Friday, January 3, 2014

"Come"

03 Jan 2014

Hi all,
The Lord has been speaking to Phyllida and me about preparing the bride for her heavenly bridegroom. It is clear that this is the next phase of our ministry together.
Yesterday we were reminded of a vision I had in Fish Hoek. At the time, Phyllida was the Chairlady of Aglow. Once per month the ladies would meet in one of the halls in Fish Hoek for praise and worship, a short message, prayer and ministry. It was an all ladies meeting but men were not excluded. In those days I would take Phyllida to the hall, stay a few minutes and then leave to attend to whatever it was that had to be done. Later, I would slip back into the hall and sit at the back, waiting for the meeting to conclude.

On one particular occasion, I was quietly minding my own business, sitting at the back of the hall. Suddenly I had a vision of a bride. This was no ordinary bride. She was the most exquisite bride I’ve ever seen. To say she looked absolutely stunning is an inadequate statement.
I’ve seen a number of brides in my life. I remember seeing Lady Di, in her wedding dress, when she married Prince Charles. More recently, we saw Kate Middleton in her wedding dress when she married Prince William. There is no question that these two brides were glorious; beauty personified for their respective bridegrooms and the general public. That’s how it should be. However, neither of these beautiful women could compare with the bride I saw in my vision. Looking at her was a breath-taking experience. I shared the vision with some of the Aglow ladies after the meeting.

When I arrived home, I felt constrained to write down the vision. That’s when I started writing the poem I’ve called “Come”. It was written slightly differently. As a marriage officer and from personal experience, I have a good idea of what goes through the bridegroom’s mind while standing at the altar waiting for his beloved. That is when it occurred to me that I should compose the poem from the bridegroom’s point of view. The problem was, I was to try and put down in verse, something of what the Lord Jesus would be thinking and feeling when He marries His Bride.

Now I realise that it is only possible for me to write things down in terms with which we are all familiar. I cannot describe the reality of heaven. But I could express something of what many men feel while standing at the altar. In this way it would be possible to convey the excitement and wonder of the occasion of Jesus’ wedding to His bride. Note: I’ve used familiar terms to describe the indescribable. I’ve also taken liberties with some of the features customary to a typical Western World type Christian wedding. 

For example I’ve referred to a “honeymoon” in the poem. I make no claim to some new revelation that Jesus will take His bride away on honeymoon. The poem is thus more of an allegory than fact. What it does do is express, somewhat inadequately, Jesus thoughts at His wedding. It is not intended as a new doctrine. It stems from imagination rather than reality. In spite of this you may sense in your spirit something of what Jesus is “experiencing” as he stands waiting at the altar for His Bride.

Phyllida and I believe the “Bride of Christ” should begin to focus on the forthcoming wedding to Jesus. He expects His people to be “ready” when He returns. So let us prepare for His return. Let us begin preparing in much the same way a woman prepares for her wedding. You ladies know what I mean. We men struggle with the concept of being part of the Bride. We need the Holy Spirit’s help, alongside your help, such that when the day dawns, we will all be ready for the greatest day in our lives!
Shalom,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland 



“Come!”
PRAYER
Lord, what is the picture that You would have me paint.
A very special portrait for a very special saint.
A picture to bring comfort and help her try to see,
What’s about to happen to the one betrothed to Thee.

I’d like to try and show her how You feel about Your bride.
The keen anticipation You have bubbling inside.
I’d like to draw the veil aside so she can take a peek,
At all the preparations; and then to ask You, speak
To her about the wedding, and of the part she’ll play,
So she may get a glimpse of what will happen any day.

ANSWER:
See the decorations. See what’s been prepared.
Nothings too much trouble. No expenses spared.
Look at all the tablecloths. See the fine detail.
Everyone a masterpiece on a gigantic scale.
Made from purest linen, enhanced with fine damask.
Hand stitched by the angels who exalted in their task.

Look at all the dinner plates laid out in perfect rows.
Fashioned out of diamonds. Observe how each one glows!
The goblets on the table, designed to look like bells,
Were chiselled out of marble as thin as oyster shells.

See, the candelabra, with aromatic oil,
Shining like a million suns with light which cannot spoil.
The fragrance and the perfume have been carefully selected.
There’s only just a trace of it. But it can be detected;
Recognised by everyone as what they each prefer,
Combined with flower blossoms, and just a hint of myrrh.

The seats around the table were specially made for Me;
Hand crafted to perfection from solid ebony;
Inlaid with polished walnut and rosewood decoration,
And scarlet velvet padding for a royal coronation.

The room is large and airy. It’s circular in size.
No matter where a person sits, they’ll look into My eyes.
No matter where a guest may be, each one will sit beside
The honoured bridal party, the Bridegroom and My bride.


The entertainment’s perfect; The music is sublime;
Conducted by an angel and composed by the Divine.
The timbre’s soft, yet lilting, to set the heart on fire,
Accompanied in harmony by the angelic choir.

The Church is a Cathedral. It’s specially designed,
To cope with the invited guests. The walls have all been lined
With panelling of cedar, upon which has been draped,
Tapestries of golden thread, all beautifully shaped,
And woven in the texture of pure translucent silk.
Exquisite in their artistry, in frames as white as milk.

The altar is behind me. I’m standing right beside.
My heart is filled with longing. I’m waiting for my bride.
I’m filled with expectation and terribly excited.
My love is reaching out to her, and with her I’m delighted.
The guests have all been seated. The organ has begun
To play a Royal Wedding March. I feel I want to run!
I want to run and catch you and hold you very tight.
I’ve waited, O so very long, and now the time is right

I gaze in expectation at the carpet on the floor
It stretches right from where I am beyond the Church’s door.
It’s coloured red as crimson. Its pile is deep and plush.
No one has ever walked on it. Then suddenly, a hush
Descends upon the people. The moment has arrived.
That instant in eternity for which creation's strived.

I hear the trumpet signalling it’s fanfare of delight.
I lift My eyes and I behold a real breathtaking sight.
For, standing in the doorway is the woman of my dreams.
The only one I’ve ever loved. The one who truly means.
Far more to Me than anything or anyone I’ve known.
The woman I am longing for to share our Heavenly home.

I gaze at her enraptured. She is a stunning sight.
She’s wearing a white wedding gown of shimmering, liquid light.
It has no spot or wrinkle, or stain of any kind.
The outline of its symmetry is perfectly defined.
It reaches from her shoulders to just above the ground,
Alive with pleats and swirling folds where shadows can’t be found.



Her veil is woven gossamer that’s overlaid with lace.
It stretches from her coronet, obscuring her shy face.
Her bouquet’s made from orchids, white as the driven snow,
Which compliment her wedding gown and helps to make it glow.

My hands spread out in greeting. My only thought is, “Come!”
“Come to Me, My darling!” Her beauty strikes Me dumb!
I almost can’t believe it. It’s too much to take in.
At last I’m looking at My bride! Here is My next of kin.

I hear the music’s playing. She’s walking down the aisle
The journey takes forever. It seems a million miles.
My heart inside is pounding. It’s beating like a drum
And all I want to say to her is, “Come, My darling, Come!”

At last she is in front of Me. I take her by the hand.
We turn and face My Father. In front of Him we stand.
“Do you take this woman?” I hear My Father say.
“Will You love and honour her, regardless? Come what may?

So, in front of everyone, our marriage vows we make.
We promise to be faithful and then I gently take
The veil that was obscuring your face so I can see
An unobstructed vision of the woman made for Me.

Now I see her clearly. I gaze into her eyes.
The woman I am looking at’s not hard to recognise.
Lovelier than sun rise on roses dabbed with dew.
The one who takes My breath away; My precious one, it’s YOU!

Can you see the picture? Do you understand,
What it is I’m saying as I reach out with My hand?
Can you feel the tension of what is in the air?
Comprehend what has been done in order to prepare
For the special moment when I will take My bride,
To live with through eternity - forever by My side?

Tell this to My daughter. Tell her what I see.
Tell her that I love her. She’s sanctified for Me.
Say I’ve been protecting her each moment, every day
Smoothing out the obstacles strewn all along the way.

Tell her that I see her as a girl of seventeen,
Radiant and virginal; the portrait of a queen.
Not a spot or blemish; completely wrinkle free.
Ultimate perfection personified for Me.

Isn’t it fantastic? Isn’t it sublime?
Isn’t this a miracle direct from the Divine.
Isn’t this the vision that’s coursing through your soul?
The thing you have sort after and set up as your goal?

For I’ve watched you dreaming and know what you desire.
Know you have a love for Me, that’s set your heart on fire.
Watched you face life’s problems. Know what you can do.
Understand your weaknesses, and I would say to you.

“Do not be downhearted, bothered or perplexed.
I‘ve seen what you’ve been doing, and know what happens next.
So, can reassure you, there’s nothing you need fear,
For I will take the pain away and dry up every tear.”

“Take courage now My daughter. The wedding has been planned.
The invitations have been sent to all throughout the land.
The bridal chamber’s been prepared. The honeymoon is booked.
The wedding feast will soon take place. The food is being cooked.
There’s nothing left outstanding; no detail left undone.
You know that I can hardly wait, and so I bid you, “Come!”

“Come to me the way you are. Put on your wedding gown.
It is robe of righteousness, as soft as eider down.
You can’t improve upon it, regardless how you try.
I gave it to you as a gift, which money cannot buy.”

“You do not need cosmetics. Your beauty’s not skin deep.
Put aside your jewels. The crown I give, you’ll keep.
Your hairstyle’s unimportant. A perm, you do not need.
And as for your accessories - put them aside, I plead.”

“So, finally, My precious one, to you I am appealing
Come and wear My wedding ring. I say again with feeling.
Come and join your bridegroom and be My blushing bride.
For this is the inheritance for which you’ve often cried.
United with your lover, your husband and your King.
To sit with Me in glory and wear My wedding ring.”
Jim Strickland - 1998

No comments:

Post a Comment