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Tuesday, September 15
Each day you walk out your door into the elements of the outside world, you dress appropriately, right?
…shorts in the heat of summer
…sweater or jacket in the cool fall
…boots and heavy coat in the cold and snow of winter
…umbrella in the spring rain
You wouldn’t think of going out naked, well, I hope you wouldn’t anyway. You need appropriate covering.
And when you dress, especially for church, a party, or a wedding, you put on the appropriate garments, the best, clean clothes you have, right?
What about a bride? Would you consider her appropriately dressed for her grand day of aisle-walking if she were dressed as a frog, or Ronald McDonald, or perhaps in a nun’s habit? Silly, huh?
How about if her beautiful, pristine bridal gown were covered in mud or big blotches of stains? Would she be appropriately dressed? Would she want to greet her beloved in that condition? Heavens, no! A bride is immaculately dressed in the proper wedding attire, looking her absolute best for her bridegroom on their wedding day.
The Bible says, “Be prepared – all dressed and ready.” (Luke 12:35 TLB) While this is great advice for the flesh, it is even more appropriate and of utmost importance for the spirit.
Is the Bride of Christ dressed in her bridal finery and ready for Her day of divine marriage?
That’s you! If you are a Christian, you are part of the Bride of Christ. So, how will you be dressed? How will you appear to your Beloved when He comes for you? Will you have a mopey face, hair covered in the ashes of doubt and worry, breath smelling of negative words, and be wearing a ratty, old wedding gown of self-pity, ripped and full of the stains and dirt of the world?
What muddies or stains the Bride’s pristine garment? Doubt, worry, unbelief, strife, unforgiveness, murmuring, complaining, hypocrisy, bitterness, judging, gossip, speaking against others, lying, adultery, fornication, idolatry, hatred, selfish ambitions, envy, stealing, cheating, filthy language, covetousness, pride, impure thoughts and lust, internet porn, other addictions, or anything else that grieves the Holy Spirit?
Have these things diverted Her focus from Her Bridegroom? Has She forgotten to think about Her behavior and how it reflects on His Name and on His Home? Has She forgotten that the One Who created Her is joined to Her in the holy oneness of the covenant of divine marriage? God said, “Who are you…that you should forget the Lord your Maker? …For your Maker is your Husband.” (Is. 51:12,13, 54:5 Amp)
When the Father gives the Bridegroom the go-ahead to snatch away His Bride, you will not be afforded the luxury of having time to take a shower, change your clothes, or even look back and say goodbye. This will be an instant come-as-you-are party. Will your robe of betrothal be unspotted and ready for you to meet your Bridegroom?
So, if you knew tomorrow was your last day on earth, how would it affect your behavior today? Are you, as they say, good to go? Are you “a bride beautifully dressed for her husband,” (Rev. 21:2 NIV) adorned with a smile on your face, joy in your heart, songs of worship and praise on your lips, and dressed in a pure, white garment of holy betrothal?
I want to be good to go. I want to keep my divine wedding gown cleansed and ready, because I anxiously await my Bridegroom’s appearance, to see Him for myself, to see the One John the Revelator saw, the One “dressed in a robe reaching down to His feet and with a golden sash around His chest. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance…When I saw Him, I fell down at His feet like a dead man.” (Rev. 1: 13-16 NIV, 1:17 GNB)
In that day, I shall look upon Him, and my “eyes will see the King in His beauty,” (Is. 33:17a NKJV) and I shall fall down at His feet and worship Him.
“Behold, the bridegroom cometh!” (Matt. 25:6b KJV)
How will you be dressed?
It has been a long time since I have heard anything about the Bride of Christ or the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Thanks for bring this to the forefront again. It is a hallmark of the end-time Christian doctrine.
Lynn
That was well put. Do we really think about our appearance before Him. Thanks for the reminder.
Louis
Such a beautiful, inspiring and provoking word. What a joy to even think about seeing Him face to face = causes us to fall to our knees in wonder. Thank you SO, so much for it.
Beautiful! Most days it seems as if I can't walk one step without tripping over the hem of my garment or spilling negative thoughts or words down the front or tearing it on the fence of self. I can't even dress myself without him!
Good morning, Lynn.
I love when the Holy Spirit is working on people in different places at the same time on the same theme!
I prayed Daniel 9:4-19 for the Bride, this morning. Daniel prayed a great prayer of repentence and cried for forgiveness on behalf of his people. As we keep ourselves spotless before the world, we need to hold up our brothers and sisters in prayer to do the same.
Be blessed,
Lynnda
Thank you, so much my friend for the reminder. Love, Paul
Thank you Lynn, beautiful word for today and believe it or not, our pastor spoke on this Sunday morning! That shows me both of you listen to God's voice :)
Marja
We need to keep our lamps full of oil!!! Thanks Lynn :-)
Don't forget about the man in Jesus' parable who came to the King's banquet supper without the proper wedding attire (Matthew 22:11-14). He was thrown "outside into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." That means only those of us with robes washed in the Blood of the Lamb can get in. Praise God, I'm ready! :-D
Shanchere, Thanks so much. I don't know that we as followers are making this as urgent and necessary as we should. Blessings to you!
Thanks so much, Louis, for your comment. I deeply appreciate it. Blessings to you1
Thank you, sweet Sylvia! You so bless me! Thank you for being such a faithful reader! Be blessed!
Lynnda, That is really cool. I think we need to speak of these things more frequently. Thanks so much for your comment. Blessings to you!
LOL! I love that, Sandy! It's so true. We do trip a lot, don't we? Thanks so much! Bless you!
Thanks so much, Paul, for reading and commenting. You make my heart happy. Bless you!
Thanks, sweet Marja! Glad to hear I'm in such awesome company! Bless you!
Absolutely, Lorrie! You are so right. I want to stay "topped off"! Full to the brim! Bless you!
Hey, my friend Victor! I can't believe that I totally forgot about that. Sheesh! Oh, well, I guess it wasn't meant to be in my post. I'm glad you reminded me. Thanks so much! Be blessed!
Wow! I *love* the image on this post!
Hey, Katie-kins! Thanks! I loved it, too! Fit so perfectly! Bless you!
Yes, Lord, come! I'm dressed and ready to meet YOU. Praise to YOU Father God.
What a great post, Lynn. What you asked, "How are you dressed?", I saw myself in PJs. But, I don't want to be in a slumber.
I want to dress in my party clothes, with a smile on my face to see my Beloved.
This post has triggered something I need to " take off" and replace it with something else to "put on".
Thanks, Lynn!
Lynn,
I'm reading this and thinking it would make into a great topic for our Women's Retreat next year. Bookmarking it! It has great potential... could do a lot of fun things... some skits... imagination is running wild! Thanks!
Great post. I use to teach my kids to lay out their clothes each night as a reminder to be dressed and ready for the Lord.