day.
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THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE BRIDE
1. THE ETERNAL PURPOSE OF GOD
From Genesis to Revelation, the story is a LOVE STORY:
Genesis 2 - Adam and Eve, the first bride
- Adam sleeps (death)
- His side is opened
- Eve is formed from his rib (from his wounded side)
- Adam awakens and declares: “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh”
- “For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh”
THIS IS A TYPE of Christ and the Church:
- Jesus died (sleep of death)
- His side was pierced (John 19:34)
- From His wounded side, the Bride is formed (blood and water—atonement and cleansing)
- Jesus will return and receive His Bride
- “The two shall become one flesh”—union with Christ
Revelation 21-22 - The eternal state: THE WEDDING CONSUMMATED
- New Heaven and New Earth
- New Jerusalem, the Bride, descending
- God dwelling with man forever
- “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them”
- The King and His Bride, His Body, ruling forever
THE ENTIRE BIBLE is a wedding invitation, a love story, a preparation for THE MARRIAGE OF THE LAMB.
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2. INTIMACY WITH GOD
The Bride imagery reveals THE DEEPEST LEVEL OF INTIMACY possible with God:
Not just:
- Servants (though we are)
- Friends (though we are - John 15:15)
- Sons and daughters (though we are)
But BRIDE—the most intimate, exclusive, covenant relationship possible.
The Bridegroom’s jealousy:
- “I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy” (2 Cor. 11:2)
- He tolerates no rivals
- He demands purity, faithfulness, wholehearted devotion
- Spiritual adultery (James 4:4) is the gravest betrayal
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3. LOVE BEYOND COMPREHENSION
Ephesians 3:19 - “to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge”
The Bridegroom’s love:
- He died for His Bride while she was still a prostitute (Ezekiel 16, Hosea)
- He cleanses her from all defilement
- He adorns her with His own righteousness
- He prepares a place for her (John 14:2-3)
- He is coming back for her
- He will present her to Himself in glory
- He will dwell with her forever
Song of Solomon - the entire book is an allegory of Christ’s love for His Bride:
- “You are altogether beautiful, my darling, and there is no blemish in you” (4:7)
- “I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine” (6:3)
- “Set me as a seal upon your heart…For love is as strong as death” (8:6)
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4. THE BRIDE’S PREPARATION
The Bride must make herself ready (Revelation 19:7).
How?
- Sanctification - “that He might sanctify her” (Eph. 5:26)
- Washing with the Word - cleansed by the washing of water with the word
- Righteous acts - “fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints” (Rev. 19:8)
- Oil in her lamp - the Holy Spirit’s presence and fullness (Matt. 25)
- Wedding garments - clothed in Christ’s righteousness (Rev. 19:8, Matt. 22:11-12)
- Watchfulness - “Be on the alert…for you do not know the day nor the hour” (Matt. 25:13)
- Purity - presented as a “pure virgin” (2 Cor. 11:2)
- Beauty from within - “the hidden person of the heart” (1 Peter 3:4)
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WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BRIDE? WHO KIDNAPPED HER?
THE RAW TRUTH
The American church has lost the Bride identity and replaced her with:
A corporation
A social club
A entertainment venue
A political action committee
A self-help seminar
A business empire
THE BRIDE HAS BEEN KIDNAPPED. And yes, this is the work of the antichrist spirit.
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THE KIDNAPPERS
1. THE INSTITUTIONAL CHURCH SYSTEM (BABYLON)
Constantine (313 AD) - Christianity becomes a state religion
- Marriage to the state
- Political power replaces spiritual power
- Hierarchical control replaces Spirit-led community
- Buildings, budgets, and bureaucracy replace intimacy with the Bridegroom
The Catholic Church - “Mother Church”
- The Church becomes the mediator, not the Bride
- Mary worship replaces Bride identity (the Church as co-redemptrix)
- Priests become the intermediaries
- Sacraments replace relationship
- The Bride is locked in the convent, not preparing for her wedding
Protestant Reformation - initially restored some truth, but…
- Denominationalism divided the Bride
- Systematic theology replaced passionate devotion
- We gained doctrine but lost the romance
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2. CESSATIONISM
The doctrine that the gifts of the Spirit ceased after the apostles.
Result: A Bride without the oil of the Spirit.
The five foolish virgins had lamps (form of godliness) but no oil (no Holy Spirit power, presence, intimacy).
When the Church declared the supernatural gifts ceased:
- The Spirit’s active presence diminished
- Intimacy with the Bridegroom was replaced with intellectual assent
- Power was replaced with programs
- Encounter was replaced with education
- The Bride became a widow, acting as if the Bridegroom is dead or distant
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3. WORLDLINESS (SPIRITUAL ADULTERY)
James 4:4 - “You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”
Adulteresses - unfaithful brides.
The American church committed spiritual adultery with:
a) Mammon (money)
- Prosperity gospel: “Jesus wants you rich”
- Tithing as transactional (give to get)
- Celebrity pastors living in luxury
- Church budgets focused on buildings, not mission
- The Bride became a prostitute, selling herself for money
b) Politics
- The Religious Right (1980s-present)
- Mixing Kingdom of God with Kingdom of America
- MAGA Christianity (making America the focus, not the King)
- Abortion and marriage as the only issues, ignoring justice, mercy, love
- Power-seeking, not Kingdom-seeking
- The Bride became a political operative, not a waiting virgin
c) Entertainment
- Seeker-sensitive, felt-needs focused services
- Performance-driven worship (concerts, not encounters)
- Celebrity preachers (motivational speakers, not prophets)
- Comfort and convenience over holiness
- The Bride became an entertainer, not a lover waiting for her Bridegroom
d) Self (humanism)
- Self-help gospel: “Your best life now”
- “God has a wonderful plan for YOUR life” (focus on self)
- Therapeutic gospel (Jesus as life coach, not Lord and King)
- Individualism over community
- Consumer Christianity (what can the church do for me?)
- The Bride became self-obsessed, staring in the mirror instead of watching for the Bridegroom
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4. FEMINISM AND EGALITARIANISM (Twisting Gender Roles)
This is controversial, but hear the truth:
The mystery of marriage as a picture of Christ and the Church requires distinct roles:
- Husband = Christ (head, lover, sacrificial leader, provider, protector)
- Wife = Church (responder, receiver, submissive in love, honored, cherished)
Ephesians 5:22-24 - “Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.”
When we reject this picture:
- The Bride tries to become the Bridegroom (taking authority that isn’t hers)
- The Bride refuses submission (rebellion against Christ’s headship)
- The mystery is obscured
Cultural feminism infected the church:
- Women pastors/elders in violation of 1 Timothy 2:12
- Rejection of biblical complementarianism
- Egalitarianism obliterating the picture of Christ and the Church
- The Bride became masculine, independent, self-sufficient—no longer waiting for her Bridegroom
(Note: This is not about women’s value—men and women are equal in worth, dignity, and inheritance. This is about roles in the mystery of Christ and the Church.)
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5. SEXUAL IMMORALITY (JEZEBEL)
The Bride must be a PURE VIRGIN (2 Cor. 11:2).
The American church tolerated (Thyatira - Rev. 2:20):
- Pornography (epidemic, even among pastors)
- Premarital sex (normalized, not disciplined)
- Divorce and remarriage (casualized, no grief)
- Homosexuality and transgenderism (affirmed, celebrated)
- LGBTQ+ “Christianity” (an oxymoron—unrepentant sin + Christ)
- Adultery (ignored, covered up)
The Bride became a prostitute, defiled, unclean, sleeping with the world.
Ezekiel 16 - Israel as the unfaithful bride:
- God found her, cleansed her, adorned her
- She became beautiful
- Then she “played the harlot” with other nations
- She “multiplied your harlotry”
- God’s wrath came
This is America’s church. Defiled. Unfaithful. Adulterous.
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6. REPLACEMENT THEOLOGY (Stealing Israel’s Role)
Confusion about the Bride:
Who is the Bride?
- Is it Israel? (Old Testament imagery - Isaiah 54:5, Jeremiah 2:2, Hosea)
- Is it the Church? (New Testament revelation - Eph. 5, Rev. 19)
The truth: BOTH.
Israel = the first wife (covenant at Sinai, unfaithful, divorced - Jeremiah 3:8, but will be restored - Hosea 2:14-20)
The Church = the Gentile Bride (the mystery hidden for ages - Eph. 3:6, grafted into Israel’s tree - Rom. 11)
Replacement theology (the Church replaces Israel) stole Israel’s promises and created confusion about:
- The wedding timeline
- The Kingdom promises
- The restoration of all things
- The Bride’s Jewish roots
When the Church rejected her Jewish Bridegroom’s Jewishness:
- Anti-Semitism entered
- The feasts were abandoned (Passover, Tabernacles—wedding rehearsals!)
- Saturday Sabbath became Sunday
- Pagan holidays replaced biblical feasts
- The Bride forgot her Bridegroom’s culture, family, and promises
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7. DISPENSATIONALISM AND ESCAPISM (The Rapture Delusion)
Pre-tribulation rapture theology taught:
- The Bride will be “evacuated” before trouble comes
- No need to prepare for persecution
- No need to overcome
- No need for oil (Spirit’s fullness)
- Just wait for the escape
Result:
- A Bride unprepared for suffering
- A Bride expecting comfort, not tribulation
- A Bride not “making herself ready” (Rev. 19:7)
- A Bride asleep, not watching (Matt. 25)
Jesus said: “In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33)
Jesus prayed: “I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one” (John 17:15)
The Bride is called to overcome, not escape.
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THE ANTICHRIST SPIRIT AT WORK
1 John 2:18 - “Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared”
1 John 4:3 - “every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world.”
2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 - “Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy (departure - Bride) comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.”
The antichrist spirit:
- Replaces Christ (false messiah)
- Opposes Christ (alternativei-Christ)
- Takes Christ’s place (sitting in the temple, demanding worship)
WHO KIDNAPPED THE BRIDE?
The antichrist spirit, working through:
- False teachers (2 Peter 2:1) - prosperity preachers, seeker-sensitive compromisers, therapeutic gospelers, and life coaches.
- False prophets (Matthew 24:11) - those promising peace when there is no peace, blessing without holiness
- False apostles (2 Cor. 11:13) - those building empires, not the Kingdom
- Deceiving spirits (1 Tim. 4:1) - doctrines of demons, worldly wisdom
- The spirit of the age (Eph. 2:2) - “the prince of the power of the air”
- Mammon (Matthew 6:24) - the god of wealth
- Jezebel (Rev. 2:20) - the seducing, compromising, sexually immoral spirit
- Babylon (Rev. 17-18) - the world system, religious-political prostitute
These spirits kidnapped the Bride and:
- Seduced her with wealth, power, comfort
- Defiled her with sexual immorality, worldliness
- Drugged her with entertainment, busyness
- Locked her away in programs, buildings, systems
- Made her forget her Bridegroom’s return
- Stole her identity as Bride, replacing it with consumer, member, attender
The Bride became the HARLOT of Revelation 17:
- “BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH”
- “Drunk with the blood of the saints”
- “Sitting on a scarlet beast” (governmental power)
- “Adorned with gold and precious stones” (wealthy, attractive)
- “Having in her hand a gold cup full of abominations and of the unclean things of her immorality”
This is the apostate church—the harlot, the prostitute.
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HOW DO WE GET HER BACK?
THE RESTORATION OF THE BRIDE
Hosea 2:14-20 - God speaking to unfaithful Israel (and by extension, the Church):
“Therefore, behold, I will allure her, bring her into the wilderness and speak kindly to her…I will betroth you to Me forever; yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and in justice, in lovingkindness and in compassion, and I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness. Then you will know the LORD.”
God’s strategy:
Allure her - woo her back with love
Bring her into the wilderness - strip away comforts, expose dependencies
Speak kindly (tenderly) to her - intimate, personal communication
Betroth her again - renewed covenant, wedding vows
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PRACTICAL STEPS TO RESTORE THE BRIDE
1. REPENTANCE - COME OUT OF BABYLON
Revelation 18:4 - “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not participate in her sins and receive of her plagues”
Repent of:
- Spiritual adultery (worldliness, compromise)
- Love of money
- Political idolatry
- Entertainment addiction
- Sexual immorality
- Self-focus
- Dead religion
Leave:
- Churches that deny the Spirit’s power
- Churches that tolerate sin
- Churches focused on entertainment
- Churches built on personality
- Babylon’s systems
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2. RETURN TO FIRST LOVE
Revelation 2:4-5 - “You have left your first love. Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first”
Rekinde passionate love for Jesus:
- Not duty, but devotion
- Not programs, but presence
- Not service, but intimacy
- Bridal love—longing, yearning, waiting for the Bridegroom
Practical:
- Extended time alone with Him (prayer, worship, Word)
- Fasting (demonstrating hunger for Him above all else)
- Worship as a lifestyle (Song of Solomon meditation)
- Lovesick pursuit of His presence
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3. FILL YOUR LAMP WITH OIL
Matthew 25:1-13 - The wise virgins had oil
Oil = Holy Spirit’s presence, power, intimacy
Seek:
- Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8, 2:4)
- Fresh fillings (Ephesians 5:18 - “be filled” - present continuous)
- Spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12-14) - especially prophecy, tongues (intimacy language)
- Spirit-led life (Galatians 5:16, 25)
The Bride cannot prepare without the Spirit.
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4. PUT ON WEDDING GARMENTS
Matthew 22:11-12 - The man without wedding garments was cast out
Revelation 19:8 - “fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints”
Wedding garments:
- Positional righteousness - Christ’s righteousness imputed by faith (justification)
- Practical righteousness - righteous acts empowered by the Spirit (sanctification)
Live holy:
- Sexual purity
- Honesty
- Love
- Service
- Justice, mercy, humility (Micah 6:8)
- Spotless, wrinkle-free (Eph. 5:27)
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5. WATCH AND WAIT
Matthew 24:42, 44 - “Be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming…the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will”
Matthew 25:13 - “Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour”
The Bride posture:
- Expectant - looking for His return
- Ready - prepared at all times
- Watchful - discerning the signs of the times
- Longing - “Come, Lord Jesus!” (Rev. 22:20)
Live as if He could return today. Because He could.
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6. EMBRACE SUFFERING AND PERSECUTION
The Smyrna church (Rev. 2:8-11) - persecuted, poor, but RICH
2 Timothy 3:12 - “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted”
John 15:18-20 - “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you”
The Bride must be refined by fire:
- Tested faith (1 Peter 1:7)
- Suffering produces perseverance, character, hope (Romans 5:3-5)
- Sharing in Christ’s sufferings (Philippians 3:10)
Stop seeking comfort. Embrace the cross.
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7. RESTORE BRIDAL IDENTITY
Preach, teach, proclaim:
- We are the BRIDE of Christ
- We are betrothed, waiting for the wedding
- We follow Him
- We are pure virgins, not prostitutes
- We are lovesick for our Bridegroom
- We are waiting for the marriage of the Lamb
Songs of Solomon spirituality:
- “Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth” (1:2) - intimacy with Christ
- “Draw me after you and let us run together” (1:4) - pursuit of Christ
- “I am lovesick” (2:5) - passionate hunger for Christ
- Bridal longing, not religious duty
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8. COMMUNITY OF THE BRIDE
Not institutional church. Bridal community:
- Small, intimate gatherings
- Spirit-led worship
- Mutual accountability
- Purity culture
- Kingdom focus
- Preparing together for the wedding
Hebrews 10:24-25 - “let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near”
THE DAY DRAWING NEAR - wedding day urgency
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9. REJECT FALSE MESSIAHS
Matthew 24:4-5 - “See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many”
False messiahs today:
- Prosperity preachers promising health/wealth
- Political leaders promising to “save America”
- Self-help gurus promising fulfillment
- Social justice movements promising utopia
- Any person, system, or ideology that takes Christ’s place
Jesus alone is Lord. Jesus alone is Savior. Jesus alone is Bridegroom.
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10. MARANATHA - CRY OUT FOR HIS RETURN
Revelation 22:17 - “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’”
THE BRIDE’S CRY: “COME, LORD JESUS!”
This must become our heart’s deepest longing.
Not:
- “Bless my life”
- “Prosper my business”
- “Fix my country”
But:
- “COME, LORD JESUS!”
- “RETURN, MY BRIDEGROOM!”
- “ESTABLISH YOUR KINGDOM!”
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THE GREAT BASIN CHURCH - WAKE UP CALL
To the sleeping virgins in the Great Basin:
YOUR BRIDEGROOM IS COMING.
He is at the door.
Will you have oil in your lamp?
Will you be clothed in wedding garments?
Will you be watching and waiting?
Or will you be:
- Asleep (Sardis)
- Lukewarm (Laodicea)
- Defiled (Thyatira)
- Compromised (Pergamum)
- Loveless (Ephesus)
The midnight cry is going out: “BEHOLD, THE BRIDEGROOM! COME OUT TO MEET HIM!” (Matthew 25:6)
Some will:
- Wake up
- Trim their lamps
- Go out to meet Him
- Enter the wedding feast
Others will:
- Sleep through the cry
- Have no oil
- Arrive too late
- Hear the door shut
- “I do not know you” (Matthew 25:12)
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THE KIDNAPPED BRIDE IS BEING RESCUED
God is speaking:
Hosea 2:14 - “I will allure her, bring her into the wilderness and speak kindly to her”
He is wooing His Bride back:
- Through the wilderness (stripping away false securities)
- Through suffering (refining by fire)
- Through the Spirit’s conviction (revealing defilement)
- Through remnant preachers (crying “Come out of Babylon!”)
- Through His overwhelming love
The Bride is waking up.
A remnant is arising:
- Philadelphia churches with open doors
- Faithful few in Sardis with unsoiled garments
- Smyrna churches suffering but rich
- Individuals hearing His voice and opening the door
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THE FINAL CALL
Revelation 22:17 - “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.”
Revelation 22:20 - “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.”
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THE BRIDE IS SAYING:
“COME, LORD JESUS!”
Are you part of the Bride?
Or the harlot?
The wedding is coming.
Make yourself ready.
MARANATHA.
THE Grace Awakening Study Guide
Who is Craig Rogers and KINGDOM Empowered?
About the Author:
Craig Rogers
KINGDOM Empowered CEO and CoFounder
Professional Experience: CEO | KINGDOM Empowered (2020 -...
Professional Experience: CEO | KINGDOM Empowered (2020 - Present) In his role as co-CEO, Craig’s daily mission is to surrender his...
