“...I will make a covenant ... so you can live
unafraid in peace and
safety. I
will make you my wife forever, showing you righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. I will be faithful to you and
make you mine, and you will finally know me as
the Lord...” (Hosea
2:14-18 NLT). “... Of whom we have many
things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing
ye are dull of hearing. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one
teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are
become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that
useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are
of full age, even those who by
reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil...” (Hosea 2:11-14 KJV).
*
After the COURTSHIP
comes the ENGAGEMENT. The ENGAGEMENT is the formal agreement where two people
have made a MUTUAL AGREED to be MARRIED.“…It is not good that the man should be alone;
I will make …a
helpmeet for him”…” (Genesis 2:18
KJV).
In Jewish traditional,
an engagement, was just as BINDING as an actual marriage, and could not be easily
DISSOLVED because of legal and religious purposes. For example, “...Mary, was engaged
to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was
still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph,
to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her
publicly, so he decided to break the engagement[ quietly. As he considered this, an
angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel
said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife....” (Matthew 1:18-20 NLT).
During the
ENGAGEMENT phase, Mary and Joseph were betrothed. Joseph was preparing a home
for them to live.
In other words, the
ENGAGEMENT was an MARRIAGE, but it was incomplete UNTIL the formal WEDDING.“ ...I
will betroth you to Me forever’...” (Hosea 2:14-23
NLT).
In Jewish tradition the BETROTHAL, before the nuptials, is
equivalent to an actual MARRIAGE and it took a formal divorce to actually
dissolve it. .“... I will make you my wife
forever...” (Hosea 2:14-23 NLT).
A blessing is usually given to the ENGAGEMENT (betrothal) STAGE,
praising God for sanctifying them through his commandments, for protecting them
from forbidden connections, and for permitting them to lawfully experience the sacredness
of a holy marriage.“…He
who finds a wife finds a good
thing And obtains favor from
the Lord…”
(Proverbs 18:22 NLT). “…Fathers can give their sons an inheritance
of houses and wealth, but only the Lord can give an understanding wife…”
(Proverbs 19:14 NLT). “…She is more precious
than rubies…” (Proverbs 31:10 NASB).
At this point, the
initial COURTSHIP is OVER and the covenant relationship has MATURED. Unless,
“...[The
REDEEMED]... are like babies who [still]... need milk and cannot eat solid
food. For someone who lives on milk is still an infant
and doesn’t know how to do what is right...” (Hebrews 5:11-14 NLT).
The ENGAGEMENT to God, the Holy Spirit is the RESULT of the
COURTSHIP. The COURTSHIP is the PRELUDE to the ENGAGEMENT.
As God, the Holy Spirit, REVEALS himself, during the COURTSHIP, the
REDEEMED become SKILLED in the revelatory knowledge of God, which is MEANT to
make their commitment to the covenant relationship BETTER and STRONGER. “...Solid
food is for those who are mature, who
through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and
wrong...” (Hebrews 5:11-14 NLT).
Some of the REDEEMED may move from the
initial COURTSHIP to ENGAGEMENT, but may NOT be truly ready to make a honest commitment
to God, the Holy Spirit. “... There is much more we would
like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you
are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen. You have
been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you
need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word...” (Hebrews 5:11-14 NLT). “…This people (this redeemed people)
honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is
far from me…” (Mark 7:6 KJV).
During the
ENGAGEMENT, God, the Holy Spirit and
the REDEEMED are considered betrothed. “..they shall become
one flesh…” (Genesis 2:24 NASB). “…he that
is joined unto the Lord is ONE spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV).
One of the
Jewish traditional reasons for the betrothal period was for the purposes of sanctification.
“…Christ
….loved the church, and GAVE
himself for it;
That he might SANCTIFY and CLEANSE it, with the washing of water by the word (revelation knowledge of god)….”
(Ephesians 5:25-25 KJV). “…
The God of peace Himself SANCTIFY you
ENTIRELY…” (1 Thessalonians 5:23 NASB). “...God has chosen you from the beginning for SALVATION through SANCTIFICATION
by the
Spirit and faith in the truth…” (2
Thessalonians 2:13 NASB “….ye
are SANCTIFIED
…in the name of the Lord Jesus (the
Word), and by the SPIRIT
of our GOD…” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11 KJV).
In addition
the betrothal (engagement) was the first phrase of the actual nuptials, which
means it was the same as ALREADY being married, but they didn’t live together
or engage in sexual relations.
The
REDEEMED is God, the Holy Spirit’s BRIDE
(the church), through engagement, but he or she is not yet “HIS” WIFE.
The actual
NUPTIALS, in the Jewish tradition, is a continual part of the whole process of
sanctification. The ENGAGEMENT and the WEDDING are a combined event.
Though the
REDEMED is ENGAGED to God, the Holy
Spirit, they are ONLY betrothed to HIM; “UNTIL” after the WEDDING, where
they will LIVE with him forever.
The
ENGAGEMENT (betrothal) is the prelude for the WEDDING and after the wedding, God,
the Holy Spirit, will take the
REDEEMED (his BRIDE, his church) home.
Though this
is explained in human terms, the BETROTHAL has a SPIRITUAL meaning. It points
to the upcoming WEDDING of the BRIDE (the body of Christ, the redeemed, the
church, etc.) and God, the Holy Spirit.
God, the Holy Spirit, is PREPARING a place
for his BRIDE. “... 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. 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...” (John 14:2-3 KJV).
Joseph was
betrothed to Mary and he was PREPARING a place for them to live. As was
tradition, Mary expected Joseph, usually after a year, to come and collect her
for their nuptials.
In those
days, the pending bride would keep her lamps burning, at all times, just in
case the pending groom came to collect her during the night. “...When the
bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. “At
midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come
out and meet him!’ “All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps...” (Matthew 25:1-3 NLT).
For the MALES, who have a hard time
thinking of themselves as a BRIDE, they must remember it is only a metaphor. When
it comes to being REDEEMED or the body of Christ, or the CHURCH everybody is EQUALLY
God’s BRIDE.. “…YE ARE “ALL”
CHILDREN OF GOD BY FAITH “IN” CHRIST JESUS. …There is NEITHER ….male nor female: for YE ARE ALL ONE IN CHRIST
JESUS…” (Galatians “…Then Peter replied, “I see
very clearly that God SHOWS NO FAVORITISM. In every
nation HE
ACCEPTS those who fear him and do what is right. …” (Acts 10:34-36 NLT). “…Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a
truth I perceive that God is no RESPECTER OF PERSONS: …” (Acts 10:34-36 KJV).
“…Christ …. died for sins ONCE for “ALL”…” (1
Peter 3:18 NASB). 3:26-28 KJV).
The BRIDE,
thus, was also PREPARED and READY for her GROOM to return. “...Then the Kingdom of
Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the
bridegroom. Five of them
were foolish, and five were wise. The five who were foolish didn’t
take enough olive oil for their lamps, but the other five were wise
enough to take along extra oil. When the bridegroom was delayed,
they all became drowsy and fell asleep. “At midnight they were
roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’
“All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. Then the five
foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our
lamps are going out.’ “But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of
us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’ “But while they
were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in
with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. Later, when the
other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open
the door for us!’ “But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know
you!’ “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day
or hour of my return...” (Matthew 25:1-3 NLT).
There is a HOME
prepared for the REDEEMED. “...I go to prepare a place for you ...” (John 14:2-3 KJV).
God, the Holy Spirit, is coming to collect
his BRIDE.”... I will come again, and receive you unto myself...” (John 14:2-3 KJV).
God, the Holy Spirit, is NOT just coming back
again, but he is coming to take his BRIDE home with HIM. “...where I am, there ye may be
also...” (John 14:2-3 KJV).
During the
ENGAGEMENT (betrothal) God’s BRIDE is PREPARING for the WEDDING, through
sanctification. God’s wants his BRIDE to be READY when he comes to collect
them. “.... keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return...” (Matthew 25:1-3 NLT). “... The day of the Lord
will come as unexpectedly as a thief...” (2 Peter 3:10 KJV).
“...For the Lord himself will come
down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the
archangel, and with the trumpet call of God...” (1 Thessalonians 4:16 KJV).
The ENGAGEMENT
(betrothal) is a PREPARATION stage, where the BRIDE is being SANCTIFIED through
the Word, CONSECRATED through purity, and SET APART through holiness.“…May God himself, the God who makes
everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole…”
(1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 MSG). “…HE CHOSE US in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would BE HOLY AND BLAMELESS BEFORE HIM.…”
(Ephesians 1 NLT). “…be holy,
because I am holy…”
(1 Peter 1:16 KJV).
God, the Holy Spirit, requires his BRIDE’s
sanctification for the WEDDING DAY. “...to present her
(the REDEEMED) to himself as a radiant church (BRIDE), without
stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless...”
(Ephesian 5:27 KJV). “...Your new name will be ...“The Bride of God,” for
the Lord delights in you and will claim you as his bride...” (Isaiah 62:4 NLT).
The RETURN
of Christ means the WEDDING DAY has arrived and the BRIDE (the CHURCH) will be
collected and taken to their heavenly home.
“... Let us rejoice and be glad and give him
glory! For the wedding of
the Lamb has come, and
his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright
and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the
righteous acts of God’s holy people.)...” (Revelation 19:7-8 KJV).
“...many [will be]...called (to the covenant relationship
with god), but few are chosen (to enter into the marriage)..” (Matthew 22:14 KJV). "… I have chosen
you….” (John 15:16 KJV). “… AS MANY as received him, to them GAVE HE POWER TO BECOME THE SONS OF GOD
(the REDEEMED, HIS BRIDE)…” (John 1:12 KJV).
Many, for ALL nations, are
invited to the covenant relationship with God, through Jesus Christ, but FEW
choose to come. The invited guest had MANY excuses for not attending.
On the day of the WEDDING they
won’t be able to attend. “...‘how is it that you are here without wedding clothes?’ But the man had no reply. Then the
king said to his aides, ‘Bind his hands and feet and throw him into the outer
darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’...” “For many are called, but few are chosen...” (Matthew 22:12-14 NLT).
“…THE
WAY is narrow that LEADS TO LIFE, and there are few who find it…”
(Matthew 7:13-14 NASB). Jesus
saith…I am THE
WAY …and
THE LIFE…” (John 14:6 KJV).“...All who have been
united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes...” (Galatians 3:27
NLT). “...clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord
Jesus Christ...” (Roman’s 13:14 NLT).
God’s BRIDE (the CHURCH, the
REDEEMED) are WARNED to be PREPARED and READY for his coming. “...When the bridegroom was
delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep ...the five foolish ones asked
the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’ “But
the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy
some for yourselves.’ “But while they were gone to buy oil, the
bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in ...you ...must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return...” (Matthew 25:1-3
NLT).
“...I am coming soon, bringing my
reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds...” (Revelation 22:12 KJV).
God, the Holy Spirit, invites EVERYBODY into
a covenant relationship with him and the BRIDE (the church) does the same
thing, but ONE DAY he will return and it will be TOO LATE. “...The [Holy]...Spirit
and the bride say, “Come...” (Revelation 22:17 KJV).
“...When the bridegroom was delayed, they all
became drowsy and fell asleep. “At midnight they were roused by
the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’
“All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. Then the five foolish ones asked
the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’ “But
the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy
some for yourselves.’ “But
while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the
door was locked...” (Matthew 25:1-3 NLT).
“.... keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return...” (Matthew 25:1-3 NLT). “... The day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief...” (2 Peter 3:10 KJV).
The ENGAGEMENT is a TIME of PREPARATION: BE READY when the GROOM RETURNS to collect YOU for the WEDDING,
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