Time to Chew "Biblebytes" Bible Studies
The Preparation of the Bride, by Helen 1 word pad page per week.
Most RECENT appears at the top
Date: Monday, April 18, 2005 at 10:19:50 (CDT)
Page No :4
Study: Study 18......................Preparation of the Bride.....................Song of SongsThrough this "hand" ministry, the Lord of Glory will satisfy the desire of every living thing. When the Lord sends forth this "hand" ministry at the time of our final redemption at Christ's return, creation itself will be delivered from satanic bondage and will enter into the liberty of the glory of God's children. Rom. 8:19-23.
18. With what were her Beloved's hands set? Song 5: 14.
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In searching for what beryl represents in the Word, we find a numerical value from its appearance in both the breastplate of the High Priest and in the founda- tion stones of the Holy City. We find that the beryl stone is:
* in the 4th row of the breastplate. Ex. 28:20.
* it is the 10th stone of the breastplate. Ex. 28:20
* and it is the 8th stone in the Holy City..Rev. 21:20.
The numbers signify the following:
4=the completion of the New Creation.
10=the fulness of testing
8=resurrection.
The beryl stone signifies that through the fulness of testing, the New Creation will be completed and will go forth in the power of the resurrection. It is a green color which also signifies eternal or never ending resurrection life.
19. The fact that resurrection power was a goal to run toward and attain is eveident in the teaching of Paul, for what did Paul say was his desire? Phil. 3:10
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20. If we have been united with Him in the likeness of His death, accomplished by the dealings of God through His Spirit, what also can we expect? Rom.6:5.
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Date: Monday, April 11, 2005 at 11:22:30 (CDT)
Page No :3
Study: Study 18....................Preparation of the Bride...................Song of Songs11. What do they speak, and what has God given to them? John 3:34.
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b.________________________________________________________
12. More specifically, what do these rays that were flashing from His hand represent? Job 36:32,33a.
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Lightning in the Scriptures represents the "anointed Word" going forth. We could translate the passage in Hab and Job in this way: "The anointed Word flashes forth from His Sons; He covers His sons with the anointed Word and commands them to strike the mark."
13. Jere. spoke of this anointed Word. How did he describe it? Jere. 23:29.
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14. In a symbolic description of the sons of God given by Eze., what did Eze. say was in the midst of them? Eze. 1:13.
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This anointed Word that is like a fire and like a hammer that shatters the rock, is found deep within the spirit of of the sons of God.
15. Not only did Eze. see this anointed Word abiding in the vessel of the overcomer, but how did he describe their actions? Eze. 1:14.
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Since God's Word islike a fire and like a hammer that shatters a rock, God's people should not hold that Word in, but let it flash forth. They must let the anointed Word go forth from thier mouths like a hammer, buring like-fire and striking the mark, shattering the hardness in peoples lives. They must not only speak His Word, but also live it out. They are His will in action, going forth where the Spirit sends them and speaking the Word which God has given to them.
16.What does David possibly imply concerning this hand ministry? Psa. 145:16
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17. Paul himself refers to God's satisfying of all creation. How does he describe it? Rom. 8:19-21.
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Date: Monday, April 04, 2005 at 11:28:47 (CDT)
Page No :2
Study: Page 2Study 18Preparation of the Bride 4. How does God rule on the earth? Psa. 110:1,2.
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5. Whom may Zion represent? Psa. 125: 1.
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6. How does the New Testament interpret this rule as now taking place? Acts 2:32-36; Eph. 1:20-23.
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God's will in action, then, is to rule by His great power through the lives of those who trust Him...and He desires to do this "right now" in the midst of His enemies. He desires to rule through the divine nature that He has wrought in the hearts of those who are completely His.
Let us look at the hands more specifically and see what truth they reveal about this many-membered man, the sons of God in His image. Remember that "hands" signify in this passage God's will in action...
7. What attitude do those have who rule and reign with Jesus, who are represented by these hands that are as rods of gold ? John 4: 34.
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8. Like Christ, what should they seek? John 5: 30.
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9. What can the Lord say about htem that He also said about David ? Acts 13:22.
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10. What does the prophet Habakkuk prophesy concerning this "hand" ministry, speaking of those who are doers of the Word and who act out God's will ? Hab. 3:4
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b._________________________________________________________
God's power is hidden in His sons who desire to perform all His will.
Date: Monday, March 28, 2005 at 10:52:03 (CST)
Page No :1
Study: Study 18PREPARATION OF THE BRIDE "The King of Glory: His Hands" P>And He....gave Him as the head over all things to the Church, which is His Body, The fulness of Him who fills all in all. Eph. 1: 22,23.Thou dost open Thy hand, And dost satisfy the desire of every living thing. Psa. 145: 161...
So far, the "maiden" has described the Lord of Glory as the all Glorious Head. Each aspect of His character has been related to His position as the HEAD of all things to the church, so describing His head of Gold, His hair, His eyes, His Cheeks, and His lips. The remainder of this revelation speaks of His body, the Church. It speaks of that many-membered man which is growing up into "the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ," Eph. 4:13.
As John, the revelator on the isle of Patmos, received that glorious vision of Jesus and His many-membered man that spoke with the voice of many waters, so also the "maiden" is receiving a deeper revelation of Jesus and those solns of God in His image. Consequently, we will examine the rest of this revelation in light of the "BODY' of Christ...HIs many- membered man suggested by the "maiden" in the Song of Songs...
1. What vision or goal does Jesus desire for His body to attain? Eph. 4: 12,13.
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b.________________________________________________________
c.________________________________________________________
d.________________________________________________________
2. What is His body the Church? Eph. 1:22,23.
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Let us examine His hands in the light of the body of Christ.
3. How does the "maiden" describe her Beloved's hands? Song 5: 14.
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From our previous studies we have learned that:
* the hands represent the will in action.
* the rod represents authority to rule.
* and gold represents the divine nature.
We can conclude that God's will in action is to take His divine authority and rule.
Date: Monday, March 21, 2005 at 10:35:47 (CST)
Page No :8
Study: Study 17........ANSWERS.......Preparation of the Bride.....Song of Solomon12. a. I have not departed from the command of His Lips.
b. I have treasured the words of His mouth, more than my necessary food.
c. I will keep watch to see what He will speak to me.
13. A vision for the appointed time which He was to write down so that others would be instructed.
14. The capitals on top of the pillars were of lily work.
15. He who overcomes.
16. a. Five cubits.
b. Molten bronze.
17. The cast metal sea.
18. a. Ten cubits from brim to brim.
b. Five cubits high.
c. Thirty cubits in circumference.
19. It stood on twelve oxen, three facing north, three facing west, three facing south, three facing east with their rear parts turned inward.
20. The ministers of the gospel.
21. The preaching of the gospel to the ends of the earth.
22. Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of those.
23. His wisdom.
24. a. Christ, Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
b. Potential to receive all the wealth that comes from the fulll assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God's mystery.
End of Study 17...
Date: Monday, March 14, 2005 at 10:46:38 (CST)
Page No :7
Study: Study 17...........ANSWERS...........Preparation of Bride..........Song of Songs1. His lips are lilies, dripping with liquid myrrh.
2. a. Things which eye has not seen.
b. Things which ear has not heard.
c. Things which have not entered the heart of man.
3. God reveals them through His Spirit.
4. By combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.
5. a. It was not in the great strong wind which was redning the mountains and breaking the rock in pieces.
b. It was not in the earthquake.
c. It was not in the fire.
d. It came to him as the sound of a gentle blowing breeze.
6. Thy words were found and I ate them and they were to me a joy and the delight of my heart.
7. He awakesn my ear to listen as a disciple; He has opened my ear.
8. I was not disobedient nor did I turn back..
9. a. My heart stands in awe of thy words.
b. I rejoice at Thy Word, as one who finds great spoil.
10. a. He made him lie down in green pastures.
b. He led him beside still waters.
c. He restored his soul.
d. He guided him in the paths of righteousness.
11. a. Powerful.
b. Majestic.
c. Breaks the cedars (breaks through the soul-life of His Saints.)
d. Makes Lebanon skip like a calf (causes one to rejoice in the dance.)
e. Hews out flames of fire (His Word is like fire, (Purifying).
f. It shakes the wilderness (shaking everything from lives that can be shaken.)
g. Makes the deer to calve (causes His people to reproduce spiritually.)
h. Strips the forest bare (lays beare the thoughts and intentions of the heart, stripping our souls of everything that is fleshly and worldly.
Date: Monday, March 07, 2005 at 10:59:29 (CST)
Page No :6
Study: Study 17PREPARATION OF THE BRIDE 22. Jesus taught His disciples to observe the lilies. What did He say about them? Mt. 6:28,29.
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23. What was a prominent aspect of Solomon's glory? 1 Ki.4:29-34; 1 Ki.10:4-7.
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We under the new covenant have the opportunity of having this same wisdom, because we have Jesus..the source of all wisdom and knowledge dwelling within our hearts. Solomon was a type a Christ, the shadows are here and there.
24. Actually, what do we under the new covenant possess within our vessels, and what potential do we have? Col. 2: 2,3.
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b._________________________________________________________
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A most lovely Song here:
"I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses; And the voice I hear, Falling on my ear, The Son of God discloses...
And He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own; And the joy we share, as we tarry there, None other has ever known.
He speaks and the sound of His Voice, Is so sweet, the birds hush their singing, And the melody, that He gave to me, Within my heart is ringing.
And He walks with me, and He talks with me, And He tells me I am His own, And the joy we share as we tarry there, None other has ever known...
By: C. Austin Miles.
Date: Monday, February 28, 2005 at 10:20:02 (CST)
Page No :5
Study: Study 17......................Preparation of the Bride...................Song of SolomonThe measurements speak to us of a spiritual truth.
10 = fulness of testing.
5 = number of grace.
30=number of consecration for priestly ministry, maturity.
The daily washing of the priests in the cast metal sea is a type of the washing in the water of the Word in order that we as a kingdom of priests may enter into a deeper fellowship and revelation of the Lord.
The meaning of the sea's measurements speaks to us of the same thing. By the grace of God and through the fulness of testing we shall grow up into maturity and be truly consecrated for priestly ministry.
19. Describe the stand on which the cast metal sea rested. 1 Ki. 7:25.
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20. What may the oxen represent ? 1 Tim. 5:18.
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The ox is a broken domesticated animal and represents the one who labors and gives service to the Lord, his will being subjected to the will of the Lord.
21. What do the oxen facing north, south, east, and west represent? Mt. 28:19,20
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The lesson we find hidden here is this: the instruction given to the "maiden" by the still voice of His Spirit is not meant for herself alone, but is to be passed on to the whole world, "teaching them to observe all" that the Lord has commanded her.
The number of oxen and their grouping also reveals to us a spiritual truth.
12 = divine government.
3 = the fulness of God.
We can conclude that these ministers of the gospel go forth into the world under God's divine government in the fulness of the blessing of Christ Rom. 15: 29.
Date: Monday, February 21, 2005 at 09:17:01 (CST)
Page No :4
Study: Study 17........................Preparation of the Bride......................Song of Songs13. As a result of this careful listening and diligent watching, what did the Lord speak to Habakkuk's heart? Hab. 2:2,3.
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14. The "maiden" spoke of her Bridegroom's lips being as lilies dripping with liquid myrrh. In Solomon's temple, what do we find adorned with lily work? 1 Ki. 7:19,22.
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We find that the top of the pillars were crowned and adorned with lily design. The lily design was four cubits in depth. The number four speaks of the completion of the New Creation. Therefore, we learn that the born again man, who is the new creation and who is the crowning glory of God's handiwork, will be adorned with the words of the Lord. Worked into their spirits will be the familiarity of that still small voice, penetrating and gracing their spirits.
15. What does Jesus say that pillars in the temple of God represent? Rev. 3:12.
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16. What was the height of the capitals that were on top of the pillars, and of what were they made? 1 Ki. 7:16.
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b__________________________________________________________
(Bronze is a type of Judgement....Five=God's Grace...
Consequently, by His grace, He has judged the sin in the soul of the "maiden" through the still small voice of His Spirit. He has caused His voice to be wrought within and without the Spirit of His Beloved Bride.
17. What furniture in Solomon's temple was adorned with lily work? 1 Ki. 7:23-26.
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The cast metal sea had the same furniture as the brazen laver in the tabernacle of Moses. It was used for the priests to wash their hands in before entering the Holy Place.
18.Give the dimensions of the cast metal sea. 1 Ki. 7:23
a. Diameter (from brim to brim)___________________________________
b. Height____________________________________________________
c. Circumference_______________________________________________
NOTE: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
CORRECTIONS FROM STUDY 1 THROUGH STUDY 16
Page 5-Study 5-SHOULD BE-Page 5-Study 11
Page 6-Study 11-is listed twice-Page 7-Study-11 is missing here it is...
Page 7 Study 11 Preparation of the Bride Song of Solomon
From the lips of the believer comes wisdom which she has learned from the King. He sees in her the very beauty He has put there. The milk she gives forth is the milk of the Word for sustaining the young in the Lord. 1 Pet. 2: 2.
30. What qualities does the "maiden" display in her life to cause the King to im- part His wisdom to her ? Psa. 81: 11-16.
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31. What does the King say about her garments ? Song 4: 11
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Garments in Scripture speaks of all that has to do with outward attitudes.
32. What has happened in the life of the believer? Psa. 92: 12-15.
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What about you, dear brother and sister in the Lord ? Have you ever had the experience of sensing a certain spiritual quality about a believer from whom there seemed to ooze forth a special spiritual influence over you that you could not find words to describe? That is "fragrance". It is the fruit of a life obedient to the Holy Spirit. This is the end of Study 11....
ANSWERS TO STUDY 11 "THE DESIRE OF THE KING"
1. To the mountains of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense.
2. a. The power of His Resurrection.
b. The fellowship of His sufferings.
c. Being conformed to His death.
3. Are you able to drink the cup tha I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?
4. A looking down with Him from the mountain tops.
5. At God's right hand in the heavenly places.
6. Keep seeking the things above, setting your mind on them.
7. The dens of lions and the mountains of leopards.
8. Our struggle is against the rulers, the powers, the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
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Page 10-Study 13 is listed twice
Date: Monday, February 14, 2005 at 10:32:06 (CST)
Page No :3
Study: Study 17.....................Preparation of the Bride......................Song of Solomon11. That voice which is so still and so peacefull can at the same time lay bare the heart. Describe other qualities of that voice. Psa. 29: 4-9. Note: Cedars of Lebanon in the Scripture can be used to describe the righteous man...Psa. 92:12.
a. vs. 4_____________________________________________________
b. " 4_____________________________________________________
c. " _____________________________________________________
d. " 6_____________________________________________________
e. " ______________________________________________________
f. " ______________________________________________________
g. " ______________________________________________________
h. " 9_____________________________________________________
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That precious voice that is so gentle and so peaceful is at the same time packed with power and majesty. That voice, while so kind and loving, is at the same time able to break through our hardness and soulishness and bring about true repentance and brokenness. That voice can cause our hearts to leap up with joy and make our feet to dance before Him. That voice can be as the prophet Jeremiah said, "like a burning fire shut up in my bones."
That voice to our hearts can be like a purifying fire, shaking everything that can be shaken from our lives so that only that which is from His Spirit will remain. That voice can cause His people to reproduce spiritually through guidance and instructions, revealing how to speak the Word of God to the one who is weary and lost.That voice can, as it were, strip the forest bare.This is inferred in Heb.4:12,13:
"For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, Of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, But all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do."
12. What was the attitude of Job and the prophet Habakkuk toward the words of their Master, the King of Glory? Job 23:12, Hab. 2:1.
a. Job_____________________________________________________
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b. Job_____________________________________________________
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c. Hab.____________________________________________________
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Date: Monday, February 07, 2005 at 10:46:50 (CST)
Page No :2
Study: Study 17PREPARATION OF THE BRIDE
"The King of Glory; The Lips of the King" It is that still small voice, not audible by the "natural ear", but heard only by the spiritual ear, that can impart things to the spirit of man in a split second of time, the truth of which continues to minister fragrance and sweetness for a lifetime.
6. What did Jeremiah say about the words of the Lord? Jer. 15:16
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7. Speaking of the Spiritual ear, what did the Prophet Isaiah write ? Isa. 50:4,5.
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8. What was his attitude toward what he heard with his spiritual ear? Isa. 50:5
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Likewise, this "maiden's" ear has been awakened by the Lord of glor to listen as a disciple. She was not disobediant, nor did she harden her heart to the things which the Spirit was saying to her.
9. The Psalmist also had an ear awakeded to that still small voice. What did he say about Lord's words to him ? Psa. 119: 161,162.
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b._________________________________________________________
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10. As one who had become tuned in to the voice of God, David heard with spiritual ears. In what ways was the Lord able to commune with David's spirit ? Psa. 23: 1-3.
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c._________________________________________________________
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d._________________________________________________________
Oh, the tranquility of that voice, the calmness of that voice, the peacefulness of that voice...like a cold drink of water on a hot sweltering day: it restores and renews our soul. It guides us down the right path. It stills and quiets our every troubling thought and fear.
Date: Monday, January 31, 2005 at 11:08:50 (CST)
Page No :1
Study: Study 17PREPARATION OF THE BRIDE Song of Songs
THE KING OF GLORY
THE LIPS OF THE KING My heart is inditing a good matter; I speak of the things which I have made touching the King; my tongue is the pen of a ready writer. Psa. 45: 1,2a. A song of Loves.
1. How does the "maiden" describe her Lord's lips? Song 5: 13.
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Lips are used in Scripture to signify the speech or the words that proceed from the mouth. In a previous study we discovered that one of the properties of "myrrh" is that it is a most fragrant perfume, casting an intoxicating odor. We also learned previously that one of the characteristics of "the lily is its sweet smell." In fact, it is so fragrant that a man's senses will be easily turned with the strength of its aroma. "It is to this overpowering sweetness of aroma that the "maiden" compares the lips of her beloved and the words which dropped from them.
2. What has God prepared for those who love Him? 1 Corin. 2:9.
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b.__________________________________________________________
c.__________________________________________________________
Notice that the things which God has prepared for those who love Him are "things not preceived by the natural senses," things not preceived by the eye or words "heard" by the ear.
3. How then can we know these things, and perceive these words of the Lord that are like lilies and sweet smelling myrrh ? 1 Corin. 2: 10-12.
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4. The Scripture goes on to say that "these things are not found in words taught by man's wisdom," but "taught by the Spirit of God." In what manner does the Spirit of God teach these things to us? 1 Corin. 2: 13.
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It is these spiritual thoughts and spiritual words imparted to the spirit of man that the "maiden" is referring to in this passage.
5. Elijah had an experience with that precious voice of the Spirit of God. Describe the three things in which the Lord's voice was not.Then describe the way the voice of the Lord came to Elijah. 1 Ki. 19: 11-13.
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b._________________________________________________________
c._________________________________________________________
d._________________________________________________________
Date: Monday, January 24, 2005 at 09:46:30 (CST)
Page No :6
Study: Study 16...........ANSWERS CONT...........PREPARATION OF THE BRIDE10. a. High
b. Holy
c. With the contrite.
d. With the lowly of Spirit.
11. a. Righteousness.
b. The upright.
12. a. That he may not reemain in darkness but have light.
b. He will be given the treasures of darkness and the hidden wealth of secret places.
13. They are like doves beside streams of water, bathed in milk and reposed in their setting.
14. The righteous.
15. The Majestic One, the Lord, has become for her a place of rivers and wide canals.
16. a. Water was trickling.
b. Water reaching the ankles.
c. Water reaching the knees.
d. Water reaching the loins.
e. Water enough to swim in, a river that could not be forded.
17. He who believes in Me, from his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water...this water will become a well of water springing up to eternal life.
18. a. They drink their fill of the abundance of the house..
b. The drink of the river of God's delights.
19. From the throne of God and of the Lamb.
20. They will be made glad.
21. All Thy breakers and Thy waves have rolled over me.
22. His cheeks are like a bed of balsam and banks of sweet-scented herbs.
23. He gave His cheeks to those who pluck out the beard and did not cover His face from humiliation and spitting.
24.The Lord God helps Me therefore I am not disgraced and know that I shall not be ashamed.
25. He emptied Himself, took on the form of a bond-servant and humbled Him- self by becoming Obediant to the point of death.
26. Arm yourselves with the same purpose. 27. a. He has ceased from sin.
b. No longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
28. a. He committed no sin.
b. No deceit was found in His mouth.
c. While being reviled, He did not revile in return.
d. While suffering, He uttered no threats.
e. He kept entrusting Himself to God who judges righteously.
End of Study 16
Date: Monday, January 17, 2005 at 10:24:25 (CST)
Page No :5
Study: Study 16..............PREPARATION OF THE BRIDE...........Song of Songs26. Since Jesus has suffered in the flesh, what are we exhorted to do ? 1 Pet. 4:1
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27. What has he who has suffered in the flesh ceased from and how does he live? 1 Pet. 4: 1,2.
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b.__________________________________________________________
28. What example did Jesus leave for us to follow ? 1 Pet. 2: 21-23
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b.__________________________________________________________
c.__________________________________________________________
d.__________________________________________________________
e.__________________________________________________________
In the Lord's cheeks, His Bride sees that example of humility and obediance to the point of deat that Jesus has set before us, and like the Holy One who called her, she is reminded to be holy in all her behavior.
The Hebrew word which the "maiden" uses to refer to the cheeks of her Lord as herbs or spices is "bosem" which means "creating desire". It is the remembrance of Him with the marks of His passion that has caused the redeemed of all ages to cry out, "Draw me after you and let us run together" Song 1: 4. End of Study 16...
ANSWERS Study 16:
1. His locks are like clusters of dates and black as a ravaen.
2. Separation unto God.
3. a. Holy
b. Innocent.
c. Undefiled.
d. Separated from sinners.
e. Exalted above the heavens.
4. He hides Himself.
5. So they would not perish.
6. Darkness, darkness of waters, thick clouds of the sky.
7. No one will see the Lord.
8. That she may share His holiness.
9. The peaceful fruit of righteousness.
Date: Monday, January 10, 2005 at 10:22:36 (CST)
Page No :4
Study: Study 16...............Preparation of the Bride..................Song of Solomon19. From where does such a river flow ? Rev. 22: 1
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Consequently, the believer who is under the Lordship of Jesus Christ and who is allowing His throne to be established in their heart, will have the privilege of drinking from the river of the water of life.
20. What will happen to those who drink from this river ? Psa. 46:4
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The "maiden" has become a holy dwelling place of the Most High. Her God is in the midst of her, and she shall not be moved.
21. How do waves of water illustrate trials in the Psalms ? Psa. 42: 7, this could parallel the earlier trials of the "maiden" before her present experience with her Lord.
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As the water torrent reaches the sea, and can evermore plunge deeper into the fathomless ocean, so now is the "maiden" lifted out of herself to find a limitless capacity in God. It is out of a broken life that deep calls to deep.
22. How does the "maiden" describe her beloved's cheeks ? Song 5: 13.
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23. When Jesus was upon the Earth, to whom did He give His cheeks and from what did He not hide ? Isa. 50: 6.
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24. As He set His face like flint, enduring this type of treatment, what did He know? Isa. 50: 7.
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25. Paul exhorts us to have this same attitude which Jesus had. Summarize this attitude..Phil. 2: 5-8.
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Date: Monday, January 03, 2005 at 10:08:26 (CST)
Page No :3
Study: Study 16..............PREPARATION OF THE BRIDE...............Song of SongsThe eyes are the seat of the Expression or Soul. The expression in the eyes is for, and can be ready by, those who are very close. Words and letters are for those at a distance or in a far-off-country. Here we learn how close to Him this "maiden" has come when she could describe such expression.
As the dove returned to Noah with an olive branch in its mouth, signifying that the waters of the flood had subsided and that the time of the trial was over, so the "maiden" reads in the dove-like eyes of the Lord that her period of testing and trail has come to an end. As the dove fixes its eye only on its mate, so the "maiden" sees that the eyes of the Lord are fixed on her.
15. In comparing her beloved's eyes to doves besides streams of water, what might this imagery suggest concerning the Lord and His Bride ? Isa. 33:21.
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16. We see a picture of this same thing written by Eze. In Eze. vision, what were the stages of the water that was flowing from the "House of God", whose house we are ? Eze. 47: 1-5.
a.___________________________________________________________
b.___________________________________________________________
c.___________________________________________________________
d.___________________________________________________________
e.___________________________________________________________
17. This is a fulfillment of what promise? John 7:38; John 4:14
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
This spring becomes a fountain that will grow and increase from a well to rivers of living water. This deep pool, produced by an everlasting spring within the believer, will leap up to grasp, comprehend and apprehend that which is eternal, that is, an immortal, deathless, imperishable existence and endless vitality.
18. What do those who take refuge in the shadow of God's wings drink? Psa. 36: 8,9
a.___________________________________________________________
b.___________________________________________________________
The River of God is given to those in whom God Delights.
Date: Monday, December 27, 2004 at 10:17:15 (CST)
Page No :2
Study: Study 16.............Preparation of the Bride.................Song of Solomon9. Althought discipline does not seem joyful but sorrowful, what does it yield to those who have been trained by it ? Heb. 12: 11.
____________________________________________________________
In like manner, the reference to the Lord's hair (His separation) being as "clusters of dates" refers to that peaceful fruit of righteousness that has been developed in the believer's life through darkness of testing. This testing has come upon the believer that they might be a partaker of God's Holiness and might receive a greater revelation of the Lord.
10. Give 4 characteristics of God's dwelling place. Isa. 57:15..
a. __________________________________________________________
b.__________________________________________________________
c.___________________________________________________________
d.___________________________________________________________
11. What does the Lord love, and who shall behold His face ? Psa. 11:7.
a.___________________________________________________________
b.___________________________________________________________
12. What promises has the Lord given to those who believe, and trust in Him ? John 12:46; Isa. 45:3.
a.___________________________________________________________
b.___________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Through the discipline of the Holy Spirit the "maiden" has received a "deeper capacity to behold the glory of the Lord and to partake of His Holiness". There- fore, the treasures of God's darkness and the hidden wealth of His secret places have been revealed to her. Consequently, there follows in the "maiden's" Song a deeper revelation of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
13. How does the "maiden" describe His eyes ? Song 5:12.
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
14. The eyes of the Lord are toward whom ? Psa. 34:15
_____________________________________________________________
Date: Monday, December 20, 2004 at 10:21:50 (CST)
Page No :1
Study: Study 16PREPARATION OF THE BRIDE
THE KING OF GLORY:
HIS HIDING PLACE, THE WATER OF LIFE,
HIS HUMILITY AND OBEDIANCE "One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek; That I may dwell in the house of the Lord,all the days of my Life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to meditate in His Temple. Psa.27:4.
1. How does the "maiden" describe her Lord's hair ? Song 5:11.
___________________________________________________________
2. What may long locks of hair represent in the Old Testament ? Num. 6: 5-9
___________________________________________________________
Long Hair, then, suggests separation unto God.
3. In what way was Jesus separate from man? Heb. 7:26
a. _________________________________________________________
b.__________________________________________________________
c.__________________________________________________________
d.__________________________________________________________
e.__________________________________________________________
4. Because of God's Holiness, what does He do ? Isa. 45: 15.
____________________________________________________________
5. We discovered inour last lesson that because of God's Holiness and purity in contrast to the sinfulness of the people, He had to hide Himself from Israel when He appeared on Mt. Sinai. Why ? Ex. 19: 20,21.
____________________________________________________________
6. What has the Lord made His hiding place ? Psa. 18: 9-12
____________________________________________________________
The blackness of His locks then shows God's Hiding Place where He hides Himself in His terrible holiness from the eyes of men.
7. What does the Scripture teach concerning man without holiness or sanctification? Heb. 12: 14..
______________________________________________________________
8. We have seen that the "maiden" has gone through periods of discipline and dealing from the Lord. Prior to this description of the Lord that she is now giving, she went through a very great period of darkness and testing, a dark night of the soul. What was the purpose of this discipline ? Heb. 12:10.
_____________________________________________________________
Date: Monday, December 13, 2004 at 10:25:29 (CST)
Page No :9
Study: Study 15.............ANSWERS CONT..............PREPARATION OF THE BRIDE11. His head is like pure gold.
12. He is the image of God.
13. Al l the fulness of Diety dwells in Him in bodily form.
14. He is the head over all rule and authority.
15. He who has seen Me has seen the Father.
16. Many diadems.
17. a. A beautiful crown and a glorious diadem.
b. A spirit of justice when she sits in judgement.
c. A strength when repelling the onslaught at the gate.
18. That we will reign in life through Jesus.
19. Authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all power of the the enemy.
20. a. Christ's divine presence within preserves her from evil.
b. The wicked one cannot touch her.
21. The sovereignty, the dominion, the greatness of all the kingdom under the whole heaven.
22. By ceasing from sin and obeying God.
23. As sin has reigned in death, even so grace will reign through righteousness.
24. a. Not by what her eyes see.
b. Not by what her ears hear.
c. Judges with righteousness.
d. Decides with fairness.
25. a. Wisdom
b. Discernment.
c. Experience.
26. a. You must not show partiality in judgment.
b. You must not fear man.
c. The judgement is God's.
27. a. Loving God's law.
b. Meditating on God's law day and night.
c. Observing God's precepts.
d. Restraining her feet from every evil way.
e. Hating every false way.
28. By practice.
29. Jesus Christ our Lord.
30. a. That the One with her is greater than he who is in the World.
b. The Lord her God is with her to fight her battles.
31. a. Her Light.
b. Her Salvation.
c. The defense of her Life.
32. a. Her heart will not fear.
b. In spite of this she will be confident.
33. Those who are born of God.
34. Our faith.
35. Have faith in God, for whoever says to this mountain, "Be taken up and cast into the sea," and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it shall be granted him...
End of Study 15
Date: Monday, December 06, 2004 at 09:12:57 (CST)
Page No :8
Study: Study15...........ANSWERS...........Preparation of the Bride1. He is outstanding among 10,000
2. As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, that whoever believes may in Him have eternal life.
3. The people were being bitten by the fiery serpents and dying. He set a bronze serpent on a standard and whoever looked upon it lived according to the Word of the Lord.
4. Behold, the Lord came with His Holy ten thousands.
5. a. His eyes are a flame of fire.
b. Upon His head are many diadems.
c. He is clothed with a robe dipped in Blood.
d. From His mouth came a sharp sword.
e. On His robe and on His thigh is a name written "King of Kings, and Lord of Lords."
6. The chariots of God.
7. a. As at Sinai.
b. In holiness.
8. a. Thunder.
b. Lightning flashes.
c. A thick cloud.
d. A very loud trumpet sound.
e. Smoke of a furnace.
f. Fire.
9. a. He was not living in sin and was not godless.
b. He walked righteously.
c. He spoke with sincerity.
d. He rejected unjust gain.
e. He would not take a bribe.
f. He stopped his ears from hearing about bloodshed.
g. He shut his eyes from looking upon evil.
10. a. He will dwell on the heights.
b. His refuge will be the impregnable rock.
c. His bread will be given to him.
d. His water will be sure.
e. His eyes will see the King in His beauty.
f. He will be able to behold a far-distant land.
Date: Monday, November 29, 2004 at 08:49:42 (CST)
Page No :7
Study: Study 15................Preparation of the Bride...............Song of Solomon30. In what has she learned to trust ? 2 Chron. 32: 7,8
a.__________________________________________________________
b.__________________________________________________________
31. The "maiden" testifies along with the Psalmist, "Whom shall I fear ? Whom shall I be afraid ?" For what has the Lord become to her ? Psa. 27:1
a.__________________________________________________________
b.__________________________________________________________
c.__________________________________________________________
32. Though a host encamp about her, or a war rise up against her, what is her testimony ? Psa. 27: 3
a.__________________________________________________________
b.__________________________________________________________
33. Who is is able to overcome the world ? 1 John 5: 4
____________________________________________________________
34. Yet, what is the "victory" that overcomes the world ? 1 John 5: 4
____________________________________________________________
35. Speaking of the way of faith and victory, what did Jesus teach? Mark 11: 22-24.
a.___________________________________________________________
b.___________________________________________________________
c.___________________________________________________________
This truly is the essence of faith that is the crown of the victor and will repel the onslaught at the gate, as well as make aggressive advances against the enemy.
In the all-glorious head of gold, the "maiden" sees Jesus as the head of all things to His Bride, the Church..She sees Him as the ultimate Crown and Head of all authority and power whom every power in heaven and earth must obey, the fullness of Deity dwelling in Him in bodily form. She sees Him as the great Judge, as the "Discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart," and as the Living Word. Through Him, she has come to judge righteously in every situation. Finally, in the great head of gold, she sees the crown of the victor, and through Him the power to conquer all the enemies in her own life. She has come to realize that he who is born of God overcomes the world. And Christ's divine presence within us preserves us against all evil. And the wicked one does not lay hold, get a grip on, or touch us.
Date: Monday, November 22, 2004 at 09:00:18 (CST)
Page No :6
Study: Study 15..................Preparation of the Bride.....................Song of Solomon25. In being able to stand with the Lord in Judgement, what 3 qualities must be developed in your life ? Deut. 1: 13.
a._____________________________________________________________
b._____________________________________________________________
c._____________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
26. In judgement, what 2 things must you be careful to do, and what 1 thing must you know ? Deut. 1: 17.
a.______________________________________________________________
b.______________________________________________________________
c.______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
27. How has the Bride come to experience the Lord as this "priestly crown" of judgement in her life ? Psa. 119:97-104.
a._______________________________________________________________
b._______________________________________________________________
c._______________________________________________________________
d._______________________________________________________________
e._______________________________________________________________
28. HOw have her senses been trained to discern good and evil ? Heb. 5: 14
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
The Victor's Crown:
29. Finally, the Lord has become to her a "strength to those who repel the....onslaught at the gate." This represents the crown of the victor. Who has given us the victory ? 1 Corin. 15:57.
_________________________________________________________________
Date: Monday, November 15, 2004 at 08:42:16 (CST)
Page No :5
Study: Study 15..............PREPARATION OF THE BRIDE.............Song of Solomon20. Being born of God, what has she come to realize ? 1Jn. 5:18 (Amp.)
"We know that anyone born of God does not practice committing sin, But the One who was begotten of God carefully watches over and protects him, Christs devine presence within us preserves us against the evil, and the wicked one does not lay hold of us or touch us.."
a.______________________________________________________________
b.______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
21. What is her inheritance? Dan. 7:27
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
22. How has this "maiden" come into an experiential knowledge of reigning in this life with Jesus and exercising dominions over the power of darkness? Rom. 6:11-15; 5:17.
_______________________________________________________________
23. As she follows on to know the Lord, in what measure will she find herself reigning in this life? Rom.5:21.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
The Priestly Crown:
In addition to the Lord becoming to her a diadem, a royal crown, we found that He also has become to her "a spirit of justice for Him who sits in judgement." THIS REPRESENTS THE CROWN OF THE PRIEST...
24. HOw has she learned to judge or make a decision ? Isa. 11:3,4. This passage would imply that Christ has taught her...
a.______________________________________________________________
b.______________________________________________________________
c.______________________________________________________________
d.______________________________________________________________
Date: Monday, November 08, 2004 at 10:17:38 (CST)
Page No :4
Study: Study 15...............PREPARATION OF THE BRIDE.............Song of Solomon15. What was Jesus' testimony of Himself ? John 14: 8,9
_________________________________________________________
16. In the Revelation of Jesus, when He appears with 10,000 of His Holy Ones, what is found upon His Head ? Rev. 19:12.
_________________________________________________________
A "diadem" with over two or three fillets signified dominion over 2 or 3 countries, hence the many diadems here is a ref. to the dominion of the Messiah as the supreme ruler of the earth which is also signified by His Name, King of Kings, Lord of Lords.
17. What will the Lord become to the "maiden" ? Isa. 28: 5,6.
a._______________________________________________________
b._______________________________________________________
c._______________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
There are three types of crowns primarily mentioned in the Scriptures:
1. The Royal Crown.
2. The Priestly Crown.
3. The Victor's Crown.
Her beloved has become to her all three.
The Royal Crown:
18. The diadem is the symbol of the power to rule. What have we...as those who have received of God's abundant grace and gift of righteousness...been promised ? Rom. 5: 17.
___________________________________________________________
As the Amplified Version says it, we are to "reign as Kings in life thorugh the One, Jesus Christ, the Messiah.
19. Seeing Jesus with the "head of Gold",with the head crowned with many diadems and identifying herself with Him, what is she able to exercise ? Luke 10:19.
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Date: Monday, November 01, 2004 at 10:12:57 (CST)
Page No :3
Study: Study 15..................Preparation of the Bride..................Song of Solomon9. Why was Moses able to go up and speak with the Lord face to face and the Israelite nation was not ? Isa. 33: 14,15.
a.(vs.14)____________________________________________________
b.(vs.15)____________________________________________________
c.(vs.15)____________________________________________________
d.(vs.15)____________________________________________________
e.(vs.15)____________________________________________________
f.(vs.15)____________________________________________________
g.(vs.15)____________________________________________________
10. As a result of this holiness in his life, what was his privilege? Isa. 33:16,17.
a.(vs.16)____________________________________________________
b.(vs.16)____________________________________________________
c.(vs.16)____________________________________________________
d.(vs.16)____________________________________________________
e.(vs.17)____________________________________________________
f.(vs.17)____________________________________________________
This promise extends to all those who walk in holiness before Him. From these verses we see that the revelation of the Lord which the soul of the "maiden" is now receiving is a face to face relationship as a man would speak to his friend. She has become one who has the privilege of seeing the King in His beauty. It is this revel- ation that is now unfolding before her.
11. As we continue in the revelation of the beloved Bridegroom to the heart of His Bride, how does the "maiden" describe His head ? Song 5:11.
___________________________________________________________
Gold in the Scripture is a type of the "Devine Nature".
The "maiden" is receiving a revelation of Jesus not as some lesser member of the GodHead but as the Creator of the universe and the Head of all things.
12. According to 2 Corin. 4:4, who is Jesus?
___________________________________________________________
13. And according to Col. 2:9 what dwells in Jesus ?
___________________________________________________________
14. Over what is Jesus the Head ? Col. 2:10___________________________
Date: Monday, October 25, 2004 at 10:17:34 (CDT)
Page No :2
Study: Study 15Preparation of the Bride 5. Looking in Rev. at this coming of the Lord, which John as well as Enoch prop- hesied, give a description of Him who comes with ten thousand of His Holy Ones. Rev.. 19: 11-16.
a. (vs. 12) ___________________________________________________
b. (vs. 12) ___________________________________________________
c. (vs. 13) ___________________________________________________
d. (vs.15) ____________________________________________________
e. (vs.16) ____________________________________________________
6. In Psalms we find a reference again of the Lord and His ten thousands. What are the ten thousand called here? Psa. 68:17. literal translation is "twice ten thou."
____________________________________________________________
As earhly kingdoms are dependent on warlike preparationss for their defense, a single prophet , like Elijah for ex., can do more for the preservation and prosperity of the Church than all natural means of defense. In the proper context, chariots in- dicate this in Scripture. The chariots of God here is a type of those who move in the prophetic anointing; this is the Church where each member is a prophet, a priest, and a king.
7. How does the Lord appear among these chariots ? Psa. 68:17
a.__________________________________________________________
b.__________________________________________________________
Let us look at a few instances of when God revealed Himself to Israel.
8. Describe how the Lord appeared at Sinai to the Israelite nation, to those people who did not know Him intimately as Moses did. Ex. 19: 16-21
a.___________________________________________________________
b.___________________________________________________________
c.___________________________________________________________
d.___________________________________________________________
e.___________________________________________________________
f.___________________________________________________________
Date: Monday, October 18, 2004 at 10:21:44 (CDT)
Page No :1
Study: Study 15.................Preparation of the Bride.................Song of SongsTHE KING OF GLORY: THE HEAD OF GOLD
" And I saw heaven opened; And behold a white horse, and He who sat upon it is called Faithful and True; And in righteousness He judges and wages war. And His Eyes are a flame of fire, and upon His head are many diadems; And He has a name written upon Him which no one knows except Himself. And He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood; And His name is called The Word of God. And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in the fine linen, white and clean, Were follow- ing Him on white horses. And from His mouth comes a sharp sword, So that withit He may smite the nations ; And He will rule them with a rod of iron; And He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS"...... Rev. 19: 11-16...read also, Psa. 45:10,11.
1. What final words does the "maiden" use to describe her Lord Vs. 10 ?
Song 5: 10.___________________________________________________
The word "outstanding" is literally translated a "lifted up banner".
2. How did Jesus describe the manner in which He would be lifted up as a banner?
John 3: 14,15._______________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
3. Why did Moses lift up the serpent in the wilderness ? Num. 21: 6-9
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Bronze in the Scriptures is a type of Judgement. Through the cross of Jesus we see the serpent judged. The serpent's dominion and curse are broken over mankind because whoever looks upon Jesus and believes shall truly live. The Beloved of the "maiden" is truly a Banner lifted up among ten thousand. He is her Champion, her deliverer. He is trhe Desired of all ages and the One of whom Job spoke when he said, "And as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, And at last He will take His stand on the earth." Job 19: 25.
4. What did Enoch prophesy ? (Jude 14).
___________________________________________________________
The literal translation is "The Lord came with His Holy ten thousands."
Date: Monday, October 11, 2004 at 08:28:25 (CDT)
Page No :5
Study: Study 14........................ANSWERS..........................Preparation of the Bride1. a. Dazzling.
b. Ruddy.
c. Outstanding among ten thousand.
2. a. His face shone like the sun.
b. His garments became as white as light.
3. A sun and shield.
4. Like the sunlight.
5. His face was like the sun shining in its strength.
6. Jesus, Read vs. 18
7. The Ancient of Days.
8. a. Wonderful
b. counselor
c. Might God
d. Eternal Father
e. Prince of Peace
9. a. To him who loves Him and keeps His commandments.
b. To those who diligently seek Him.
10. I AM.
11. Before Abraham was born, I AM....
12. Face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.
13. He was faithful.
14. a. Like a jasper stone.
b. Like a sardius stone.
15. The One who sits on the throne is the Apha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end....
16. a. The One who is.
b. The One who was.
c. The One who is to come.
d. The Almighty.
17. a. The Living One.
b. I was dead.
c. I am alive forevermore.
d. I have the keys of death and of Hades.
End of Study 14
Date: Monday, October 04, 2004 at 10:32:05 (CDT)
Page No :4
Study: Page 4Study 14.......................Preparation of the Bride......................Song of Songs16. Describe the One who is the "Alpha and the Omega" from verse 8 (Rev.1:8)
a._________________________________________________________
b._________________________________________________________
c._________________________________________________________
d._________________________________________________________
17. Describe the One who is called the "First and the Last" from verse 18 (Rev. 1:17,18).
a._________________________________________________________
b._________________________________________________________
c._________________________________________________________
d._________________________________________________________
The book of Revelation, according to John, is called the Revelation of Jesus Christ. The one who is, who was, and is to come is Jesus Christ. The one who was dead and is not alive forevermore is the same Jesus. And according to His own testi- mony, He identifies Himself as the Almighty.Therefore we can conclude that the One who sits on the throne is God Almighty Himself, Jesus Christ, the Lord of Glory.
Both the sardius and the jasper stone have a red glowing appearance. From the center of the throne, in the midst of the dazzling white light of God's Glory, emanates the brillance of shining jewels.This red brilliance is the very mark of His passion, for He has redeemed us unto Himself by His own blood.
Here now, His testimony:
For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Saviour. Before Me there was no God formed, And there will be none after Me. There is no savior be- sides Me, So you are My witnesses, Declares the Lord, and I am God. Even from eternity I am He; Thus says the Lord your Redeemer, The Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.
I am the first and I am the last, and there is no God besides Me, Is there any God besides Me, or is there any other Rock ? I know of none. Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, And the One who formed you from the womb, I , the Lord, am the Maker of all things, Stretching out the heavens by Myself, and spreading our the earth all alone. Turn to Me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth; For I am God, and there is no other. I have sworn by Myself, the Word has gone forth from My mouth in righteousness and will not turn back, That to Me every knee WILL bow, every tongue WILL swear allegiance. ... (Portions of Isa. 43,44,and 45.)
Date: Monday, September 27, 2004 at 10:15:33 (CDT)
Page No :3
Study: Study 14.......................Preparation of the Bride......................Song of SongsWe, under the new covenant, stand not as servants of God, but as sons. There- fore, we have the opportunity of receiving an even deeper relationship with Him than His servant Moses did.
We find the "maiden" of the Song describing Him for the first time in the glory of that white dazzling light...which suggests the terrible crystal which surrounds the throne of God. We find the "maiden" understanding more of the Lord's true identity. Yet, at the same time the Lord appears to her in the dazzling white light, He also has a ruddy appearance. What could this mean? Let us search it out.
14. How does John describe the appearance of the Lor of glory as He sits upon His throne ? Rev. 4: 2,3.
a.___________________________________________________________
b.___________________________________________________________
To discover what these stones represent and to interpret their meaning accordingly, we may find one clue by looking at their numerical value as designated by their pos- ition in the brestplate of the High Priest Ex. 28, and also by looking at their posi- tion in the foundation of the Holy City Rev. 21.
The sardius stone is the first stone in the brestplate of the High Priest and the 6th stone of the Holy City.
The number one represents God.
The number six represents man.
This reveals to us that the ONE who sits in the midst of the throne is both God and man...
The jasper stone is the 12th stone in the brestplate of the High Priest and the first stone of the Holy City.
The number 12 represents Divine Government.
The number 1 again, represents God.
This reveals to us that He who sits on the throne is the God of divine government or the God who is the Supreme ruler of the universe.
15. The first stone of the breastplate of the High Priest is the sardius and the last stone in the breastplate is the jasper. What does this reveal to us ? Rev. 1:8, 17,18. Jasper also belongs to the 4th row of stones. Ex. 28:20.
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Date: Monday, September 20, 2004 at 10:19:43 (CDT)
Page No :2
Study: Study 14.................PREPARATION OF THE BRIDE..............Song of Songs7. We find this same revelation given to the Prophet Daniel. Compare Dan. 7:9,10 to Rev. 1: 12-18. As whom does Daniel identify Him ? Dan. 7: 9.
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
8. In Isaiah's prophecy of the coming Messiah, what titles does Isaiah give Him ? Isa. 9: 6
a. _________________________________________________________
b.__________________________________________________________
c.__________________________________________________________
d.__________________________________________________________
e.__________________________________________________________
9. To whom does the Lord reveal His identity ? John 14: 21; Prov. 8: 17.
a.__________________________________________________________
b.__________________________________________________________
10. When Moses saw the burning bush, God called to him from its midst telling him to go lead Israel out of Egypt. How did God identify Himself ? Ex. 3: 13,14.
____________________________________________________________
11. When Jesus was being questioned by the Jews, they said to Him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and You have seen Abraham?" How did Jesus respond to them? John 8: 56-58.
____________________________________________________________
Thus Jesus identified Himself as the great "I AM" who spoke to Moses in the burning bush.
12. How did the Lord speak to Moses ? Ex. 33: 11.
____________________________________________________________
13. What type of man was Moses that caused the Lord of glory to reveal Himself to him in such an intimate way ? Num. 12: 6-8.
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Date: Monday, September 13, 2004 at 10:15:39 (CDT)
Page No :1
Study: Study 14...............PREPARATION OF THE BRIDE..............Song of Solomon
" THE KING OF GLORY " "Lift up your heads, O Gates, And lift them up, O ancient doors, That the King of Glory may come in !!! The Lord of Hosts, He is the King of Glory.Psa. 24:9,10
1. How does the Bride describe His appearance ? Song 5: 10..Note: dazzling here means dazzling white when wholly illuminated by the sun.
a. _________________________________________________________
b.__________________________________________________________
c.__________________________________________________________
2. In the latter days of Jesus' ministry, He took three of His disciples, Peter, James and John...those who were the closest to Him at this time...up on a high moun- tain and revealed to them His Glory. How did they describe His appearance ? Matt.17:2; Luke 9: 29.
a.__________________________________________________________
b.__________________________________________________________
The Amp. Vers. says it this way: "And as He was praying, the appearance of His countenance became altered (different), and His raiment became dazzling white... flashing with the brilliance of lightning. Luke 9:29.
The "maiden's" view of her beloved as dazzling is analogous to the Bride being shown her Lord, as it were, in dazzling white light.
3. What is the Lord our God ? Psa. 84: 11.
___________________________________________________________
4. Like what is the Lord's radiance ? Hab. 3: 4
___________________________________________________________
5. We find that John was given an even greater revelation of this dazzling Saviour when he was exiled on the Isle of Patmos. How did the Lord's countenance appear?
Rev. 1: 12-18._________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
6. As whom does the Lord of Glory idenify Himself ? Rev. 1: 13-18.
___________________________________________________________
Date: Monday, September 06, 2004 at 10:28:58 (CDT)
Page No :14
Study: Study 13...................ANSWERS CONT...................Preparation of the Bride24. The cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it ?
25. This hour and the power olf darkness are yours; you would have no power over Me unless it was given to you from above. (Allowed like to Job)...
26. They spat in His face, beat Him with their fists and slapped Him.
27. They struck her and wounded her.
28. Let him alone, if the Lord has allowed him to curse me, who am I to stop him?
29. The power of darkness.
30. Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat.
31. I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail.
32. They would sit upon thrones in His Kingdom judging the 12 tribes of Israel.
33. There is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil.
34. If you take everything that Job has, he will curse you to your face.
35. He gave satan permission to take everything from Job, except his life.
36. a. My soul is poured within me, days of affliction have seized me.
b. The feeling of being bound or tied. (It is difficult to accomplish much.)
c. Crying out to God for help, but there is no answer from Him.
d. It is as if God has become cruel.
e. The soul is in a heap of ruins.
f. When I expected good, evil came; when I waited for light, darkness came.
g. Seething within, cannot relax.
h. Mourning without comfort, crying for help in the assembly.
i. Dwelling in desert places (the habitation of jackals and ostriches).
j. No ability to worship or commune with the Lord.
37. The darkness is not dark to God. Looking from God's perspective it is as bright as day. There is nowhere that i can flee from His presence.
38. Whether I go forward or backward, I cannot perceive Him, to the right or the left, I cannot see Him. Yet, He knows the way I take, and when He has tried me, I shall come forth as Gold.
39. My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me ?
40. Perhapes the Lord will look upon my affliction and return good to me instead of cursing this day.
41. a. I desire nothing in heaven or on earth besides Thee.
b. Through all f this Job did not sin nor did he blame God.
43. While being reviled, He didn not revile in return.
44. We are to follow in His steps.
45. They took away her shawl or veil.
46. They stripped Him and mocked Him.
47. The Spirit of glory and of God is resting upon us.
48. We are to have an unveiled face.
49. As the face of an angel.
50. They are a proof of our faith.
51. That we are to obtain an inheritance, which is to us a living hope.
52. The power of God through faith.
53. If yoiu find my beloved, tell him I am lovesick.
(End Study 13)...
Date: Monday, August 30, 2004 at 10:31:47 (CDT)
Page No :13
Study: Study13............"ANSWERS".............PREPARATION OF THE BRIDE
" THE FELLOWSHIP OF HIS SUFFERINGS" 1. I was asleep, but my heart was awake.
2. Her beloved's.
3. a. My sheep hear My Voice.
b. I know them.
c. They follow ME.
4. He asks her to open the door to Him.
5. TITLE: a. My Sister...........SIGNIFICANCE: She does the will of God.
b. My Darling............................She has become a letter of Christ,the very extension of His life.
c. My Dove..................................She was possessed by the Holy Spirit.
d. My Perfect One...................She has been through the Testing of her Faith and has endured, inheriting God's Promises....
6. My head is drenched with dew, my locks withg the damp (drops) of the night.
7. Being in agony, He was praying fervently, and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground...What was this Agony??? The decision to give up HIS will.....
8. That this cup of suffering might pass from Him.
9. That not HIS will !!! , but God's will be done.... !!
10. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized ?
11. We are....we will never deny you.
12. They all left Him and fled.
13. Always carrying about in our body the dying of Jesus and constantly being de- livered over to death., that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
14. a. I have taken off my dress, how can I put it on again ?
b. I have washed my feet, how can I dirty them again ?
15. She has laid aside the old self and put on the new.
16. Complete cleansing.
17. The name above every name...dominion.
18. a. For this purpose I came to this hour.
b. Father, glorify your name...
19. Opening the Door of her Heart.
20. He cried out, "My Lord and my God" !..
21. He wept bitterly in repentance.
22. Liquid Myrrh.
23. He had turned away.
Date: Monday, August 23, 2004 at 12:56:58 (CDT)
Page No :12
Study: Study 13.....................Preparation of the Bride...................Song Of Solomon..................47. When the "guardsmen" take away our veil, it seems as though we are exposed to the World, yet what is actually happening? 1 Pet. 4: 12-14
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48. Paul tells us that Moses had to cover his face with a veil so that the children of Israel could not see the glory of the Lord. Yet, under the new covenant what kind of face are we to have ? 2 Corin. 3:12,13,18.
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Consequently, we see that in the "maiden's" life the persecution immediately re- moved the veil so that God's glory could be seen in her. This is what Paul speaks of as always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, so that the life of the Lord Jesus could be manifest in our bodies.
49. As Stephen was speaking to those religious leaders who were persecuting him, how did his countenance appear? Acts 6: 10-15.
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50. What are the fiery ordeals that come upon us designed to prove? 1 Pet. 1:6,7
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51. In what are we to greatly rejoice ? 1 Pet. 1:3--6a
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52. In all this, by what are we protected ? 1 Pet. 1:5
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53. Turning back to our Song, what was the "maiden's" testimony to the daughters of Jerusalem as she was in the midst of this dark trial ? Song 5: 8.
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Will they tell Him who made heaven and earth that the hardness of His love is as sweet to her as all His favors ? The fact that she can use such words now, even when has appeared to withdraw Himself from her, shows the depth of His work in her and her union with her Lord. She has stood the test and proved that she loves Him for Himself alone. Satan has been defeated once again.
Many waters cannot quench love, Nor will rivers overflow it; For love is as strong as death;...Love bears all things, Believers all things, Hopes all things, Endures all things. Love never fails.......Song 8:7a; 1Corin. 13:7,8a.
The words of God tells us that David was cursed by his people and rejected. Like- wise, Job became a curse and a byword to his wife and his friends. Satan had de- vised a plan to show God that two of the men who were the most dedicated to Him did not truly love Him....but his plan failed. For Job boldly proclaimed "though He slay me yet will I trust Him," and David cried out, "Besides Thee I desire nothing on earth." The "maiden" now joins that chorus. "Tell Him whom my soul loveth that I am sick with love."
After the struggle in Gethsemane, satan had devised to totally crush the living God and wipe Him from the universe forever.... but this plan also failed. What satan sent Job, David, the "maiden", and even Jesus, was for their destruction. But what was meant for the bad became satan's own mousetrap, for following the crucifixion inevitably came the resurrection.
Date: Monday, August 16, 2004 at 10:20:26 (CDT)
Page No :11
Study: Study 13.....................Preparation of the Bride.....................Song of Songs40. What did David say about this sifting and testing that had come upon him?
2 Sam.16: 12.______________________________________________
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As we turn back to the story of the "maiden", we see powers of darkness aiming their attack upon this soul as she follows her Lord through the valley of the sha- dow of death. The aim at beating her back from her position in Him. They press upon her to admit the thought that God has laid upoon her more than is right, and that she must retreat into an easier path. They shout to her "curse God and die". They taunt her with the silence of her Lord and tell her that if He delighted in her, if she were right with Him, He would have spared her from all this sorrow. They present to her some compromise which appears to be a way of escape. Her flesh and her heart fail her.
41. What was the psalmist's testimony during this hour of trial ? Psa. 73: 25,26.
a.__________________________________________________________
b.__________________________________________________________
42. what was Job's testimony ? Job 1: 21,22.
a.__________________________________________________________
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b.__________________________________________________________
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43. What was Jesus' testimony in this ? 1 Pet. 2:22,23.
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44. What are we to do with the example that Jesus left us ? 1 Pet. 2: 21.
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45. Turning back to our Song, what did the guardsmen do to the "maiden" ? Song 5: 7..Note: Shawl is more literally translated "veil".
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46. What did the Roman soldiers do to Jesus ? Matt. 27: 27-29
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Date: Monday, August 09, 2004 at 10:47:10 (CDT)
Page No :10
Study: Study 13....................Preparation of the Bride....................Song of Solomone. (v.24)____________________________________________________
f. (v.26)____________________________________________________
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g.(v.27)____________________________________________________
h.(v.28)____________________________________________________
i.(v.29)_____________________________________________________
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j.(v.31)_____________________________________________________
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This Darkness is:
1. A complete withdrawal of the sense or feeling of God's Presence.
2. No emotions of Joy.
3. Little ability to worship and commune with the Father.
4. Difficulty in accomplishing very much, (the feeling of your hands being tied).
5. Very little Spiritual edification of the soul.
6. God is silent...no amount of calling or pleading can cause Him to respond or answer.
7. There is a sense of being in a dry place.
37. What did David say about this darkness ? Psa. 139: 7-12.
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Whether we sense God's presence or not, we can have the same assurance that David had. There is no way to escape God's presence, for He is everywhere at one time, filling every particle of the atmosphere with His energy. As Paul said, the God whom we seek is not far from each one of us for "In Him we live and move and have our being". Acts 17: 27,28.
38. What did Job say about his sense of God's presence during this dark hour of testing? Job 23: 8-10.
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39. Jesus, too, felt that utter aloneness. At the culmination of that dark hour...of which every soul who is going on with the Lord must taste...what did Jesus cry out ? Matt. 27: 46.
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Date: Monday, August 09, 2004 at 10:44:45 (CDT)
Page No :10
Study: Study 13....................Preparation of the Bride....................Song of Solomone. (v.24)____________________________________________________
f. (v.26)____________________________________________________
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g.(v.27)____________________________________________________
h.(v.28)____________________________________________________
i.(v.29)_____________________________________________________
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j.(v.31)_____________________________________________________
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This Darkness is:
1. A complete withdrawal of the sense or feeling of God's Presence.
2. No emotions of Joy.
3. Little ability to worship and commune with the Father.
4. Difficulty in accomplishing very much, (the feeling of your hands being tied).
5. Very little Spiritual edification of the soul.
6. God is silent...no amount of calling or pleading can cause Him to respond or answer.
7. There is a sense of being in a dry place.
37. What did David say about this darkness ? Psa. 139: 7-12.
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Whether we sense God's presence or not, we can have the same assurance that David had. There is no way to escape God's presence, for He is everywhere at one time, filling every particle of the atmosphere with His energy. As Paul said, the God whom we seek is not far from each one of us for "In Him we live and move and have our being". Acts 17: 27,28.
38. What did Job say about his sense of God's presence during this dark hour of testing? Job 23: 8-10.
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39. Jesus, too, felt that utter aloneness. At the culmination of that dark hour...of which every soul who is going on with the Lord must taste...what did Jesus cry out ? Matt. 27: 46.
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Date: Monday, August 02, 2004 at 13:16:51 (CDT)
Page No :9
Study: Study 13.....................Preparation of the Bride...................Song of Songs29. Who did Jesus name as the inspiration behind these religious leaders ? Luke 22:53
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30. What did Jesus tell Peter about the trial that he would face ? Luke 22: 31
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31. What assurances did Jesus give in this trial ? Luke 22: 32
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32. What promise did Jesus give to His disciples who stood by Him in His trials? Luke 22: 28-30
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33. We see this sifting of darkness coming upon the righteous Job. What was God's testimony concerning Job ? Job 1: 8.
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34. What accusation did satan make ? Job 1: 10,11.
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35. What did God permit satan to do ? Job 1: 12
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36. This testing, known as the dark night of the soul, is described very well by Job. Read Job 30: 16-31. In going through this experience, we may have some or all of the trials that Job describes. Briefly summarize the description given in this passage..Job 30: 16-31
a.(v.16)____________________________________________________
b.(v.18)____________________________________________________
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c.(v.20)____________________________________________________
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d.(v.21)____________________________________________________
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Date: Monday, July 26, 2004 at 09:52:45 (CDT)
Page No :8
Study: Study 13......................Preparation of the Bride......................Song of Solomon23. When she opened the door to her beloved, what did she discover ? Song 5:6
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As she agrees to enter into that suffering, she opens the door. As she does that, she enters into a deeper working of that cross. Now the soul begins to taste of that cup which she has decided to drink. To see what this darkness is all about, let us look at Jesus as He arises from His struggle in the garden of Gethsemane, having submitted His will unto the will of the Father. Jesus was met by the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders, along with a cohort of Roman Soldiers.
24. When Jesus saw what faced Him, what did He say ? John 18:11
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25. What did Jesus say concerning what He was about to face? Luke 22:53; John 19: 10,11.
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26. When Jesus stood before the chief priests and the religious leaders, what did they do to Him? Matt. 26: 67.
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27. What happened to the "maiden" as she, too, was found by the watchmen, which here is a type of "the worldly religious leaders? Song 5: 7.
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This represents a spiritual wounding.
28. When David, who was a man after God's own heart, had to leave Jerusalem to flee from his son, Absalom, there was a man standing beside the road cursing him and throwing stones at him. Abishai, like Peter, wanted to cut off the man's head. What was David's response ? 2 Sam. 16: 9-13.
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Date: Monday, July 19, 2004 at 12:55:43 (CDT)
Page No :7
Study: Study 13....................PREPARATION OF THE BRIDE....................Song of Songs18. As Peter tells us in 1 Pet. 2:21, Jesus left us an example that we might follow in His steps. What did Jesus say that is an example to us ? John 12: 27,28.
a._________________________________________________________
b._________________________________________________________
19. As we see the beloved extending his hand through the opening, we think of Jesus making His appeal to His Bride Song 5:4. What then might the "maiden's" response represent to us ? Song 5:5
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20. When Thomas saw those same nail pierced hands, what was his response? John 20:24-28
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We can think of the Bride, in her humanily, as having shrunk back for a moment from His call, but not in the purpose of her will. One look at the nail scarred hands and she could not ignore her love for Him, which surpassed her concern for herSELF. If her actions had been a deliberate rejection of Him on the part of her will, the Lord could have done no more until she had yielded. He sees, however, that it is a surface shrinking and that she must be able to ignore it and act by her will alone.
21. We also see a type of this in the life of Peter, In his humanity, he was shrink- ing back because of fear, when Jesus was arrested to be crucified. With that one look, Jesus touched that spring in Peter's heart. What did Peter do ? Luke 22:59-62
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22. As the "maiden" opened the door, what dropped from her hands and fingers ? Song 5:5
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One use for myrrh, which we discovered from an earlier study, was as an embalm- ing spice. The use of myrrh in this passage leads us to think of Jesus in His death. Hands in the Scriptures signify the will in actio. The Bride's hands and fingers dripping with this liquid myrrh suggests to us that through her action she has shown that the innermost depths of her will are steadfastly purposed to follow Him to the death. She made her choice. She lays aside her fears and arises to unlock the bolt which she herself has put upon the door of her heart and bids the "man of sorrows" to enter.
Date: Monday, July 12, 2004 at 10:47:11 (CDT)
Page No :6
Study: Study 13...................Preparation of the Bride...................Song of SongsThis is the positive application of the cross......dominion, the possession of your inheritance. Yet, this cannot be experienced without the cross.
Again, emphasis on the Cross, means that we put our "Self Will" on it daily, so that we are crucified to OUR LIFE, So that we can find it in HIM. And to HIS Will. As we bow the knee in submission to Him, and say Yea Lord to His Testings on us, which does bring us to our knees. But if we escape these trials and eaze out of them because the Fire gets to Hot, we shall never reach His Ressurrection Life and Power. We will be illigitmate children. Are we better than our Master? Did He not have to suffer for us.? So then, we must keep our self will up on that cross, lest it come down and resurrect itself in the carnal flesh. Everything of the flesh must die, so that all that is left is the Will of God in our lives, as we listen then to His Spirit, and not to our flesh.
Without shoes, feet become more sensitive, Stepping upon the sharp things causes pain. Every pebble, every thorn, every rock can be felt. This walk that Jesus is call- ing the "maiden" to now is a path in which she must walk barefooted. Things before that she did not feel, or was not sensitive to because she had walked with her shoes on, now she will feel. It is a path in which she shares in the sufferings of her Lord.
It is a path in which her spirit responds to sin in the same way God's Spirit res- ponds. It is a path in which she will feel God's heart break over the rebellion of man and His hurt in being rejected by His creation whom He loves. She will feel the depths of His love that caused Him to lay down His life. His heart will become her heart. The reproaches that fell upon Christ will fall upon her. The Spirit of Christ will flow through her so fully that the world will attack, not her, but the Spirit of Christ within her. She will know what Jesus meant when He said, "Zeal for Thy House has consumed Me." She will be jealous on behalf of her God to see His Holi- ness go forth in the earth.
However, through fear...fear of consequences, fear of losing present blessing, fear of the unknown, fear of being deprived of familiar comforts, and an undefinable fear of the reality of suffering...the "maiden" shrinks back from the Lord's call.
It is here that many Christians fail to go on and to apprehend that for which Christ apprehended them...total conformity to His death, that His Resurrection life might be manifested in our mortal bodies.
Date: Monday, July 05, 2004 at 10:37:24 (CDT)
Page No :5
Study: Study 13..............Preparation of the Bride.................Song of Songs14. How does the "maiden" respond to the Master's call ? Song 5: 3
a.________________________________________________________
b.________________________________________________________
15. What "type" might we make of the "maiden's" talk of the "taking off" of her dress ? What things has the cross already dealt with with in her life ? Col. 3: 9,10; Eph. 4: 22-24
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For us, in failing to comprehend the depth of this call of God upon her life, the "maiden" is saying that she has already experienced the cross in her outward life. She has already seen the effect of the cross in delivering her from the appeal of the World and the corruption of self. "Is it not enough," she reasons, " to have had such a deep experience with the cross that my old nature and way of life has been completely put off ?
Here she is looking only at the negative side of the cross, failing to comprehend what Paul speaks of as "always carrying about in the body the liability and ex- posure to the same putting to death that the Lord Jesus suffered, so that the res- urrection life of Jesus also may be shown forth by and in our bodies." 2 Corin.4:10.
16. In saying, "I have washed my feet," in what other aspects has she already ex- perienced the cross in her life ? John 13: 6-10
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Not only had she put off the old self and her former manner of life, but her inner life had been fully cleansed and purified from sins. Here again we see that to her, the intent and purpose of the cross was to keep one in a clean state, which is the negative only..The "maiden" had washed her feet, putting off her shoes. Bare feet is a type of slave in the presence of his master. Being barefoot, she has submitted to His Lordship in her life. "Is is not enough," she reasoned, "that my life has been totally dedicated to Him, that my feet have been washed, and that I have been fully cleansed inwardly? Is it not enough that the cross has been applied to all those little foxes that spoil the vine ?"
Yet, Jesus was asking her to walk in her bare feet, to follow His call. The meaning of this she failed to comprehend.
17, When Jesus humbled Himself unto the death of the cross, what did He receive? Phil. 2: 7-11
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Date: Monday, June 28, 2004 at 11:32:43 (CDT)
Page No :4
Study: Study 13................Preparation of the Bride.................Song of Songs10. Thinking of His Power and His Glory, two disciples asked Jesus for a place of honor in His Kingdom. What was Jesus' question to them ? Mark 10: 35-38.
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11. What was their response to that question as well as the other disciples' response to Him when He spoke about His death ? Mark 10: 39; 14: 31.
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12. Although Jesus had spoken to them of His Cross and the death He must suffer, how did they react when the reality of what was going to happen came upon them ? Mark 14:48-51.
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Having seen that this call involves entering into the fellowship of the Lord's suffering and His agony in Gethsemane, let us trun back to our picture lesson in the History of the Bride. This call is completely unexpected to many, for they have thus far experienced many aspects of the cross in their lives. They have seen the effect of the cross in the forgiveness of their sins, in the world and the corruption of self.
In our studies, the "maiden" has been aware that there is a peculiar suffering attached to the cross, but up until now she has not become aware of its real depth and breadth. She has known in the past the application of the cross to her inward life, but she has not realized the extent of how the cross would mold and shape her whole being.
There is yet another deep phase of the cross in its application to the believer, for in the measure that we would know His resurrection power, we must in the same proportion enter into the fellowship of His Sufferings.
13. How does Paul explain this ? 2 Corin. 4: 10,11.
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It is into the depth and breadth of this death that Jesus now desires to take His Bride.
Date: Monday, June 21, 2004 at 10:24:48 (CDT)
Page No :3
Study: Study 13................PREPARATION OF THE BRIDE................Song of Songs8. Jesus was totally man and totally God. In His humanity, with what was He struggling ? Matt. 26: 39,42 I'm adding the verses on this one.....So you can look VERY closely at this whole passage, and be careful to SEE the context in here. This has been misinterpreted to mean many things. ASK the Lord to show you HIS meaning in this.
38. Then He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me."
39. He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will."
40. Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "What! Could you not watch with Me one hour?
41. Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
42. Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done." )
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9. Although Jesus in His humanity was shrinking back from the cup of suffering, humiliation and death, what was the intent of His Will ? His Suffering then is giving up of HIS SELF WILL.
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There is a moment when, through the revelation of the Spirit, the meaning of conformity to Christ stands revealed. All preconceived ideas vanish, and the believer finds that she has overlooked His reminder that "the servant is not greater than their Lord." Meaning, we too, must drink this cup. The crucified Christ must have crucified followers. She had only thought of His Power and His Glory. He shows us in vs. 38 how stressful a thought that is to us, to give up our Self will, my goodness thats been a part of us all our life. Doing what WE want to do. The thought of giving this up, caused our Lord to Sweat blood over it.
He brought His breatheran to help Him be able to do this, what kind of help were they, they slept right through it, like we do with our bretheran, He showed us again in the fact that this Self will on the cross, was heavier than He could carry alone, and Simeon had to help Him, just as we need help to keep our self will on our cross DAILY, because our flesh is also weak.
Date: Monday, June 14, 2004 at 10:48:35 (CDT)
Page No :2
Study: Study 13PREPARATION OF THE BRIDE In the beginning, we saw that she failed as a "young lamb" to understand the in- tent of His calling. But through the knowledge of the Lord, from reading His Words, and the intimacy we receive from Him, and that He has had of her, she has come to recognize and understand His voice immediately.
4. As Jesus stands, as it were, knocking at the door of her heart, what does He ask her to do ? Song 5: 2.
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Jesus calls for her to enter into deeper fellowship with Him. He does not push His way in. He does not force her to follow. She must always follow Him by her own voluntary consent.
5. By what 4 titles did Jesus address her, and what does each title signify ? Song 5: 2.
TITLE: a. _____________________________________________________
Significance: Matt. 12:50 ________________________________________
TITLE: b._____________________________________________________
Significance: 2 Corin. 3:3________________________________________
TITLE: c.____________________________________________________
Significance: Matt. 3:16__________________________________________
TITLE: d._____________________________________________________
Significance: Heb. 6:12; James 1:12
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6. What figurative language does the Lord use to represent this call and revelation of Himself to His Bride? Song 5:2 Note: the word for damp is literally drops.
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These words may remind us of the tribulation Jesus faced as He entered into His agony at Gethsemane and the Cross.
7. As Jesus was struggling there in prayer, what happened? Luke 22: 44
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Date: Monday, June 07, 2004 at 12:02:41 (CDT)
Page No :1
Study: Study 13PREPARATION OF THE BRIDE
"Gethsemane" The Fellowship of His Sufferings" " We are...fellow heirs with Christ... Sharing His inheritance with Him; Only we must share also His suffering if we are to share His Glory. But what of that ? For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth being com- pared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in us.... For even the whole creation (all of nature) waits expectantly and longs earnestly for God's sons to be made known... Rom. 8: 17-19 Amp. Ver.
So far in our study, there have been three distinct revelations of the Lord Jesus to the Bride:
1. As King, taking possession of the throne of the heart.
2. As the Risen One, bringing her through crucifixion of self (dying to the world and self interests.) into resurrection glory and union with the Lord of Life.
3. As the Lover of New Creation life.
We come now to Jesus' revelation of Himself as "the man of sorrows and acquainted with grief". The Lord desires to bring His loved one into a deeper sense of the fellowship of His sufferings, in order that she may know His heart and might partake of His Glory.
1. What does the Bride say about herself? Song 5:2a
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This picture of the sleeping Bride suggests to us Christ's Bride, whose fleshly activity has ceased. Through the workings of God in her life, she has entered into the Vine-branch relationship; as she abides in Him, she brings forth fruit. The cross has truly been worked into her life. She is asleep to her own separate activ- ities, but ever more awake unto Him. The outward life abides in the rest and calm of the Lord.The inward life is alive and active, her inner self being like "watered garden and like a spring of water whose waters fail not". As we have seen in Song 5:1, she has become a place where the Lord can bring His friends and lovers, and let them feast upon the luscious fruit within.
2. As she "rests in the Lord" she hears a voice. Whose voice does she say it was ? Song 5: 2.
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3. What 3 things does Jesus say characterize His sheep? John 10: 27
a.__________________________________________________________
b.__________________________________________________________
c.__________________________________________________________
Date: Monday, May 31, 2004 at 13:08:51 (CDT)
Page No :15
Study: Study 12...............ANSWERS CONT..................Preparation of the Bride37. Torches
38. The blew the trumpets and broke the pitchers crying, "A sword for the Lord and for Gideon."
39. The came to life, and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.
40. He will give life to our mortal bodies
41. To have a life that is acceptable and well-pleasing unto the Lord.
42. He accepts.
43. That I may lay hold of that for which Christ has laid hold of me.
44. They must call.
45. We must call upon Him and come and pray to Him.
46. We must seek and search for Him with our whole heart.
47. He will be satisfied.
48. His friends, His lovers.
49. Those who have His commandments and keep them--those who do His will.
50. No.
51. A sealed spring.
52. It is sealed.
53. He rolled the stone from the mouth of the well and watered the flock of Labon, His mother's brother.
54. Those who do the will of God.
55. They shall be satified with God's goodness.
56. He desires to feed His sheep on good grazing ground and rich pasture, and to lead them to rest.
57. Feed His Sheep.
End of Study 12
Date: Monday, May 24, 2004 at 11:23:32 (CDT)
Page No :14
Study: Study 12...............ANSWERS CONT.................Preparation of the Bride21. a. A new song.
b. Rejoicing and being glad in Him.
c. Dancing
d. Playing of the timbrel and lyre.
e. Singing for joy on your bed.
f. High Praises.
22. The King's garments smell of myrrh and aloes.
23. He was anointed with myrrh and aloes.
24. Jesus' death was an external manifestation of His love.
25. By enduring trials and persecutions for being a Christian, being reviled for His name and rejoicing with exaltation.
26. They were flogged for their testimony, persecuted, slandered, were considered the scum of the World, yet went away rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.
27. Love is as strong as death, many waters cannot quench love nor will rivers overflow it. If a man were to give all the riches of his house for love, he would be utterly dispised.
28. The garden spring, the well of fresh water, and streams flowing from Lebanon.
29. Rivers of living water are flowing from her innermost being, for the water that the Lord has given has become a well of fresh water which springs up to enternal life.
30. a. That the north and south wind might blow upon her garden that the fragrance may go out.
b. That the Lord may come into His garden and eat its choice fruits.
31. The Spirit of God.
32. The negative and positive circomstances that the Spirit of God brings into your life.
33. Christ be magnified and receive the glory.
34. The house was filled with the fragrance o fthe perfume.
35. Jesus
36. She has done a good deed to me; for the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have Me.
Date: Monday, May 17, 2004 at 10:19:40 (CDT)
Page No :13
Study: Study 12......."Answers"........Preparation of the Bride.......Song of Songs
The Garden of the Lord 1. A rock garden locked, a spring sealed up.
2. He has comforted her waste places, making her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the garden of the Lord. (All Christians have the wilderness experience Spiritually, till we pass our testings.)(Then we experience the garden....)
3. Every open vessel, which has no covering tied down on it, shall be unclean.
4. She has kept herself from worldliness. God jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us; He jealously desires her for Himself.
5. An altar on which sacrifice is made to God.
6. Burnt offerings and peace offerings were offered on it.
7. He walked in the garden and called to Adam, desiring his fellowship.
8. a. An orchard of pomegranates.
b. Choice Fruits
c. Henna with nard plants.
d. Nard and saffron
e. Calamus and cinnamon
f. All the trees of frankincense
g. Myrrh and aloes
h. All the finest spices
9. By dwelling upon God's Word day and night, keeping and speaking His Word.
10. a. She is wiser than her enemies
b. She has more insight than all her teachers.
c. She understands more than the aged.
11. This is a reference to the fruit of the Spirit and beign fruitful in every good work.
12. She used the expression to describe the King.
13. Beholding the glory of the Lord, she is being transformed into the same image.
14. While the King was at His table her perfume, or nard, gave forth its fragrance.
15. She anoited Jesus' feet with spikenard and wiped His feet with her hair.
16. Cinnamon and the finest spices were components of the Holy Anoiting Oil.
17. Frankincense was used to make the priestly incense.
18. It was offered with the prayers of the saints.
19. It was placed on the grain offering.
20. A life of praise and thanksgiving pouring out from the sons of the kingdom unto the Lord of hosts.
Date: Monday, May 10, 2004 at 10:40:01 (CDT)
Page No :12
Study: Study 12.....................Preparation of the Bride.......................Song of Solomon54. Who do the sheep of Laban his mother's brother, represent ? Mark 3: 33-35
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In interpreting this parable, we see that Jacob himself rolled the stone from the mouth of the well and watered those who desired God's will. The well did not water the sheep on its own; it could not, for it was sealed. Someone had to roll away the stone or unseal the well so that the water could flow out. Likewise, with- in us is that everlasting water and that precious fruit that HE has grown. We need not fret and worry about giving out this prescious life...for it is not ours to give. Only Jesus can unlock the garden or unseal the spring. Only He can give per- missioon for others to enter.
No matter how much we might long to witness to someone or desire to share with others, unless the Lord Himself removes the seal from the well, or unlocks the garden, all our striving is in vain.. On the other hand, we may find ourselves in situations where the idea of actually ministering to the person with whom we are speaking is the farthest thing from our mind. Suddenly, we may become aware that the Spirit of God is ministering to that person through us, watering and feeding that soul. What has happened ? The Lord has brought His friends and lovers into His garden. The Lord knows those who are His and those who are thirsty; He is well able to quench their thirst and give them the water of life without cost.
As we have allowed the Lord to cultivate the garden of our soul, He will take what He has grown there and He will feed His sheep.
55. When the souls of the priests are filled, saturated with abundance and fatness, what will happen to God's People ? Jere. 31: 14.
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56. What does the Lord promise to do for His Sheep ? Ezk. 34: 14,15.
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Jesus, as any good Shepherd would do, goes ahead of His sheep, searching for rich grazing areas and fertile ground. In this ground He plants and cultivates rich feed. He takes out any poisionous weeds that would cause harm to His Sheep, checking for any holes that would cause His shepp to stumble and be cast down. Then He goes and gathers His sheep, leading them to the pasture which He has prepared.... Each Sheep comes to Him individually to be fed and watered in His Word. He IS The Word...As we open it up, He is rolling away the stone that He may water and feed us....
Jesus also desires to "cultivate" us so that He can use us in ministering to each other, all under the direction of the Chief Shepherd..
57. If we love the Lord, what will we desire to do ? John 21: 15-17..
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Date: Tuesday, May 04, 2004 at 11:16:21 (CDT)
Page No :11
Study: Study 12..................Preparation of the Bride....................Song of Solomon47. As the Lord sees the "toilsome labor" of His soul when He enters into His garden, what happens ? Isa. 53: 11; Song 5: 1.
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48. Who does the Lord bring with Him into the garden ? Song 5: 1
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49. Who are the Lord's friends and lovers? John 15: 14,15; 14: 21.
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The Lord shares the fruit of the "maidens" life with those who truly love Him with all their heart, soul, mind, body and strength. To these, He gives the inti- mate fruit of the " maidens" life, with which to be satisfied and with which to feed their soul.
50. Is this garden a public garden ? Song 4: 12.
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51. To what kind of spring is the "maiden" compared ? Song 4: 12
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Notice that the "maiden" is a spring sealed up. These fountains are not for public usage nor are they to run at random into every outside place. This is a private garden belonging to the Lord of glory. The spring of waters within it are owned by Him. It is the Lord Himself that invites His friends and lovers to partake of the fruit He has grown there, as well as to drink the living water He has placed there. It is not the "maiden's" perogative or choice to give these things out to those who pass by.
We find a beautiful picture of this in a story about Jacob. Read Gen. 29: 1-10. Jacob is a type of Jesus here... The sons of the east are types of those who have a heart that is open to God.
52. What does this well have in common with the well or spring to which the "maiden" in the Song is compared. Gen. 29:2; Song 4: 12. __________________
53. There were other flocks of sheep waiting to be watered. But what did Jacob (type of Jesus) do when He saw Rachel coming with the sheep of Laban, his mother's brother ? Gen. 29: 9,10
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Date: Monday, April 26, 2004 at 10:27:43 (CDT)
Page No :10
Study: Study 12................Preparation of the Bride.................Song of SolomonOf the multitude that followed Jesus, He had 12 disciples and a few women that were closest to Him. Of those disciples He had 3, Peter, James and John, to whom He revealed Himself on the Mount of Transfiguration in all His Glory. Of the 3, He had 1, John the beloved. John calls himself the disciple whom Jesus loved. When Jesus was crucified, there were 4 people who stood at the foot of the cross--Mary, (the mother of Jesus), Mary (His mother's sister), Mary Magdalene, and John. The other disciples stood at a distance with the multitudes. To so idenify with Jesus' crucifixion meant certain death. Yet, John and these 3 women did not count their lives dear in order that they might be near Him. Jesus said, "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends" John 15:13. These 4 showed by their actions this greater love, that they followed Him all the way to the Cross. Showing us that the many of us, that love Him, do not go all the way of giving up OUR life for Him.
John was the only disciple who did not die a martyr's death. It is the gospel of John that gives us the deepest revelation of who Jesus really was--the very God of the universe Himself. It was to Mary Magdalene that Jesus first revealed Himself after His Resurrection. Mary had stayed at the tomb seeking Him with all her heart. For Jesus said, "He who loves me...I will love them and will disclose myself to them." John 14:21.
Did Jesus have favorites ? No, each disciple, each woman chose for themselves the degree of relationship they desired with the Master. And what we give Him of Our- SELF, is what He gives us of Him-SELF, only running over in comparison...
45. In order to have God listen to us, what must we do? Jere. 29: 12.
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46. What must we do before God will let us find Him ? Jere. 29:13.
There must be a wholeheartedness about our desire and entreating of the Lord. This is perhaps the kind of prayer which most easily gains an answer. It is a deepest longing of the heart for Him to where nothing else in life means more than that, more than Him. This advanced dedication is different from earlier ones. The former and earlier dedication of ourselves to Him is to allow Him to plant and cultivate Hisgarden and to have His way with us. This present committal, however, results from His full work within us. It is offering to Him a life full of His own work and labor of love. It is to give Him the opportunity to enjoy all that has grown up within us.
Date: Monday, April 19, 2004 at 10:28:38 (CDT)
Page No :9
Study: Study 12.................Preparation of the Bride....................Song of SolomonIn conclusion, we find that the "maiden" has entreated the Lord for two things:
1. To bring about any circumstance in her life that He sees fit, to cause the fragrance in her garden to flow out.
2. She invites the Lord to come into the garden Himself and partake of the fruit. So, we too should be able to entreat the Lord to come to us and find the relation- ship and fruit He desires to satisfy the need of His Heart.
41. What is the essence of her prayer here in asking the Lord to come to her and partake of the fruit in her life? Psa. 19: 14; 1 Peter 2: 5; Eph. 5: 10; 2 Corin. 5: 9
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42. How does the Lord respond to her invitation to come into her garden ? Song 5:1
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Every dedication to the Lord is accepted by Him. Each time this "maiden" cried out to the Lord for a deeper union with Him, the Lord responded. This made up her spiritual history. Let us remember that our first dedication to the Lord made us truly His, yet only a deep and earnest desire as well as an invitation on our part will cause the Lord to come to Her garden in this manner.
43. How does Paul explain this desire ? What does he press on to attain ? Phil 3:12.
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44. What condition does the Lord give those who desire to have Him answer them ? Jere. 33: 3
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The God of this universe never imposes His presence or His will upon men without their personal invitation. It is His desire to bring all of His born again ones into intimate union with Himself. Yet, He will never do this against our will. There must be an intense desire to know Him and be close to Him on behalf of those who call upon Him.
Date: Monday, April 12, 2004 at 11:17:12 (CDT)
Page No :8
Study: Study 12..............Preparation of the Bride................Song of Solomon35. For whom was the spikenard which flowed out of the alabaster vial intended? Mark 14: 3.
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Those around the woman scolded her for wasting this costly ointment on Jesus when it could have been given to the poor.
36. Yet, what did Jesus Himself say of the woman's offering of ointment ? Mark 14: 6,7
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This breaking of the soul of man, represented by the alabaster vial, caused the precious ointment to flow out and fill the whole house with its fragrance. But Jesus emphasized in this passage that, more than ministering to others, the sweet smell misistered to Him, doing a good deed unto Him. Likewise, the whole garden of the "maiden's" inner life was for her Beloved and so were its fruits. They are for the sole _purpose of the Lord and for the sole glory of God to do with as He will.
37. We see another picture of the north wind experience in the story of Gideon's army. What was inside the pitchers? Judges 7: 16
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38. As they surrounded the camp of the enemy, what did they do ? Judges 7: 20
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When they smashed the pitchers, the torches could be seen burning brightly. So also as our earthen vessels are broken and brought into subjection through the Spirit of God, the torches of our spirit will be seen burning in the darkness of this world. We will truly be a sword for the Lord.
39. A contrasting picture of the south and north wind experience is found in the prophecy of Ezekiel over the dry bones. When Ezekiel prophesied to the four winds to come and breathe upon the slain, what happened ? Ezk. 37: 9,10.
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The Spirit of God breathing upon our lives has a life giving effect. It will make alive all that is dead within us, bringing it to life.
40. As the Spirit of God breathes upon our garden, what will happen ? Rom. 8: 11.
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This is a south wind experience.
Date: Monday, April 05, 2004 at 11:50:26 (CDT)
Page No :7
Study: Study 12....................Preparation of the Bride........................Song of Solomon31. What does wind in Scripture represent? John 3: 8; Acts2: 2,4
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In the natural, the north wind is very cold and penetrating. In contrast, the south wind is very pleasant, gentle and mild.
32. Of what may the north and south winds be represented ? Phil. 4: 11,12
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We see, then, the north and south winds represent the different circumstances appointed by God to develop the fragrance of the garden, and cause its fragrance to flow out to the world.
33. What does Paul wish to happen through this north and south wind experience? Phil. 1: 20
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The Amplified Version says: "but that with the utmost freedom of speech and un- failing courage, now as always heretofore, Christ, the Messiah, will be magnified and get glory and praise in this body of mine. And be boldly exalted in my person, whether through life or through death..."
The "maiden" has reached a place in her relationship with the Lord where external circumstances are not her delight, but rather the joy of the Lord, Himself, and her delight in Him is her strength.
34. We see a picture of this north wind experience in the breaking of the alabaster vial. What happened when the vial was broken? Mark 14: 3; John 12: 3
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As we are broken by the Spirit of God through north wind experiences, the fragrant perfume of the Spirit will flow out of us and minister to others who are around us. We must also point out in this passage that the ministry of this frag- rance to others was merely a by-product.
Date: Monday, March 29, 2004 at 10:38:57 (CST)
Page No :6
Study: Study 12...................Preparation of the Bride...................Song of Solomon27. This "suffering love", this fragrance that flows from the "maiden's" garden, is described in its extent in the end of the song. What is the extent of this suffering love ? Song 8: 6,7.______________________________________________
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From studying the symbolism of these spices and fruits, we have discovered the following about the soul-life of the believer:
1. Her mind is a paradise of godly thoughts (orchard of pomegranates).
2. She is manifesting the fruit of the Spirit in her life and bringing forth fruit unto God (choice fruits)...
3. She is being transformed into the image of the Lord from glory to glory. His image can be seen in her (henna and nard).
4. She is filled with the fragrance of love and appreciation for the King (nard and saffron).
5. She has been appointed as a holy place set apart as a meeting place for Him alone (calamus and cinnamon).
6. She gives forth the fragrance of a life filled with praise unto God (frankincense).
7. She brings forth the quality of "suffering love", as she follows her Love (myrrh and aloes).
28. What has brought forth this beautiful foilage in her garden or this trans-
formation of her soul-life ? Song 4: 15._______________________________
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29. What happens in the life of the believer? John 7: 38; John 4: 14.
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The well and its water in the midst of the garden is a beautiful parable of the re- newed spirit of the believer in the midst of her soul.
30. What request does the "maiden" make of the Lord ? Song 4: 16
a. __________________________________________________________
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b.___________________________________________________________
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Date: Monday, March 22, 2004 at 10:40:49 (CST)
Page No :5
Study: Study 12................Preparation of the Bride....................Song of Solomon20. What does the frankincense poured out on the grain represent ? Psa. 149: 1-6; Psa. 84: 4
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The fragrance of all the trees of frankincense coming up from the garden of the "maiden" is a reference to "the soothing aroma of a life filled with praise unto God", and that with much variety.
21. List some of the varieties of praise given in Psa. 149: 1-6
a. V.1--______________________________________________________
b. V.2..______________________________________________________
c. V.3..______________________________________________________
d. V.3..______________________________________________________
e. V.5..______________________________________________________
f. V.6..______________________________________________________
22. Finally, found in the garden of the believer are myrrh and aloes. In Psa. 45, " a song celebrating the King's marriage", what is mentioned as having this fragrance?
Psa. 45: 8..____________________________________________________
Garments have to do with all outward attitude, behavior, and external appearances.
(Not what we wear, but what ushers forth from us in love.)
23. With what was Jesus anointed at His death ? John 19: 38-40
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24. Of what was Jesus' death an external manifestation? Rom. 5: 8
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Myrrh and aloes signify "suffering love". Jesus demonstrates His "suffering" love for us. The "maidens" garden smells of this "suffering love".
25. How is she demonstrating this suffering love ? 1 Pet. 4: 12-19.
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26. How did the apostles demonstrate this suffering love ? Acts 5: 40-42; 1 Corin. 4: 9-13.
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Date: Monday, March 15, 2004 at 10:34:14 (CST)
Page No :4
Study: Study 12.....................Preparation of the Bride......................Song of Solomon14. The next plant brought to our attention is the nard or spikenard plant. Prev- iously, when did the "maiden's" nard (perfume) give forth its fragrance ?
Song 1:12 ___________________________________________________
We found earlier that the table was where the "maiden" fed upon the strong meat of God's Word. It was from this intimate communion that this fragrance of spikenard came from the "maiden." Nard is the fragrance of her love and appre- ciation for Him.
15. What did Mary do to express her deep devotion to the Lord? John 12: 3.
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Note that as a result of her expressioon of love toward the Lord, the whole house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. Everyone in her presence was blessed. Likewise, the lives of those believers who go on to KNOW the Lord are filled with this fragrance of appreciation and love for their King.
16. Among other fragrances found in the garden were cinnamon and the finest spices. What other reference do we find in regard to this fragrance ? Ex. 30:23-30.
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Smelling of cinnamon and all the finest spices, the "maiden" has been anointed as a holy place where God can meet with her. As one who has the privilege of ministering to God, she has been anoited as holy unto the Lord, set apart as a meeting place for Him alone.
17. In the garden of the "maiden" was also found all the trees of frankincense. What was one thing for which frankencense was used ? Ex. 30: 34--37.
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18. This incense was offered morning and evening. With what was this incense offered? Rev. 5:8; 8:3,4.
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19. On what sacrificial offering do we find frankincense being placed?? Lev. 2:1
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The grain offering could be brought only with burnt or peace offerings. It could never be offered with the sin offering. This offering relates only to the offerings of those who desire fellowship with the Lord and desire to consecrate their lives to God.
Date: Monday, March 08, 2004 at 11:17:46 (CST)
Page No :3
Study: Study 12.................Preparation of the Bride................Song of Songs9. How is this orchard or paradise of godly thoughts cultivated and grown? Phil. 4:8; Psa.119:44-48,97-105. Briefly summarize...
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10. As a result of this orchard of pomegranates having been grown in the "maiden's" garden (or this paradise of godly thoughts filling the believer's mind), what ability does the believer have? Psa. 119: 98-100
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b.__________________________________________________________
c.__________________________________________________________
So is the life of one whose mind is fixed upon God's Word--to seek fellowship with Him.
11. Secondly, her garden contains "choice fruits". To what is this a reference ? Gal. 5: 22,23; Col. 1:9-11.
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Through the renewing of the mind, the fruit of the Spirit springs forth in the life of the beiever. Through the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, she is bringing forth fruit for every good work.
12. Henna and nard plants were also found in the garden. Previously, what did the "maiden" use henna blossoms to describe ? Song 1: 14.
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The "maiden" has compared the Lord to henna blossoms. In pointing out that these same blossoms were found in the "maiden's" garden, the King signifies that He recognizes His likeness being reproduced in the life of the believer. These blossoms were also used for outward adornment. The Lord recognizes that His likeness is her outward adornment before the World.
13. What is actually happening in her soul ? 2 Corin. 3: 18.
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Date: Monday, March 01, 2004 at 11:51:42 (CST)
Page No :2
Study: Study 12................Preparation Of The Bride................Song of Solomon6. What was offered to the Lord on this Altar ? Deut. 27: 6,7
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From our previous lesson, we learned that "burnt Offerings"and "Peace Offerings" were free-will offerings for those who desired a closer union and fellowship with the Lord. The believer's soul has become the altar of sacrifice through which God can fellowship with His Bride. These "Free Will" Offerings is something the believer does out of love for God, not that it is a commandment in anyway. A burnt offering is our going though our testings without running back to Egypt (the world), where things are more comfortable, and murmurring all the way. We use our Lord's ex. of His wilderness experience, He came to show us the way if we will but remember that. Soon as He recieved the Spirit the Spirit immediately took Him there, before He could do anything else, and He took Him ALONE. The Peace Offerings, is our offerings of being in HIS Will, this is the only thing that brings us PEACE.
7. What do we find the Lord God doing in the garden at the beginning? Gen.3:8,9.
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This was God's orignial thought in creating His man and the garden in which they could fellowship together. The soul of the believer has become a place where the Lord God can walk and talk intimately with the desire of His heart. The Father's desire for fellowship has been fulfilled in her.
8. What grows in the garden or soul of the "maiden" ? Song 4: 13,14.
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b.__________________________________________________________
c.__________________________________________________________
d.__________________________________________________________
e.__________________________________________________________
f.__________________________________________________________
g.__________________________________________________________
h.__________________________________________________________
As we study the symbolism of these spices and fruits, we will learn what the "Brides" garden, her transformed soul-life, was like. The first thing we discover in the garden or soul of the Bride is an orchard of pomegranates. We have previously learned that pomegranates are a type of pure and Godly thoughts. Orchard is a type of: Paradise. The Bride's mind has become a "Paradise of Godly Thoughts".
Date: Monday, February 23, 2004 at 10:44:45 (CST)
Page No :1
Study: Study 12...................Preparation of the Bride..................Song Of SolomonTHE GARDEN OF THE LORD
"Indeed the Lord will comfort Zion; He will comfort all her waste places. And her wilderness He will make like Eden, And her desert like the garden of the Lord; Joy and gladness will be found in her. Thanksgiving and sound of a melody..Isa. 51: 3."
1. What figurative language does the King use to describe the Bride ? Song 4: 12
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One of God's original thoughts at the beginning of creation was a garden. A garden is not ground for mere agricultural purposes, rather it is for the produc- tion of something for beauty and pleasure. Although there may be trees and fruit, it is not for commercial use. It's one objective is to produce flowers and blossoms which are to be gathered as something beautiful and exotic. So it is with the Bride who exists for the pleasure and satisfaction of her Bridegroom the King.
2. What has the Lord done in the life of the "maiden" ? Isa. 51: 3.
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The Garden represents the soul of the believer. It includes all that involves her personality, her mind, emotions, and will. We read in the Song that this is not a public garden, but a garden locked up.
3. What does the Scripture tell us about an open vessel ? Num. 19: 15.
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The "maiden" is set apart, separated unto God for His use only.
4. From what has the "maiden" kept herself, and what is the Lord's attitude toward her ? James 4: 4,5.
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This garden was not only a garden locked up, it was also a rock garden. Which typifies a Stoneheap.
5. What does the reference to a stoneheap typify ? Deut. 27: 5-7
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Date: Monday, February 16, 2004 at 10:33:33 (CST)
Page No :8
Study: Study 11.........ANSWERS.....Preparation of the Bride......Song Of Songs9. Position:
a. He trains my hands for battle.
b. Gives me the shield of His Salvation.
c. Upholds me with His right hand.
d. His gentleness makes me great.
e. He enlarges my steps.
Source of Strength: The Lord girds me with strength.
Purpose and Result:
a. The enemy is subdued.
b. The enemy is turned back and destroyed.
10. My bride.
11. He is one spirit with Him.
12. a. I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.
b. You were not able to receive solid food because you were still fleshly, as babes in Christ.
13. My sister.
14. Because she soes the will of God.
15. Made it beat faster.
16. a. A single glance of her eyes.
b. A single strand of her necklace.
17. Caused him to remember and he went outside and wept bitterly.
18. When your eye is clear, your whole body also is full of light.
19. Through meditating on the Word.
20. The one who loves Him (has His commandments and keeps them).
21. Hearing and not forsaking instruction.
22. It is better than wine.
23. The queen in gold from Ophir.
24. a. Forgetting her people.
b. Forgetting her father's house.
25. The fragrance of her oils is better than all kinds of spices.
26. Manifest the sweet aroma of Him in every place.
27. a. You will be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord.
b. You will be a royal diadem in the hand of your God.
c. The Lord delights in you.
d. As the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so your God will rejoice over you.
28. Her lips drip honey; honey and milk are under her tongue.
29. Wisdom
30. She listened to His voice and walked in His ways.
31. Their fragrance is like the fragrance of Lebanon.
32. The believer has grown and flourished, bearing fruit..Conclusion of Study 11.
Date: Monday, February 09, 2004 at 10:49:36 (CST)
Page No :6
Study: Study 11.................Preparation of the Bride...................Song Of Solomon23. The Palmist David prophesied concerning this great love between the believer and her God in Psalm 45 a psalm celebrating the King's Marriage. There are many noble ladies present, yet who stands at the King's right hand ? Psa. 45: 6-9
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Note: that the Queen is clothed in Gold. Gold represents the Divine or the Divine Nature, and Ophir means: Prescious. The likeness and glory of Jesus is seen upon her.
24. What will cause the King to desire her beauty ? Psa. 45: 10,11.
a.__________________________________________________________
b.__________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
25. What does the King say about His Bride's fragrance ? Song 4: 10
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Oil in the Scriptures is a type of the Holy Spirit. The reference to her oils is a ref. to the release of the Spirit in the life of the believer. This great fragrance has come forth from the brokenness in her life. Her soul powers have been subdued by the spirit of God through the trials and testings of her faith.
26. What has the "Bride" begun to do ? 2 Corin. 2: 14-16
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27. The Lord's rejoicing over His Bride is recorded by the prophet Isaiah. Describe that rejoicing and the way the Lord looks upon this believer. Isa. 62: 3-5.
a.___________________________________________________________
b.___________________________________________________________
c.___________________________________________________________
d.___________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
28. What does the Lord say about the lips and tongue of this believer ? Song 4: 11
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29. What might the honey signify? Prov. 24: 13,14. Note: Honey itself at times illustrates the sweetness of God's Word. Psa. 19: 10; 119: 103. for ex.
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Date: Monday, February 02, 2004 at 11:18:49 (CST)
Page No :6
Study: Study 11....................Preparation of the Bride....................Song Of Songs23. The Palmist David prophesied concerning this great love between the believer and her God in Psalm 45 a psalm celebrating the King's Marriage. There are many noble ladies present, yet who stands at the King's right hand ? Psa. 45: 6-9
____________________________________________________________
Note: that the Queen is clothed in Gold. Gold represents the Divine or the Divine Nature, and Ophir means: Prescious. The likeness and glory of Jesus is seen upon her.
24. What will cause the King to desire her beauty ? Psa. 45: 10,11.
a.__________________________________________________________
b.__________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
25. What does the King say about His Bride's fragrance ? Song 4: 10
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Oil in the Scriptures is a type of the Holy Spirit. The reference to her oils is a ref. to the release of the Spirit in the life of the believer. This great fragrance has come forth from the brokenness in her life. Her soul powers have been subdued by the spirit of God through the trials and testings of her faith.
26. What has the "Bride" begun to do ? 2 Corin. 2: 14-16
____________________________________________________________
27. The Lord's rejoicing over His Bride is recorded by the prophet Isaiah. Describe that rejoicing and the way the Lord looks upon this believer. Isa. 62: 3-5.
a.___________________________________________________________
b.___________________________________________________________
c.___________________________________________________________
d.___________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
28. What does the Lord say about the lips and tongue of this believer ? Song 4: 11
____________________________________________________________
29. What might the honey signify? Prov. 24: 13,14. Note: Honey itself at times illustrates the sweetness of God's Word. Psa. 19: 10; 119: 103. for ex.
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Date: Monday, January 26, 2004 at 07:56:04 (CST)
Page No :5
Study: Study 5PREPARATION OF THE BRIDE A process of strengthening and enlarging, a transformation from glory to glory, must take place. For Jesus to reveal the fulness of Himself to us when we first come to Him would be like a man who has lived in a dark cave for many years being suddenly brought out into the full strength of the noonday sun. This man must be taken through varying degrees of light before his eyes can bear the sun in full strength. So it is with us spiritually..
14. What is the "maiden's" desire? Song 2:6
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Note: Hand in the Scripture symbolizes the will in action..
15. What does the right hand of God signify? Mark 16:19; Psa. 45:9; Rev. 3:21
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16. The Psalmist David was a man after God's own heart. How did he express this desire to experience the love of God? Psa. 27:4; Psa. 42:1,2,7; Psa. 84:10.
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17. After this great experience with the Lord, in what position do we find the "maiden"? Song 2:7..______________________________________________
From the hour the Bride says, "Draw me, I will run after Thee," the Lord tests her surrender, and shows her more clearly the conditions of oneness with Him and His life. The Lord tests her and finds that she steadily purposes to follow on to know the Lord. Her will is so fixed on this one purpose that the Lord will now be able to lead her through deeper testings without the delay of reasoning or hesitation. The Lord now desires a time of spiritual rest for His beloved before He calls her to arise and follow on, so that she may be filled with all the fulness of God....
Date: Monday, January 19, 2004 at 10:43:44 (CST)
Page No :4
Study: Study 11....................Preparation of the Bride...................Song of Songs12. What did Jesus and Paul say about this ? John 16: 12; 1 Corin. 3: 1-3.
a.__________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
b.__________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
The believer in this Song has come to a place of maturity that she could share in the sufferings of Christ. The believer has entered into such an intimate relation- ship with the Lord that He could share His plans and desires with her, as well as receive love and affection from her. With such a beliver, the Lord will share the intimate and deep things of His heart. The believer has entered into such a union with Him that her spirit responds as His spirit--being quenched when His Spirit is quenched, rejoicing when He rejoices, weeping when He weeps.
13. What else does the King call His Bride ? Song 4: 9
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14. Why does He call His Bride His Sister ? Matt. 12: 50
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We are his sister because He is our Elder Brother, in the Spirit, and in the Spirit there is neither male nor female. And as a believer, born again with his Spirit in us, we are in the Jewish tradition, already married to Him, the betrothal is as strong as a marriage contract. And whoever does the will of His Father are one with Him. Brother, Sister, Mother etc.
15. What has the Bride done to the King's heart ? Song 4: 9.
__________________________________________________________
Jesus has found satisfaction with the believer's love. She has caused His heart to rejoice over her. The King finds satisfaction in being close to her.
16. What two things have ravished the heart of the King ? Song 4: 9
a._________________________________________________________
b._________________________________________________________
The message of the eye can be very eloquent.
17. What did one glance o fthe Lord's eye do to Peter ? Luke 22: 61,62.
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Date: Monday, January 12, 2004 at 10:36:51 (CST)
Page No :3
Study: Study 11...................Preparation of the Bride.....................Song Of SongsThat which we are confronted with before experiencing the spiritual elevation into the realm of the heavenlies is no more than the enemy's work upon the earth. Experience in the heavenly realm brings us to the enemy's hide-out, that we may come to grips with him face to face, in order to break his power. And to also ex- perience the higher heavenlies, as did Paul..2Corin. 12:1-4.
9. The Psalmist gives a prophetic word concerning this same experience. Analyze Psa. 18: 33-42. Position (vs. 33)___________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Preparation:
a. Vs. 34____________________________________________________
b. " 35____________________________________________________
c. " 35_____________________________________________________
d. " 35_____________________________________________________
e. " 36_____________________________________________________
Source of strength: (Vs. 39)______________________________________
Purpose and Result:
a. Vs. 39____________________________________________________
b. " 40_____________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
This is a beautiful type of a Warrior of God, of the overcomer. God's desire for the "maiden" is to enter into spiritual warfare in the heavenlies and to totally sub- due the enemy under her feet as hse learns to overcome through the blood of the Lamb..
10. For the first time, how does the Lord address the "maiden" ? Son 4: 8
___________________________________________________________
11. What does the Word say about the man who is joined to the Lord ?
1 Corin. 6: 17.________________________________________________
The one who is joined to the Lord is one with Him in thought, desire, and will. John 17: 18-20. Then he is "one spirit" with the Lord.
In calling the "maiden" His Bride, the King is expressing that His desire for her is as her desire for Him. The King looks upon her as one in whom He could confide and with whom He could share everything. Her affections for Him have gone be- yond the ordinary, and she is capable of entering into deep intimacy with God. Both Jesus and Paul speak of this entering into deep intimacy with the Lord in which He reveals the deep things of the His heart.
Date: Monday, January 05, 2004 at 11:15:02 (CST)
Page No :2
Study: Study 11...................Preparation Of The Bride...................Song Of Songs4. Not only does the Lord call her into a deeper identification with His death, but in what else does He call her to share ? Song 4: 8.
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The King desires the "maiden" to look out at the World from the Mountain top. This is a type of His calling her to join Him in His resurrection Victory, and to SEE the nothingness of the World, in comparison....
5. Where is Christ seated ? Eph. 1:20
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6. What are we exhorted to do ? Col. 3: 1-4
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We learned earlier that the "leaping" upon or "journeying upon the mountain" is a type of the Resurrection power of the Lamb in His exaltation above the kingdoms of this world. The risen Lord desires for her to look with Him from the top.
Amana means integrity and truth.
Senir means a coat of mail.
Hermon means destruction.
In integrity and through the revelation of the truth, covered with the whole Armor of God, and hidden in Him who was manifested to destroy the works of the devil, the "maiden" is exhorted to look and see that she is seated far above every principality and power because of the triumphant victory at Calvary.
7. What else will she encounter there in the heavenlies ? Song 4: 8b
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Not only has a call been given to the "maiden" to enter into a deeper identification with the Lord's death and resurrection, but a call has also been given to enter into spiritual warfare as indicated by the dens of lions and the mountains of leopards which inhabit the very regions of the heavenlies.
8. Where is our battle and against whom do we fight ? Eph. 6: 12.
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Date: Monday, December 29, 2003 at 10:53:40 (CST)
Page No :1
Study: Study 11...................Preparation of the Bride....................Song of SongsTHE DESIRE OF THE KING
Listen, O Daughter, give attention and incline your ear; Forget your people and your father's house; Then the King will desire your beauty; Because He is your Lord, bow down to Him....Psa. 45: 10,11.
Throughout the Song, the Lord always shows Himself at the place to which He desires to draw the soul. He is the magnet of the story.
1. Where does the Lord desire to draw the "maiden" ? Song 4: 6
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The hill of frankincense historically is Calvary. We studied earlier that myrrh has many uses. Among those, we noted that it was for an embalming spice; it was used to take away "wrinkles"; aand was used in the "anoiting" oil of Aaron. Through these types, the Lord is calling the "maiden" into a deeper union with His death that all wrinkles might be taken away in order that she might come forth with greater anoiting, even the anoiting of the High Priest Himself.
The more we die to self, the more His life can come forth through us. 2 Corin.4:10
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____________________________________________________________
2. What does Paul say will bring abut a deeper knowledge of Him ? Phil. 3:10.
a.___________________________________________________________
b.___________________________________________________________
c.___________________________________________________________
The desire of this "maiden" from the beginning was to be drawn into intimate fellowship with her Lord. The path is one of total death to self. Through this death, there will spring up within a transcendent overcoming power, a greater degree of spiritual perception, a closer relationship between the soul and God, and a more complete deliverance from this wilderness world. The Lord sends forth a call to come up higher to victory.
3. What question does the Lord continue to ask the "maiden" ? Mark 10: 37,38
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Date: Monday, December 22, 2003 at 10:36:04 (CST)
Page No :18
Study: Study 10.......ANSWERS CONT........Preparation of the Bride........Song of Songs9. a. By faith they conquered kingdoms.
b. Performed acts of righteousness.
c. Obtained promises.
d. Shut the mouths of Lions.
e. Quenched the power of Fire.
f. Escaped the edge of the Sword.
g. From weakness were made strong.
h. Became mighty in war.
i. Put foreign armies to flight.
j. Were persecuted, tortured and martyred.
k. Men of whom the world was not worthy.
10. Be not sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
VII. The Breasts
1. Your two breasts are like two fawns, twins of a gazelle, which feed among the lilies.
2. The breastplate of faith and love.
3. The breastplate of righteousness and judgement.
4. A skillful workman.
5. We must be exercised in the word of righteousness, having our senses trained to discern good and evil.
6. The Urim and the Thummim were used to judge the sons of Israel and to inquire before the Lord.
7. a. That you may receive a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.
b. That the eyes of yfour heart may be enlightened.
8. That you may know:
a. What is the hope of His calling.
b. What are the riches of the Glory of His inheritance in the saints.
c. What is the surpassing greatness of His Power toward us who believe.
9. Order on Order, order on order, line upon line, line upon line, a little here, a little there, precept by precept.
10. A mature or perfect man; the measure of the stature which belongs to the ful- ness of Christ.
11. It is through the washing of the water of the Word that we are perfected. The Word of God divides our soul and spirit and judges the thoughts and intentions of the Heart.
12. a. They were tried and refined, were oppressed, went through fire and water, purified as gold and silver.
b. They were brought into a place of abundance and were tried so that they might offer to God offerings in righteousness.
13. You are to be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect.
14. They are feeding among the lilies.
15. They are being fed by the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers and are being built together with the rest of the joints (members of the body), being built into maturity. (The End of Study 10)
Date: Monday, December 15, 2003 at 11:23:07 (CST)
Page No :17
Study: Study 10....Answers Cont.....Preparation of the Bride...Song of SongsV. The Temples:
1. Your temples are like a slice of a pomegranate behind your veil.
2. He desires the meditation of his heart to be acceptable in God's sight. He desires
that God would search his heart and try his thoughts to reveal any hurtful thing.
3. Pomegranates.
4. A pillar in the temple of God.
5. The weapons of her warfare are not of the flesh but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses (Strongholds)...
a. Destroying speculations
b. Destroying every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God.
c. Taking every thought captive to the Obediance of Christ.
VI. The Neck
1. The neck is like the tower of David built with rows of stones, on which are hung
a thousand shields, all the round shields of the mighty men.
2. The are obstinate, and their neck is an iron sinew.
3. It suggests strength against the enemy.
4. David was a man after God's own heart whose will was to do ALL the will of God.
5. The former dominion (which Adam Lost) will come to you, O tower of the flock.
6. Shields
7. The shield of faith, which is able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one.
8. a. Might men of valor.
b. Trained for war.
c. Who could handle shield and spear.
d. Whose faces were like the faces of lions.
e. Who were as swift as the gazelles on the mountains.
Date: Monday, December 08, 2003 at 14:06:31 (CST)
Page No :16
Study: Answers......Study 10.......Preparation of The Bride........Song of SolomonIII. The Teeth:
1. Like a flock of newly shorn ewes which have come up from their washing, all of which bear twins.
2. Those who are accustomed to the word of righteousness, those who are mature, and those who, because of practice, have their senses trained to descern good and evil.
3. The washing of the water of the Word.
4. These ewes have been newly shorn of their wool.
5. Wool is a type of the early life that the Lord has cursed.
6. The twins are a type of "balance", for sound wisdom has two sides.
7. The Mature.
8. To do the Father's Will.
9. Wisdom and very great discernment and breadth of mind, like the sand that is on the seashore.
IV. The Lips:
1. The lips are like a scarlet thread, and the mouth is lovely.
2. We find the scarlet thread mentioned in the story of Rahab. The thread brought redemption to Rahab and her household.
3. a. Preaching the gospel.
b. Announcing peace and salvation.
c. Saying to Zion, " Your God Reigns ! "
d. Shouting joyfully.
4. They have flattering lips and a tongue speaking great things. Their lips are their own and they do not submit to the Lordship of Jesus.
5. They are Pure Words; as silver tried in a furnace on the Earth, refined Seven times.
6. No lie was found in their mouth; they are blameless.
7. If any one does not stumble in what he says; he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body.
Date: Monday, December 01, 2003 at 10:20:12 (CST)
Page No :15
Study: Study 10......ANSWERS......Preparation of the Bride......Song of Songs1. The Eyes
1. Your eyes are like doves behind your veil.
2. a. That God may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.
b. That the eyes of your understanding may be enlightened to know the hope of His calling, the riches of the glory of His inheritance and the greatness of His Power toward us.
3. He has blinded the minds of the unbelieving that they may not see the light of the Gospel of the Glory of God.
4. Leah's eyes were weak.
5. She was beautiful of form and face. Jacob loved her more than Leah.
6. By being accustomed to the word of righteousness, and practicing it, partaking of the solid food or strong meat of the Word.
7. A plumb line.
8. A plumb line with seven eyes on the plummet stone which are the seven
eyes of the Lord that move to and fro over the earth.
9. a. Spirit of Wisdom.
b. Spirit of Understanding
c. Spirit of Counsel.
d. Sprit of Strength
e. Spirit of Knowledge.
f. The fear of the Lord.
g. Quick understanding.
10. They were full of eyes.
II. The Hair
1. Your hair is like a flock of goats that have descended from Mount Gilead.
2. The hair is a type of Separation unto God.
3. His strength left him and he became like any other man.
4. a. Burnt Offerings
b. Peace Offerings.
5. The eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.
6. For the curtains for a tent over the Tabernacle.
7. "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men."
Date: Monday, November 24, 2003 at 10:21:32 (CST)
Page No :14
Study: Study 10..............PREPARATION OF THE BRIDE.............Song Of Songs13. When the individual believer as well as the corporate Bride of Christ has been judged by God and has been perfected, what commandment of Jesus will they fulfill ? Matt. 5: 48..
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Notice the development, balance and progression of the breasts or breastplate of the believer:
Faith > Righteousness > "Lights"
Love > Judgement > "Perfection"
The breasts of the Bride are compared to a fawn, which is a young deer. A fawn is very sensitive as are these qualities of the Spirit.
14. Where are these fawns feeding ? Song 4: 5
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We discovered in an earlier study that the "lilies" was a type of those saints with dedicated and pure hearts toward God.
15. From where are these "fawns" receiving their food, that they might become fully developed ? Eph. 4: 11-13, 16.
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_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
All those who have progressed this far in their spiritual walk have, according to Paul, been:
Renewed in the spirit of your mind, And put on the new self, Which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; The old things passed away; and behold, all things have become new. Eph. 4: 23, 24; 2 Corin. 5: 17.
Date: Monday, November 17, 2003 at 11:02:11 (CST)
Page No :13
Study: Study 10...............PREPARATION OF THE BRIDE.............Song of SongsFAITH--(Belief in God's Word) Produces: Righteousness-- (The ability to stand before God without fear, condemnation or guilt.)
Which produces : Lights--- (Supernatural revelation of the Word of God by which God makes known His Counsel and His Will.)....
Let us look at the "twin" of the Urim as the Song compared the breasts to twins.
Thummin means perfections. The Thummin represents the perfect measurement by which the believer is being judged and also judging others.
10. What is the measurement by which we are being judged ?? Eph. 4: 13
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________________________________________________________
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11. How are we perfected and transformed into the likeness of Christ ? Eph. 5: 26,27; Heb. 4: 12,13.
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We must also note that AS we submit to the love of God, He Judges our lives.
12. What does the Scripture say concerning this judgement, and what was the result ? Psa. 66: 10-12; Mal. 3: 2,3.
a. ______________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
b._______________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
Notice the development:
Love--- ( It is the love of God which brings men to repentance and into a relationship as a son of God.) Which produces:
Judgement--- ( God corrects and disciplines every Son and Daughter He receives ) Which produces:
Perfections---( Recieving correction purifies and refines the life, bringing about: (true holiness.)....
Date: Monday, November 10, 2003 at 10:45:20 (CST)
Page No :12
Study: Study 10...............PREPARATION OF THE BRIDE...............Song of Songs5. Applying this spiritually, to be able to judge with the righteous judgements which the breastplate is a type of; in what type of skill must we be exercised? Heb. 5: 13,14.
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The breasts of the Bride typify that the Bride has been developed in faith and in love. Through studying the Word diligently, she has become skilled in the Word of righteousness. By reason of use, her senses have been exercised to discern or judge between good and evil..
6. What was carried inside the breastplate of judgement and for what were they used? Ex. 28: 30; Num. 27: 21.
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_________________________________________________________
Urim means Light. Urim is a type of the supernatural revelation of the Word of God. It is by this revelation that God makes known His counsel and His Will.
7. What was Paul's prayer for the believer ? Eph. 1: 17,18.
a.________________________________________________________
b.________________________________________________________
c.________________________________________________________
Revelation knowledge is deeper than "faith" knowledge. However, we must first have faith before we can receive revelation from the Word.
9. How does God give revelation, teach knowledge and interpret a message from the Word ? Isa. 28:9,10.
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Faith knowledge is like understanding the basic math, multipication, subtraction, etc. Revelation knowledge is like understanding geometry. Unless there has been a line upon line understanding of basic math, geometry can never be understood. So it is with the Word of God. Notice the progression of development in the breastplate of the Bride....
Date: Monday, November 03, 2003 at 10:23:02 (CST)
Page No :11
Study: Study 10....................Preparation of the Bride..................Song Of SongsV11. THE BREASTS
In this parable of the Bride, we come to the SEVENTH feature, which COMPLETES the picture of the individual believer who is pressing on in God. This parable is a corporate (the whole body) description of the Bride of Christ as well.
1. Describe the 7th feature that is mentioned here..Song 4: 5.
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
2. In our Spiritual armor, what is our breastplate? 1 Thess. 5: 8..
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3. What are the two other spiritual qualities of our breastplate Eph.6:14; Ex.28:15.
________________________________________________________
The breastplate of judgement was worn by the High Priest who went within the veil to minister to the Lord. Through the blood of Jesus, the way has been opened into the holiest of holies for us, that we too may enter. In studying this portion of the high Priest's clothing, we can discover some truths about the priesthood of the believer. We have been called to be Priests and Kings.
The two breasts of types of the inward qualities of faith and love. The faith within produces righteousness (right standing with God), for it is written that Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him as righteousness. The result of love is the ability to judge with righteous judgement. Also, it is the love of God that causes judgement to come on the Church and the World. As it is written in Heb. 12:8, "But if you are without discipline...then you are illegitimate children and not sons. "
Therefore, it is written in the Song that they are as twins. The balance one another. Lets look into this further....
4. In constructing the breastplate of judgement, what type of workman must one be? Ex. 28: 15...
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Date: Monday, October 27, 2003 at 08:09:10 (CST)
Page No :10
Study: Study 10.................Preparation of the Bride..................Song of Songs8. Describe these mighty men to whom the shields belonged. 1 Chron. 12: 8
a. _______________________________________________________
b. _______________________________________________________
c. _______________________________________________________
d. _______________________________________________________
e. _______________________________________________________
We can make a spiritual application as follows: The Bride's will and desire to do the will of God has been strengthened through the example and faith (shields) of these might men of valor. We note from the passage that these men were skilled in "tearing down the strongholds of satan.' They were said to have faces like lions. The Lion in Scripture is a type of Kingly authority. Jesus Himself being the Lion of Judah. These men had the authority of the King upon their lives. When the enemy looked into their faces, it was the same as looking into the face of Jesus. They were said to be as swift as the gazelles on the mountains. In our earlier studies, we noted that this refers to Jesus in His Resurrection Power. These are men that were led by the Spirit of God and follow the Lamb in His Resurrection Power.
9. How are the might men of God described by Paul ? Heb. 11: 32-40
a.________________________________________________________
b.________________________________________________________
c.________________________________________________________
d.________________________________________________________
e.________________________________________________________
f.________________________________________________________
g.________________________________________________________
h.________________________________________________________
i.________________________________________________________
j.________________________________________________________
k.________________________________________________________
10. What are we exhorted to do ? Heb. 6: 12
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_________________________________________________________
Therefore, through these examples of faith, the Bride has been strengthened to do the will of God.
Date: Monday, October 20, 2003 at 07:34:51 (CDT)
Page No :9
Study: Study 10......................Preparation of the Bride.....................Song of SongsVI. THE NECK
1. Describe the neck of the Bride.. Song 4: 4
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________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
2. Contrast the description of the neck of those who are disobediant to God. Isa. 48: 4.
________________________________________________________
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The neck in Scripture is a type of " the will " ... in submission to the will of God.
3. What does describing the Bride's neck or will as a tower suggest.? Psa. 61: 3
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4. This tower is called the tower of David. The will of the Bride is said to be a stronghold of strength against the enemy, as was David. What was the secret of David's strength ? Act 13: 22.
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In having a submissive will toward God, we see the Bride's will as a tower of strength fixed on one purpose--to do all of God's will.
5. What promise do those have whose will is as a tower of strength fixed to do God's Will ? Micah 4:8
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________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
This tower, to which the will of the Bride is compared, was a tower built as an armory, a storehouse for weapons.
6. What type of weapons were they??? Song 4: 4
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7. In the weapons of our warfare, what is our shield, and what is its purpose? Eph. 6:16..
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Date: Monday, October 13, 2003 at 08:07:30 (CDT)
Page No :8
Study: Study 10.......................Preparation of the Bride.....................Song of SongsV. THE TEMPLES:
1. Describe the temples of the Bride. Song 4:3.
_________________________________________________________
The temples represent the seat of man's thoughts. In describing the temples as a sliced pomegranate, we see that the thoughts of the Bride are opened and exposed before God. Notice that the temples are veiled from the outward world, but open and laid bare before God.
2. How does the psalmist describe the openness of thought toward God ? Psa. 19: 14; 139: 23,24.
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
So it is with one whose thoughts are open toward God.
The seeds of the pomegranate are crystal seeds tinged with red. Likewise, the thoughts of the Bride have been cleansed and purified. Her thoughts are as pure and clear as Crystal, from the fires of her purification, and allowing the light of God and the wisdom of God to shine through them. Wisdom obtained only from God in His Word, and rewards through obediance. Her thoughts have been redeemed, signified by the red color...
3. What was found carved on the pillars of Solomon's temple ? 1 Kings 7: 20..
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4. To what are the overcomers likened ? Rev. 3: 12..
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The Bride has laid her thoughts bare before the Most High God to be tried and tested. As a result, her thoughts have been purified and refined that the light of God might shine through. She has qualified as an overcomer..
5. What are the weapons of her warfare, and what are they able to do ? 2 Corin. 10: 3-5...
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a. _______________________________________________________
b.________________________________________________________
c.________________________________________________________
Date: Monday, October 06, 2003 at 10:21:53 (CDT)
Page No :7
Study: Study 10...............Preparation of the Bride...............Song Of Solomon1V. The Lips:
1. Describe the lips and mouth of the Bride. Song 4: 3.
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2. Where else do we find the scarlet thread mentioned in Scripture, and what is it a type of ? Josh. 2: 18,19.
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The scarlet thread brought redemption to Rahab and her household, In comparison, the lips of the Bride bring redemption and deliverance to mankind.
3. What are the lips of the Bride speaking ? Rom. 10:14,15; Isa. 52: 7-10
a. v.14____________________________________________________
b. v. 7____________________________________________________
c. v. 7____________________________________________________
d. v.8____________________________________________________
The lips of the Bride are not only speaking of redemption to others, but her lips themselves have been redeemed and brought under the Lordship and cleansing of Jesus.
4. Describe the contrast of the lips of the heathen who reject His authority. Psa. 12: 3,4.
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5. Because the Bride truly loves her Lord, she meditates upon His Word day and night. As a result, her lips overflow with the Word of God. Describe God's Word..Psa. 12: 6
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6. What was not found in themouth of the overcomer's, and what are they considered to be ? Rev. 14:4,5
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7. This goes along with what teaching in James ? James 3:2
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Date: Monday, September 29, 2003 at 08:36:59 (CDT)
Page No :6
Study: Page 6Study 10...............PREPARATION OF THE BRIDE.............Song of SongsThe priests who ministered to the Lord within the veil were not allowed to enter with woolen garments upon them or with anything that caused them to sweat. Wool is a type of the earthly life that the Lord has cursed. The ewes shorn of their wool, which caused them to be deceptive in size and weight, describes the renewed mind which has been shorn of the wisdom of this world, freed from the curses of this earth and renewed in the wisdom and knowledge of God.
6. The Song speaks of each tooth having a "twin". As we have seen the teeth to signify the mind renewed in the wisdom of God, what might "twins" signify? Job 11: 5,6; Eccl. 7: 18.
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Twins then speaks to us of the balance of wisdom as the believer grows in the wisdom and knowledge God. The believer has learned to hold fast to former truths while she is grasping and learning to walk in new truth and understanding. He feeds us here a little, there a little, but will not go on feeding until we have learned to walk in what He has already given us, before He gives us more...
7. We have learned earlier that the Bride has been feasting at King Solomon's table and eating the strong meat found there. For whom is the strong meat of the Word of God ? Heb. 5: 14.
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8. What did Jesus say was His Meat ? John 4 : 34.
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9. King Solomon himself ( a type of Christ) when he was anointed King asked God not for riches or honor, but for wisdom to rule His people. So, what did God give him ? 1 Ki. 4: 29,30.
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This is a beautiful type of the renewed mind, full of the balance of wisdom and discernment.
Date: Monday, September 22, 2003 at 07:22:35 (CDT)
Page No :5
Study: Study 10............Preparation of the Bride.............Song of Songs7. What is one of the first things said about the Bride of Christ in Rev. 21:2,3
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III. THE TEETH:
1. To what are the teeth of the Bride compared ? Song 4:2
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The teeth indicate the ability to appropriate food. This reference then denotes the ability to receive and appropriate the provision of the Lord and to partake of the strong meat of the Word.
2. Who are those who can eat the "strong meat" of the Word ? Heb. 5: 13,14.
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According to the Song, the teeth are seen as a flock of shorn ewes which have come up from the "washing".
3. What "washing" has the Bride received ? Eph. 5: 26
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As we receive the Word of God and meditate on it, our mind is washed and renewed.Therefore, taking the teeth to signify the mind, we discover that these ewes coming up from their washing signify that the mind of the Bride has been washed in the water of the Word, and has been transformed, sanctified and cleansed.
4. What has just happened to these ewes ? Song 4:2
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5. What might wool typify in the Scripture ? Ezk. 44:17,18; Gen. 3:17-19.
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Date: Monday, September 15, 2003 at 06:42:43 (CDT)
Page No :4
Study: Study 10..................Preparation of The Bride.................Song Of SongsSo it is with this life of the Bride. The strength of God is manifested only as she remains separated unto His will and for His Pleasure.
4. The hair of the Bride is described as a flock of goats that have descended from Mt. Gilead. Mt. Gilead was the mountain on which the sheep and goats grazed, awaiting sacrifice in the temple. Showing forth the type and shadow, of our sacrifices that we make by living according to the will of God. We are His Sheep that grazes ever so quietly, in His Lush Green Valleys, under His watchful eye, as He cares for us. What were two of the offerings in which goats were given for the sacrifice ? Lev. 1:10 ; 3:6.
a._______________________________________________________
b._______________________________________________________
The Burnt Offerings ( as we are tried by Fire) and the Peace Offerings were fellowship offerings. They were freewill offerings (we must do our offerings willing) not grudgingly, because of our love for Him, to please Him. This has to be the motive of the heart to the Lord. The burnt offerings are also symbolized as the entire surrender to God of the individual. As a man gave the offering voluntarily, he was offering up his own body as a living sacrifice to live a life pleasing to God. The peace offering was a sacrifice offered in communion with God, given on behalf of those who desired a closer fellowship with God. Consequently, the reference to the "maiden's" hair being like a flock of goats points to a consecrated and dedicated offering of ourselves to the Lord. In such a dedication lies the strength and obediance of the believer.
5. What promise do those have who have wholly given themselves unto God and desire most earnestly His fellowship ? 2 Chron. 16:9.
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6. What was goat hair used for in the construction of the tabernacle ? Ex. 26:7.
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The Tabernacle in the wilderness was where God met with Israel. The curtains of goat hair or skin covered the place wher God met with man, and designated the meeting place of those set apart by God. The reference to the "maiden's" hair being as a flock of goats represents that her life is a place where God is tabernacling, and that she is being built together with other members of the flock (Body) as a dwelling of God in the Spirit.
Date: Monday, September 08, 2003 at 12:57:25 (CDT)
Page No :3
Study: Study 10.....................Preparation of the Bride...................Song of Solomon9. What are the seven eyes, or the seven spirits of God to which Jesus desires His Chruch to measure up ? Rev. 5:6; Isa. 11:2,3...
a._______________________________________________________
b._______________________________________________________
c._______________________________________________________
d._______________________________________________________
e._______________________________________________________
f._______________________________________________________
g._______________________________________________________
10. In Ez. we find a symbolic description of the overcomers. What is written about their spiritual insight ? Ez. 1: 18.
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Finally, these eyes are behind the Bride's veil. The people of this world cannot see or understand what a believer with spiritual insight sees. Spiritual perceptions must be hidden from the world. Some believers flippantly, and without discrimination, express the things that they have received from the Spirit of God, to those who do not have the spirit of God within them, consequently cannot understand it, and it makes them look down on the Christians, so we see that the eyes of the Bride are veiled, lest she cast her pearls before swine or cast what is holy to the dogs.
Even Christians with the Spirit of God within them, that have not yet grown to Maturity, and does not yet have spiritual insight, also cannot understand those who do. So they think your talking some "other" doctrine to them, and again your casting your pearls to one who does not understand, and will bring down condemnation on you. Test the spirits, before you speak, if one is able to understand or not. Paul got mad at the Corin. for still being carnal, so he could not go on to teach them . 1 Corin. 3:1-3
II. THE HAIR
1. Describe the hair of the Bride. Song:4:1..
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2. What may long hair signify in Scripture ? Num. 6: 1-5.
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3. Samson's separation unto God was the secret of his strength. When his hair was cut, or his separation unto God was broken, what happened. ? Judges 16:17.
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Date: Monday, September 01, 2003 at 07:15:39 (CDT)
Page No :2
Study: NOTE: Last week Page Num. was wrong should have been Page 1 Not 7Study 10................Preparation Of The Bride................Song Of Songs
In Contrast, the "maiden" is described as one whose eyes have been opened to see the Light of the Gospel of the Glory of God.
4. What is said about Leah ? Gen. 29:17..
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Leah represents those believers of weak spiritual insight..
5. What is said about Rachel ? Gen. 29: 17,18,30
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Jacob, who represents a type of Jesus, fulfilled his lawful duty to Leah. Yet, he loved Rachel more. Rachel represents those who are strong in spiritual things and those who walk in holiness before the Lord. Beauty in Scripture often represents holiness.
6. How is this spiritual insight, "doves' eyes", developed in one's life ? Heb. 5: 13,14.
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In Eph. 4:13 we are told that we are all being built up until we become a mature person and reach the measure of the stature which belongs to the fulness of Christ.
7. In Amos we see the Lord Measuring His People. With what is He measuring them? Amos 7: 7,8.
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A plumb line, according to Webster's Dict, is a weight on the end of line used espec- ially by builders to show vertical direction.
8. We find out more about this plumb line in Zech. Describe this plumb line. Zech. 4: 9,10; 3:9. And literally means: Plummet Stone.
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The significance of the plumb line is this: Jesus is measuring His people by the Plumb line of complete spiritual insight. The number 7 means: completion, or spritual per fection. In Isaiah we find out what this measurement is:
Date: Monday, August 25, 2003 at 06:43:17 (CDT)
Page No :7
Study: Study 10..................Preparation of the Bride.................Song of SongsTHE BEAUTY OF THE NEW CREATION In our previous study we have seen that the believer has become to the Lord a crown of beauty. His Bride has become a royal diadem upon His Head. There follows a praise to the Bride from the lips of the King, describing the beauty of the New Creation. There are seven attributes described here which point to the spiritual perfection of the New Creation. The beauty of the Bride is spoken of in natural terms, yet as we look into the parable, we receive spiritual insight and understanding of the attributes of the New Creation of God and of the individual believer who is going on in maturity to know the Lord..
"But blessed are your eyes, because they see; And your ears, because they hear. For truly I say to you, That many prophets and righteous men desired to see what yousee, and did not see it; And to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.. Matt. 13:16,17.
1. THE EYES
1. What is the first feature of the Bride that is mentioned, and how does the King describe it ? Song 4: 1..
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The King, beholding the presence of the Holy Spirit, represented by the dove in the eyes of the Bride, ses her as the temple of the Holy Spirit. The eyes like doves point to spiritual insight. The ability to perceive things in the Spirit is one of the most prominent features in those going on to maturity. Dove's eyes, too, can only focus on one thing at a time. The "maiden", likewise, has single vision: eyes only focused on Jesus and His will.
2. What prayer does Paul pray concerning Spiritual insight ? Eph. 1: 17-19
a._______________________________________________________
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b._______________________________________________________
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3. What has the god of this world done ? 2 Corin. 4:4
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Date: Monday, August 18, 2003 at 07:24:43 (CDT)
Page No :7
Study: Study 9......Answers.......Preparation of the Bride......Song of Songs1. After the valley of Achor there is renewed hope and joy.
2. Husband instead of Master.
3. From the Wilderness.
4. He came out in the power of the Spirit.
5. They were destroyed.
6. No. Their children also did.
7. Columns of Smoke.
8. a. God led Israel in a pillar of cloud by day.
b. At the outpouring of the Spirit.
c. The prayers of the saints went up before God with the smoke of the incense. (the believers are the saints, and the incense was the foreshadow of our prayers.)
9. a. Myrrh
b. Frankincense
c. All scented powders of the merchant.
10. The intercessory prayer life of the Priest..(which we are called to be)..
11. The traveling couch of Solomon.
12. a. Not uniting the Word they heard with Faith..
b. Because of disobediance.
13. His own Works as God did from His.
14. a. Mighty people of God.
b. Wielders of the Sword. (At the power's of darkness)..
c. Experts in War. (Those who stand against the devil.)
15. a. From the timber of Lebanon.
b. Posts of Silver. (Righteousness)
c. Back (support) of Gold. (Devine Nature)
d. Seat of Purple fabric.....(Royalty)
e. Interior lovingly fitted out by the daughters of Jerusalem. (Our Homage to our King.)..
16. The body being fitly joined together. (As One)..
17. Wedding Day, the day of His Gladness of Heart. (Our Wedding day to the King.)..
18. Divine union with the King. (Becoming ONE with Him, in Fullness)...
End of Study 9
Date: Monday, August 11, 2003 at 06:55:44 (CDT)
Page No :6
Study: Study 9..............Preparation of The Bride..............Song Of Songs"That they may all be one; even as
You Father, are in Me, and I in You...
I have made Your Name known to them,
And will make it known;
That the Love wherewith You loved Me
May be in them, and I in them,
John 17: 21--26
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"And you shall call me "Ishi",
That is "My Husband",
For Your Husband, is Your Maker,
Whose name is the Lord of Hosts.
You will be called, "My delight is in Her",
And your Land, "Married",
And as the Bridegroom rejoices over the Bride,
So your God will rejoice over you.
(Portions of Hosea & Isaiah)
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And the Spirit and the Bride say, "Come"
And let the one who is thirsty come; ..
Take the water of Life without cost.
Rev. 22: 17
It is this intimate union that God desires to bring you into now, that you may be filled with all the fulness of God...
Date: Monday, August 04, 2003 at 07:40:24 (CDT)
Page No :5
Study: Study 9..................Preparation of the Bride................Song Of SongsThe King's throne speaks to us of the life where Jesus dwells inwardly as Lord and King. The King's chair then represents those saints, who having been redeemed through the blood of Jesus, are being supported and filled with the likeness of Christ, and His Kingly authority exercised through all whose lives are under the Lordship of Jesus.
16. What may the phrase "its interior lovingly fitted out by the daughters of Jerusalem" suggest to us ? Eph. 4: 15,16.
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17. What is this procession coming up out of the wilderness proclaimed to be ? Song 3: 11..
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18. In light of Isiah 62: 3-5, of what might the crown speak ?
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Here is the entrance of the "maiden" into close communion with the King. She has be- come betrothed to Him in faithfulness, in lovingkindness, and compassion, in right- teouness, and justice; betrothed to Him forever. Here is the place where the one who goes on to know the Lord experiences what is meant by the verse, "The one who joins themselves to the Lord is one spirit with Him." 1 Corin. 6:17..The "maiden", as she seeks Him, begins to enter into a union with Him that can only be known by those who are "married to Him who made the Heavens and the Earth".
Just as earthly marriage is the beginning of two lives being blended together into one, the beginning of two people discovering and learning to know one another, so it is with those who are married to the Lord. In this relationship, Jesus begins to share with His Bride His love, His thoughts, His plans and His purposes in the earth. He provides for her every need. This is the beginning of intimate union with Jesus in the life of the believer of deep knowledge of Him. (With Jews, the betrothal is also being married, but the ceremony takes place after He has gone to prepare a place for her, while she spends her time getting herself ready for Him. )..!!!!
This Bridal union is a spiritual relationship with Jesus that we are not waiting to receive someday when He comes but it is a place in the Spirit that we can enter now.
We see Jesus demonstrating this relationship with the Father when He came up out of the wilderness in the power of the Spirit. Jesus' prayer for those who believed in Him was that they might experience the intimate oneness with Himself and each other which is their right as His Bride.
Date: Monday, July 28, 2003 at 07:03:46 (CDT)
Page No :4
Study: Study 9.............Preparation of the Bride..............Song of Solomon14. Describe the 60 mighty men who surround Solomon's traveling couch. Song 3: 7,8.
a. ______________________________________________________
b, ______________________________________________________
c. ______________________________________________________
These men are also symbolic. Sixty men, or threescore men, would be 3 X 20.
The number twenty is the number of expectancy:
Twenty years Jacob waited to get possession of his wives.
Twenty years Israel waited for a deliverer from Jabins oppression.
Twenty years the Ark of the Covenant waited at Kiriath-jearim...
Twenty years Solomon was waiting for the completion of two houses.
Three is the number of fulness or divine completion:
God's attributes---omniscience, omnipresence, omnipotence.
Time--past, present and future
Human capability--thought, word, deed
Kingdoms--animal, vegetable, mineral.
These sixty men speak to us of those believers who are waiting in expectancy for God to complete His divince plan. They are full of faith and hope. They are not ignorant of the devices of the enemy. They have taken on the full armor of God by which they stand against the wiles of the devil. They are armed with the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. They are watchful and stand fearlessly in the presence of God. They excercise discernment in regards to the devices of the enemy..
15. Give a description of the King's chair or throne. Song 3: 9,10.
a. ______________________________________________________
b. ______________________________________________________
c. ______________________________________________________
d. ______________________________________________________
e. ______________________________________________________
Here is the symbolism:
Timber or cedar of Lebanon------Saints
Silver......................................Redemption
Gold.......................................Devine Nature
Purple....................................Kingly Authority
Date: Monday, July 21, 2003 at 08:09:25 (CDT)
Page No :3
Study: Study 9.................Preparation of the Bride...............Song of Songs9. With what is she perfumed ? What fragrance is she giving off ? Song 3: 6
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b._______________________________________________________
c._______________________________________________________
Note: Myrrh is used to symbolize three things in particular:
1. It is an embalming spice. This denotes the 'maidens" union with Jesus in His death. "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me" Gal. 2:20...
2. It is a beautifying ointment which takes away wrinkles. She is being washed in the water of the Word slo that she might be without spot or wrinkle.
3. It is the principle ingredient in the holy anointing oil of Aaron. She has been anointed by the Holy Spirit to be a "priest" unto God.
10. Frankincense is a fragrant spice, used in making the priestly incense that was to be burned before the Lord. To what does this refer ? Rev. 8: 3,4.
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Her life is fragrant with the fruits and graces of the Spirit of God.
11. What can be seen by those who look on ? Song 3:7
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The traveling couch of Solomon was a litter on which Solomon was carried and could rest while he was traveling. This speaks of the believer having entered into ameasure of spiritual sabbath rest in her walk with the Lord. 1 Peter 5: 10. Heb. 4
12. What can keep the believer from entering into God's rest ? Heb. 4: 1-6.
a. ________________________________________________________
b._________________________________________________________
13. From what has the one who has entered into God's rest, rested ? Heb. 4:9
11.______________________________________________________
Having ceased from her own striving and having traded her weakness for His strength, the believer rests with the Lord. She learns to continue her spiritual journey not in her own strength but in the power of His Spirit and in the rest of God.
<>< "But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life." Rom. 6: 22
Date: Sunday, July 13, 2003 at 11:29:04 (CDT)
Page No :2
Study: Study 9.................Preparation of the Bride................Song of SolomonIt is important to remember that the Israelites wandered for 40 years because of unbelief (rebellion), murmuring and complaining. It took Jesus 40 days. It was never God's will for them to wander in the wilderness. It was His plan to lead them straight through it into the promised land. He became so aggravated with them because of their constant complaining that He destroyed that generation and raised up another one to take the inheritance.. "A foreshadow of The Chruch" while Israel is blinded, and not entering in..."
Likewise, we can take ten years to learn one year's lesson, or we can take one year to learn ten years' lessons. This all depends on our attitude during the testings. We can either walk forward through the valley trouble in faith and confidence with a glad heart, or we can be dragged through with heel marks all the way. If we choose the latter, it is doubtful that we will ever walk in the fulness for what God intends. We also risk the chance of grieving the Holy Spirit of God and being set aside.
5. What happened to the murmerers in the wilderness? Num. 14: 20-45..
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6. Were they the only ones who suffered for their unfaithfulness? Num. 14: 33.
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In the "maiden" of this study, we see one who is faithful. She passes through the nights of trial and comes up out of the wilderness with a glad heart.
7. As she comes up out of the wilderness, to what is she likened ? Song 3: 6.
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8. What other references do we see in Scripture to a column of smoke ? Ex. 13:21,22; Joel 2:28-30; Rev. 8:3-5.
a._______________________________________________________
b._______________________________________________________
c.________________________________________________________
We find this expression used when Joel was describing God's wonders in the days when He will pour out His Spirit in Pentecostal fulness on His Servants. The Lord also manifested His presence to Israel, leading in the pillar of cloud. This passage presents a beautiful type of the "maiden" coming up from the wilderness of testing being filled with the power of God and being continually led by His Spirit. We also find the "maiden" moving in the ministry of intercession as her prayers ascend upward to God.
Date: Monday, July 07, 2003 at 06:57:25 (CDT)
Page No :1
Study: Study 9..........Preparation of the Bride..........Song of SongsTRANSFIGURATION, A LIFE OF INTIMATE UNION 2 Corinthians 3:18 "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."
In the previous study, the "maiden" has gone through many dark nights of trial because of disobediance to follow the Lord's call. Therefore, the Lord had to employ other methods to draw her out of herSELF. Sins are relative. To the soul that walks in close union with the Lord, even the very smallest act of unfaithfulness becomes great. A sin which a stranger would regard as trivial would appear a serious crime to the trusted servant. Others may be content with being kept from what is considered gross sin, but an obediant heart that seeks to walk in unbroken communion with Him cannot excuse even the smallest act of disobediance or insensitivety to God's will.
1. What "Type" is there between the experience of apostate Israel in Hosea 2:14,15 and that of the "maiden" ? Note: The Hebrew meaning of achor is trouble...
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2. What different type of relationship has the Lord brought the "maiden" into through this wilderness experience? Hosea 2:16,19. Note: The Hebrew meaning of Baali is "my master" .. Ishi means "my husband"..
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After the period of rest commanded by the Lord in Song 3:5, the daughters see the betrothed one emerging from the wilderness. She who had been desolate, broken and weeping is now appearing with the glory of God upon her.
3. From where is she coming? Song 3: 6
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4. What happened to Jesus after He came out of the wilderness of testing? Luke 4: 13,14. "Which had prepared Him for Ministry."
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Date: Monday, June 30, 2003 at 07:22:46 (CDT)
Page No :6
Study: Study 8...Answers...Preparation of the Bride...Song of Songs1. In the secret place of the steep pathway.
2. On a great and high mountain.
3. We see the Lord standing at the top of the ladder with the promise of inheritance.
4. We see a picture here of the mind of man facing the mind of Christt. There must be an ascending of the stairs before the mind (gate) can be measured by the measure- ment of God and found in His Image.
5. a. Fear God.
b. Through sound wisdom which has two sides (balance).
c. Understanding parables.
d. Revelation knowledge.
6. The little foxes that are ruining the vineyards.
7. Foolishness, pride, spreading strife and slander, or backbiting, anger, laziness, and answering too quickly.
8. Listen to counsel and accept discipline and rebuke.
9. A mutual belonging to each other.
10. Among the Lilies.
11. She wants to remain separate.
12. Seeking the Lord
13.
a. As you give yourself to others, your light will rise in darkness.
b. The Lord will continually guide you.
c. You will be like a watered garden, and a spring whose waters do not fail.
14. She is being tried.
15. Arise and Go.
16. The watchmen.
17. To warn people; to hear the message of the Lord and give it.
18. Obey the watchman.
19. She finds Him.
20. She has gone through discipline and testing which produced endurance.
21. The crown of Life...
Don't forget, most of these answers are given after the questions in the study.
Date: Monday, June 23, 2003 at 08:34:02 (CDT)
Page No :5
Study: Study 8........Preparation of the Bride........Song of Songs17. What is the watchman's duty ? Ezk. 33: 2-7..
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18. What must the "maiden" do ? Heb. 13: 7,17.
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She must remember that the watchmen can point out the way for her and show her the path, but they cannot seek the Lord for her. This she must do for herself.
19. As she follows their instructions, what happens ? Song 3:4
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20. What has actually happened to the "maiden" during this experience ? Heb. 12: 7-10; James 1: 2-4.
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The Lord did not test her more than she was able to endure. He allowed her to find Him and allowed Himself to even be led by her. The "mother's house represents the system of grace; the chamber of conception idicated the love of God. God used the principle of grace and love to bring her forth. But because she cannot yet completely discern what is of the Spirit and of the soul, the Lord meets her at that level.
She soulishly clings to Him. She must learn to rely upon the Word of God alone out of a heart of complete trust. As she goes on to know Him, the "maiden" will make an important discovery. He will not veil His presence from her when she loses all thought of herself. In order to dwell in Him and live by Him, as He lived by the Father, she must yield up her own life.
21. What promise does she have as she endures testing? James 1:12; 1 Pet. 5:10.
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Notice: that this crown of life is given not to those who endure until death, but to those who endure through trials, for: "Blessed is the man who endures under trial and stands up under temptation, For when we have stood the test and been approved, we will recieve the Victor's crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12... And... "The God of all grace, who has called us into His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that we have suffered a little while, will make us perfect, estabished, strengthen, and settle us." 1 Peter 5:10 <>< "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." * Matt. 12:37
Date: Monday, June 16, 2003 at 11:23:23 (CDT)
Page No :4
Study: Study 8.......Preparation of the Bride........Song of SolomonThe "maiden" has begun to seek the Lord. The bed here represents a place of spirit- ual rest. She seeks the Lord in her old retreat but seems not to find Him. She seeks to recover her past feelings and experiences. The shadows have deepened instead of fleeing away.
13. What must she learn about service? Isa. 58:10,11.
a. _____________________________________________
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b.______________________________________________
c.______________________________________________
14. What experience is she having that is similar to Job? Job 23:8-10
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A. Her first step: of Christian experience was to forsake all to follow Him and to know His Cross.
B. The second step: was to know Jesus as an indwelling reality which involved feasting at His banqueting table and enjoying deep communion with Him.
C. The third step: which she has not taken as yet, is abiding constantly in Jesus whereever He may lead. In these circumstances there are no bounds of time or place.
15. What do we see her stirred to do ? Song 3:2..
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The Lord has succeeded in His purpose. He has called her to ARISE but she did not obey. By hiding His face, He aroused her. By His silence, He has drawn her to seek Him diligently. He has broken down the wall of reserve and drawn her out of herself.
16. Who found her? Song 3:3
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We observe now in the "maiden" a new humility and honesty about her need for help. She has let down all her walls of pride and self-sufficiency and sees her need for others in the Body of Christ.
Date: Monday, June 09, 2003 at 08:03:32 (CDT)
Page No :3
Study: Study 8.......Preparation of the Bride.......Song of SolomonThese are just some of the little foxes that spoil the vines. Remember that these little foxes hide. These are not necessarily grave sins. We must therefore be wise and discerning and also have a caretaker who is able to help us watch.
8. In light of this, what should we do ? Prov. 19:20; 20:30; 27:5,6.
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9. How does the "maiden" regard her relationship with the Lord ? Song 2: 16..
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We find that she realizes God's love for her, yet she sees herself as the center of attention and not the Lord. Notice how she says, "My beloved is mine". Later in the Song, we see her perspective change as she says, "I am my beloved's."
10. Where does He pasture His Flock ? Song 2:16.
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Note: The lilies here are those people with dedicated and pure hearts toward God. Among such a company, the Lord really feeds His Flock.
We remember that at the first of this Chapter, the Lord has called her to rise up from behind her wall and follow Him in this resurrection life.
11. What is her response ? Song 2: 17..
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Bether means separation. What she is actually saying is that she wants the Lord to turn back and be enclosed in HER circumstances. She desires to be separated from the World until her life is more perfected (until the shadows flee.) She has preferred to have Him hiding behind her own wall. She has deliberately chosen to shut herself out from any environment in the world, and this at the expense of having the Lord labor there alone without her help.THE RESULT IS AN INCOM- PLETE UNION WITH THE LORD. both in His interests and service. Therefore the Lord employs a new method of teaching. He withdraws the sense of His presence from her that He might draw her out of herSELF into a quest for Him. This is the "maiden's" first awakening to actually going out TO the Beloved in HIS circumstances. Hosea 5:15.
12. What do we find the "maiden" doing now? Song 3:1
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Date: Monday, June 02, 2003 at 10:54:32 (CDT)
Page No :2
Study: Study 8.......Preparation of the Bride.......Song of Solomon3. What "Shadow" do we see in Gen. 28: 12-17 ?
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We see the Lord Standing at the top of the Ladder with the promise of inheritance. Between the time that Jacob received this promise and the time that the Israelites took their inheritance, there were many stairs to be climbed and many trials to be endured.
4. What Shadow do we see in Eze. 40: 2,6 ? Note: East represents the mind of Christ or an openness toward God. Gate represents the mind of man. One is the number of God.
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Here is a Shadow of the mind of a man facing the mind of Christ. There must be an ascending of the stairs before the mind (gate) can be measured by the measure- ment of God and be found in His image.
5. How is the way of the secret places of the stairs found ? Note: Secret also means counsel or intimacy. Psa. 25:14; Job 11:6; Matt. 13:35; Dan. 2:22.
a. ________________________________________________________________
b._________________________________________________________________
c._________________________________________________________________
d._________________________________________________________________
6. What is the next matter brought to the "maiden's" attention ? Song 2: 15..
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Little foxes hide themselves behind the vines. If unnoticed they can easily destroy the fruit of the vine. The vines with "tender grapes" may illustrate the "beginning of resurrection and ascension life." The fruit of life is full of promise. If unwatched or unguarded now, the little things can ruin it all. Therefore, it is very important for the vine to have a caretaker so that the little foxes can be caught and taken care of.
7. What are some little "foxes" ? Eccl. 10:1; Prov. 16:18,28,32; Prov. 18:9,13.
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__________________________________________________________________ <>< "But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine." Isa. 43:1
Date: Monday, May 26, 2003 at 07:23:29 (CDT)
Page No :1
Study: Study 8...............Preparation of the Bride...............Song of Solomon
THE CALL TO INTIMATE FELLOWSHIP In the last study, we found that the Lord has called the "maiden" to escape from selfishness into His resurrection life. He asked her to take her place in the cleft of the Rock, the crucified life, so that all that is unrenewed might die. He desires for her to be controlled by His Resurrection power. He cannot be imprisoned behind her wall, but He must go forth and deliver the creation. He wants her to move out of her circumstances and into Him. He desires for her to abide constantly in Him wherever He may lead.
In these circumstances there are no bounds of time and place. He desires for her to be one with Him in His interests and service. He wants to bring her out of incom- plete union and incomplete fellowship into a life of complete fellowship with the King. The King is seeking one with whom He can share His heart, His purpose, and His plans. He is not merely looking for someone who is concerned only with their own life and blessing. It is this fellowship that He desires from her and it is His desire to lead her into it.
1. How does the Lord portray her union in His resurrection ? Song 2:14.
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Notice that the steep pathway in other translations is called the secret places of the stairs of the steep places. This is a call to ascend with the risen Christ. Positionally we are seated with Christ in heavenly places with all enemies under our feet, yet there must be an experiential working out of these things. There must be a taking of our inheritance and a rising above of the earthly ways. We must ascend upward into a fuller knowledge of Him and be transformed from glory to glory.
2. Where is the Bride of Christ found in Rev. ? Rev. 21:9,10
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She got there, as it were, through the secret places of the stairs, through the steep pathway into His glory and inheritance.We see a picture of such stairs of ascension in the Word.
3. What picture do we see in Gen. 28:12-17.
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Date: Monday, May 19, 2003 at 06:22:18 (CDT)
Page No :4
Study: Study 7.....ANSWERS.....Preparation of the Bride.....Song of Solomon1. It speaks of tests and trials that must be endured in order to bring forth more fruit.
2. a. When the fig tree puts forth its leaves, summer (the end) is near, because the Harvest goes by quickly in comparison...
b. All things must be restored which were spoken of by the prophet.
3. No.
4. My dove.
5. God calls into being that which does not exist. He sees us though eyes of faith, seeing what we will become.
6. In the cleft of the Rock.
7. Jesus
8. The crucifixion of Jesus.
9. Being conformed to His death.
10. -----
1. Nothing can shake those who have been built on the Rock.
2. God is our dwelling place as we abide in love.
3. We are seated with Christ in heavenly places and are to seek the things above.
4. Spiritual vision.
5. A stronghold and refuge.
6. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.
7. The Word.
8. In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
9. The oil of the Spirit.
10. The river of the water of life.
11. We must allow God to break us, or else we will be crushed.
End of Study 7
Date: Monday, May 12, 2003 at 06:48:18 (CDT)
Page No :3
Study: Study 7...............Preparation of the Bride................Song of Solomon4. Rocks, being high, are useful for seeing things afar off. Heb. 11:13; John 8:56
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5. Rocks are strong and were used for defense. They are impregnable.. Psa. 94:22
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6. Rocks are durable, permanent and lasting. There is no removing a rock. They continue the same from generation to generation. Psa. 90:2; Heb. 13:8.
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7. Rocks yield honey. Psa. 19:10
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8. Precious stones and jewels are the sweat of rocks of rocks.All rich mines of gold and silver are in and among rocks. Col. 2:3; Job 28:1-21.Note: This passage in Job is an allegory on wisdom and knowledge.
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9. Rocks yield Oil..Job 29:6; Deut. 32: 12,13. Note : Oil symbolizes the anoiting oil of the Holy Spirit.
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10. Rocks yield the purest water, and most pleasant springs proceed from them. No water is as clear as that which comes through rocks. Rev. 22:1; Ezk. 47:1-12.
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11. Rocks are dangerous to stumble over or to fall on.If a person falls from a large Rock, he could be crushed. Rom. 9:33; 1 Corin. 10:12; Matt. 21:44.
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As this "maiden" takes her place in the cleft of the Rock, what is fleshly and carnal will be broken to pieces. In her position in the Rock,which is Jesus, whe will receive heavenly vision and spiritual eyesight to see those things afar off.As she makes the Rock her dwelling place, she finds herself dwelling in love, dwelling in God. The Rock becomes her stronghold, her fortress, and as she dwells there she lives above the circumstances of the earthly life.
As she takes her place in the cleft of the Rock,she sees that the promises of God the Word of God are like honey, and they are sure, steadfast and everlasting. In the Rock she digs deep and finds all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. These treasures hidden from birds and from men who dwell on the earth, but to her they are revealed. She digs deep shafts down in the Rock and searches out the riches that are found there. She is able to bring these hidden truths and precious stones to the light where they reflect the brillicance of the Son. As she dwells in the Rock, it pours out oil upon her head. From it she drinks water as pure as crystal which washes her from every spot and wrinkle. Consider the Rock in which she dwells, for such is.....God...
Date: Monday, May 05, 2003 at 06:45:40 (CDT)
Page No :2
Study: Study 7...............Preparation of the Bride...............Song of Solomon5. Why, then, is the King calling her by this name ? Rom. 4:17; 8:29.
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Therefore, as God sees us through the eyes of faith, we too must see others through the eyes of faith, believing and praying for them that God will accomp- lish His work in their lives when they appear to fall short.
6. Where is the "maiden" found ? Song 2:14..
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7. Who is the Rock ? 2 Sam. 23:3; 1 Corin. 10:4.
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8. What then does the cleft Rock signify? Compare John 19:33,34 and Ex. 17:6.
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9. Being placed in the cleft of the rock suggests what specific position of the believer? Compare Phil. 3:10 and Ex. 33:21,22.
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We see an exhortation from the King that only as the "maiden" takes her place in the death of the Messiah, allowing all of self to die that is contrary to her faith walk with Christ, can she walk in pure resurrection life. Only resurrection life makes it through the Cross, which will inevitably bring the complete death to a life ruled by the old nature.
10. Let us look further into the foreshadows of the Rock to discover more info about the "maidens" position in the Messiah. Remember a foreshadow from the Old Testament shows a fulfillment in the New Testament, as a showing us of things to come. John 16:13. But these are more of a Metaphor..
1. In the Natural, A rock is a firm and immoveable thing, good for a foundation. Luke 6:47,48.
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2. Rocks in ancient times were used for habitations; people hewed out houses in rocks. Psa. 90:1; 1 John 4:16.
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3. A rock can be a high place. It may be buried deeply in the ground, yet its high and soaring top is lifted far above the surface of the earth. Col. 3:1-4; Rev. 14:1; Eph. 2:6.
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Date: Monday, April 28, 2003 at 06:54:47 (CDT)
Page No :1
Study: Study 7PREPARATION OF THE BRIDE
JESUS, THE ROCK OF MY SALVATION In our previous study, the King has called the "maiden" to escape from SELF and to follow Him into the resurrection power of the Spirit, which can only be attained by the giving up of our SELF. Together they will leap upon the mountains, putting the satanic kingdom under their feet. Together they will set the captives free and loose mankind who are bound by the curse of sin, who would so listen..
1. What does He mean by the time for "pruning the vines", and how does this relate to the life of the "maiden" ? John 15:2..
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Read Song 2:11-13. The Turtledove was a bird used for sacrifices. It was a type of the Spirit of God being poured out through the sacrifice of Jesus. This made the baptism in the Holy Spirit possible. This passage relates to the "maiden" specifically, yet the passage is also prophetic for the end times.
The winter of the church is over and gone, (giving up self has matured us....) The time of Restoration has come,The fig tree represents Israel,The vine represents the Church, the body of Christ. As the Holy Spirit is poured out on earth, Israel begins to become ripe to receive the gospel (as well as being nationally restored), and the Church begins to produce fruit. It is at this time that God wants us to go forth and minister in resurrection power.
2. What is written in the New Testament concerning the fig tree and restoration ? Matt. 24: 32,33. Acts 3: 20,21.
a. _____________________________________________________
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b. _____________________________________________________
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3. Will Israel or the Church go back into darkness or defeat again, after God returns and begins to restore them ? Isa. 54: 5-10.
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4. What does the King call the "maiden" ? Song 2:14.
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The Lord has spoken before of her eye being as a dove's eyes; here He addresses her as her whole being manifesting the full life of the Spirit. This is a future position which she has not yet attained.
Date: Monday, April 21, 2003 at 07:59:31 (CDT)
Page No :5
Study: Study 6.....ANSWERS....Preparation of the Bride.....Song of Songs"THE CALL TO ESCAPE FROM SELF AND ENTER INTO THE RESURRECTION POWER OF THE LAMB."
1. Like a gazelle or a young stag.
2. Climbing on the mountains; leaping on the hills.
3. Your God reigns.
4. Arise and come along.
5.
a. Set her on high places.
b. Train her hands for battle.
c. Give her the shield of your Salvation.
d. Enlarge her steps.
e. Cause her to pursue and destroy the enemy.
6. She will see great miracles and deliverances. There will be liberty and victory all about.
7. A wall.
8. The groaning of the prisoner, those who were doomed to death.
9. At the last, the Redeemer will take His stand on the earth, and we shall see Him.
10.They will be the deliverers to set the creation free.
11.
a. Look out for the interests of others, and not merely your own personal interests.
b. Have the attitude that was in Christ Jesus who emptied Himself.
c. Do not expect to be served, but serve, and give your life a ransom for many.
12. By Him we can leap over a wall.
13. He wants to teach her to be a fisher of men. She should immediately follow.
14. His presence is always with us.
15. Winter.
16. She has been rooted and grounded in His Love.
17. Spring, it is fruitful.
18. Not seeking your own ways, but doing the will of God.
19. Making plans without checking if it is the Lord's will.
20.
a. Trained for war.
b. Could handle shield and spear.
c. Faces like the faces of lions.
d. As swift as the gazelles on the mountains.
End of Study 6
Date: Monday, April 14, 2003 at 11:25:38 (CDT)
Page No :4
Study: Study 6...........Preparation of the Bride.............Song of SolomonDuring the winter season in nature, the sap goes downward to the roots and all outward manifestation of life appears to stop.
16. What has happened to the "maiden" during her winter period of rest when the rain of the Spirit has fallen upon her to prepare her for her new call ? Eph. 3:17-19.
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17. What time of the year has it become and how is this new life coming forth in contrast to the winter that has just passed ? Song 2:12,13.
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We see in this graphic picture the abundance of the resurrection life. Paul said, "That I might know Him and the power of His Resurrection." It is in this resurrec- tion life that we have been called to walk. This is the Sabbath Rest of God. It is not a ceasing from much activity, so much as realizing that every day is a day in which you do the Father's will. It is this life of fruitfulness to which the 'maiden" is being called.
18. How should the Sabbath Rest of God be kept ? Isa. 58:13,14.
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19. What should we avoid doing ? James 4: 13-15.
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It is when our own plans are interrupted that aggravation and turmoil sets in. If our day is subject to the leading of the Spirit, then we cannot be disappointed. It is only in seeking our own plans, no matter how spiritual, that we step out of God's rest.
20. Describe this type of follower of the Lord found in David's wilderness land. 1 Chron. 12:8.
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b._______________________________________________________
c._______________________________________________________
d._______________________________________________________
Note: Prov. 28:1 says, "The righteous are bold as a lion." Rev. 5:5 says, "Behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, The Root of David, has overcome.
Date: Monday, April 07, 2003 at 09:48:25 (CDT)
Page No :3
Study: Study 6..............Preparation of the Bride............Song of Songs10. What part do the redeemed play in this ? Rom. 8:19-21.
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The Risen Lord of Glory has come to answer this cry.
11. The Lord calls her to arise and come away, to come out from behind her wall. What attitude are we exhorted to have ? Phil. 2:4-7; Matt. 20:28
a. vs.4
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b. vs. 5,7
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c. vs. 28
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12. How can the "maiden" break through this wall ? Psa. 18:29
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13. The "King" is calling the "maiden" to follow Him. What does He want to teach her and what should her response be ? Matt. 4: 19,20.
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In times past, the "maiden" has known the Lord's presence in connection with a certain place and a certain time in which she sought Him. Much of her realization of His presence was based on feelings. Any impact with the World or daily tasks seemed to trouble her and rob her of any real peace.
14. What does the Lord desire for her to learn? Acts 17:27,28; Jere.23:23,24; Psalm 139: 1-18.
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We see then that the Lord desires for her to learn of His ever abiding presence. He desires for her spirit to be released to touch His Spirit, to be able to fellowship with Him not only in times of Quietness, but also in the times of heightened activity. He desires her to know a communion with Him that surpasses feelings: a communion of Spirit. She must learn to recognize the King in all the circum- stances of her life. The Lord is omnipresent. The Lord's presence should be a reality, not only in her prayers, but a reality in the everyday affairs of this life.
15. To what does the Lord liken her past period of rest? Song 2:11
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Date: Monday, March 31, 2003 at 08:18:01 (CST)
Page No :2
Study: Study 6...............Preparation of the Bride............... Song of SolomonUp until now, the "maiden" has only known the sweetness of communion with the Lord, but little of the power for service or the struggle of spiritual warfare.
5. What does the "King" desire to do in her life ? 2Sam. 22:34-40
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b._______________________________________________________
c._______________________________________________________
d._______________________________________________________
e._______________________________________________________
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6. When she learns these things, what will happen? Isa. 35:5-10
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7. What stands between the "maiden" and the Lord ? Song 2:9
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In the sweetness of her communion with the Lord, the "maiden" reminds us of one who has built up a tabernacle or a wall in which she has enjoyed the Lord for her- self. She has forgotten the multitude of people in the Valley, people oppressed by sin and bound by demons. The Lord cannot be imprisoned behind her wall. He must move in the Power of His Resurrection in the hearts and lives of mankind. He must liberate the captives and set free those that are bound. He must heal the bruised and broken hearted. He must proclaim unto Zion: Your God Reigns ! For this He gave His life. For this He endured the Cross. For this reason He was manifested: to destroy the works of the devil, to render him powerless, and to liberate the sons of men into the glorious liberty of the sons of God. He desires for her to follow Him into the Resurrection Power....To be out there winning souls for His Kingdom, and keeping them from going to Hell.
8. What cry of the ages has God heard? Psa. 102:19-20
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9. Job, which many believe to be the oldest Book in the Bible ??? Who knows for sure..; contains in it the hope of the ages. What is written there ? Job 19: 25-27..
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Date: Monday, March 24, 2003 at 07:58:02 (CST)
Page No :1
Study: Study 6"THE CALL TO ESCAPE FROM SELF AND ENTER INTO THE RESURRECTION POWER OF THE LAMB" "Who is like the Lord our God, Who is enthroned on high, Who Humbles Himself to behold the things that are in heaven and in the earth? He raises the poor from the dust, And lifts the needy from the ash heap, To make them sit with Princes, With the Princes of His People. He makes the barren woman abide in the house As a joyful mother of children. Psa. 113:5-9
The "maiden", resting in her Beloved, suddenly hears His voice calling her and recognizes it at once.
1. How does the King come to her ? Song 2:8,9.
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To regard the Lord as a gazelle or hart is similar to the inspired title of Psa. 22, called "aijeleth hashshahar or hind of the morning. Pointing forward to the Resurrection of Jesus. Just as morning is the beginning of the day, likewise, the resurrection of Christ is the beginning of new life. The hart is noted for its beauty and swiftness of escape from its enemies. The hart walks on the high places of the earth. We see Jesus then desiring for the "maiden" to follow Him in all the beauty, victory and swiftness of His Resurrection life. Psa. 22.
2. As a resurrection type, what is the King doing ? Song 2:8
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Note: Mountain in the Scriptures symbolizes Kingdom. When we are on the Mountain tops of our Wilderness Journey, rather than in the Valleys.. In this passage we see Jesus in the power of His Resurrection and in His Victory over the kingdoms of darkness and the kingdoms of this World. The Lord here manifests His triumph over every power, leaping and skipping over the power of the enemy with all things under His feet.
3. What message of revelation is the "King" bringing to the "maiden" ? Isa. 52:7.
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4. What does the King call the "maiden" to do? Song 2:10
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Date: Monday, March 17, 2003 at 08:10:48 (CST)
Page No :6
Study: Answers to Study 5..................Preparation of the Bride
The Overpowering Love of God 1. I am the rose of Sharon, the lily of the valleys.
2. She is a lily among thorns.
3. The cursed earth.
4. a. We are a sweet aroma of Christ in every place.
b. Righteousness and purity of the saints.
c. The whole earth will be filled with fruit... His glory, knowledge and Kingdom.
d. The Kingdom of God will be exalted above all. (That is the Church of Christ)..
e. The King's daughter is glorious within.
5. Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest.
6. a. You will pray to Him and He will hear you.
b. You will decree a thing, and it will be established. (Look close at this one)
c. Light will shine on your ways.
d. When you are cast down, you will speak with confidence.
7. Like a word spoken in right circumstances.
8. We will be able to sustain a weary one with a word.
9. a. Protection from natural circumstances.
b. Protection from all evil.
c. He will keep your soul.
d. He will guard your going out and your coming in.
10. His banner over me is love...a revelation of His love.
11. The Friendship of God.
12. Sustain me, refresh me...for I am lovesick.
13. He fell at His feet as a (dead man.) Dead Spiritually, dead to Self will....
14. Let His left hand be under my head and His right hand embrace me.
15. It signifies the will of God in action, in exaltation and favor. The right hand of God, the right hand of the throne, etc..speaks of the seat of honor in the Messianic Kingdom.
16. His one desire was to behold the Lord. His soul thristed for God, even the depths of his soul. He longed for God's presence above all else.
17. At Rest.....
Study 6 Next Week
Date: Monday, March 10, 2003 at 07:40:41 (CST)
Page No :5
Study: Study 5Preparation of the Bride A process of strengthening and enlarging, a transformation from glory to glory, must take place. For Jesus to reveal the fulness of Himself to us when we first come to Him would be like a man who has lived in a dark cave for many years being suddenly brought out into the full strength of the noonday sun. This man must be taken through varying degrees of light before his eyes can bear the sun in full strength. So it is with us spiritually..
14. What is the "maiden's" desire? Song 2:6
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Note: Hand in the Scripture symbolizes the will in action..
15. What does the right hand of God signify? Mark 16:19; Psa. 45:9; Rev. 3:21
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16. The Psalmist David was a man after God's own heart. How did he express this desire to experience the love of God? Psa. 27:4; Psa. 42:1,2,7; Psa. 84:10.
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17. After this great experience with the Lord, in what position do we find the "maiden"? Song 2:7..
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From the hour the Bride says, "Draw me, I will run after Thee," the Lord tests her surrender, and shows her more clearly the conditions of oneness with Him and His life. The Lord tests her and finds that she steadily purposes to follow on to know the Lord. Her will is so fixed on this one purpose that the Lord will now be able to lead her through deeper testings without the delay of reasoning or hesitation. The Lord now desires a time of spiritual rest for His beloved before He calls her to arise and follow on, so that she may be filled with all the fulness of God....
End of Study 5 Answers to Questions next week...
Date: Monday, March 03, 2003 at 07:41:24 (CST)
Page No :4
Study: Study 5...............Preparation of the Bride...............Song of Songs9. What are the privileges of those who dwell under the shadow of the Almighty? Psa. 121:5-8..
a. ______________________________________________________
b._______________________________________________________
c._______________________________________________________
d._______________________________________________________
Note: The "maiden" sat down under the shade of this tree. This is a position of rest and trust and relaxing in the security of God. Notice that Jesus is sitting in heaven at the Father's right hand...
10. As the Bridegroom brings the "maiden" into the banqueting house (literally the house of wine), what revelation of His nature is given to her? Song 2:4
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This revelation of His love brings great joy to her. Wine in the Scripture symbolizes joy, as well as the blood. Therefore, in this house of wine is found great joy at the revelation of His Love. Through the shedding of His Blood, has brought us all great joy....Life rather than death.
11. To what may this banner be likened ? Prov. 17:17; Prov. 18:24; John 15:13-15.
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12. At this deeper revelation of the love of God, for what does the "maiden" cry out? Song 2:5.
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Lovesick, according to Webster's Dictionary, means to be so much in love as to not be able to react in a normal way. Such was the experience of the saints of all ages when they came into a full realization of the Lord's special presence. Intense spiritual feeling such as is this can produce physical exhaustion. The Lord has to enlarge the capacity of the soul to be able to enjoy and endure His glorious presence. Also, true love we find causes us to want to be with whom we love the most. Hopefully this is Jesus. The desire of our hearts should also be "Jesus".
13. What happened to the apostle John when he saw Jesus in His Glory? Rev. 1:17
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Date: Monday, February 24, 2003 at 09:23:31 (CST)
Page No :3
Study: Study 5.................Preparation of the Bride..............Song of SolomonWhen Christ shall rule over the nations, God's people will be exalted above every other kingdom and nations will come to them. Isa. 2:1-4; Rev. 2:25,27. The Church Christs's beautiful Lily, will be changed into His Likeness 1 John 3:1-3, and shall reign with Him.
5. What has the King come to mean to the "maiden" ? Son 2:3.
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The "maiden" is now, as it were, losing sight of all "sons" or "trees" (Paul, Apollos, The Pastors, the teachers), etc. and has her sight fixed only upon the King (Jesus). Dwelling under His shadow brings great rest and refreshing to the soul, and eating His fruit brings great sweetness to the spirit.
6. The "maiden" said that under His shadow she found great delight. What will happen to those who delight in the Almighty? Job 22:26-29.
a.______________________________________________________
b.______________________________________________________
c. ______________________________________________________
d. ______________________________________________________
7. Describe these apples as the "maiden" partakes of them. Prov. 25:11.
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We see then as we partake of the fruit of the tree of life, we eat of the "Devine Nature", and "Redemption", and the perfect word that brings sweetness to our Spirits. 2 Peter 1:4. We may question God then, not a good idea, why then did Adam and Eve get cursed for doing the same thing?? We can see from Scripture as a whole, was because God said : "Dont".. It was'nt His right timing yet. They got cursed out of the garden, for "Disobediance". And this keeps us kicked out to this very day....when the called is chosen due to their "Obediance", then we are once again welcomed back into the Garden of His Presence...
8. As we partake of these apples, what happens to our own tongue? Isa. 50:4
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Date: Monday, February 17, 2003 at 07:27:32 (CST)
Page No :2
Study: Study 5.............Preparation of the Bride...........In the Song of Solomon3. The Lily is a very fruitful flower, often yeilding fifty pods. Note: 50 is the number of jubilee--in the year of jubilee everything returns to its rightful owner...
4. The lily is a very tall flower...few others are taller.
5. The lily is a flower most gloriously adorned and lovely to look upon; Jesus said, "Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like these." Its form is excellent. It has six white leaves, within are seven grains, and all within is the glory of gold. It hangs down its head. Much of the glory of the lily is inward...
Now the Parallel of these 5 are: (from the other 2 of last weeks study as well).
1. 2 Corin. 2:14,15; Eph. 5:1,2.
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2. Rev. 19:8; Dan. 12:10; Malachi 3: 2-4. Note: Fuller's soap is a whitening agent..
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3. Isa. 27:6; Num. 14:21; Habakkuk 2:14; Dan. 2:35, 44
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4. Micah 4: 1,2
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5. Psa. 45:13
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Conclusion:
As a most fragrant lily, the Bride of Christ gives off the sweet fragrance of the knowledge of God in the midst of a cursed earth under the domain of darkness. As a Lily among thorns, so the Bride of Christ stands forth in Holiness and purity in the minds of a crooked and perverse generation. As a fruitful lily the Church will grow and multiply until is has become a great Kingdom and has filled the whole earth with fruit. The year of jubillee will be ushered in, and everything will be returned to its rightful owner, for the kingdoms of this world shall become the King- doms of our God and of His Christ.
Date: Monday, February 10, 2003 at 07:20:09 (CST)
Page No :1
Study: Study 5..............Preparation of the Bride................Song of SolomonTHE OVERPOWERING LOVE OF GOD: "As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my Soul pants for you , O God. How lovely are your dwelling places, O Lord of hosts ! My Soul longed and even yearned for the courts of the Lord. One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, and to meditate in His temple. For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else; I had rather be a doorkeeper and stand at the threshold in the house of my God, than to dwell at ease in the tents of wickedness. How blessed are those who dwell in your house ! They are ever praising you. How blessed is the man whose strength is in you; In whose heart are the highways to Zion ! O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in you; leaning and believing on you, Committing all and confidently looking to you, and that without fear of misgiving ! Psa. 42:1; 27:4 Portions of Psalm 84...Some amp.
1. What opinion does the "maiden" have of herself ? Song 2:1
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Sharon is a plain in Judea, and the rose mentioned here is a rambling rose or some ordinary flower that is common to the area. So she is saying, "I am a very ordinary person, yet cared for and loved by God."
2. What does the King say of the "maiden" ? Song 2:2...
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3. What do thorns represent ? Gen. 3:17, 18; Heb. 6: 7,8.
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The work of man, apart from God, can only produce thorns and thistles..
SYMBOL:
1. A lily is a very sweet flower, so fragrant that a man's senses will be easily turned with the strength of its fragrance.
2. A lily is an exceedingly white flower, there is nothing more pure, nothing whiter.
Date: Monday, February 03, 2003 at 08:46:36 (CST)
Page No :5
Study: Study 4.....Conclusion.....Preparation of the Bride.....Song of SolomonThen it will come about in that day, that nations will resort to the root of Jesse, Who will stand as a signal for the peoples; And His resting place will be glorious. And I shall glorify My glorious house. The glory of Lebanon will come to you, To beautify the place of My sanctuary; And I shall make the place of My feet glorious. And the sons of those who afflicted you will come bowing to you, and all those who despised you will bow themselves at the soles of your feet; And they will call you the city of the Lord, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel. Then all your people will be righteous; They will possess the land forever, The branch of My planting, The work of My hands, That I may be glorified. Isa. 11:10, and Portions of Isa.60
Answeres to Study 4:
1. A cluster of henna blossoms in the vineyard of Engedi.
2. How beautiful you are ! Your eyes are like doves.
3. a. When your eye is clear(single) your whole body is full of light.
b. Watch out that the light in you may not be darkness.
c. You shall be wholly illuminated.
4. We shall have the light of life.
5. How handsome you are, and so pleasant.
6. It is green and leafy (fresh, full of vigor and prosperity, and flourishing).
7. a. The righteousness will flourish like the green leaf.
b. He will be like a tree planted by the water, its leaves will be green.
8. Makes them lie down in green pastures.
9. The beams are cedars, the rafters cypresses.
10. a. The saints will dwell in high spiritual places. They will see the King and behold things afar off.
b. The saints will take root and grow.
c. The saints are going from strength to strength .
d. The saints will be full of sap (life) and yield fruit. Nations shall come to the saints.
e. We are being built together into a dwelling of God.
11. I am crucified with Christ; the life I now live, I live by faith in the Son of God.
12. The members of the Body of Christ fitly joined together, each joint supplying according to the proper working order of each part.
*Note: Remember explanations of these questions follow after each question in the study. End of Study 4
Date: Monday, January 27, 2003 at 08:05:21 (CST)
Page No :4
Study: Study 4............Preparation of the Bride............The Song of SolomonInferences: If the saints are like Cedars, excellent above all others, well rooted, strong, durable, and useful to God and men, do we excel? Do we grow up high heavenward? Do we grow in humility? Are our hearts lowest, when our estates are highest? When we are most honored in the eyes of man, are we most humble in the eyes of God? Remember that the tree that takes deepest root spreads its branches farthest out and brings forth the most fruit. There are those who try to tear up the cedars of God by the roots to destroy them. Though they send many strong blasts and violent winds, yet the saints have stood, and will stand. The Highest Himself will establish His Church...
Finally, the cedar casts a shadow that enables birds of every wing to dwell under her; Eze. 17:22-24. In the same way, how happy are the people or nation who sit under the shadow or protection of a righteous government when righteousness and judgement shall be administered by the saints ! All will seek shelter under it. This shall be accomplished in the latter days.'
11. We have noticed in the Song that the "maiden" has said that their house was built of cedars and cypresses. The cypress is also known as a funeral tree and is found commonly in the graveyards of Judea. The cypress signifies death. So we see in these trees the life of the New Creation, and at the same time, death. Upon what principle is the dwelling place of the believer and the Lord built???? Gal. 2:20..
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Both the cedar and the cypress were used in the building of Solomon's temple. In other words, these were timbers that proved worthy for the construction of the habitation of God here on earth. We see that the basis for God's tabernacle among men lies on the death of the accursed old life and the resurrection of the new. Notice in the Song that the house is built not of one rafter but of many.
12. What might this suggest to us ? Eph. 4:16..
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Date: Monday, January 20, 2003 at 10:40:19 (CST)
Page No :3
Study: Study 4........."Preparation of the Bride".........The Song of SolomonTherefore, the "Maiden" finds rest for her soul in their communion together, for from their fellowship springs all that is fresh, invigorating and flouishing in her.
9. What does the "Maiden" say about their house? Song 1:17.
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10. Cedars illustrate the new creation of God, of His Saints. Let us look at this:
a. The Cedar is a very noble and stately tree. It grows very high. It mounts high toward heaven... Isa. 33:15-17; and Col. 3:1,2.
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b. The Cedar is a very noble and stately tree. It grows very high. It mounts high toward heaven... Isa. 33:15-17; and Col. 3:1,2.
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c. The Cedar is a very strong tree... Psa. 84:7
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d. The Cedar is a tree full of sap. It also bears a sort of fruit. The Shadow of this tree is very refreshing and all fowls of every wing dwell under it. Psa. 92:12-15; Ezk. 17:23; Isa. 60:3-5.
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e. The Cedar is a very profitable tree, and is excellent for building. Solomon made use of it in building the temple.... Eph. 2:21,22.
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Date: Monday, January 13, 2003 at 09:40:59 (CST)
Page No :2
Study: Study 4.....Preparation of the Bride.....The Study of the Song of Songs3. What does Jesus say about "clearness" or "singleness" of purpose? Luke 1134-36.
a. _____________________________________________________
b. _____________________________________________________
c. _____________________________________________________
Therefore, we see that as we fix our eyes on Jesus, our life shall be completely illuminated. We must be careful not to look at the circumstances or the storms around us, so that we can continue to walk on the Water...If we do take our eyes off Jesus and begin to look at things that produce darkness in our minds and hearts, we sink as Peter did, as we see this happening, we need but to cry out as Peter did, save me Lord !! And this gets us back in the Light His presence,
4. As we keep our eyes on Jesus, what promise do we have?? John 8:12. _______________________________________________________
5. What does the "maiden" reply in response to the King? Song 1:16. _______________________________________________________
6. What is said about their couch? Song 1:16, from the Amplified Bible quoted below: " Our arbor and couch are green and leafy". Note: "Green symbolizes freshness, vigor, prosperity and that which is flouising".
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7. What is said about the righteous? Prov. 11:28; Jere. 17: 7,8. a._____________________________________________________
b. _____________________________________________________
8. What does the shepherd do for the sheep? Psa. 23:2. _______________________________________________________
Date: Monday, January 06, 2003 at 06:51:16 (CST)
Page No :1
Study: Study 4..............Preparation of the Bride..............Song of Solomon"JESUS, LOVER OF MY SOUL" The Lord loves the gates of Zion
More than all the other dwelling places
of Jacob.
Glorious things are spoken of you,
O City of God.
But of Zion it shall be said,
"This one and that one
were born in her";
And the Most High Himself
will establish her.
The Lord shall count when He
registers the peoples,
"This one was born there." Then those who sing as well as those
who play the flute shall say,
"All my springs of joy are in you."
Psalm 87: 2,3,5-7. 1. To what does the "maiden" compare the Bridegroom? Song 1:14..
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Henna flowers were used by Jewish maidens for adornment. Engedi was a place in the wilderness where Daivd fled to hide. To find henna blossoms in the desolate place symbolizes the uniqueness of Jesus. She is adorned with Christ, so here is a visible manifestation of Jesus to the World.
2. What words of praise does the King speak to the "maiden"? Song 1:15
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The Bridegroom see the holy dove, the Spirit of the Father, shining through the eyes of the soul whose gaze is turned wholly toward Him in complete abandonment and trust. From the standpoint of function, the eyes of the dove can only see one thing at a time. This signifies singleness of purpose.
Date: Monday, December 30, 2002 at 09:26:01 (CST)
Page No :9
Study: Study 3....ANSWERS...PREPARATION OF THE BRIDE..Song of Songs12. a. Accustomed to the word of righteousness.
b. Not a babe.
c. Mature.
d. Because of practice has senses tranined to discern good and evil.
13. Her perfume gave forth its fragrance.
14. Mary anointed Jesus with spiknard.
15. It becomes the joy and delight of your heart.
16. a. Shouting for joy. b. Radiant
c. Their life will be like a watered garden.
d. Rejoice in the dance.
e. Soul will be filled with abundance.
17. He is to her a pouch of Myrrh.
18. 1. Total death to self.
2. He has granted us devine promises, in order that by them we escape
the corruption in the World.
3. Washing of the water of the Word.
4. The yoke will be broken by the anointing.
5. The Word brings Health.
6. Manifests a sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him.
Note: See explanations of some of the question under the question on
the study...End of Study....
Date: Monday, December 23, 2002 at 10:26:27 (CST)
Page No :8
Study: Study 3 Answers..........Preparation of the Bride.........Song of Solomon
"The Banqueting House" 1. His Mare among the Chariots of Pharoah.
2. We are to seize the Kingdom by force, as a prescious prize, with most ardent zeal and intense exertion.
3.
a. Warhorse, full of the strength of the Lord.
b. He laughs at fear.
c. He does not turn back from the Sword.
d. He does not stand still at the voice of the Trumpet.
e. He scents (discerns) the battle and knows the war cry.
4. Chariots of Pharoah, ornaments, strings of beads.
5. He will make her ornaments of gold and beads of silver.
6. Wisdom will come to you, exalt and honor you.
7. By His prescious and magnificent promises.
8. God will perform His Word.
9. The King at His Table.
10. A hearing of His voice and opening the door to Him.
11. Much bread and strong meat. Page 9Study 3....ANSWERS...PREPARATION OF THE BRIDE..Song of Songs 12. a. Accustomed to the word of righteousness. b. Not a babe. c. Mature. d. Because of practice has senses tranined to discern good and evil. 13. Her perfume gave forth its fragrance. 14. Mary anointed Jesus with spiknard. 15. It becomes the joy and delight of your heart. 16. a. Shouting for joy. b. Radiant c. Their life will be like a watered garden. d. Rejoice in the dance. e. Soul will be filled with abundance. 17. He is to her a pouch of Myrrh. 18. 1. Total death to self. 2. He has granted us devine promises, in order that by them we escape the corruption in the World. 3. Washing of the water of the Word. 4. The yoke will be broken by the anointing. 5. The Word brings Health. 6. Manifests a sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him. Note: See explanations of some of the question under the question on the study... End of Study....
Date: Monday, December 16, 2002 at 09:56:58 (CST)
Page No :7
Study: Study 3.............Preparation Of The Bride...........Song of SolomonApplications: In closest communion at the King's table, the soul now learns from the lips of the Lord that "if she is to know Him fully, she must expect suffering and sacrifice." Up until now, she has only had glimpses of Christ in His Glory. Now He asks her to follow Him, even though it may mean the Cross. "Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" Mark 10:38. Will she turn back? The decision must be made. He will not force us. Thats why I always prayed: Lord, take me where I must go, to be what you want to be...It is only in partaking in the fellowship of His Sufferings that we can partake of and know the power of His Resurrection. Will she follow in the steps of Jesus, who for the joy set before Him, endured the Cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of God? She reveals her Bride Spirit by consenting to follow Him at all costs, clasps the myrrh to her breast and exclaims; "My beloved is to me a pouch of Myrrh."
To her joy, by embracing the fellowship of His sufferings---total death to self--- she finds that this myrrh that she holds so close to her heart begins to preserve her and keep her from corruption, thus allowing her to partake of the divine nature and making her calling and election sure. It has begun to beautify her with the water of the Word, taking away all blemishes, spots and wrinkles. It has brought an anionting upon her life that has begun to break the yoke of the enemy over her and to set her free from bondage. The perfuming quality of this myrrh has produced a fragrance upon her life so that she has become a fragrance of Christ in every place. Men begin to marvel not being able to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which she is speaking, and begin recognizing her as one who has been with Jesus.
O soul, what can I say to the King at His Table? What can you say to Him with the Pierced hands but " I will not leave thee, " My heart is fixed O God, My heart is Fixed.."
End of Study 3 Answers next week...
Date: Monday, December 09, 2002 at 10:14:10 (CST)
Page No :6
Study: Study 3...........Preparation of the Bride............Song of SongsNATURAL:
3. Myrrh has a beautifying quality. It is good to take away the wrinkles from the face and make the skin smooth and shining.
SPIRITUAL: Eph. 5:25-27
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NATURAL:
4. Myrrh was the first and principle ingrediant of the holy anointing oil that was appointed to be used for the anoiting of Aaron and the tabernacle.
SPIRITUAL: Isa. 10:27 (Fatness means anoiting). Isa. 61:1.
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NATURAL:
5. Myrrh has a healing quality.
SPIRITUAL: Prov. 4:20-22 _______________________________________________________
NATURAL:
6. Myrrh has a perfuming quality; it is used for perfuming garments and other things to make them cast a pleasant smell.
SPIRITUAL: 2 Corin. 2:14-16. _______________________________________________________
Date: Monday, December 02, 2002 at 09:01:20 (CST)
Page No :5
Study: Study 3...........Preparation of the Bride.........Song of Solomon16. What picture do we see in Jeremiah of believers who are giving off this type of fragrance? Jere. 31:12-14.
a. (V.12_________________________________________________
b.(V.12)________________________________________________
c.(V.12_________________________________________________
d.(V.1__________________________________________________
e.(V.14_________________________________________________
17. As a result of communing at the banqueting table, in what new ligh
has the "Maiden" seen the King, her beloved? Song 1:13.
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18. Below are the properties of myrrh. In studying them we will discover the new light in which the "maiden" has come to know the King through her spiritual banqueting with Him.
NATURAL: 1. Myrrh is an embalming spice .
SPIRITUAL:1.Mark 10:38,45; Phil. 3:10
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NATURAL: 2. Myrrh has a preserving quality; it keeps things from corrupting, putrifying, and rotting.
SPIRITUAL: 2. 2 Peter:1:4-11
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Date: Monday, November 25, 2002 at 08:38:37 (CST)
Page No :4
Study: Study 3..............Preparation of the Bride...............Song of Solomon12. What type of "maiden" is this that is able to partake of the meat of the King's table? Heb. 5:13,14.
a.v.13.__________________________________________________
b.v.13.__________________________________________________
c.v.14.__________________________________________________
d. v.14._________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________13. As she partakes of this spiritual food, as she communes with the "King", what happens ? Song 1:12.
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*Note Perfume in the original text is nard or spikenard.
14. What example do we see of this in John ? John 12:1-3.
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Mary anointed Jesus because of her love, her appreciation and her dedication to Him. As a result of this love-act, the fragrance of the spikenard filled the room.
15. As a result of feasting on the meat of the Word, what happens? Jere.15:16.
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The result of feasting upon the meat of the Word brings joy, resulting in true praise and a life of dedication and love toward the King. This type of life gives off a smelling fragrance to God and to all those who come near.
Date: Monday, November 18, 2002 at 08:49:05 (CST)
Page No :3
Study: Study 3 Cont.......Preparation of the Bride........The Song of Solomon--The surrendered soul, pressing on for the prize of the high calling of God, is promised here that THE WORK WILL BE DONE ! Christ's Bride shall know life in fellowship with the Glorified One; in fact, she shall sit down with Him in His Throne and be a partaker of His Glory. For those who have a longing heart, God has promised to fulfill ALL their desires. What desire then should be the desire of our hearts??? Money, fame,?? Or to have Him bring us on through our Desert Wanderings to enter His Tent? Gen. 24..... Rest upon His Word then...
6. As a child of God seeks after God's wisdom and knowledge, what does the Word of God Promise? Prov. 4:7-9.
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7. Gold many times has been said to represent the divine life and glory of the Lord Jesus, while silver represents redemption. How can the redeemed men and women become partakers of the divine nature? 2 Peter 1:4-10
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8. What words of assurance do we have from the mouth of the Lord? Num.23:19.
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9. Where is the "maidens" attention directed now? Song 1:12.
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10. What is the requirement in order to commune with the Lord at His banqueting table.? Rev. 3:20.
11. Describe briefly the provision of the King's table. 1Kings 4:22,23.
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Date: Monday, November 11, 2002 at 09:01:12 (CST)
Page No :2
Study: Study 3.............Preparation Of The Bride...........Song of SolomonThis is intense pressing on to know the Lord and the consequencial abandonment to the Holy Spirit for His Work to be done at any cost. Once the will is wholly surrendered to God and the decision made to obey and follow at all costs, the Spirit is then able to do His Work. In its delay and ceaseless controversy of the will against the spirit, that grieves and hinders the Lord. As a result, the child of God is unable to emerge from the region of strife into deepest rest."
4. In this description of the "maiden" by the Bridegroom, what items point to the wealth and power that belong to the soul life? Song 1:9
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She is swift in movement and has a good measure of natural beauty, talent, and strength. For us the comparison points out that in spite of the revelation of the inner chamber and a true quest for a spiritual life, one's natural endowments may come into much prominence in this pursuit. Many make no progress in Spiritual life because of the intrusion of the natural movements. Only what is wrought of God can be reckoned in terms of of true value and carry us on to our goal."
5. What promise of transformation does the Bridegroom give the "maiden"? Song 1:11.
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NOTE: The word for "ornaments" in the Orig. Hebrew means some- thing like a Crown---a gold braided wreath resembling a crown.. The promise of the bridegroom is that He will transform His Bride through redemption, and crown her with eternal life. Rev. 2:10.The working of Gold into ornaments of a braided wreath requires much "FIRE" as Gold is only "Pliable" when melted !! Likewise the Bridegroom transforms the carnal nature into that which is Holy. Gold then is a Symbol of "divine nature".
Date: Monday, November 04, 2002 at 08:02:45 (CST)
Page No :1
Study: Study 3PREPARATION OF THE BRIDE
THE BANQUETING HOUSE "Where is My guest room in which I may eat...with My disciples?" Mark 14:14
At His table Jesus opens His heart to His redeemed one. The Bridegroom has much to say to His own which cannot be said at the beginning. He must first say, "follow Me" and must draw us away from other interests before He can tell us of a path that is expedient for us which will lead to a fuller knowledge of Himself.
1. To what does the "Bridegroom" compare His beloved? Song 1:9
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The "Bridegroom" compares the swiftness of the "maiden" running after Him to the choicest horse among Pharoah's chariots.
2. What words of Jesus describe this swiftness of seeking Him? Matt. 11:12 Please answer this from the Amp.bible quoted here:
"And from the days of John the Baptist until now, The Kingdom of heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force (as a prescious prize)- a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought for with most ardent zeal and intense exertion."
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3. In Job we have a picture of an ardent and striving horse. How might this horse portray for us one who is seeking a share in the heavenly kingdom? Job 39: 19-25.
a. V.19,21
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b. V. 22
c. V. 22_______________________________________________________
d. V.24_______________________________________________________
e. V.25_______________________________________________________
Date: Monday, October 28, 2002 at 08:14:13 (CST)
Page No :8
Study: Study 2......ANSWER'S......Preparation of the Bride.....Song of Songs1. I am black
2. a. I retract, and repent in dust and ashes.
b. Woe is me, I'm a man of unclean lips.3. I am lovely.
4. a. I have suffered the loss of all things in order to gain Christ.
b. I may be found in Him, not by my righteousness but His through faith.5. a. Like the tents of Kedar.
b. Like the curtains of Solomon.6. The righteous acts of the saints
7. By faith
8. Do not stare at me for the sun has burned me.
9. In order to be Jesus' disciple we must hate our soul life.
10. a. Caught up in caring for the vineyard (Working for God).
b. Neglected her own personal relationship with the Lord.11. a. Mary sat at Jesus' feet listening to His words.
b. Martha was distracted with much service.12. Only a few things are necessary, really only one.
13. These things you should have done without neglecting others.
14. Those who are born again.
15. They were walking according to the flesh.
16. Where do you pasture your flock, where do you make it lie down at noon??
17. Like the light of dawn until it shines brighter and brighter until the full day.
18. You could lift up your face without moral defect and be steadfast
and not fear...and your life would be brighter than noonday.19. Fellowship with His Son.
20. They were rebuked for following after man.
21. We do not want hardness of mind or heart, but an openness to receive revelation.
22. a. Go forth on the trail of the flock.
b. Pasture your young goats by the tents of the shepherds.23. a. Imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
b. Imitate the faith of those who led you and spoke the Word of God to you.
c. Follow in Christ's steps.24. The five- fold ministry.
25. Those for whom you are responsible.
26. Most beautiful among women.
27. One that worships Him in spirit and in truth.
28. He will love her and disclose Himself to her.
Date: Monday, October 21, 2002 at 08:23:02 (CDT)
Page No :7
Study: Study 2...........Preparation of the Bride..........Song of Solomon24. What "Shepherds" should the Christian follow?? Eph. 4:11-13.
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25. In light of the above, what meaning might the "maiden's" goats or kids have.? Song 1:8.?
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As a baby Christian, we always wonder what He meant by this
statement of who we should follow..and His saying " To those HE
has sent to us. ..as babies, we can't SEE this yet, and the only way
we can know whom to follow is to be well read in the Bible, to be
able to know Truth from Error, and follow those who speak and
live accordingly.
While in the greatest pursuit of our own spiritual maturity, we
must be careful not to neglect the younger (kids or goats, the less
mature one's). for whom we have the responsibility. Our attention
here focuses on service and warns that in seeking for Christ in a
fuller measure for ourselves, our duty to younger and more immature ones
must at the same time be carried out. Exhorting them to look to Jesus and
His word, and Obediance to it as the path to follow.
26. How does the King address the " maiden" in this passage? Song 1:8.
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Recognizing our own lack of self-worth and need for the Lord is
the first requirement to becoming truly beautiful in the eyes of the King.
27. What kind of worshipper has the "maiden" become? John 4: 23,24
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28. What promise does she have from the Lord? John 14:21.
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Date: Monday, October 14, 2002 at 10:55:59 (CDT)
Page No :6
Study: Study 2.................Preparation of the Bride.................Song of Songs19. Into what are we called? 1 Corin. 1:9
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20. What rebuke did the early church receive? 1 Corin. 1:12,13.
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21. In not wanting to be a veiled one, how does the "maiden's" desire
remind us of our being "unveiled"? 2 Corin. 3:15-18..
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Note: Wearing a veil was the custom of women during the Bible times,
and to this day in the middle east. Their faces could only be seen by their
husbands. The "maiden's" desires to have her face uncovered that she might
look intently into the Bridegroom's face, and He unto hers, so that she might
receive the Revelation of Himself, and yet this is "Hidden" from the World..In
the World and in the Old Covenant the veil remains.
22. What instruction does the Bridegroom give ? Song 1:8..
a. _______________________________________________________
b. _______________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
23. What meaning can this instruction have for the Christians?
Heb. 6:12; Heb. 13:7; 1 Peter 2:21...
a. _______________________________________________________
b._______________________________________________________
c. _______________________________________________________
Date: Monday, October 07, 2002 at 13:21:08 (CDT)
Page No :5
Study: Study 2.............Preparation of the Bride...............Song of Songs15. Why were they persecuting her? Galatians 4:29
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16. What cry does the "maiden" utter to the Lord? Song 1:7
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Note: Noon symbolizes the perfect light of the day. It is the sun in full
strength...Spiritually meaning the height of our awareness of Him, or
revelations, His light shining within us. The closer we come to the Light,
the better we can SEE.17. To what is the pathway of the just likened? Prov. 4:18
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18. As we put away wickedness and trust in the Lord, what will be the
result? Job 11:13-19
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The "maiden" is like those who ask the Lord for the pathway to
spiritual maturity, those who desire the path of rest with God in the
fullnes of His light and in full fellowship with Him. Such do not wish to be
a part of companies of people who follow men of God (His Companions)
rather than the Lord Himself. This is symbolized by the flocks of His
Companions. If we follow the Lord Himself, we are then His Companions.
We dare not follow men of God.
Date: Monday, September 30, 2002 at 10:37:12 (CDT)
Page No :4
Study: Study 2............Preparation of the Bride.............Song of Solomon9. What words of Jesus go along with this attitude of the heart? Luke 14:26, see also Acts 20:22-24 as a clue of the meaning of what Jesus is saying here.
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10. In what has she been caught up and what has she neglected?
Song 1:6
a. _____________________________________________________
b. _____________________________________________________
11. We can compare this to the story of Mary and Martha. What
was Mary doing? What was Martha doing? Luke 10: 38-42
a. _____________________________________________________
b. _____________________________________________________
12. What was Jesus' answer to Martha? Luke 41,42
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13. What exhortation did Jesus give of balance in the believer's
life? Matt.23:23.
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14. In light of Galatians 4:26-29, what might "my mother's sons"
imply? Song 1:6
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Date: Monday, September 23, 2002 at 10:42:06 (CDT)
Page No :3
Study: Study 2....Preparation of the Bride...............Song of SolomonNote: Kedar means dark room or chamber..
In like manner, the moon illustrates the church in that it has no light of its own, but reflects the light of Jesus. (The LIGHT that shines in the darkness.)
6. The curtains of Solomon were made of fine linen. What does fine linen in the Scriptures represent? (Rev. 19:8) (The tents of Kedar and the curtains of Solomon are a Hebrew Parallelism.)
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7. How are we made righteous? Rom. 4:3-5.
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Therefore, we see that the righteous acts of the saints are faith acts.... believing God and acting on the truth of His Word. We see then that the "maiden", though dark in her soul life and in need of a renewed mind, believes God and its is accounted to her as righteouness...
8. As a result of the revelation of blackness, what is the cry of the "maiden" to those around her ? Song 1:6.
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It is the discipline of the Lord that has withered the "maiden's" flesh and made the life of the flesh to be of no account to her. God is spoken of in Scripture as being a sun, a consuming fire. He has scorched her with His terrible holiness and caused her to be black. Praise and esteem becomes most painful t to the "maiden" because her soul is conscious of what she is within herself. She feels that she has been laid bare to every human as well as to the eye of God. Any desire within her to be admired or honored passes away. She only craves a deeper abasement so that her Lord alone may be seen.
Date: Monday, September 16, 2002 at 09:58:02 (CDT)
Page No :2
Study: Study 2............Preparation of the Bride............Song of Solomon2. What does the heart of the believer cry at this point in the
revelation of God? (Job 42:5,6; Isa. 6:5.)..
a. __________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
b._____________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Job cried out, " I abhor myself", while Isaiah cried out, " I am ruined."
When this self-abhorrence is real and deep, the soul has no hesitation in
acknowledging it. Many desire the self-life dealt with in secret, and are not
willing to be as honest before others as they are before God. This pride
must be broken before deliverance comes. Even our spiritually religious
appearance must be surrendered so that we may be brought into a life of
transparent reality both before God and man.3. In realizing her blackness, what else does the "maiden" realize?
Song 1:5
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4. What experience did Paul have along this line? Phil. 3:8,9.
a. ____________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
b. ____________________________________________________
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5. How does the "maiden" describe herself in symbolic terms?
Song 1:5 a.______________________________________________
b. _____________________________________________________
Date: Monday, September 09, 2002 at 08:59:24 (CDT)
Page No :1
Study: Study 2...Preparation of the Bride...Song of SongsTHE REVELATION IN THE KING'S CHAMBERS In the preceding study we noticed that as soon as believers begin to cry out to know God for Himself alone, The Lord brings them into His Chambers. Notice that this is not a banqueting house, but His Chambers.... a secret place.... where each individual will be prepared for a fuller knowledge of the Lord.
1. What was the first revelation the "maiden" received in the King's Chambers? Song 1:5. This blackness was from the heat of the sun. vs. 6.
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Remember now, What God has created in the Physical realm, is what He is trying to show us in the Spiritual realm. The sun in the Physical, is God in the Spiritual... "A consuming Fire", that never burns out, as in the Burning bush for Moses. As the New Moon is to the belivever, Hidden in Christ. The Burning up of the Chaff.
The Spirit of God will deal deeply with all those who believe, who make the confession of the "maiden", "We will run after You". To those who utter this cry, He will reveal all that is contrary to the mind of God in their hearts and lives.
The "maidens" recognition of her "blackness" is not an acknowledgement of the former sins that have been put away; all that was knowingly wrong in the born again soul, has already been put away or we would never have been able to come to this place of intimate fellowship in the King's Chambers.
The redeemed one's cry, "I am black," is a revelation of the blackness of the unrenewed mind---the mind that has been corrupted for so long by satan. It is a revelation of soul-power, of everything that is a product of the soul-life. It is a revelation of the unsubmitted soul of man: mind, intellect, emotions and will, all of which must be brought under the control of the Spirit. Once the "maiden" only thought of the blackness as sin, but now SEES the blackness of her unrenewed soul.
Date: Monday, September 02, 2002 at 10:01:17 (CDT)
Page No :4
Study: Conclusion to Answers....Study 1.....Preparation of the Bride.....Songs9. a. He emptied Himself.
b. He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death.
(As we are called to do as well, are we better than Him? No,
We are also called to death (of self will), to give up our life, to
find it again IN him...On the resurrection side of the Cross)...
c. God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name above
every name.
d. At that name every Knee shall bow, and every tongue confess
that Jesus IS LORD.
10. Draw me after you.
11. a. He draws us with love.
b. He lifts the yoke from us.
c. He feeds us (personally).
12. He brings her into His chambers. (Like He did in Gen. 24)
(Rebekah here, is a type of the Bride of Christ.)..
13. King.
14. Cause them to rejoice and be glad.
15. Rightly--because of who He is.
16. a. Love from a pure heart.
b. A good conscience.
c. A sincere faith.(End of Study 4)
Date: Monday, August 26, 2002 at 10:55:25 (CDT)
Page No :3
Study: Study 1...ANSWERS...Preparation of the Bride.....Song of Songs1. In typeology; who is the type of Solomon? Jesus.
2. The 144,000 (those who overcome) Overcome what?? Disobediance, sin, self will, the devil (the flesh).
3.a. They have not been defiled with women, for they have kept themselves chaste, (separated from the harlot system). What is harlot system ?? Straying away from God, and His ways, into the ways of the World, and of the desires of our flesh, rather than walking in the Spirit of God.
b. They follow the Lamb wherever He goes. (He guides and Shepperds His sheep, and shows them THE WAY, and keeps them safe from the wolves of the world, in a quiet, peaceful, lush, green pasture, with rivers of living water.
c. They are first fruits to God and to the Lamb.
d. No lie was found in their mouth. (Because they have learned Obediance to God.)
e. They are blameless. (They have learned that IN Christ, it is easy not to sin, and to live in the will of God. ) The Lure of World, and of the flesh has been incenerated in the fires of our testings, and we have come out darkened as the "maiden", but lovely to God.
4. He takes the poor and needy, lifts them from the dust and ash heaps, and meakes them sit with the nobles and inherit the throne.
5. May he kiss me with the kisses of his mouth--a desire for personal affection from the Lord.
6. a. Pray that the Father will give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. (Ask Him to take you where you must go, to be what HE wants you to be. )
b. Pray that the eyes of your heart would be enlightened to KNOW the hope of His calling.
c. Pray to know the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.
d. Pray to know the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.
7. It is better than wine.
8. a. Your oils have a pleasing fragrance.
b. Your name is like Purified oil.
Date: Monday, August 19, 2002 at 08:49:33 (CDT)
Page No :2
Study: Study 1.......Preparation of the Bride.........Song of Solomon10. What prayer does the "maiden" utter ? Song 1:4
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11. How does the Lord draw us to Himself ? Hosea 11:4
a. _____________________________________________________
b. ____________________________________________________
c. _____________________________________________________
It is the revelation of Jesus, given by the Spirit of His own beauty and magnificent glory, that draws us to Himself. Notice : THE ONE BELIEVER DRAWN TO THE LORD RESULTS IN US (MANY) RUNNING AFTER HIM. Song 1:4. Believers that are being drawn t the Lord inspire others to press on to know Him.
12. How does the Lord answer the "maiden's" prayer ? Song 1:4
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13. By what title does the "maiden" recognize the Lord? Song 1:4
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Before we can know the Lord as the beloved Bridgegroom of our souls, we must recognize Him as the reigning King. Complete dedication to His rule and authority always precedes a life of intimate love and devotion. This act of bringing the believer into His Chamber, or secret place, marked the beginning of an intimate communion with her and a special revelation of Himself to her.
14. What does Song 1:4 imply that this relationship will do for believers? _______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
15. With what motive do these believers love the Lord ? Song 1:4
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16. What is the goal of our instruction ? 1 Tim. 1:5
a._____________________________________________________
b. _____________________________________________________
c._____________________________________________________
May the Lord, by this sweet word of His Spirit, stir up many believers to become dissatisfied with anything else other than true Bridal affection for the Lord of Glory. May He cause all of us who are His people to thirst and to reach out for those full and mature affections described in this song, which alone can satisfy His heart.
Date: Monday, August 12, 2002 at 09:56:51 (CDT)
Page No :1 Study 1
Study: PREPARATION OF THE BRIDE......Song of Songs.8. What does she say about the character and name of her lover? Song 1:3 a._____________________________________________________
b._____________________________________________________
Therefore, the virgins love Him---because of who He is, the sweet oil of His graces, and because of His sweet name which is like purified oil that is emptied out.
9. That sweet ointment of His precious name has been poured out what does Paul say of Him? Phil. 2:6-11.
a.(v.7)
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b.(v8)
c.(v.9)
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_______________________________________________________
d.(v.10,11)
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Date: Monday, August 05, 2002 at 08:32:25 (CDT)
Page No : 7
Study: Introduction Cont..."The Preparation of the Bride"...Song of Solomon2. The mighty men of David are described as "mighty men of valor, men trained for war, who could handle a shield and spear, and whose faces were like the faces of lions, and they were as swift as the gazelles on the mountain... He who was least was equal to a hundred and the greatest to a thousand" 1 Chron. 12:8,14.
3. A description of the feats of the mighty men of God is given by Paul as those who "by faith conquered Kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouth of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty men in war, put foreign armies to flight" Heb. 11:33-34.
Everything about these biblical associations points to conquering, aggressive faith. Those whose heart are completely His, God is able to make more than conquerors, over the power's of darkness, and all adversity coming from the darts of the devil. All the Nations that battled Israel in the O.T. are the very nations that battle God's people to this very day, only now in the spirit realm, the power's of darkness.
The tower in this passage is also said to be set with rows of stones. Here are a few biblical associations in regards to these stones..
1. Speaking of the fallen Adam, Ezekiel records, "You were in Eden, the garden of God; every prescious stone was your covering...Ez. 28:13. It was in Eden where God first communed with man that these prescious stones first appear. The abundance of these stones speaks of God's blessing.
2. When God instituted the priesthood of ancient Israel, He ordered the High Priest to wear a breastplate with twelve stones set in rows on which were to be engraved the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. The High Priest was to wear this breastplate as he ministered unto the Lord. They were called the stones of memorial and were similar stones to those which were once in the garden of Eden. The High Priest was a symbol of a man fully restored to fellowship with God. (As is our Lord Jesus at this present time, our Great High Priest.) As he wore these stones with the name of each tribe engraved upon it, the tribes were to be reminded that they were being restored to a place of fellowship with God. Ex. 25:7; 28:9-12; 15:21,29.
3. In the prophecies concerning the coming of the Messiah and His blessings of salvation the prophets used the Edenic image of these stones. "Behold, I will set your stones in antimony, and your foundations I will lay in Sapphires, Moreover, I will make your battlements of rubies, and your gates of crystal, and your entire wall of prescious stones". Isa. 54:11,12. End of Introductions...
Date: Monday, July 29, 2002 at 10:14:12 (CDT)
Page No : 6
Study: ...Introduction...Preparation of the Bride...The Study of the Song of Solomon6. The records of the prophets end with this promise which is a Capstone Scripture in understanding what is meant in the Song of Solomon concerning the bride's neck: "And as for you, tower of the flock, hill of the daughter of Zion, to you it will come ...even the former dominion (Rain) will come, the Kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem."Micah 4:8. Look at the 2 and 3 days. !! (1000 yrs.)is as a day...to God.
What is a Capstone Scripture??? This verse is the key verse, out of all the verses mentioning the words neck and tower, because it is connected to the type of Christ. He is the tower of the Flock, the Kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem, who's neck we speak of here. The brides neck, the daughter of Jerusalem, led by the tower of the Flock. Its a verse that brings the key words together..
Another example of this: "The Third Day" Mercy, that's another Study in itself. In Hosea 6:1-3. These Capstone Scripture verses. Bring that phrase all together also. We have the natural 3rd day, and we have the spiritural 3rd day, of what is to come. In doing word studies, there are manyyyyy verses concerning each word, we look for the Capstone Scripture verse that brings it all together, or the "buzz" words, "nuggets", whatever you want to call them. These 3 vs.s are sooo rich.
Tower then represents the strength, protection and refuge of God. IN Christ is our Protection and Refuge. From this imagerywe learn that one totally yielded to God knows His strength, protection, and refuge. The promise extended to one who is "as the tower of the flock" is a promise of "dominion". It is only those whose will is totally surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus that have the supernatural strength it takes to arise and fulfill the dominion mandate and help bring God's Kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven. It is to those totally yielded and obediant to God that "Dominion" will come.
The specific tower in our Song of Solomon passage is said to be a storehouse for shields, the defensive weapons of David's mighty men. Here are a few of the bibli- cal associations in regards to shields and David's mighty men:( For the sake of brevity I will only list those verses that are essential in understanding the meaning of the imagery as it relates to this passage.)
1. One of the first associations that should rush into the mind of the Christian when the word "shield" is used in the passage from Eph. concerning the weapons of our spiritual warfare, The "shield" specifically is said to be the "shield" of faith with with which we are able to extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one". Eph.6:16.
Date: Monday, July 22, 2002 at 09:52:52 (CDT)
Page No : 5
Study: ...Introduction Cont.......Preparation of the Bride......Song of Solomon -The imagery, or "Foreshadow", (From Natural to Spiritual), continues likening the neck to the tower of David with rows of stones. There are two "Types" that rise be- fore us here, the "tower of David" and the "rows of stones". The mention of David in a passage that speaks of love and praise should immediately bring to our minds what God said about David, "I have found David, the son of Jesse, a man after My heart, who will do all my will" (A type of Christ).. 1 Sam. 13:14; Acts 13:22.
Here are a few biblical associations with the word "tower":
1. The first tower mentioned in the Bible was the tower of Babel which the sons of Noah built in rebellion against God's command to go forth and fill the earth. De- siring to stay in one location the children of Noah began to build a tower of refuge that would reach up to heaven. God did not approve of their actions, confused their languages and scattered them. Gen. 11:1-9.
2. King Asa built towers to fortify Judah and King Uzziah built towers at the var- ious gates in the wall to fortify Israel against enemy attack. It was the custom of the watchmen to stand in these towers to listen and watch for enemy approach and to basically guard the City. These towers were built when both men were walking in fear and obediance to the Lord, and He prospered their undertakings. 1Kings 15:23; 2Chron. 26:9,10,15; 2Kings 9:17.
3. David speaks of the Lord as being a "refuge" and a "tower of strength against the enemy" Psa. 61:3. "He is a tower of deliverance to His King" 2Sam. 22:51, Solo- mon proclaims, "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe". Prov. 18:10.
4. When Israel was about to go into Babylonian captivity, Jeremiah and Ezekiel pro- hesied the destruction of Israel, specifically the towers of the cities. Jere. 31:38; Ezk. 26:4. this besides signifying the "literal" destruction of the fortifications of God's people also signified that God would no longer be the strength, refuge and protection of a rebellious people.
5. When Nehemiah and the Jews returned from Babylonian exile, the first thing they did under the direction of God's Spirit toward the restoration of Jerusalem was to rebuild the walls and the towers. The towers were literally rebuilt, but along with them returned the protection and watchcare of the Lord to His exiled people. Neh. 3:1,25-27.
Date: Monday, July 15, 2002 at 10:41:24 (CDT)
Page No :4
Study: ...Introduction...Preparation of the Bride.........................The Song of Solomon...........
Throughout the entire biblical revelation from Exodus to the book of Acts we see he word "neck" used in relationship to man's free-will. In these passages neck is used in connection with the word "stiff" and indicates man setting his will against God's will.
2. We are exhorted in Proverbs to bind God's commandments around our neck. If we hear our father's instruction and do not forsake our mother's teaching it is said to be an "ornament about our neck." We are exhorted to bind kindness and truth around our neck. These verses all refer to a "teachable spirit" and a "submissive will". Prov. 1:9; 3:3,22; 6:21.
3. God spoke that any nation who would not "put its neck under the yoke of the King of Babylon" would be punished. Again the reference is to the submission of the will. Jere. 27:8.
As we read these passages as well as others, a pattern begins to arise in succession before us; the neck seems to have something to do with the will. The imagery and word pictures begin to evoke this response and an understanding in our minds. Thus when the Bible speaks of the neck we are supposed to have in our minds many associations of biblical events that affect our thinking. This then is a reward for those who would be so-called Bible Thumpers... It takes much Bible reading to begin to be able to do this. The word neck is a type of a "buzz-word" and is supposed to cause all manner of biblical examples to come rushing into our mind.
The Bible uses many of these "buzz-words", and increases the number of them as it goes on; until, by the time we get to Rev. (the capstone of biblical prophecy), they all come rushing toward us all at once, in a blizzard of associative references, some of which are obvious, some obscure.".
Considering again the "neck" of the bride that Solomon is describing, in the context of the passage in which the description appears, Solomon is praising his bride for her beauty. The "bride" which we have already established as referring to the "Bride of Christ" in its symbolic context, because here Solomon is a type of Christ, is not rebuked for having a stiff and rebellious neck, but rather praised for her beautiful neck. Thus we are to understand that she has a teachable, submissive, and obediant nature and that her will is totally yielded to the Lordship of Jesus.
Date: Monday, July 08, 2002 at 10:24:08 (CDT)
Page No :3
Study: Page 3...Introduction Cont....."Preparation of the Bride" ...(The Song of Solomon)When we are reading the Bible and find a symbolic or figurative expression we are expected to think of the Biblical Associations of this term which employ that symbol throughout the Biblical readings. Ex. From doing word studies, we eventually see that in looking up "Tree", Trees, Forest" etc. that He is speaking of Jesus as the Tree of Life, other usuages of tree is the individual believer, in Luke it says:"I see men as trees walking." And the Forest is the body of Christ, not the individual Christian.
We begin associating these things together,seeing them flowing through out the Scriptures. We are also the "Land". When land is used in away that surely can't mean real land, its pointing to the Believer, like when it said to dig up your fallow ground, means your dry and cracked, and need to get a fresh filling of "water" and anoiting to loosen up ...and get back to a healthy spirit. I'll let you find this in your Concordance. "Dig up your fallow ground"..
And for example: take the passage from the Song of Solomon that likens his bride's neck to the "tower" of David built with rows of stones, on which are hung a thousand shields...of the mighty men." This passage is rich with biblical imagery and evokes many biblical associations. We must let the Bible's own structure arise from the text itself, to impose itself upon our understanding.
We should immediately ask: Why is space given to describing someone's neck? Why is the neck described in such a way? What is the significance of the word neck in Scripture to merit such a description? What are some of the biblical associations with the word neck that arise before me as I think of the teaching of the entire biblical revelation? Here is where your "Strongs Exhaustive Concordance" doing a word study would bring this all out. Look up the word "neck" and read how its used in other verses throughout.
Here are a few:
1. God continually spoke of Israel as a rebellious "stiff necked" people who were continually provoking Him in the wilderness journey, (As He does with us when we disobey Him) in our rebellions and resisting the leadership of His Spirit.They continued to resist Him even when they had entered the promised land and were finally sent into captivity because of their stubbornness. Stephen, relating Israel's history in the New Testament, told the Jews that they were "Stiff-necked" and uncircumcised in heart and ears always resisting the Holy Spirit." Ex. 32:9; 33:3,5; 34:9; Deut. 9:6,13; 31:27; IIKings 17:14; Jere. 7:26; Acts 7:51.
Date: Wednesday, July 03, 2002 at 15:08:52 (CDT)
Page No :2
Study:And what of the 23rd Psalm? Are we really to believe that God is going to lead the Christian into literal "green pastures" and ex- pect us to eat grass like a sheep? What about the Psalm that says" "My tongue is the pen of a ready writer" Psa. 45:1. Am I to expect my tongue to become a literal pen? The list goes on and on, are all these to be interpreted literally or are these symbols to be understood and through them a SPIRITUAL lesson gained? This is a constant through out Scripture, and even some things that don't sound quite so bazarre, and also there for spiritual lessons as examples for us.
And what of the passages from the Song of Solomon giving Solomon's descritption of his bride as "your neck is like the tower of David's built with rows of stones, on which are hung shields, all the round shields of themighty men" Song 4:4 ? Does this sound like a beautiful neck? Or is this merely figurative language that is meant to communicate some great truth to our hearts?
If the symbolic and figurative language of the Bible is meant to be understood, and it is, the question we must ask is this, how do you know what these figures represent? Should we speculate and bestow an arbitrary meaning to these symbolic figures of our own imagination ? (Interpret the Scriptures) ourselves? (Man's doctrines) God Forbid !! Or should we go to the Bible itself to find the interpretations of these symbols. ?
The Bible of course would be the safer and more accurate resource. As we begin our quest to understand the rich heritage of biblical images, we will begin to notice that the Bible is truly a dictionary defining and interpreting itself.
In order to be able to SEE, we must be well read in the Scriptures, and do Word Studies so that a matter will flow from one end to the other, look up the Hebrew meanings, which shed much light upon a matter in our understanding. Much is lost into the English translations. Be a Seeker of God's word, and of God Himself, the closer we come to Him (the Light), the better we can SEE. Prov. 25:2 He has a reward for us for so doing.
"The Bible is not structured in a flat, this means--that style. Instead, it is meant to be read visually. We are to see the images rise before us in succession, layer upon layer, allowing them to evoke a response in our minds and hearts. The Prophets, for example, did not write in order to create stimulating intellectual exercise. They wrote to teach. They wrote in visual, dramatic symbols; and if we would fully understand their message, we must appreciate their vocabulary. We must read the Bible visually. The visual symbols themselves, and what the Bible says about them, are important aspects of what God wants us to learn; otherwise He wouldnt have spoken that way.
Date: Wednesday, July 03, 2002 at 15:07:58 (CDT)
Page No :1
Study:
Introduction
" PREPARATION OF THE BRIDE"
Song of SolomonHow To Read the Song of Solomon:
As we study and read the Bible, we begin to realize that the Bible is filled with
history, passages meant for literal interpretation, theological advice, and vision
or the future. The Bible is filled with Poetry, allegory and parables. One cannot
study the Bible comprehensively without realizing that often interlaced with very
literal language is highly symbolic imagery. The Palsms and the Prophets make
use of this symbolic language while some books intheir entirety, such as Song of
Solomon and Revelation, cannot be understood apart from deciphering their
symbolic meanings.A very important verse that Paul gave us, which should be looked at continually is
1 Corin. 15:46, here is a principle of God when he says: "First the natural, then
afterwards that which is Spiritual."Thus the Creator is telling man to look at His
creations, for He is speaking a language to us by created things. Within the
created things and creatures, God has hidden truth. For He takes "the language of
creation" and it becomes "the language of the symbol" which in turn becomes "the
language of redemption".For example, who would interpret the passage from Rev that speaks of a beast
"having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns were ten diadems, and on his
heads were blasphemous names" Rev.13:1 as literal ?? Who is literally expecting to
see a woman clothed in purple and scarlet actually drinking the blood of the saints,
etc. and etc. There is no way these passages can be under-stood without assigning
some literal meaning to each symbolic figure.And what about Jesus' promise to make the overcomer a "pillar in the temple of
God" Are we to understand that our destiny for eternity is to become a literal pillar
of stone in the Temple? Or what about the "door" Do we really believe that we need
to search for a literal door to open to allow Jesus entrance into our life??These kinds of things are through out the Scriptures, and we have to keep this in
mind, and seek their spiritual meanings, in order to find "Truth".. Many things of
this nature are dicovered by doing Word Studies, and Looking up the Hebrew
meanings of words, names, and places.