Dear Sanctified and Glorious Bride of our Lord Jesus Christ. Today we end our series on the Bride in the Wilderness, and in case you’ve missed any on the series you can find them all on the Call2Come website. Last time we saw how Jesus was offered the Kingdoms of the World if He would bow down and worship Satan. Today we will conclude with Part 2.
The consummation of the Kingdom, is about relationship and authority. This is the concept of the head and is critical. The head of Christ is God, and through this relationship, the Father would give the Kingdoms of this World, but at the end of this current dispensation, and not before. But why not now? Why wasn’t the Kingdom of God consummated on Jesus’ first coming? Because the relationships and lines of authority are not yet fully in place. For in God’s eternal plan, He has chosen that we should be included in Him, to be made one with Him, and that through this relationship of oneness which the Bible describes as marriage, that we shall also reign with Him. Yes, the Father Son relationship has always existed in complete harmony and oneness. But the relationship between Jesus and His Bride is not yet complete, the marriage is yet to take place and be consummated, we are at this time betrothed to Him and await His blessed appearing. I will explain this further: There is a direct parallel between the Father Son relationship and the Bridegroom Bride relationship.
- God is the head of Christ, as Christ is the head of His Church.
“But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.” 1 Cor 11:3
“And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the pre-eminence.” Col 1:18
- Jesus displays the Glory of the Father, the Bride displays the Glory of the Groom
“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.” Heb 1:3
“to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Eph 3:21
“For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man.” 1 Cor 11:7
- The Consummation of the Kingdom comes through the Father Son relationship
“Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed.” Dan 7:14
- The Consummation of the Kingdom comes through the Bridegroom Bride relationship
“Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” Rev 19:7
Here is the point: That the consummation of the Kingdom is not only dependent upon the Son’s head being God, but also dependent upon the Bride’s head being Christ. The Bride must get herself dressed and be prepared, for the manifestation of the Kingdom will come through the church, but the consummation of the Kingdom will come through the Bride. Let me say that from a different angle, there is a difference between the manifestation of the Kingdom and the consummation of the Kingdom, and it is through the Bride that the Kingdom will be consummated. To be clear, I am not saying that the church is not the Bride, or the Bride is not the church, but it is about identity, heart and positioning. Jesus manifested the Kingdom of God because of His relationship with the Father, but the full manifestation of the Kingdom (which is the consummation of the Kingdom) upon the earth will also require that the Bride comes into her Bridal position, submits to her head who is Christ her Bridegroom, and prepares for her union with Him. At that point is the restoration of all things because the lines of relationship and authority are restored.
This then is the temptation of the Kingdom, and we see it widespread today. Jesus was taken to a very high and great mountain. In this place, He could see the kingdom of the world and all its splendour. So also, we are at times lifted to be a place where we can see far, a vision of great distance. And the opportunity is presented to us, that we can have that which we see. It is being offered to us by one whose it is to give. So why not? Let me take this further. Today there is much teaching and emphasis about the Kingdom. We must take the Kingdom, expand the Kingdom, preach the Kingdom, work for the Kingdom etc. We have books, and courses, lectures and conferences all focused on the Kingdom. Herein lies a subtle danger. A gossamer divide between right and wrong. The danger is this: that we can elevate the importance of the Kingdom above the place of the King in our lives. Yes, we must seek first the Kingdom of God, but let us understand that without the King there is no Kingdom. The church is called to manifest the Kingdom and we must be busy about the Master’s business, but let us understand that the consummation of the Kingdom will not happen until the Bride has made herself ready, and Jesus returns again to rule on planet earth.
So dearly beloved, do not fret or worry about many things. Remain in Him, abide in Him, rest in Him, listen to Him, enjoy Him, and let nothing move you away from your intimacy with Him. Lay at His feet, and let the corner of His garment cover you as your Kinsman Redeemer.
Let us pray: “Our Father, we love and adore you. We long to know you more each day. We are so grateful for all that you are and all that you have done for us. We are your children, because you have poured out you love upon us, and through the gift of your Son Jesus we are brought near to you. Our Beloved Jesus, words cannot express your majesty or beauty, but from deep unto deep we know that we are yours. We long for your appearing, and as your Bride we call upon you to Come. Come as the Root and Offspring of David, Come as the Bright Morning Star. Holy Spirit, you fill our lives with your presence and have become to us, our closest friend and companion. Without you, we couldn’t see or hear, but you have quickened us, and brought us life. Fill us afresh today, sanctify us and help us to get dressed for our Bridegroom Jesus. And so Lord, when all is said and done, there is but one word, that we have left to say, and we call upon you know to “Come”. Amen.
Mike @Call2Come
