Preparing The Bride

Jesus promised He would come again to take us to be with Him to a place He has prepared for us, and scripture states it is an incredible place and life He has for us, beyond our comprehension. We can begin to experience this abundant life and walk in these Kingdom blessings here and now. As we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us, to lead, convict, teach and empower us to live for Christ we will be prepared for His coming. The real question is not when is He coming, but who is He coming for and will I be among those He receives to Himself? Concerning these end times and His coming, Jesus said though we wouldnt know the exact hour or day, but that we are to be looking for the signs of His coming to watch, pray and be ready for Him to come at any moment. As we watch, pray, and then do whatever He asks us to do, we will be ready for His coming or our going to be with Him, whichever comes first. The Bride has made herself ready! He is coming to take a prepared people to a prepared place, so what does it mean to be ready? In light of the possible imminent return of Jesus, what manner of persons ought we to be/how would we want to be found by Him? What sort of Bride does Jesus desire/deserve and will He accept? Who is He soon coming for? A Passionate Bride not cold or lukewarm but deeply in love with and devoted to Him; one looking and longing for His coming, preparing for His arrival, and desiring only to spend every minute in His presence. It is the essence and key to everything we are and do for the Lord. Everything comes down to loving God and others.

This in-depth 6 week Bible study will help you see the church as Christ sees her - a shining Bride preparing for her beloved Bridegroom. You will discover how Jesus often used the marriage relationship to teach us about Himself, His purposes and His ways. The study draws from the rich symbolism of the ancient Jewish wedding customs, familiar during Jesus' time, but not always understood by today's Christians. This remarkable journey through Scripture will encourage and inspire you as you come to better understand God's plan for the church and how believers can work together to prepare for Christ's return. By the conclusion of this study, you will discover fascinating biblical truths that point the climax of human history— the marriage feast of the lamb!

Warning: Do not read this book if you are not willing to be changed by the Lord! This book uncovers the hidden truth of the preparation of the bride of Christ. The message in this book is to help the Christian see some of the necessary elements the Lord uses in preparation for the marriage. This teaching is based on Ephesians 5:27: That He [Jesus] might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, as well as other places in the Bible where this truth is concealed. If this teaching is received, the heart of the individual Christian will be open to the Lord enabling him to enter the process of preparation, which is necessary for the union with Jesus Christ. I know it is the earnest desire of the author that, as you read this book, you would find that pearl of great value that remains hidden until found by a seeking and hungry heart. James Parnell Teacher at Cornerstone Bible Center

I pray that this great book will be placed in the hands of thousands of men and women across the globe. Spiritual authority and hearing the voice of God is so ably articulated, that even the 'new' Christian will be armed and equipped to identify and recognize these challenges when they arise. Dr. Graham Power Power Group/Global Day of Prayer Being Janet Van Hierden's pastor has been a pleasure. She is a godly woman, deeply prayerful, who adores the Bride of Christ, and practices what she preaches. If there were anyone in our congregation whose prayers for the Bride I would appreciate and value, it would be hers. Bishop Todd Atkinson Via Apostolica & River of Life Church Being gripped with the realization that a great harvest of souls is upon us, there is a sense of urgency as the author through personal stories and testimonies gives practical advice in areas such as: Gaining advantage through "proper response in suffering", and exposing "a deep secret of satan" Aquiring "authority through unity in marriage" What it means for a "woman to surround a man" for his protection This pithy, but easy to read manual helps prepare the Bride for the return of the Bridegroom, while leaving the reader wanting more.

The wedding is planned, but are you spiritually prepared for your wedding day? Trusted relationship author Gary Thomas coaches engaged couples on how to grow closer to the Lord in the days leading up to the wedding as a means of preparing them for all the days after the wedding. Engagement is bursting with promise, hope, joy, and anticipation of all kinds. It can also be one of the busiest times your life. For some, planning a wedding, with all the decisions involved, can feel less like the exciting onset of marriage and more like a tedious to-do list. Amidst the busyness, this devotional is designed to encourage and guide you through the spiritual priorities and challenges that lie ahead in order to grow a joy-filled marriage filled with love, grace, and God's blessing. In addition to helping you celebrate the joys of marriage and become radically connected as you create an even deeper passionate relationship, this lovely book also provides encouraging entries that will help you deal with common issues such as: Building physical and emotional intimacy Repairing trust Celebrating differences Being a team player Managing finances With a special section on the marriage vows and thoughtful meditations for the bride and groom, Preparing Your Heart for Marriage will help you grow in your relationship as a couple on your journey from “me” to “we.”

God is the divine matchmaker, and this is His plan for you. Marriage is God's sacred creation, a beautiful gift for His children. But too often we fail to leave the choice or the timing to Him. In this revised and expanded edition of his bestselling book, well-known Bible teacher Derek Prince and his wife, Ruth, reveal God's true plan for you and your future spouse. In addition to sharing their own real-life love story, Derek lays out seven biblical steps to finding your mate. He will also help you answer tough questions, such as · How can I know if it is God's will for me to marry? · How can I prepare myself for marriage? · How can I find the mate God has appointed for me? · What is God's plan for remarriage? Full of inspiring testimonies from people who found their perfect matches by following these principles, God Is a Matchmaker also offers special counsel and material for parents, pastors, counselors, teachers and youth ministers involved with those preparing for this exciting time of life. When you discover God's pattern for marriage, you will experience His perfect gift: a match truly made in heaven.

The History of mankind is very cyclical. How often has it been said, "history repeats itself." Since time immemorial a repetitive theme in the human drama is Gnosticism, a teaching that special hidden knowledge leads to spiritual enlightenment. Gnostic myths have also focused on the sexual union of gods or goddesses with humans. The recent furor over the fictional novel and movie, The Da Vinci Code, has once again challenged the authenticity of the Christian Gospel, and brought new focus on Gnostic myths. Readers and movie-goers are encouraged to accept the dubious writings of "lost gospels" and reject the canonical teachings of the Bible. In those 2nd and 3rd century sources, the real Jesus who interacted with leaders, cared for the weak and sick, even loving the dregs of society, is exchanged for a strange creature that only appears to be human and bears no likeness to the Jewish man who died on a cruel Roman Cross. Beyond Da Vinci presents the real Jesus through the rich nuptial imagery of the Old and New Testaments. The reader meets the true Bride of Christ and learns of the incredible consummation of Bride and Bridegroom that is yet to come. Are there false Brides? Was Jesus of Nazareth married? Was he just a man or was he divine? Come partake of this incredible journey through the greatest romance of history; a journey to the truth.