The Bride Who Is Made Ready

The Prophetic Future of the Church – The Mature Bride Of

Rev 19:5-8 Then a voice came from the throne, saying, “Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!”

And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent Reigns!

Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.”

And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.

A.Jesus will judge and make war against the nations who have persecuted his Bride. He will destroy all Her Enemies (Rev 19:11-16). The Saints will live and reign with Christ on the earth (Rev 20:4).

B.The Bride of Christ will be prepared before His Return (Rev 19:5-9). Her preparedness will be demonstrated outwardly by her righteous acts. She will be attractive to Jesus.

26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. Eph 5:26-27

C.This is the promised prophetic future of the Church, but it will not be an automatic, nor instantaneous transformation. We must follow the leadership of Jesus in order to take part in this transformation. He is a good shepherd.

D.The glorious rapture of the Saints which occurs at His coming is an outward transformation which will reflect the inward transformation that is already in progress.

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. Romans 8:18-19 ESV

The Active Role of God in Preparing the Bride

E.The Lord loves the church, even in her weakness. He has not given up on her. He is Faithful and True (Rev 19:11).

F.Though weak, broken, and often following after other lovers, God desperately loves the church. The story of Hosea shows us the greatness of His patience and mercy towards those He loves. He will pursue the church, for He is a jealous lover.

1 And the LORD said to me, “Go again, love a woman who is loved by another man and is an adulteress, even as the LORD loves the children of Israel, though they turn to other gods...” Hosea 3:1

G.His great mercy should not lead us to continue in our weakness, but lead us to repentance, allows us to move forward towards maturity.

4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? Romans 2:4

H.Though currently under the attack of the enemy, we know our destiny is to overcome. This is a promise we can stand on, in the Name of Jesus.

15 He said to them, But who do you say that I am? 16 Simon Peter replied, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered him, Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

I.Though we are weak, He is strong! He will be the one who brings this work to completion in us.

6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Phil 1:6

J.The preparation of the Bride is not simply up to us. Our attempts at righteousness fall very short. It is only through the righteousness of Christ at the Cross that we can even have a hope of being a pure Bride. It is only through the work of the Holy Spirit that we can be holy before Him on that day.

K.As Mike Bickle, and others often say, “We cannot do God’s part, and He won’t do our part.” It is good to understand that this is a partnership, and that He does most of the work.

25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:25-27

The Beauty Preparation of righteousness

L.While God does most of the work, our job is mostly to agree with His plans and to be obedient to His process of preparation. We must say “Yes!” to His plans for us, and enter into His grace to obey.

M.The beauty preparation is our way of saying “Yes” to the work of the Cross, the current work of the Holy Spirit, and His plan for fullness at His Return.

N.The Bride’s preparation is that of growing in Righteousness. The Bride grows in righteousness through Repenting of her own dead works, and Relying on the Holy Spirit to give her grace for righteous works.

2.Our greatest achievements mean nothing to God if done in our own strength outside of a dependence on the Holy Spirit. We cannot impress God, or earn his favor in any way. Our attempts can actually push us away from him in our pride and stubbornness.

21 “Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?23 And then will I declare to them, I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness. Matthew 7:21-22 ESV

3.We must identify areas of pride, stubbornness, and rebellion in our hearts, and turn from them. We surrender them, putting to death our old nature, and ask the Holy Spirit to lead us in His Ways.

4.We must obey Him because we love him, not out of obligation or spiritual pride. Our goal, instead of self-glorification and gratification, is to bring glory to the One we love.

5.In partnership with the Holy Spirit, we grow to know the character and nature of Jesus, the lifestyle He taught on the Sermon on the Mount, and we begin to become like Him. This is our journey into righteousness, which He finds pleasing.

2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments.3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.4 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:2-5 ESV

6.Three areas of righteousness that the Lord highlighted to me in regards to the Bride are that of being faithful in holding fast to truth in His Word, being faithful in seeking Him in Prayer, being faithful in love through persecution and difficulty. These show our level of commitment to Him, and make us very attractive to Him.

7.We can only be successful in these things through LOVE. This story of His is the greatest love story, and the winners are those that learn to love by receiving His Love. Love is the reason for all of creation, it’s what brought Jesus to the Cross, it’s what will bring us to follow Him, and it’s the reason He will return. We must, above all things, be filled with Love for Jesus. Amen!

Addendum: 1 Peter 4: End-Times Lifestyle

1 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God…

7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. 1 Peter 4:1-2,7-14,19 ESV