Summer 1985
Rise Up and Come Away
Wade E. Taylor

“My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; the flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; the fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grape give a good smell. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.” Song of Solomon 2:10-13

This passage in the Song of Solomon sets forth in beautiful spiritual imagery, a picture of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and of the resurgence of natural Israel in the last days. During this period of time, there is a very special word going forth from the Lord for His people, “Rise up and come away.”

The winter is past, the rain is over and gone;

A time of spiritual barrenness has given way to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit as “latter rain” which comes to prepare the way of visitation. (See Joel 2:23 and James 5:7)

The flowers appear on the earth;

Through this outpouring of the Holy Spirit, choice sons (overcomers) are growing into spiritual maturity and are becoming a fresh, vibrant expression of the Lord throughout the earth.

The time of the singing of the birds is come,
And the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;

Worship has been restored to the Body of Christ. This “singing of the birds” (true worship) is the key that unlocks the door to the heavenly realm. Prophetic revelation (the voice of the turtledove) is bringing forth a deeper understanding of His Word. A vast new realm of spiritual life and experience is being made available to the Lord’s people.

The fig tree putteth forth her green figs

Though yet a green fig, Israel is stepping forth as a nation, and the entire world is aware of her presence and importance.

And the vines with tender grapes give a good smell.

The Body of Christ is both experiencing and expressing the spiritual life and ministry that the Lord desires. Now, those in whom the Spirit of the Lord is moving can truly say, “The winter is past . . . the flowers appear on the earth.”

A people are being called from the world into the Church. Great blessing and growth is taking place in the Church through this outpouring of the Spirit. But there is yet another call. In the midst of this visitation, a singular and personal call from the Lord is being heard by many of His people” “Rise up and come away.” These are being called into a realm of spiritual life and identity with the Lord Himself.

Pressure for participation in some program loudly beckons to many who are finding a new and richer experience in the Lord as they respond to this call. These wonder where their loyalty should be placed as they hunger to come into all that the Lord has for them.

The Lord reveals Himself as standing outside of the door of all this activity. He is knocking, calling to those who have an ear to hear. “Behold I stand at the door and knock, if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and sup with him, and he with me.” (Rev. 3:20)

John heard this call. A door open in heaven, and He heard a voice as a trumpet (prophetic revelation) talking with him, which said: “Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the Spirit; and, behold, a throne . . . and one sat on the throne.” (Rev. 4:1-2) This call was to the Lord Himself.

There is much that the Lord desires to reveal concerning things to come. Yet, He did not place the emphasis on these things, but rather upon Himself; for the revelation which follows is that of the Lord Himself in all of His glory, with the overcoming Church caught up to His throne. Jesus said: “If I be lifted up, I will draw all men to myself.” (John 12:32)

In this day of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and of manifold demands upon our time, let us again meditate on the true purpose for the outpouring of the Spirit. “My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.”

Our Lord is calling a people to Himself to fulfill His purposes for this day in which we live.