Tag: bride of Christ

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Examining Biblical Scripture Watchman on Alert BLOG

The Bride of Christ

Who is the Bride of Christ and where does that phrase come from?

The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins

Matthew 25 begins,

“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.

“And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.”

“Afterward the other virgins came along also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’

“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.”

The bridegroom is Jesus, the virgins are brides; but what about men who follow Jesus? Although we are in an age of increased liberalities in society and some are taking those liberalities and applying them to the Gospel, am I advocating marriage between men? Nope. Nor am I proposing women take a  man’s role as groom so that men become brides. Well then, this bridegroom/bride analogy leads us, I think, to a reasonable question: How are men to relate the the bride analogy? Is it important?

The term “Bride of Christ” is a phrase that does not actually appear in the Bible. It suggests that the Church (ie the followers of Jesus) is the bride, since Jesus is the bridegroom, and this supports the Matthew 25 scripture above. The beauty, grace, and surrender of the bride offers a clear relational context to the bridegroom who is the faithful love, friend, protector of his bride. But is it masculine? Doesn’t seem so to me. So I wonder, do men have a problem relating to it?

Some phrases we adopt are not necessarily Biblical; an easy way to avoid assumptions and misdirections is to look up phrases we are keen on to see where they appear — if they appear — in scripture. In the case of the marriage analogy, I raise the question of masculinity because as we walk in the Spirit, “there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). In other words, gender doesn’t matter to GOD!

Finally, as an afterthought and in the desire to remove human assumption, it is possible that the virgins are a collection of people, both men and women, when Jesus refers to the virgins: innocents. For Jesus does not call these people brides — we have done that. He merely refers to the bridegroom who is coming and the virgins who are waiting. We have filled in the rest. Note however, Revelation 22:17 does seem to refer to the Church as a bride, and so this afterthought is most likely just a diversion.

The Bride is to prepare… for what?

To introduce this concept of “Preparing the Bride” and how I’ve come to the conclusion the emphasis in this Blog needs to shift in that direction, you might like to start here:

https://laruspress.com/preparing-the-bride-from-watchman-on-alert/

and then come back to this post.

This blog is for men and for women who seek to grow, to learn, to discover more about ourselves, our faith and our Jesus. Time does seem to be growing short and so I believe it is time I gear what I write to preparing myself and preparing others for Jesus’ inevitable return.

What do we need to prepare?

  1. total surrender to the Holy Spirit and the Word of GOD
  2. the oil of the Holy Spirit
  3. readiness for where GOD wants our attention and focus
  4. fellowship to help each other as we all prepare
  5. alertness to the truth and a willingness to lay down our assumptions about the Gospel and the Word of GOD.

The Remnant

As we live in the End Times, not knowing when Jesus’ return will be yet living as though it is tomorrow, we are the remnant, the ones who are sold out for Jesus. To walk in the Spirit, without compromise, without fear, without fleshly desires, is our goal. We pray, we praise, we trust GOD.

Come Lord Jesus, come.

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Politics and Society today

Indoctrination: Conspiracy Theories vs Mainstream Media

Indoctrination: Conspiracy Theories, Mainstream Media, The Holy Ghost and Discernment

In these days we have seen increases in disease, poverty, war, famine and earthquake (Matthew 24). The beheadings of Coptic Christians by Jihadists a few years ago were for me, representative of the persecution of Believers as referred to in Revelation. I believe we are in the End Times. And so, I also believe we are called to be prepared as the Bride of Christ for his return (Matthew 25). To my mind, we are not ready, and therefore, that is our #1 priority. How we do that is to watch and pray, and to fill our lamps and keep them full…. in other words, we need to be filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit continually.


For a good while I’ve been a history buff and a political spectator, seeking to take responsibility for the role I’ve been given as a Watchman (Ezekiel 3 and Isaiah 21). I’ve attempted to scrutinise the news broadcasts, have studied the alternative — sometimes rebel — views expressed outside of the mainstream media, and lost a friend or two over the process (so apologies particularly to RS and EM whom I inadvertently offended along the way, and who may read this). I’ve sought to make people consider for themselves the scope and breadth of what we are told — taking little at face value — and have aimed to draw people to reflect on GOD’s Word and where His Truth fits into the society in which we live.

Sadly, it is indeed true that the picture we are painted through TV news is not objective reality. At best, broadcasters and their channels have their own agenda through which everything is filtered; objective journalism is nearly obsolete (praises to those who still aim to demonstrate objective integrity). But neither is the picture we see within the alternative spectrum unbiased. It is human nature to rise up in the flesh and take a stand against what we don’t like and about what we suspect. I believe that is what the alternative media is doing.

This is not a matter of either accepting the MSM or the alternative media; it is a matter of scrutinising both. How we as Believers navigate “the news”, obey the Father, and hold up what matters to unbelievers who may be fearful, confused and seeking GOD, is key for us in these days. But also, if we become diverted or worse, go astray, then don’t we need to put it aside and realign our emphasis on what the Father would have us do to prepare for the return of the Son?

I am concerned that, in our zeal to learn the truth behind current events, we are rising up in the flesh instead of deepening our relationship with GOD through stillness (Isaiah 40:31), dwelling on His Word, and broadening our experience of the presence of the Holy Spirit.

We who know Jesus have the means to filter our thoughts and feelings toward the media; the Truth of His Word and the power of His Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth. We can ask for spiritual discernment and trust His response. Are we not at a point in time where we desperately need that discernment? Speaking metaphorically, He will not give us stone cold blindness;  he promises, like a loving father, not to give us a serpent when we ask for a blessing (Matthew 7).

The issue I have with alternative perspectives aka conspiracy theories is not that they are utterly false. YouTube posts are numerous (although some get removed as they are considered too controversial), expressing alternate views to the MSM; there seems to be much validity to their points of view. But beyond obtaining this information, we need to be aware they are not objective. Further, when they are taken as absolute reality, they are a distraction to us as Believers, who need most importantly to be seeking intimacy with the Holy Spirit and abiding in Him (John 15). Our mission and our ultimate destiny is to be prepared as Bride for the Groom, Yeshua/Messiah-Jesus/Saviour (Matthew 25).

These conspiracy theories concern me when they draw in my sisters and brothers in the Faith. They are interesting, but often are put together by people as biased as the opposing liberal news media; they are not life giving nor beneficial. And they are hugely distracting. We must guard against those “who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.” (2 Timothy 3:6-7 )

The liberal ‘left wing’ MSM has an agenda to squash capitalism and freedom of thought. I don’t like it, because they pretend they are objective when they are actually editorialising the news. But the right wing has an agenda to expose the left wing as hypocrites and liars. While there may well be validity in their opposition, neither extreme is healthy. Rather, a society in balance is what is beneficial to its people, for within that healthy state of balance, the Gospel flourishes.

I’m concerned alternative broadcasts lead some astray. We who believe are called to “attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.” (Ephesians 4:13-15)

I’ve no doubt we are in the End Times. We will never know beforehand when Jesus will return, because he told us he will come “life a thief in the night” and we must be ready. Helping others to see that we are in the End Times and that the threats of the mark of the beast, the evils of the false prophet and anti-Christ, the battle of Armageddon that looms, are not wrong. But also it is not preparing us as his Bride. Becoming embroiled in the battle on the airwaves over this or that conspiracy is at best a distraction. We war, not against flesh and blood (not even against those who would seem to be working evil for their ultimate idea of what is good), but against principalities and powers; we must discern and pray, but not gossip.

In my own mind, I do not trust the world institutions; they are attempts to build moral Towers of Babel, in the name of good deeds. So, in large measure, I agree with a lot of alternative media posts. But my opinion is not the point… We are not to get embroiled in exposing conspiracy or opinion to the World.

Rather, we are called to prepare as the Bride. We are called to witness Yeshua through love. We are called to hold fast to our faith and to draw others to the Truth of Yehova G-D, the Creator of the universe, whom in their conscience they already know (Romans 1). We are called to fulfil whatever individual calling He has given us. And we are to be focused on this: “To love the LORD your GOD with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love our neighbours as ourselves.”

I am truly sorry if my words offend. I don’t want to be a toothache to the fellowship of Believers. But when I see broadcasts over the airwaves that talk conspiracy, I am reminded of Isaiah 8:12, “Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread” and not to gossip (Romans 1:29).

We are called not to be fearful. Perfect love casts out all fear (1John 4:18). So, if the conspiracies frighten you, remember that all these things must pass, but GOD will not pass away.

There is a time and a season for all things. This is not a season to fear nor to gossip, but to prepare for the End and the return of our Lord Yeshua, Jesus.

Hallelujah, he will come again. Amen.

Categories
Supernatural & Prophetic

We are looking in the Wrong Direction: End Times

We are looking Up to Him; rather we need to look as Down from Him

GOD is waiting for us to be in His presence (see post “Who is Luke Warm?”), to take in His message, and to walk in His ways.

GOD is waiting for us. Are we waiting on Him? Are we mindful of Him… or are we paying more attention to signs?

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33) When Jesus said this, he was referring to provision, but the preface is the same: do not worry about the future.

In my own reflective time, I have come to realise:

We are looking from the wrong direction. We need to take GOD’s perspective from above and we will see: we are IN the tribulation.… Personally, I reckon we may as well stop looking for signs. 

We must not try to fit the times into our theological perspective of End Times. Many of us have a viewpoint, but it is not Gospel and it is unconfirmed. Whether we are going to be raptured as the church before the Tribulation, or whether Jesus is going to come for his bride before or after Satan is bound, how do we know? When asked, Jesus himself said, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.” (Matthew 24:36)

And if we must look, let us see: 

Today, those who are persecuted are 80% Christian. In 2015, the beheadings in Libya were persecution just as it speaks of the beheaded martyrs in Revelation 21. Eschatology is interesting but we are waiting for events to fit into our boxes rather than having eyes open to what is happening? We are living IN the End Times, Now. Well, it sure looks like it.

End Times: So, what will we do about it?

Irrespective of when we are in the timeline of GOD, we are to prepare as His bride.

“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.” (Matthew 10:1)

The most prepared Biblical bride was Esther. Esther oiled, pampered, waited for a year. She waited and then, of all the women, she was chosen.

“Each young woman’s turn came to go in to King Ahasuerus after she had completed twelve months’ preparation, according to the regulations for the women, for thus were the days of their preparation apportioned: six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with perfumes and preparations for beautifying women.” (Esther 2:12)

What does oil symbolise?

“The oil of gladness…” (Hebrews 1:9) comes from GOD. Oil is mentioned in virtually every book of the Bible. We need the oil of joy: the oil of the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Let us wait on Yehovah, and fill our lamps with the oil of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Let us fill our hearts and minds with the Word of GOD and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. This is our duty and our calling. 

Yehovah be praised! And may we all live in His shalom as we wait on Him and for Him.

Categories
Examining Biblical Scripture

Living in the FULLNESS of GOD

There’s SO MUCH More!

It’s 2020. It’s a new decade. Let’s live it with full vision….

Recently, I was sitting in a Bible School session which my hubby runs. We were investigating Ephesians Chapter 3 (after two previous sessions looked at Ephesians Chapters 1, 2).

The session ran for 80 minutes so I won’t capture it all here. And anyway, it was exploratory and interactive, so the dynamics would be lost. But here in a nutshell is the point Alan led the group to…

We are not tapping into the fullness — in any way, shape or form — of what GOD has for us.

The Powerful Sun

The Jewish/Hebrew people have characteristically given so much innovation, creativity, technology, scientific discover to the world. Some has been for good, some destructive, but all based on genius. Their contribution and award is disproportionate to their relatively tiny population, and yet, they keep investigating, exploring, inventing, creating and giving. That is part of the covenanted promise of GOD to His people of Israel, both historically and currently. 

And we too, as followers of Jesus, have that same inheritance, albeit only through the power of the Holy Spirit.

We aren’t even scraping the surface of the ingenuity and blessing GOD has given to us. And we need to acquire it, now, for these end days and times.

…. “to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of GOD…” (Ephesians 3:19)

The Father has given to us and yet we are not acquiring the fullness. It comes through the Holy Spirit and yet many of us reject the move of the Holy Spirit in these days because they do not see it.

Yet, “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)

In Genesis, the Father promises to Abraham as many heirs as the stars in the sky. And in Genesis 27, Isaac passes on all the blessing of Abraham and Isaac to Jacob.

We have inherited the blessings of GOD’s people the Jews. We are a part of the heirs of Abraham. We have received the Holy Spirit as we confessed our sins and committed our lives to Jesus. He is our helper, our comforter. Without him, we are not saved. But with him, we can do so much more, discover so much more, understand so much more, invent so much more, contribute so much more than we are currently. 

At the end of the study of Ephesians Chapter 3, I suddenly had an “ah ha” moment. It isn’t provable but it is profound, if it is correct….


Jesus, the head of the church, is waiting for his bride, the church. We are nowhere near ready. What if, he is simply waiting for us… some of us, any of us, to be ready: Clothed in the Spirit and living and working in his power, might, authority, wisdom and gifting… before he can return.

It isn’t by power or might that we learn, grown and give, but by his Spirit. Let us put on the Spirit of Christ then, let us be his bride, clothed in his righteousness but fully surrendered, fully serving, living in the total and complete fullness of GOD.

Hallelujah, come LORD Jesus.

But first, there is so much more we need to receive. Let us be willing to lay down our lives totally and completely, to be the temple of the Holy Spirit, to walk in his way, and to “be filled with all the fullness of GOD.” 

Amen