Monday, December 13, 2010

Part 12: Jezebel vs Sarah - The Ultimate Beauty Secret

What I presented and proposed in the previous post will be rejected by most readers as something that they simply will not abide. There is a mighty struggle as the flesh wars against the spirit of God. What will be offered in this post is a key to becoming an "overcomer." The Bridegroom calls forth a Bride from among us, radiant in beauty.

Where 1 Peter 3:6 presents a model for wives ("Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord"), there are two kinds of benefit that should be noted. Both kinds are important, but one much more so. There is the aspect of physical beautification that contrasts with the adornment of hair braids, gold, pearls and fancy clothing. The other makes one attractive, not in the eyes of men but in the eyes of the Lord Himself. I want you to see, men and women, married and unmarried, that there is in this a parable of instruction for those of us who would like to be so attractive to the Lord that when He comes for His beloved Bride, we are irresistible, worthy of being selected and desired to be joined with Him. This is not to suggest that it is only merely a parable, because it's not. It reveals in a parable the hope of an overcomer and a key to becoming an overcomer.

We've now come to the bottom line on this whole Jezebel vs Sarah contrast. This is a great mystery, a great secret. This is something I can not possibly overemphasize because it's just that important. It's about - the Bride of Christ. Read Ephesians 5:21-33.

This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
Ephesians 5:32

Here is the mystery made plain, for those who have eyes to see. The passage does present the model of behavior for a husband and wife. Yet, as concerning Christ and the church, the husband represents Christ as an earthly model, a visible witness to the unseen Mashiach as a Bridegroom. A wife represents the Bride of Christ. The husband who is obedient to Christ, his head, will be a good model, accurate, because it will actually be Christ manifesting Himself in that man, His very life. Likewise, the wife who is obedient will be a good model, a visible witness to the unseen Bride.

Husbands and wives, you are responsible to represent the sacred model of Christ and his Bride, presenting a true and living testimony to the world before both men and angels. Read Ephesians 5 until this sinks in. When you begin to grasp this reality you only then begin to understand what marriage is really about. Until you get it, the truth remains hidden, a profound mystery not yet revealed.

The profound secret is this, for those whom the Lord Himself woos. This is His testimony about how it is with His beloved. She is the one He will present to Himself as a glorious church, holy and without blemish. She is the one who comes to such an honored and exalted position in the same way He came to such an honored and exalted position, through utter subjection.

Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Ephesians 5:24

This is the stunning revelation of the Bride and what sets her apart and exalts her in the eyes of her Bridegroom, Y'shua! This is what makes her attractive, the greatest beauty secret of all time! This is that parable of Sarah, who obeyed Abraham, calling him lord! We have the examples of father Abraham and mother Sarah, whose children we must be, my friends.

To grasp this profound mystery is to have a key to being an overcomer. It is this very real hope of being found worthy as the Bride of the glorious Bridegroom Himself that is such a key that can help us overcome the temptation to struggle and strive against the spirit that constrains us to humble obedience.

6) Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your kingdom.
7) You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of joy above Your fellows.
8) All Your garments are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; Out of ivory palaces stringed instruments have made You glad.
9) Kings' daughters are among Your noble ladies; At Your right hand stands the queen in gold from Ophir.
10) Listen, O daughter, give attention and incline your ear: Forget your people and your father's house;
11) Then the King will desire your beauty. Because He is your Lord, bow down to Him.

Psalm 45:9-11

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